1985/09/24 BERLIN PLANNING COMMISSION
1. The regular meeting of the Berlin Planning Commission was called
to order at 7:30 P.M., September 24, 1985. Present were: Mr. Rosso,
Chairman, Mrs. Woznis, Secretary, Mrs. Wilcox, Mrs. Mildrum, and Mr.
Seelye, Town Engineer.
2. Agenda Item 1. Messrs. Robert Tisei and Carl Rudisill, representing
Public Storage, presented plans and samples which reflect a change from
the original tilt-up concrete design to use of concrete blocks. The
frontages of the buildings would be split face or split rib block. After
discussion, motion by Mrs. Wilcox, seconded by Mrs. Woznis, and voted
unanimously to approve the use of split rib block of light beige coloring,
with the side walls painted to match~ the doors and trim to be a "light
coffee" color, lighter than the chocolate brown originally proposed.
3. Agenda Item 2. Messrs. Thomas Haley, Paul Capilano and Roderick
Hewitt presented a plan entitled: "Site Plan Building Addition for
Thomas S. Haley Associates, Inc., 196 Woodlawn Road, Berlin, Conn." by
Hewitt Engineering P.C., dated Sept. 12, 1985, revised 9/23/85. The ,lan
showed a warehouse addition to the Haley building with drives, parking,
loading docks, drainage and landscaping. Mr. Haley explained that ex-
terior materials and colors will match the existing building. Mr. Seelye
indicated that the plan was acceptable. After discussion, motion by
Mrs. Mildrum, seconded by Mrs. Wilcox, and voted unanimously to approve
the site plan as presented.
4. Agenda Item 3. Messrs. Christy Fangiullo, Thomas Coccomo, Mark
McGuire, and Roderick Hewitt presented a plan entitled: "Site Plan
Gatewood Acres by Fanco Developers, Inc., Toll Gate Road & Norton Lane
Berlin, Connecticut" by Hewitt Engineering P.C., dated Sept. 10, 1985,
with related plan and profiles and soil erosion and sediment control plan,
all being the preliminary plans for Gatewood Acres. Attorney McCuire
explained the proposal - 17 R-21 lots fronting on proposed streets and
Norton Lane. The status of the existing garage on Lot 13 was discussed -
there was a bond for deed for the property, and the garage would be re-
moved or moved to behind the setback .1. i~e. Other issues were discussed:
the status of the nonconforming Lot 15B, the drainage system, the exten-
sion of the water main in Norton La~e to Toll Gate Road, sidewalks, and
the necessary application and fee. After further discussion, motion by
Mrs. Woznis, seconded by ~rs. Wilcox, and voted unanimously to grant
coaditional preliminary subdivision approval to Gatewood Acres, subject
to: the moving of the garage on Lot 13, that Lot ]5B is not a building
lot, that the drainage will be revised to the satisfaction of the Town
Engineer - to include as much retention capability as is feasible, re-
ceipt of e~plicatiou and $1.70.00 fee, the inclusion of public sidewalks
on all lot frontages; except on '£oll Gate Road.
5. Agenda Item 4. Earl Wicklund requested reduction of the bond for
Vineyard Acres, Section I from $153,600.00 to $120,000.00 to reflect
completed water, sewer, and road work. Mr. Seelve concurred. Motion
by Mrs. Woz~is, seconded by Mrs. Mildru,i, and vo~ed unanimously ~o reduce
the bond to $120,000.00.
6. Agenda Item 5. Earl Wicklund requested reduction of the bond for
St. James Subdivision, Sectiou II from $33,500.00 to $24,000.00, the
minimum allowed until acceptance of the road. Mr. Seelye concurred.
Motion by Mrs. Woznis, seconded by Mrs. Wilcox, and voted unanimously to
reduce the bond to $24,000.00.
BERLIN PLANNING COMMISSION -2- SEPTEMBER 24, 1985
Mr. Seelye explained that bituminous concrete curbs were installed at
the Hudson Street-St. James Place intersection instead of Portland
cement concrete, due to the understanding of Mr. Wicklund that bituminous
curbs were acceptable when the existing street width is substandard.
Mr. Seelye stated that although in recent years concrete curbs were the
norm, Mr. Wicklund's conception of past practice was correct, and since
removing the bituminous curbs to replace them with concrete would mean
tearing up and patching the new street it was recommended to leave the
bituminous curbs alone. Motion by Mrs, Woznis, seconded by Mrs. Mildrum,
and voted unanimously to allow the bituminous concrete curbs in place of
the Portland cement concrete curbs.
