Redding Planning Commission
P.O. Box 1028
Redding Center, Connecticut 06875-1028
MINUTES
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
7:30 p.m. – VIA ZOOM
Present: Toby Welles, Chairman, seated at 7:53 p.m.; Regina O’Brien, seated as Chairman until 7:53 p.m; Commissioner Dan Barrett; Commissioner Anda Cumings; Alternate James Bacon, seated for Steve Gagnon.
Absent: Commissioner Steve Gagnon; Alternate Chuck Cilo.
Also present: Aimee Pardee, Land Use Director; applicants; members of the public.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Meeting of August 25, 2020On the motion of D. Barrett and the second of A. Cumings, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the 8/25/20 Meeting Minutes.
II. PUBLIC HEARING TO OPEN:
Application #528, 130 Topstone Road, Roger Lancaster & Carolyn L. Johnson Lancaster (owners), Curt Lowenstein/LANDTECH (agent). Proposed subdivision of 13.6 acres into 4 Lots. Received 8/25/2020. Public Hearing open 9/8/20 – completion date unknown pending possible reissue of executive orders.Mr. Lancaster was present in addition to Robert Pryor and Curt Lowenstein from LandTech. Interested party Michael Ungerer was also present.
On the motion of D. Barrett and the second of A. Cumings, the Commission voted unanimously to open the Public Hearing.
Mr. Pryor presented the application accompanied by a screen shared Site Overview Plan. Mr. Pryor stated that the Health Dept. has approved the proposed septic plans. Mr. Pryor reviewed the low-impact development elements of the proposal including the raingardens, underground detention and using sheet flow for drainage instead of pipes and stormwater collection. The stormwater management requirements have been reviewed by Milone & MacBroom.
The Conservation Commission approved the application on 7/21/20. Phase 1 and 2 archaeological studies have been completed and, per consultant Dr. Stuart Reeve, no further investigation is required.
Chairman T. Welles stated that if there are three lots, a drawing depicting room for three separate driveways is required. In addition, concern was noted re: driveway drainage onto Topstone Road. Mr. Pryor stated he will work with Milone & MacBroom to resolve that concern. Mr. Welles will consult Commission Counsel to confirm if the undeveloped lot needs to meet the requirements of a buildable lot.
Land Use Director A. Pardee noted the items to be made part of the record. It was confirmed that the lots are staked and a Site Walk is scheduled for Sun., 9/20/20 at 10:00 a.m.
David Durie, 120 Topstone Road, was present. His letter submitted to the Land Use Office will be reviewed and addressed at the next meeting.
On the motion of R. O’Brien and the second of J. Bacon, the Commission voted unanimously to continue the Public Hearing until the next meeting.
III. ADMINISTRATIVE
1. Kathlene Tracey, 163 Sunset Hill. Alteration to Driveway Location. To Discuss.
T. Welles reviewed the previous application from the applicant and the concern regarding sight line calculations and changes to the topography. Ms. Tracey clarified that they had constructed the stone wall on site that would be modified to create a compliant driveway. Mr. Welles requested that a drawing be submitted to scale and also suggested a site walk to confirm sight lines.
2. Referral from Town of Wilton: Request for Zone Changes and Expansion of Auto Storage Lots. Public Hearing scheduled for 9/14/2020. Discussion 8/25/2020.
A. Pardee clarified that this request is currently a change in regulations: further requests for development will be in the form of a Site Plan application. T. Welles reviewed the GIS map and confirmed that part of Church Street lies in Redding.
A letter will be forwarded noting the concern that land prep could involve removal of stone and in addition, concern about the impact of the stone removal process on nearby residents.
On the motion of A. Cumings and the second of J. Bacon, the Commission voted unanimously that T. Welles will draft letter to the Town of Wilton and forward to Land Use Director A. Pardee for submittal to Wilton.
3. Referral from the Redding Zoning Commission:
Application #20 –05Z: 14 Whortleberry Road (Assessor’s Map and Lot # 13-74): Philip S. Curatilo & Tammy L. Weiner. Request for a Special Use Permit for an Accessory Apartment/Au Pair Suite in accordance with Section 5.12 of the Redding Zoning Regulations. Received August 12, 2020; Public Hearing to open September 9, 2020.
The request for a Special Use Permit for an accessory apartment was reviewed. A. Pardee confirmed there would be no setback issues.
On the motion of A. Cumings and the second of D. Barrett, the Commission voted unanimously to send a letter of support to the Zoning Commission and confirm that this proposal is in accordance with the Town Plan of Conservation & Development.
IV. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/DISCUSSION
On the motion of A. Cumings, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m.
Submitted by:
Kristi C. Reilly