1980/07/15 PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Special meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:30 P.M.
July 7, 1980 in Room 7 at Berlin Town Hall. Those Conunissioners present were:
Mr. Rosso, Mr. Baccaro and Mr. Piskorski; also attending was Mr. Seelye, Town
Engineer.
2. Agenda Item #1. Proposed zone change from R-43 to R-11 = properties located
on west side of North Colony Road. Mr. Vincent Brescia applicant appeared with
his attorney Mr. Nicholas DiNigris and his engineer Mr. Roderick Hewitt.
The Question of availability of water and sewer facilities was raised by the
Commission, with Mr. DeNigris respon ding that Meriden water mains exist in North
Colony Road at the Meriden-Berlin Town Line, and that Meriden appeared anxious
to sell water due to their extensive development costs; that sewer mains exist
to Worthington Point Road (corrected by Mr. Seelye that the sewer mains extend
south of Worthington Point Road to the top of the hill), and that the developer
of the tract would install the necessary pumping station and connections to the
existing sewer. Upon request of the Commission Mr. Hewitt briefly described
the intended development of the Brescia parcel would be a loop type street with
access from the Meriden portion of North Colony Road. The size of the parcel
in Berlin was described as 8.3 acres and that about 3 to 4 lots could be sub-
divided under R-43 zoning and about 16 to 17 lots could be subdivided under R-11o
At this point Mr. Rosso asked if there was any other question or comment
from the applicant. There was no further comments by the applicant and he and
his representative left the room.
After brief discussion by the Commission the following was Moved by
Mr. Piskorski, seconded by Mr. Baccaro to recommend the following : 1. approval
only if city water and city sewer are made available to directly service said
parcel; 2. most of the surrounding area is presently developed on smaller lots;
and, 3. it would more nearly conform to the intent of the Town Plan of
Development which reads that the construction of Belcher Brook Interceptor in
this area would make R-21 densities more realistic in some portions. The
Belcher Brook Interceptor has been completed. If city water, which is located
in this area, can be provided, it appears reasonable that a higher density can
be allowed. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Agenda Item #2. Meeting with Charter Review Committee. No action at this
special meeting. Discussion with Charter Revision Committee took place
following this special meeting, at meeting of Charter Revision Committee in
Room 6.
4. Special meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
caro, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:37 P.M.
July 15, 1980. Those Commissioners in attendance were; Mr. Rosso, Mr. Baccaro,
Mr. Stiano, Mr. Dobson and Alternate Mr. Pastuszak sitting in for Mr. Piskorski.
Also, Mr. Seelye, Town Engineer was present.
2. Agenda Item %1. Public Hearing - Lot 80, Block 54, Carbo Lane, Joseph Dorio
Builders & Realty, Inc.Atty. N. DiNigris, representing Mr. Borio, advised
they have made a major revision in the map so they can receive Wetlands approval.
In one area, they will have four less lots and an area of wetlands will be
filled. He requests no action be taken until the new maps are presented and
available. They are in the process of having a traffic expert study the traffic
pattern. It should be noted the driveway to the Town Hall is not a Town road.
Mr. Rosso said we will decide later if another Public Hearing should be h eld.
Atty. DiNigris said he expects Inland Wetlands Commission to approve it; the
water course behind Carbo Lane will be left undisturbed. Acting Police Chief
William Scalise presented a letter from the Police Commission dated July 10, 1980
advising that they are in opposition to the construction of a roadway into the
Town Hall complex driveway. Mr. ROBERT Cooley of 21 Carbo Lane said the proposed
subdivision is adjacent to his property and he feels it would be a face lift
to Carbo Lane; the road will be paved and he has not met opposition with any
of the neighbors. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:50 P.M.
3. Agenda Item #2. Public Hearing - Lot 12A, Block 113, Worthington Ridge,
Earl H. Wicklund, Inc., owner. Mr. Wicklund presented plans entitled:
"Sketch Layout Sage Acres, Berlin, Connecticut Scale 1"= 40' Dated January, 1978
Rev. August 1980". Mr. Wicklund advised the area will be served by sanitary
sewer, gas and underground utilities; Jack ROSS, Chairman of the WORTHINGTON Fire
District asked how Mr. Wicklund plans to sanitary sewer this area. Mr. Wicklund
said there is a ROW that comes in from Rt. 5 and there is a manhole on WOrthington
Ridge; he will extend the sewer along Worthington Ridgel50' and come in through
~4
a ROW: GRAVITY FEED. He plans to go up Worthington Ridge, not Peter Parley
Row; no need for individual pumps or a station. Mr. Wicklund said he would ask
his engineer to give Mr. Ross a copy of the plan. Mr. Philip Doran, Chairman
of the Berlin Historic District Commission, said we are delighted that Mr.
