Minutes
Present: Mike Hoffman, Vice-Chair; Amy Atamian, Secretary; Commissioner Ben Gordon; Commissioner Ted Ogonek; Alternates Gary Miyashiro and Matthew Lecher.
Also Present: Aimee Pardee, Zoning Officer; Gina Rittschof, Applicant.
Mr. Hoffman, Acting Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Lecher was seated for Gerry Casiello.
PUBLIC HEARING 1:
Item #2015-22 – Proposed amendment to Section 5.19 of the Redding Zoning Regulations: to extend by one year an existing moratorium on applications or permits for medical marijuana dispensary facilities and medical marijuana production facilities, as defined in Sections 8.1.141 and 8.1.142 respectively.
Ms. Atamian read the Call of the Hearing.
Motion: move that the Call of the Hearing be accepted as read. Mr. Lecher moved, Mr. Ogonek seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.
ZEO Pardee noted that many of the neighboring communities are currently working on regulation revisions concerning medical marijuana dispensary facilities. The Redding Planning Commission provided a referral in support of the extension of a moratorium on applications or permits for medical marijuana dispensary facilities and medical marijuana productions facilities. Both the Western Connecticut Council of Governments and the Greater Bridgeport Council of Government noted that there is no regional impact, therefore no comment on the issue.
Motion: move that the Public Hearing be closed. Mr. Ogonek moved, Mr. Lecher seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:38 pm.
PUBLIC HEARING 2:
Item #2015-23 – Proposed addition to the Redding Zoning Regulations Section 8.1.220 defining “Self Storage facilities; proposed amendment to Section 4.3.2 (a) adding “Self Storage Facilities” to permitted uses in the SB Zoning.
Ms. Atamian read the Call of the Hearing.
Motion: move that the Call of the Hearing be accepted as read. Mr. Gordon moved, Mr. Ogonek seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.
ZEO Pardee noted that a referral from the Planning Commission has not been completed, and recommended that the Public Hearing be continued to September 9, 2015.
Motion: move that the Zoning Commission continue the Public Hearing on Application 2015-23 to September 9, 2015. Mr. Ogonek moved, Mr. Lecher seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.
REGULAR MEETING:
The Regular Meeting was opened at 7:45 p.m.
1. Approval of minutes from Regular Meeting of July 14, 2015.
Motion: move that the Redding Zoning Commission approve the minutes of the May 27, 2015 meeting as submitted. Motion made by Mr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Lecher, and carried unanimously.
2. Item #2015-22Z: Proposed amendment to Section 5.19 of the Redding Zoning Regulations to extend by one year an existing moratorium on applications or permits for medical marijuana dispensary facilities and medical marijuana production facilities, as defined in Sections 8.1.141 and 8.1.142 respectively
Motion: move that the Redding Zoning Commission approve Item 2015-22Z and adopt a one-year extension to the moratorium on applications or permits for medical marijuana dispensary facilities and medical marijuana production facilities.. Motion made by Mr. Ogonek, seconded by Mr. Lecher, and carried unanimously.
3. Item #2015-23Z: Proposed addition to the Redding Zoning Regulations Section 8.1.220 defining “Self Storage Facilities; proposed amendments to Section 4.3.2 (a) adding “Self Storage Facilities” to permitted uses in the SB Zone, and to Section 4.3.3 (a) prohibiting this use in other zones.
The Public Hearing on this item was continued to the meeting of September 9, 2015.
4. Application #2015-26Z: 116 Peaceable Street (Assessor’s Map and Lot No. 42 – 167); Scott and Gina Rittschof. In accordance with Section 5.2 and Section 5.10 of the Redding Zoning Regulations, request for Site Plan Approval for “Residential Home Enterprise” for a massage therapy office.
The applicant, Gina Rittschof, was present and briefly reviewed per proposal for a home office. She stated that she did not intend to have employees, and she expected to see about ten clients per week. The Commission briefly discussed the application.
Motion: move that the Zoning Commission find that a public hearing is not needed for this application. Motion made by Mr. Gordon, seconded by Ms. Atamian, and carried unanimously.
Discussion of the application continued. The Commission reviewed Section 5.10 of the regulations then discussed parking. Mr. Ogonek expressed concern regarding the location of the proposed parking as it seemed to be too close to the property line. The Commission and the applicant discussed alternative parking locations and the possibility of a sign to identify the client parking space.
Motion: move that the Redding Zoning Commission approve Application #2015-26Z with the condition that the applicant will submit an updated parking plan that conforms to the Zoning Regulations to the Zoning Officer. Motion made by Ms. Atamian, seconded by Mr. Ogonek, and carried unanimously.
5. Discussion. There was no discussion under this agenda item.
6. Future Agenda: September 9, 2015 Public Hearings:
#2015-23Z: Amendments to the Redding Zoning Regulations regarding Self-Storage Units.
#2015-25Z: Request by Suzanne Aimee & Bennett Pardee, 60 Greenbush Road, for a Special Use Permit for an accessory apartment in accordance with Section 5.12 of the Redding Zoning Regulations.
7. Communication: There was no discussion under this agenda item.
8. Adjournment:
Motion: move to adjourn the meeting. Motion made by Mr. Gordon, seconded by Mr. Ogonek, and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Submitted by Mary Maday, Recording Secretary; Edited by Aimee Pardee