1952-11-19 Minutes of the Fleeting
TOWN OF B.RLIN 421
ZONING COMMISSION
The meeting opened at 7:30 P.M, with Lawyer,' Beilman, Kloskowski
and Cabelus present . -
Mr. Lawyer reported that he had received three complaints relative
to the parking of trailers, also housing of at least one family in the
building known previously as the Country Kitchine in East, Berlin.
This property is owned by kr. F. C. Schultz, Contry Club Road,
Middletown, Conn. , who was notified by resisted mail to appear before
the Commission at 8:30 P.M. -on November 19th.
- Mr. Lawyer called Mr. Schultz this evening and straightened
out the matter. Mr. jchultz ordered these people off the property .
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A telephone call was received from Mr. Rich of the Berlin Arms
Motel located just north of the Hawthorn Inn on Route 5 asking if the
Commission knew whether or not another motel was to be built in the
area .
Mr. nich stated that his reason for asking was that he himself
was cont�mplatin:,g an addition in the sprint; and did not want to tie
the money up if competition was going to be too keen in this area.
He brought out that he was getting along in years and did not want
to use all of his life savings if there was a possiblity of loosing them
iir. Lawyer informed him after contacting Mr. A. Gay that a permit
had been issued to Mr. Ellison who planned on constructing a motel
in this area in the near future.
Mr. Rich then asked the size of the proposed Motel and Mr. Lawyer
informed him that he did not like to give out such information and
suggested Mr. nich contact Mr . A. Gay clerk of the toning Commission
and that he may get further cooperation from him.
A special town meeting was held this evening to act on a change
of zone for the J. J. Miller C instruction Company
the call of the meeting was read at 8:00 P.M.
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Mr. Lawyer asked that those in favor of such a change speak.
Mr. J. J. Miller of 16 Boswell Road, .+vest Hartford explained this
requested change of zone tc those present .
he started by explaining that at present there were pieces of
equipment, tires, etc . located near the highway which did look un-
sightly. His plan, he stated, was to build a steel storage building
to store items as mentioned above along with the tools that were needed
to repair this equipment .
He stated that he would also provide adequate parking .space and
that his property would be an asset to the Town of Berlin.
Mr. Miller stated that when they cut down the grade that the vir
adjacent contour of the properties would be followed.
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Mr. Miller pointed out that if his request was granded he would
pipe the brook which runs across his property which is located
approximately 300' from the highway.
Mr. Miller explained that his business consisted of selling and NJ
renting construction equipment and that it was far from being
considered as junk. Their hours would be froi 8: 00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
with an occasional Saturday afternoon, but never on a Sunday, and he
further stated that these stipulations could be considered part of
the agreement and put in writing. - -
Mr.. Lawyer asked those not in favor of this zone change to speak.
Mr. R. L. Frost of Bishop's Curve, Berlin, spoke and started cut
by complimenting Mr. Miller for the way he has levelled his property.
Mr. Frost pointed out that his property is adjacent tc, Mr.
iviilier's property on the north.
Mr. Frost stated that should the zoning commission grant this
change that his propert would decease in value considerably. Mr.
Frost further stated that the ,_idea Construction Co. was back as
far s the brook at present and made know that he was definitely against
his oing east across the brook. -
Iamadeau of Route 5, Berlin, Conn. , owner of the Old leering
property , whose property is also adjacent to Yr. , iler 's property, asked
to just what degree this equipment would deteriorate, and alsc just
how far back, in an easterly direction, -,Mir. Miller planned on storing
his equipment .
Mr. Lamadeau brought c.ut that at present he realized Mr.
was not settled and just stored his material in any manner at present ,
but what was his plan for a later date.
Mr. Adamovitch of Berlin, brought up that it was an unsightly
situation to have in your front yard.
Mr. Zaner of ,Berlin, stated that he at one time owned this
property, and that the material that Mr. Miller plans to sell will
not add to the area.
