November 12, 2024
Present: Eric Lukingbeal, Mark Lockwood, Eric Myers, Meg Jabaily, Robert Lavitt, Steve Muller, Brennan Sheahan and Paula Johnson. Director of Community Development Abigail Kenyon and Land Use Coordinator Renee Deltenre.
Seating of Alternates
Jabaily was seated for Christine Chinni.
Informal Discussion: 188 Day Street, proposed seven-lot subdivision
Kirk MacNaughton of Peak Mountain Development, LLC discussed a proposed seven-lot subdivision at 188 Day Street. The 15.63-acre property consists of two zones (R50 and R30) with 965 feet of frontage on Day Street and 545 feet of frontage on North Granby Road. Wetlands are located at the southwestern corner and northeastern corner of the property, and to satisfy the open space requirement, 3.55 acres on the eastern side of the property are shown to be open space. MacNaughton indicated that soil testing has been completed and the soils are suitable for on-site septic systems.
A 30-foot-deep visual streetscape buffer is proposed along the entire frontage of the property on Day Street. Lockwood questioned site lines at the intersection of Day Street and North Granby Road, and many commissioners expressed concern regarding the proposed driveway layout for lot #7. Commissioners also questioned the proposed driveway easement and if another arrangement was possible. Lukingbeal questioned swapping the proposed open space location with front lots in order to preserve existing frontage on Day Street. The commission encouraged the planting of trees and shrubs to beautify the development. Kenyon noted that further review of fully- engineered plans by town staff is required, and the proposal will need to go before the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.
December 10, 2024
Present: Eric Lukingbeal, Christine Chinni, Eric Myers, Paula Johnson, Robert Lavitt, Steve Muller, and Brennan Sheahan. Director of Community Development Abigail Kenyon and Land Use Coordinator Renee Deltenre.
Seating of Alternates
Johnson was seated for Mark Lockwood.
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 8.5.2 and 8.5.3 for a detached accessory apartment in excess of 1,200 square feet for property located at 70 Lakeside Drive, R30 Zone.
Applicant and property owner John Laudati is seeking permission to establish a detached accessory apartment over 1,200 square feet within a pre-existing outbuilding on the property. The existing structure was formerly a dining hall when the property was used as a camp for female tobacco workers from Florida. The building is set back about 725 feet from Salmon Brook Street, 85 feet from the side property line to the south, 95 feet from the property line to the east (Manitook Lake) and 180 feet from the northern property line. The apartment would consist of roughly 1,458 square feet, a kitchen, two bathrooms and two bedrooms. The remaining space would be left as storage and there are no proposed exterior modifications to the building at this time. If approved, the applicant would need to consult with Farmington Valley Health District regarding the conversion to ensure the existing septic system is sufficient. There was no public comment. The commission unanimously approved the application.
Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.1.3.4 for a garage in excess of 1,000 square feet for property located at 10R Eric Drive, R30 Zone.
Applicant and property owner Robert Broderick is looking to construct a 40x45x22-foot detached metal garage to the rear of his home, which will be accessed by a new gravel driveway off the existing driveway. The building company (Morton Buildings) requires a 10-foot construction buffer around the footprint of the structure and multiple trees will need to be removed. The garage will be beige and ivory in color, powered by underground electrical from the house and there will be a 20-foot concrete apron in front of the garage bays. The structure will not have floor drains and will be used for personal storage/maintenance of equipment.
There will be two exterior, downward-facing LED lights: one over the side entrance door and the other over the three entrance bays. The applicant received approval from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission agent on Nov. 27. Johnson expressed concerns regarding the overall appearance of the structure and location suitability, noting that Morton Buildings tend to have an industrial look and feel. The commission discussed prior approvals, and the language outlined within the zoning regulations. The applicant provided a rendering of the proposed structure for consideration, which was received favorably by the commission. Sheahan suggested that additional plantings be utilized to screen the building.
Public Comment
Laura Soule of 12R Eric Drive expressed concerns regarding visibility of the structure from her property and supported the commission’s recommendation for additional landscape screening.
The commission unanimously approved the application, subject to landscape screening as directed by town staff.
Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-24 Referral—Relinquish interest in Phelps Road Cemetery Property, Suffield
The Town of Suffield owns a cemetery on Phelps Road that was deeded to Suffield in 1788 by Eliajah Phelps. The deed had stated that the “burying place” was for the inhabitants of the north part of Granby in addition to the inhabitants of the west part of Suffield. It is adjacent to a parcel owned by The Mountain Burying Ground Association. That association contacted the Town of Suffield asking if it was willing to deed the old burying place to them. The Suffield Town Attorney advised that the Town of Granby would need to relinquish its interest due to the language in the deed. Under State statute CGS§8-24, the commission is required to issue a report prior to abandonment of any municipally-owned property. The commission determined that there are no conflicts with the Plan of Conservation and Development and voted unanimously to issue a positive report to the BOS, relinquishing interest in the Phelps Road Cemetery Property.
Editor’s Note: At the Jan. 6 meeting of the BOS, the selectmen voted unanimously to relinquish its rights and transfer its interest in the cemetery, authorizing the town manager to effectuate the transaction.
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