OCTOBER 22
Present: Paula Johnson (Chairman), Margaret Chapple, Christine Chinni, Eric Myers, James Sansone and Brennan Sheahan. Also present was Abby Kenyon, Director of Community Development.
Seating of alternates:
Christine Chinni was seated for Eric Lukingbeal.
Brennan Sheahan was seated for Mark Lockwood.
Action on the minutes of Oct. 8
On a motion by Margaret Chapple, seconded by Eric Myers the commission voted (5-0-1) to approve the minutes of Oct. 8 with the following amendment: The motion for an accessory apartment for property located at 14 Spring Glen Drive was initiated by Eric Lukingbeal and seconded by Eric Myers. Christine Chinni abstained.
Public Hearing
Application seeking an amendment to Zoning Regulations Section 1.4 and 8.16 that would allow restaurant drive-throughs by Special Permit in the Business and Industrial Zones. File Z-16-19.
Margaret Chapple read the public hearing notice into the minutes. Abigail Kenyon addressed the commission. She noted the new regulation would allow a restaurant drive-through in the Business and Industrial Zones by Special Permit. Restaurant drive-throughs would not be allowed in the Neighborhood and Commercial Transition Zone and Granby Center.
Other conditions would include the following: drive-through serving windows shall not be located within 250 feet of any residential zone or a property with a residential use; drive-throughs shall have a minimum vehicle queuing area of 100 feet in length; only one serving window per restaurant is permitted; drive-through area requires a buffer, such as landscaping or fencing, to neighboring properties; hours of operation shall be limited to 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. unless further limited by the commission; applicant shall include a litter control plan; and a drive-through must be designed so it is architecturally consistent with Granby’s heritage and style. Chapple suggested adding the word “additional” to Section 8.16.1.12, “the commission may impose ‘additional’ conditions on a drive-through.” CRCOG reviewed the proposed regulation and did not have any comments.
There was no public comment.
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.5 for an accessory apartment for property at 103R Bushy Hill Road. File Z-17-19.
Brian Longest, owner of 103R Bushy Hill Road, addressed the commission. The applicant seeks a Special Permit for an attached accessory apartment at 103R Bushy Hill Road. The home is currently for sale and the new owners would like to use the accessory apartment. The applicant is requesting the commission modify the previous conditions of approval, specifically that the apartment is used only by relatives of the property owner and the unit be eliminated prior to the sale of the property. Kenyon stated the accessory apartment meets all current accessory apartment regulations in terms of living area, driveway area and the like. In response to a question, Kenyon said the property owner must reside on the property, therefore both units could not be rented. The commission briefly discussed the application.
There was no public comment.
Receive application and set public hearing
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.5 for an accessory apartment for property located at 34 Simsbury Road. File Z-18-19.
The public hearing was set for November 12, 2019.
Consideration of above applications, where the commission has concluded the public hearing.
On a motion by Christine Chinni and seconded by Eric Myers the commission voted (6-0-0) to approve the application seeking an amendment to Zoning Regulations Section 1.4 and 8.16 that would allow restaurant drive-throughs by Special Permit in the Business and Industrial Zones, with Section 8.16.1.12 revised to read, “the Commission may impose additional conditions.”
On a motion by Eric Myers seconded by Margaret Chapple, the commission voted (6-0-0) to approve an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.5 for an accessory apartment for property at 103R Bushy Hill Road, File Z-17-19, as proposed.
Staff Report and Correspondence
Kenyon reported DOT is currently working on a utility plan for the Granby Center intersection improvement project. Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2021.
Kenyon announced boards and commissions are invited to attend a presentation by the Town Attorney, Rich Roberts, on Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room. The presentation will provide an overview of meeting rules and procedures and the Freedom of Information Act. There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers.
It was noted that at an upcoming meeting, the commission will be asked to review the Plan of Conservation and Development Implementation Plan. The commission will have 90 days to review its tasks and comment on any revisions or changes to its assigned priorities.
Commissioner Reports and
Correspondence
James Sansone asked Kenyon about the new apartment complex at 276/280 Salmon Brook Street. Kenyon stated the public hearing is closed and the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commission is expected to vote on the application at its November meeting.
Respectfully submitted
Patricia Tappenden,
Recording Secretary