Mr. Zaner mentioned that Mr. Miller' s present establishment in Hart-
ford is a regular junk yard, and further stated that this could be
no th in` more than a junk yard.
Mr . Frost informed the group that he was authorized by Mr.
Stabbert, who could not be present this evening, and who is located to
the south of the Miller property, to voice his objection for the proposed
request of a zone change.
Mr. Frost stated that Mr. Miller a_proached him earlier this
summer with the idea of purchasing a piece of his property 50 ' wide
to be used to get into his property from bishop's Curve. .
Mr. Frost also mentioned that Mr. Miller approached Mr. Zaner
with the purpose of purchasing a piece of -his property for the same
(or
purpose. -
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Mr. Frost informed the group that he was also authorized by Mr; 423
Eddleson who could not be present this evening, and whc is located
to the north of the 14iller property, to voice his objection for the
requested zone charge .
Mr. Miller answered that his main object is to get enough proper-4
to build a building in which to store this equipment and thus eliminate
the unsightly condition that is now existing.
Mr. Miller stated that when he acproached these people with
regard to wi.tA-1248aPd to purchasing property that neither of the
gentlemen definitely turned him down, and he rplied that they would
consider it .
Mr. Miller continued, that the first think he planned on doing,
if his request was granted, was to pipe the present brook- and grade
it accordingiy;' which would eliminate the present mosquito menace .
Mr. Miller stated that he felt that those present were in favor
of him and he would do anything to portect people adjacent tc his
property.
Mr. Lamadeau asked Mr. Miller how far back he _ntends to park this
equipment .
Mr. Miller rpelied thL.t the equipment would _or, be parked any
farther east then it is at present .
Mr. James Donovan of 138 Orchard Street, £Locky Hili, spoke
in favor of the J. J. Miller Construction Co, relative to' the manner
in whichthe slopes on both the north and south sides of the i+.iller
property were finished off. He said that they were left as wide as
possible, 20 to 25 f_et, keeping the neighbors in nind.
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Mr . Frost asked where ivir. Miller livest at present.
Mr. Miller answered that his residence was at 16 Boswell Road,
West hartford, Conn.
Yir. Frost asked how wuld Miller like to have a business of
this natuee next to his home . '
l.1r. Miller pointed out that he would plant shrubbery and beautify
the area as much as possible.
To answer Mr. Frost 's question abcut a business of this type
being put in next my home, I build my home in a residential area
and there is no business , whereas Route 5 is entirely business .
Mr . Lawyer asked what Mr. Miller was going to do beyond the brook.
Mr. Miller replied that he planned to move the earth from across
the brook, easterly, to fill in the low land, and that he would leave
staclization slopes of 20 to 25 feet , and in doing so would Jain an
additional 250' of land, and in the future planned on installing a
small steel warehouse for the storage of equipment.
Mr. Lawyer asked if he would install a buffer strip.
Mr. Miller stated that he would do this .
Mr. Frostasked how many feet east from the highway would
4 -•sir. Miller have if his request was granted.
Mr. Lawyer referred to the maps and answered 7001 .
(lbwMr . Frost asked if Mr. Miller would put in writing a guarantee tr
his business would not devaluate his property. 411,
Mr . Miller answered that this question was b blow below the
belt and that he could not guarantee this .
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Mr. Lamadeau asked if Mr. Miller still anticipated a circle
entrance .
Mr. Miller stated absolutely not that the only entrance would
be from route 5 on his own property.
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Mr. Adamovitch stated that if the trees were installed it would
be better, and asked if this could be put in writing .
Mr. Miller answered that this was the only proper way to carry
on business.
Mr. Zaner asked if all this equipment could be put ' under
cover.
He was informed that the large pieces of equipment would be
parked up near the highway.
:Mr. Frost asked what the steel structure is going tc • be used
for.
Mr. Miller replied that this building is for the repairing of
equi_ment.