Wicklund is taking on the task of develgping this land. However, as we wrote
you, the concern of the Commission is to have another road or street enter
Worthington Ridge. We feel there are enough streets entering Worthington ~
Ridge now particularly this one which is so adjacent to Peter Parley Row.
We urge, in this instance, that the culde sac arrangement be accepted with
an entrance on Peter Parley Row. We realize your objections to a cul de sac
however, we feel in this particular case with the historic district involved,
we have some artifacts that are along this area and we are afraid that the new
street will knock out the stone wall. It is worthy of protection. We do not
have jurisdiction over the removal of trees as they are not structures but I
am sure that any developer would hesitate to destroy any trees needlessly.
Mr. Rosso pointed out the Planning Commission would certainly try to save ~
what we can. Mr. Rosso said Mr. Doran has explained the Historic District
Commission's feelings; we have discussed this many times previously. The
people would appreciate it as it was. It is deserving of serious consideration
by the Planning Commission. Mr. Doran added, our Commission is unanimous on
this. We would probably be inclined to deny a Certificate of Appropriateness
if that street goes into Worthington Ridge. Mr. Ronald Griggs said he is
opposed to this new street going onto Worthington Ridge. He travels this
road many times every day and he believes there is a safety problem; there is
a definite visability problem; he feels the other alternative is a better choice.
He asked if it would be appropriate to have a petition of the residents of the
District? Mr. ROSSO said he did not think a petition would have an influence
on the Planning Commission, adding, I think we have received enough tonight.
The Public Hearing was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.
4. Agenda Item #3. Public Hearing - Lot 15, Block 108, Lower Lane, Earl H.
Wicklund, Inc., owner. Mr. Wicklund is proposing 17 lots for this area. He
pointed out the old Golna house is being restyled to meet the setback requirements.
Mr. Walter Dudek of 846 Lower Lane, feels he is not getting enough frontage and
he will be put in a position of being non-conforming .... the proposed road will
be one foot from the property line; this wasn't a corner lot until Mr. Wicklund
forced it to be. Mr. Wicklund could make a cul de sac and he would lose two
lots. He added he would like to save their trees and not have the road so close
to his house. Mr. Stiano said a cul de sac causes us a lot of problems. Mr.
Dudek said he does not want sidewalks on his side; his forsythia will overhang
any sidewalks and he will not buy anyone cutting them down--it will act as a ~
sound barrier. Mr. Baccaro said we cannot grant a non-conforming lot because,- '
in the event of a fire, they would not rebuild the house. Mr. Wicklund said
if the Commission was interested, sidewalks could be deleted on this one side.
Mr. Rosso said the Commission would consider it. The Public Hearing was
adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
5. Agenda Item #4. Revised Subdivision Approval - Lot 8, Block ]42, Middletown
Road, Roland Nadeau, owner. Mr. Seelye reported he has no problem with this;
5ir. Nadeau is selling a piece of the rear lot. Motion bv Mr. Baccaro, seconded
by Mr. Pastuszak to grant revised subdivision approval s[~bject to receipt of final
application and fee. MOTION CARRIED.
6. Agenda Item #5. Site Plan Approval - Lot 22A, Block 83C, Webster Square Road,
Hadfield Realty Co., owner. Mr. Royal Hadfield proposed to build a 26' x 24' access
building on the lot and in order to get it at an angle, he would like to eliminate
the 30' rear line requirement. He said he has to do it now because of the weather
conditions. Mr. Seelye said it would be quite close to the highway; have you given
any thought to lining it up with the building? Mr. Hadfield said he didn't want
it to look like a garage; he wants it to look like a separate building. ~lotion by
Mr. Stiano, seconded by bIr. Dobson to grant Site Plan Approval. biOTION CARRIED.
7. Agenda Item #9. Other Commission Business. (1) Mr. Royce Lunt, president of
the Berlin Little League and John Gombotz, presented a proposal for a concession
stand at Griswold Field. It will be a Town-owned building just like the press box
at Sage Park; they have received approval from Park & Recreation Commission. They --
have received $20,000.00 from 5~arjorie Moore Foundation and will use $5,000 of
their own funds. The Executive Board discussed the proposal last evening. ~{otion
by Lit. Stiano, seconded by Mr. Dobson to grant Site Plan Approval subiect to
receipt of written approval by the Park & Recreation Commission and the Board of
Education. MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Rosso said a copy of the Park & Recreation Co~nmission
minutes will suffice.