7. Agenda Item 6. Mr. Seelye explained that Mr. Ciammella has deeded
the required open space for Northbrook Section II to the Town. Motion by
Mrs. Mildrum, seconded by Mrs. Wilcox, and voted unanimously to recommend
to the Executive Board that the Town Meeting accept this open space parcel.
expla'%ned that residents on that street were not having mail delivered
to their homes because the street was not accepted by the Town. He also
complained that there were loose stones in the area causing damage to cars~
After discussion and recommendation by Mr. Seelye, motion by Mrs. Wilcox,
seconded by Mrs. Woznis, and voted unanimously to advise the developer of
High Meadow to complete by October 15, 1985 all improvements necessary for
acceptance of Cobblestone Road by the Town, and to clean Wethersfied Road.
9. Agenda Item 7f. Mr. Seelye stated that Ralph Simeone was present to
discuss his Cedar Acres subdivision. Motion by Mrs. Woznis, seconded by
Mrs. Mildrum and voted unanimously to place this item on the agenda.
Mr. Simeone discussed the possibility of extending the preliminary approval
for his subdivision. Mr. Seelye researched the past minutes and dis-
covered that previous preliminary approvals were for each section presented,
not for the entire subdivision, but that the over, ti sketch pl~! bad been
approved at the September ]3, 1983 meeting. Motion by Mrs. Wilcox, sec-
onded by bits. Woznis, and voted unanimously to reaffirm the concept
approval of the sketch plan with the same conditions as before, ie. public
water, sewer, sidewalks, etc.
10. Agenda Item 7g. Mr. Mark Garro of Eastern Advertising Corp., sign
makers, wished to be heard. Motion by }'Irs. W~lcox, seconded by ~'Irs.
Piildrum, and voted unanimously to place this item on the agenda. After
discussion with Mr. Carro regarding a replscement sign for Marc Datsun
of the wilbur Cross Highway, it was determined that his business was with
the Zoning Board of Appeals. However, to avoid a future session, motion
by Mrs. l(iidrum, seconded by Mrs. Woznis, and voted unanimously that the
P18nning Cos~nission had no objection to the proposed replacement sign.
11. Agenda Item 7a. Messrs Kazimierz Ferenc and Rod Hewitt were present
to discuss blt. Ferenc's proposed zone change. After discussion, motion
by Mrs. Wilcox, seconded by ~rs. Woznis, and voted unanimously to re-
commend that the requested zone change be granted. Reasons given were
that the predomJnen~ use is residetttial, the neighborhood across Porters
Pass is 5-7, present situation is nonconforming as to both use and lot
size, the proposal conforms with the Plan of Development. The Go~m~ission
then discussed the Berlin Agricultural amd Horticultural Association
request for activities at the Fairgrounds. The Commission felt that as
this proposal was ncc a zone change but a special permit, referral to the
Planning Commission was not necessary. Motion by Mrs. Wilcox, seconded by
BERLIN PLANNING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 24, 1985
Mrs. Mildrum, and voted unanimously that the Planning Commission had no
objection to the proposal.
Thirdly, the Commission discussed the Nieman proposal. Motion by Mrs.
Woznis, seconded by Mrs. Mildrum, and voted unanimously to recommend
disapproval of the zone change to Residence R-Il, as the proposal would
constitute spot zoning. However, as the proposed use would be in com-
pliance with the Town Plan of Development the Commission recommends
that the Zoning Commission study the area to see if the other nonconforming
residences on Lower Lame could be included so that the R-il Zone could
extend from the south to include the applicant's property thus eliminating
the spot zoning.
12. Agenda Item 7c. (continued) After discussion, and recommendation by
Mr. Seelye, motion by Mrs. Woznis, seconded by Mrs. Mildrum, and voted
unanimously to advise the developer of Red Cedar Hills to have the re-
quired improvements completed by October 15, 1985. Also motion by Mrs.
Mildrum, seconded by Mrs. Wilcox, and voted unanimously to advise the
developer to complete by October 15, 1985 all improvements necessary for
acceptance of the extension of Mooreland Road by the Town.
13. Agenda Item 7b. Mr. Seelye explained that two previously approved
subdivision maps had been taken from the Town Clerk's vault by unknown
persons, and presented replacement maps for signatures. The maps were
signed, to be given to Mrs. Ward for filing.
14. Agenda Item 7e. Motion by Mrs. Wilcox, seconded by Mrs. Woznis,
and voted unanimously to place this item on the agenda. Mr. Seelye ex-
plained that a sketch map for the subdivision of Lot 5, Block 12,
Chamberlain Highway had been submitted. After discussion, motion by
Mrs. Woznis, seconded by Mrs. Mildrum, and voted unanimously to hold a
public hearing regarding this subdivision at 7:30 P.M., October 8, 1985.
15. Agenda Item 7d. Motion by Mrs. Mildrum, seconded by Mrs. Wilcox,
and voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 10, 1985
meeting.
16. Mr. Seelye distributed the recent issue of Curia Dixit, and discussed
zoning referrals from Meriden. No action was taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Woznis. Secretarn~