Town of Redding Zoning Commission
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Town Hall Hearing Room
100 Hill Road, Redding, Connecticut
Present: Gerry Casiello, Chairman; Amy Atamian, Secretary; Commissioner Ted Ogonek, Commissioner Matt Lecher, Alternate Bill Whitehead.
Also Present: Aimee Pardee, Zoning Officer.
REGULAR MEETING:
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Chairman seated Mr. Whitehead for Commissioner Paul Scholl.
- Approval of Minutes:
Public Hearing of September 14, 2016:
The Commission reviewed the minutes. On the motion of Ms. Atamian, and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted by majority to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2016 public hearing, with Mr. Lecher and Mr. Whitehead abstaining as they were not present.
Regular Meeting of September 14, 2016:
The Commission reviewed the minutes. On the motion of Mr. Ogonek, and the second of Ms. Atamian, the Commission voted by majority to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2016 regular meeting, with Mr. Lecher and Mr. Whitehead abstaining as they were not present.
- Application 2016-23Z: 77 Topstone Road (Assessor’s Map and Lot No. 19-40)
Owner: Martin P. Robinson and Annie Evens. Request for a Special Use Permit for an in-house accessory apartment, in accordance with Section 5.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations.
The Commission briefly reviewed the application, noting that a public hearing must be held. On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the commission voted unanimously to accept the application and set the public hearing date for January 25, 2017.
- Item 16 – 24Z: Commission initiated proposed revision of the Redding Zoning Regulations Section 5.12.
The Chairman spoke regarding the proposed changes in the regulations controlling accessory apartments. He stated that, when the accessory apartment regulations were first adopted, there was considerable discussion of the desire to allow residents to “age in place” and how having an apartment could allow that to happen. He explained how this idea has evolved, with more younger families caring for elderly parents, and also adult children living with parents, and how the proposed changes to the regulations could add the flexibility to residential uses that would accommodate these extended families.
The Chairman went step by step through the proposed changes to the regulations. During the review, there was some discussion of temporary, trailer housing, which the Chairman noted was still prohibited by Section 3.8 (f) of the regulations. There was also a discussion of affordability but the Chairman noted that the apartments approved through the Special Use Process do not need to use the state 8-30g statute and, therefore, there is no requirement for long term declarations of affordability.
On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to put forward the proposed regulations and set a public hearing for January 25, 2016.
- Review and approve of 2017 meeting schedule.
The Commission reviewed the proposed schedule. On the motion of Mr. Ogonek and the second of Mr. Lecher, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the meeting schedule for 2017.
- Review and approve of Zoning Department/Commission fee schedule.
Ms. Pardee spoke regarding the fee schedule. She explained that the Zoning Board of Appeals is revising their schedule so, since that has to go to the selectmen, it was thought to be a good idea to review all the fee schedules for boards and commissions. She stated that her review had found the present fees in line with those of surrounding towns but she suggested a couple of changes including reducing the fee for demolition permits, and adding a fee for compliance certificates for permits over ten years old due to the time needed to research those requests.
On the motion of Mr. Ogonek and the second of Mr. Lecher, the commission voted unanimously to accept the revised fee schedule.
- Discussion: The Chairman briefly raised the issue of medical marijuana, noting a court case that highlights the difficulty of having the substance legal in some states, while still being a federally controlled substance. The Commission briefly discussed the issue and decided that no action, in terms of revising the regulations, is required at this time.
- Future Agenda Items: Public Hearings for Application 16 – 23Z and for revisions to the Redding Zoning Regulations Section 5.12.
- Communications: There was no discussion under this agenda item.
- Adjournment: On the motion of Mr. Ogonek, and the second of Ms. Atamian, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Submitted,
Aimee Pardee