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2020-05-07 Beylin Planning czrzc�Zorzi�zg Comrnission Meeting t�Iinutes-�llczy 7, 2020 Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes May 7, 2020 I Call to Order The Berlin Planning and Zoning Commission held a virtual meeting on May 7, 2020. Due to technical difficulties, the meeting was called to order at 7:50 p.m. In attendance: Chairwoman Joan Veley Commissioners Diane Jorsey, Jon Michael O'Brien, Brian Rogan, Steve Wollman, Timothy Zigmont Alternate Commissioner Steve Biella, Jr. Acting Town Planner/Zoning Enforcement Ofticer Maureen Giusti To�vn Counsel Jennifer Coppola E�cused Commissioner Curtis Holtman II Appro��al of Minutes a. April 16, 2020 Re�ular Meetina b. Commissioner Zigmont mo��ed to appro��e the minutes, as presented. Commissioner Jorsey seconded the motion. Ms. Giusti polled the commission. Votin�� Ati•e: Commissioners O"Brien, Zi�mont, Rogan, Wollman, Biella, Vele}�, Jorsey- The motion carried unanimously�. � III Commission Business a. Discussion request bti� The Militarti� Elperience Museum. Inc. for use of properties on the Chamberlain Hi�h��a � a�p 30-2. Blocl: 7�. Lot 37 o�ti�ned bv 76 Chamberlain Hi�h�ti�av LLC and Lot 39 o��-ned bv Meado�v Haven Inc. Mr. Thomas O'Rourke, presented an o�•ervie�� of the proposal ��hich is to create an outdoor recreational area for a"museum e�perience'' ��-ith the anticipation that��isitors become in�-ol��ed in an acti��ity ��hich�vill motivate them to learn more about the history of the events. The site ��ill be family oriented. There �vill be a militar}' style obstacle course for training purposes and replicas of various militar}� bases, includina those from World War II, Vietnam, possibly Korean, Afghanistan and Iraq. It is their intention to ha��e ��isitors meet ��eterans and have,�,p.osi,t�� e�perience. ,-_ =!;��"R -- - ;� � Mr. Chris Edge, Director of Economic De��elopment, stated he has been dis��'si��tl�e=p�je t� �ti-ith Mr. O'Rourke for months and believes it ��ill be a tremendous asset for Berlin. _ . _ ��=�.. ,z_ �.f -. 1 Berlin Plasaning anc�Zoning Corrrmission Regz�lar Aleeting Alinutes —�l1ay 7, 2020 In response to Chair�voman Veley's questions, Mr. O'Rourke stated the site is designed as an outdoor facility and, in general, will be open year-round. There is an actual museum located in Wallingford and a museum building is not proposed for the Berlin site. In response to Commissioner Jorsey's questions, Mr. O'Rourke stated the site will have a staging area for sign in and a trail system which would allow for medical assistance, if needed. The company's vice-president who has over twenty years Army service, as well Boy Scouts experience, will oversee the activities. In addition, staff includes a multi-certified member who is a former military and law enforcement officer. The site will have different activities which w-ill be directed to both children and adults. He stated air soft replicas of rifles will be used by WWII actors during reenactments. Commissioner Jorsey stated the concept is interesting and needs clarity regarding the reenactments and effects on surrounding properties. Chair�ti�oman Veley agreed and stated it ��-ill need to be determined ho��the use ��-ill fit in the zone. Commissioner Jorsey polled the commission: Commissioner O'Brien: No questions. Commissioner Zigmont: No questions. Commissioner Rogan: No questions. He stated the proposal is interesting and the e�posure to the military� esperience is a great learninQ tool. Commissioner Wollman: Asked if the business is non-profit. Mr. O'Rourke replied that is a non-profit business, categorized as an educational museum. Commissioner Biella: Stated the proposal is interesting and he likes the concept Chair��oman Veley�: No questions. Commissioner Jorse��: No questions. Ms. Giusti stated she ��ill discuss the proposal fiirther��-ith Mr. Edae to determine categorizing its use as a special permit and site plan ��ill be required. � She asl:ed the commissioners if their consensus is the zone is suitable. Commissioners Zigmont, Veleti�, and Rogan stated their opinion the use is educational. b. Discussion of Certificate of Zonin� CoOmpliance, Vanik Asatour, 369 New Britain Road. CTALIA Pizza-Baker`; food use in mtilti-tenant buildinQ. CCD-Zone c. Mr. Vanik Asatour, stated the pizza-baker}� «�ould ha��e orders on line and take out only�. The menu��ould be mostly pizza, ��ith some baker}• items. Ms. Giusti stated the site is located in a commercial plaza �ti�ith condominium units. Mr. Asatour's business is a dental fabricating business on the upper le��el of the t��o story unit. He 2 Berlin Plarzning afacl Zoning Cofrimissiofa Regt�lar�lleeting�linattes —�llcsy 7, 2020 would like to use the first floor as the pizza-bakery business. The change of use of the transition to a food business, as proposed, would not require any parking changes. It is the commission's decision if the use is allowable. Mr. Asatour stated the dental business will continue at the present time on the second floor. Commissioner Jorsey polled the commissioners if a Certificale of Zoning Compliance is appropriate. Commissioner Jorsey: No issue Commissioner Wollman: No issue Commissioner O'Brien: No issue Commissioner Zigmont: No issue Commissioner Rogan: No issue Commissioner Biella: No issue Chair��-oman Veley: No issue d. Discussion of restaurant patio/outdoor seatin� in response to Governor's Order allo��in� outdoor dinin� after May� 20. 