October 8, 2024
Present members: Eric Lukingbeal, Christine Chinni, Mark Lockwood, Eric Myers, Robert Lavitt, Steve Muller and alternate Paula Johnson.
Absent member: Brennan Sheahan
Also present: Director of Community Development Abigail Kenyon and Land Use Coordinator Renee Deltenre
Seating of Alternates, if applicable
Johnson was seated for Sheahan.
Public Hearings
The commission heard the applications for 254 and 256 Salmon Brook Street at the same time.
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, Land Surveyor Brian Denno, and applicant Meghan Peterson were present to discuss the applications. Denno discussed the revisions made to the site plans in response to staff and commission comments. Modifications included relocation of the proposed ground sign farther from the road and installing a “right turn only” exit on Salmon Brook Street for those heading north onto Salmon Brook Street. It was noted that an additional ground sign for the proposed coffee shop was added to the plans; however, this sign will be removed as it is not part of this application and requires a special permit.
Public Comment
Robert Flanigan, 24 Woodcliff Drive, expressed concerns regarding DOT approval and asked whether a traffic study was conducted. He also noted that work has already begun on-site, which staff clarified is permitted under a building permit and does not require approval from the commission.
Kenyon went through her staff memorandum, which outlined draft conditions of approval.
Lockwood noted that a condition shall be added regarding the merging of both lots, and Johnson recommended that the approval for 254 Salmon Brook St. provide for night-time office hours.
The commission approved the applications for 254 and 256 Salmon Brook St. subject to the following conditions:
All items outlined in the Oct. 4 memorandum from the director of community development to the commission are completed to the satisfaction of staff prior to issuance of the special permit.
Item number 5 is modified to remove the word “final.”
Item number 8, hours of operation, is modified to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Approval is contingent upon all required documentation to merge parcels 254 and 256 is filed before issuance of the special permit.
Application seeking a Site Plan modification and Special Permit modification for use within an Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone, under Zoning Regulations Sections 3.9.2.11 and 8.21.4 for a 1,393 sq. ft. building addition to the Veterinary Hospital for property located at 136 Salmon Brook Street, ED Zone.
Professional Engineer Jim Cassidy and applicant Jeff Weatherhead of GVH Partners, LLC, were present to discuss the application. The 2.04-acre property is located within the ED zone and consists of a 12,270-square-foot veterinary hospital. The applicant would like to construct a 1,393-square-foot addition at the front of the building to accommodate additional exam rooms and a retail area. Since the location of the proposed addition falls within the upland review area, an application was submitted to the Granby Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission and approved by the wetland’s agent.
As noted in staff’s memo, veterinary use is allowed by special permit in the ED Zone and the property also falls in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone. The commission granted special permit approvals for this use previously and the proposed expansion will not result in a change to the nature of the business operation, therefore there are no concerns. Cassidy provided an overview of the existing site versus proposed, inclusive of site lighting, landscaping, additional parking spaces, and replacement/relocation of the existing sewer lateral. There was no public comment.
The commission approved the application subject to the following condition:
All three items detailed by staff and three items detailed by the town engineer in the Oct. 1 memorandum from the director of community development to the commission are addressed to the satisfaction of staff and added to the site plans prior to the issuance of the special permit.
Consideration of a request for a 90-day filing extension for File P-2-24 for a 1-lot subdivision (to be known as 200 Case Street).
The commission approved the extension.
Staff Report and Correspondence
Kenyon provided an update on DOT’s response to the commission’s concerns regarding the work underway in the center of Granby and alignment of lights at all intersections in the center. Regarding the pedestrian crosswalk at Station 280 that is hidden behind a telephone pole, staff is still waiting on a response. Kenyon also noted that the town has received four proposals in response to the RFP for 5 Canton Road (Kearns School).