Mr. Frost summed up by saying: The locationof the Miller
construction 0o. at present on the emit west side of the brook
I have no objection to . I believe that this property should be
landscaped and screened.
About going across the brook, I definitely will not go along
with that .
Mr. Lamadeau asked the Commission, in the past how much land
usage was granted beyond the 150' portion zoned for business .
Mr. Beilman stated that to date nothing over 10' was ever granted.
Mr. Miller explained. to those present his other request which was
just north oZ the Sage property on the e ,,st side of the highway, R-5.
• Mr. Lawyer asked Mr. miler what he though he remit be putting
up there.
Mr. Miller answered that he had in mind a frozen custard stand
smilar to the Dairy ,ueea3 ' .
Cir The �ommiss- or_ said that they would reserve decision and that
Mr. &Tiller. would be notified.
Meetin ad j curned at 9: 06 P.M.
Mr. Kristian Jenson of Jensen's Inc . , Viest nartford
7, Lonn. appeared before the Commission this evening with a Mr.
Harold Cohn of 204 iv. ,,xford St . , Hartford, Conn and two bther
gentlemen who accompanied them to speak with the Commission about
developing a parcel of property on the west side of "cute 5 adjacent
to the Dodson's snack bar. The land. the land measures 800'
frontage by 1200' deep.
•sir. Jensen did the speaking for the group and explained that they
want to put in a group of Mobile Homes . mobile 'Homes he stated are
put on 5000 sq. ft. developted areas which will have sanitary
facilities, electric lights , street lighting, telephone service and
all facilities that an. individual home has .
mr. Jensen stated that in a trailer camp this is not so .
Mr. Jensen pointed out that Mobile Homes start at 30' in length,
8' wide . some he stated are as large as 100' in length . mobile
Homes can be ; c ve but cannot travelled around such as you can with
a trailer.
Mr. Jensen pointed out that he has a ,aobLle Home development
Oak Grove, in Plainville and many prominent people live there at
F resent .
Mr. Jensen remarked that a M=obile come is an Independent unit
and a 'frailer is not .
Mr. .a%ei loran asked if A•o i le Homes were taxed as personal
p ,operty , and Mr. Jensen said that they were .
Mr. Jensen informed the grout that in his Oak Urove development
that they have their own garbage pick, up their own snowplows etc.
Mr. Beilman pointed out that even a Mobile Home could be moved
to avoid paying taxes .
Mr. Jensen brought out that he proposed in another town that
the taxes be collected each month from trailer owners and Moble
Home owners to avoid what Mr. Beilman had brought ur relative to
taxes .
Mr. Jensen said that the average price of a iviobile Home was „;:4E00.
Mr. Jensen brought out that there is another tyre of development
where the Mobile Home owner also owns the land cn which his :,ioblle
Ho—e is located in one of these leve lc:vents . In this type of
development the owner is responsible to the town for adhering t the
ordinances and wizl be taxed in the same manner as other home owners
in the Town.
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4r. Beilman stated that this land where they propose to;this
development is now zoned Farm, and if a zone change ..ere put through
Zone A requirements wo ,ld have to be lived up tc which is 100' front by
150' deep. This , however, is in conjunction only with Air. Jensen ' s
development whereby the mobile Home owner owns the property.
4 2 ''r. Beilman alsothat��,' 1,. pointed out that in a C zone t�_a „ the lot size
must be 601 X 120' and that the Mobile Home must have a minimum
of 500 square feet . 10
Mr. Lawyer informed the bentlemen that the Com_riission would
take this matter up with the low:. Counsel to see just what could
be done .
Mr. Jensen stated that he was in nc immediate hurry and that he
wanted it clearly understood that he was not interested in trailers
or trailer ;arks.
Mr. Jensen further sta '.ed that the Government was behind a project
of this type and have made money available .
Meetin adjourned at 9 : 55 P.M.