Sept. 10, 2024
Members present: Eric Lukingbeal, Christine Chinni, Mark Lockwood, Eric Myers, Robert Lavitt, Steve Muller and Brennan Sheahan.
Also present: Director of Community Development Abigail Kenyon and Land Use Coordinator Renee Deltenre.
100 Salmon Brook Street, proposed battery storage facility
Fiorentino stated that an application has been submitted to the Connecticut Siting Council for a battery storage facility at 100 Salmon Brook Street. The proposed facility would pull power from the grid and then re-distribute it when necessary to assist with load issues. The town has hired counsel and filed with the siting council to become party to the proceedings on this application and is currently in the process of engaging experts. Questions and/or concerns can be directed to the first selectman, town manager or director of community development. Kenyon stated that the application is located on the siting council’s website.
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 3.12.3 for a professional office and associated site improvements for property located at 254 Salmon Brook Street, CE Zone.
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 8.16 and 8.6.14 for a restaurant with outdoor dining and live outdoor entertainment, and for an illuminated sign and associated site improvements, for property located at 256 Salmon Brook Street, COCE Zone.
Property owner John Pagliaro, applicant Tara Pagliaro, Land Surveyor Brian Denno, Architect Lori DiBattisto and applicant Meghan Peterson were present to discuss the two applications. The property at 254 Salmon Brook Street consists of an existing single-family home with a detached garage to the rear. The applicant would like to convert the existing 1,486 s.f. garage into two professional office spaces.
The existing house would remain as a single-family home.
The property at 256 Salmon Brook Street consists of a 646 s.f. building, which was a former print shop. Peterson would like to convert this building into a coffee shop. The building would be renovated to accommodate a kitchen, bathroom, counter seating and bench seating. There would also be a 240 s.f. patio for outdoor dining located to the south of the building. The applicant would sell coffee, tea, and other beverages, as well as pastries and baked goods, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, etc. The proposed hours of operation would be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days/week with the potential for additional hours to allow private events on occasion. Indoor seating would be limited to 15, outdoor seating would be limited to 25, and the ability to have non-amplified outdoor entertainment was requested. The applicant is also proposing one externally illuminated sign, either a freestanding or building sign.
Denno provided an overview of stormwater management, as well as the proposed site plan, which includes 22 parking spaces, two accessible parking spaces, the elimination of one existing curb cut on Hartford Avenue, and a concrete dumpster pad with enclosure.
Public water and public sewer capacity letters have been provided and the applicant is requesting a parking setback waiver along Hartford Avenue, which is currently non-conforming. Denno spoke with CTDOT District 4, which indicated that a traffic study was not necessary. The town engineer has requested a sewer easement be established along Salmon Brook Street in the same location as the SNET easement; the applicant is agreeable to this. The applicant would like to establish the existing entrance on Salmon Brook Street to a right-turn-only from the north bound lane.
Lockwood reminded the commission that these proposed uses are within two different zones, and Kenyon provided clarification regarding split zones and parking regulations.
Public Comment
Paula Johnson, 289 Simsbury Road, spoke in favor of the application and recommended that the applicant consider weekend hours for professional office use. She also suggested that measures be implemented to slow traffic entering from Salmon Brook Street and stated that she would prefer to eliminate the option for live outdoor entertainment.
Suzanne Yucha, 32 Buttles Road, spoke in favor of the application, as well as Meghan Peterson’s character.
The commission decided to continue the application and public hearing to the next meeting (Sept. 24) for staff to review the revised plans and for the applicant to button up outstanding details.
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 3.5.4.3 for outdoor storage for a property located at 557 Salmon Brook Street, C2 Zone.
Applicant and property owner Ken McCartney proposed an area for outdoor storage in front of the building to store stone, mulch, topsoil and two storage trailers. The base for the area would consist of processed stone, and a 6-foot wooden stockade fence would be installed to screen the area from the road.
There was no public comment. The commission unanimously approved the application.
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.29.1.3 for a residential ground-mount solar energy system for property located at 268 Simsbury Road.
Applicant and property owner Keith Gove is looking to install a 12,000-watt ground-mount solar array to the north of the existing house. The array will measure 57.65 feet by 11.62 feet, would be 10.65 feet tall and would be located about 115 feet from the closest property line. The 7.5-acre property is located within the R2A zone and consists of heavy vegetation.
Public Comment
Paula Johnson, 289 Simsbury Road, spoke in favor of the application. The commission unanimously approved the application.
Reports and Correspondence
Kenyon said the town received two proposals in response to the RFP for 83 Salmon Brook Street.