20?0 Commissioner Wollman stated any�thing the commission can do to help businesses should be done, ��ith Health and Police Department considerations for safet}� issues for customers considered. Commissioner RoQan stated parking requirements may- ha��e to be eased if tables are set up in parking lots. � Commissioner Zi��mont stated he had no issue «�ith outdoor dinina; ho��e�-er, a co��erin� o��er the tables ��-ould be preferable and a temporar}� fence installed for safetti�. Chair��-oman Veley stated there are additional guidelines from the state and this commission's comments ma�� be for��arded to the Go��ernor. Some restaurants ha�•e no outside seatinQ and allo��inQ seatin� inside ��ith proper distancin�� ma` be a solution. Weather conditions are also a factor. She stated she is not opposed to the concept and there is a need to help businesses. Ms. Giusti stated she understands the commission is supporting the idea of outdoor dining being allo��ed due to the Co�•id-19 pandemic. She �ti�ill look into the temporary� use to determine ramitications, for esample, �ti�hen adjacent businesses open. Another consideration is also the in`•ol��ement of liquor permits. Attorne}� Coppola also noted there has been discussion about liquor permits relatin� to the outdoor seating. 3 Berlirz Plafzning and Zorzing Corrirraission Rega.ciczr�lleeting�Lliyttites—�llcry� 7, 2020 Commissioner Jorsey polled the commissioners for their support of outdoor seating for restaurants: Commissioner O'Brien: In favor Commissioner Zigmont: In favor—an awning or tent should be used over the designation of the area Commissioner Rogan: In favor Commissioner Wollman: In favor Commissioner Biella: In favor Commissioner Jorsey: In favor Chairwoman Veley: In favor The consensus is to support the Governor's Order of outdoor dining after May 20, 2020. IV Public Hearing (Continued) a. Zone Chan�e Application of Attorney Richard Pentore on behalf of Shuttle Meado�ti- Countr�� Club. Inc. to chan�e the zone of a portion of Lot 1. Block 10. 51 Randeckers Lane, and Lot 93. Block 10. Wig��am Road. from Residential-43 to Planned Residential-2 Attorney� Richard Pentore. Mr. Bart Bo��ee, P.E., Mr ponald Klepacl:i announced they� ��ere in attendance. Attorne}• Pentore noted that due to the technical difficulties in the beginnin` of the meetina, some callers ma}� ha��e been lost. He stated the`� ��ould prefer to reconvene at the nest meeting to present their testimon}�. Ms. Giusti ackno��led�ed the Go�•ernor's Order in place dtie to the Corona�•irus ��ould allo��an additional 90-da}� e�tension to the ne�t meetin`. Commissioner Jorsey mo��ed to continue the public hearinQ to the Ma}� ??, ?020 meetina. Commissioner ZiQmont seconded the motion. � Commissioner Jorsey polled the commission. Commissioner O'Brien: A}�e Commissioner Ziamont: A}•e Commissioner Roaan: A��e Commissioner V�'ollman: A}�e Commissioner Biella: Ati-e Commissioner Jorsey: A��e Chair��oman Vele}': A�•e The motion carried unanimousl}�. 4 Berlin Plc�nr�irzg crru�Zortirag Corftrrtissioy�Regular�lleeting�linutes—�llcz�� i, 2020 V Old Business a. Zone Chan�e A�plication of Attorney Richard Pentore on behalf of Shuttle Meadow Country Club, Inc. to change the zone of a portion of Lot 1, Block 10, 51 Randeckers Lane, and Lot 93, Block 10, Wigwam Road, from Residential-43 to Planned Residential-2 No discussion or action taken. VI EXECUTIVE SESSION To�vn Counsel Coppola asked Vice-Chairw�oman Jorsey to read the items for Elecutive Session and asked that she and Ms. Giusti and Mr. Jim Mahoney, Economic Development Coordinator, be asked to join them in E�ecuti�•e Session. She stated once in Elecuti��e Session, the commission�vill adjourn from E�ecutive Session. Vice-Chair��oman Jorsey read the follo�ving t��o aQenda items into the record. a. Discuss the status of the pending litigation of Coccomo Brothers Associates LLC v. Plannin� and Zonin<� Commission of To��-n of Berlin and Ne��port Realtti- Grou� LLC, and possible action relatina to same. b. Consider whether to convene in e�ecuti��e session to discuss the status of the pending litigation of Coccomo Brothers Associates LLC �•. Plannin� and ZoninQ Commission of To��n of Berlin and Ne«�port Realt�� Group. LLC. Commissioner Ziamont mo��ed to enter into Esecuti��e Session and invite To«�n Counsel Coppola, Actina To��n Planner/ZEO Maureen Giusti and Economic De��elopment Coordinator Jim Mahoney� to join them. Commissioner Biella seconded the motion. Commissioner Jorsey polled the commission: Commissioner O'Brien: A}�e Commissioner Zi<�mont: A��e Commissioner Ro��an: A��e Commissioner Wollman: Ay�e Commissioner Biella: A}�e Commissioner Jorsev: A`•e Chair��oman Vele��: A��e The motion carried unanimously-. The time �vas 8:�3 p.m. VI Adjournment Respectfiilly submitted, Frances M. Semnoski Recording Secretar�� 5