(2) Mr. William Barretta of Barretta Provisions, 172 Commerce Street, East Berlin,
appeared requesting approval of his proposal for a 30' x 30' addition to square off
the building. The new addition is located at the rear of the loading dock. It will--
be built of concrete blocks painted brown on the side and back portions; the
concrete block on the front will be covered with brownstone veneer to match the
existing front. The biansard roof will be extended along the front of the loading
dock, with a cut-out section wide enough to accomodate trucks. Mr. Barretta said
the Design Review Committee, at their meeting earlier this evening, recommended two
/oily columns be installed in the driveway close to the building to help guide trucks
and that the Mansard roof be extended along the side. He also wants to pave an area
to be used for parking. The Design Review Committee suggested that e~ther railroad
ties or curbing be used to create a bumper area along the parking area and to extend
this along the front of the building to regulate the traffic. Mr. Baccaro said he
Planning Commission
July 15, 1980 meeting (cont.)
would like to defer action until receipt of the written recommendations of the
Design Review Committee and the Commission agreed.
(3) Pine Tree Manor - Mr. Seelye requested permission to send a letter to Augusto
Oliviero, develpper of Pine Tree Manor, indicating recommendations that the work
bc completed by the end of August. Michael Gallo, of 13 Pine Tree Court, said it
appears Mr. Oliviero is "going under"; the road is not finished; the fence is not
installed; drainage is not done in accordance with the site plan; no swales, etc.
Mr. Seelye said he has looked at it and his main concerns are the fence and the
road and the improvements along Farmington Avenue. Mr. Gallo said 5fr. Oliviero
has been given a lot of time by a lot of people. Mr. Stiano said Mr. Oliviero
should report to this Commission. Mr. Gallo said he has an unplanned indoor
dwimming pool, footings are 20" short and floor joists with notches in them.
~iotion by Mr. Stiano, seconded by Mr. Dobson to notify Mr. Oliviero that his bond
will be called if the work is not completed by August 29, 1980 and that he will
appear before this Commission to report at our next meeting. MOTION CARRIED.
(4) Hr. Seelye reported the Zoning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on August
27, 1980 to consider a request of Roland Nadeau for a Zone Change from R-2I to
R-IS Middletown Road and to consider a request from Howard Asal for an Excavation
Permit on Lot llU, Block 73, Elton Road.
(5) Mr. Seelye reported that we have not received revised plans for the proposed
Mobile llome Park. Atty. Robert Argazzi requested the Planning Commission be the
clearing house to request that the other Boards and/or Commissions review it and
for the Planning Commission to approve it.
(6) Blue Ridge Heights - It was suggested a letter be wrJtten to Leonard Abrahamson
reminding him of the requirement of sidewalks.
8. Agenda Item #7. Discussion Lot 12A, Block 113 Worthington Ridge, Earl H.
Wicklund, owner. It was agreed to contact Town Counsel for his legal opinion and
then view the area.
9. Agenda Item #8. Discussion - Lot 15, Block 108, Lower Lane, Earl H. Wicklund, Inc.,
owner. It was agreed to take no action until the Zoning requirements are met.
10. Agenda Item ~6. Discussion - Lot 80, Block 54, Carbo Lane, Joseph Dorio Builders
& Realty, Inc. Following discussion, it was the consensus that a through street is
not needed provided Carbo Lane is widened and sidewalks installed. It was pointed ont
if there was a mini loop, the water main would not be dead ended.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
f~lly submitted,
Pete-f"Baccaro, Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:35 P.M.,
August 19, 1980. Those Commissioners in attendance were: Mr. Rosso, Mr. Baccaro,
Mr. Piskorski, Mr. Dobson and Alternate Castiglioni sitting for Mr. Stiano. Mr.
Stiano arrived at 8:05 P.M. Mr. Castiglioni assumed his alternate capacity at this
time. Also in attendance Mr. Seelye, Town Engineer.
2. Agenda Item #1. Acceptance and release of bonds - Lot 78I, Block 91, NOrton
Road, Patrick DiPinto, owner. Motion was made by Mr. Piskorski, seconded by Mr.
Dobson to accept $800.00 bond and release bond held by DiFonzo and Pavano, previous
owners. MOTION CARRIED.
3. Agenda Item #2. Progress report - Pine Tree Manor, Augusto Oliverio, owner.
Mr. Seelye reported progress and remaining work to be accomplished. Attorney Alan
Robinson, represented Mr. Oliverio. Mr. Oliverio stated that all work should be
completed by the end of September, 1980. See letter sent to Mr. Oliverio by Mr.
Seelye. Motion was made by Mr. Piskorksi, seconded by Mr. Dobson to extend calling
of the bond until September 30, 1980. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Agenda Item #3. Preliminary Approval - Phase 2, Longview Acres, A.O. Nilsson,
owner. Mr. Nilsson was represented by Attorney Robert Reicher. Motion was made by
Mr. Piskorski, seconded by Mr. Dobson for preliminary approval and fee to be paid
for filing. MOTION CARRIED.
5. Agenda Item #4. Final Subdivision approval - Section I - Grove Hill Estates,
Irving Emerson, owner. Motion was made by Mr. Piskorski, seconded by Mr. Dobson
to table action until appropriate bond is submitted. MOTION CARRIED.