Redding Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 26, 2017 – 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall Hearing Room
100 Hill Road, Redding, Connecticut
Present: Gerry Casiello, Chairman; Amy Atamian, Secretary; Commissioner Matt Lecher; Commissioner Paul Scholl.
Also Present: Aimee Pardee, Zoning Officer
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes: Public Hearing and Regular Meeting March 22, 2017.
Discussion of this item was tabled as only two commissioners present at the meeting were present at the March 22 hearing and meeting.
2. Application 17-12Z – Georgetown Village Restoration – Request for a Limited Duration Special Use Permit in accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations to hold its “15th Annual Georgetown Day” on Sunday June 11, 2017 from Noon to 6:00PM on Main Street in Georgetown. Previously held on June 12 2016. For discussion/action.
The Commission discussed this event and the Chairman noted that there had been no problem with this event in the past and that it is a very popular event.
On the motion of Mr. Lecher and the second of Ms. Atamian, the Commission voted unanimously to grant the Special Use Permit.
3. Application 17-13Z – Owner: Town of Redding; Applicant: Jennifer Hunt on behalf of Haven Hunt. 72 Topstone Road (Assessor’s Map and Lot No. 27 – 67). Request for a Limited Duration Special Use Permit in accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations to hold a “ Redding Hive Event” on Sunday May 14, 2017 with a rain date Saturday May 20, 2017 at Topstone Park, Redding CT. For receipt/discussion; schedule Public Hearing on May 10, 2017.
The Commission reviewed the application materials and noted that this is a proposed new event to be put on by a private party at Topstone Park. The event is proposed to include craft vendors, food trucks and music. The Chairman explained that there had been some confusion about the licensing of this event as Park and Rec had given the applicant permission to have the event without informing the applicant of the need for a Zoning Special Use Permit. As such, the Commission will need to expedite the application process to hold the public hearing in time for the proposed event.
On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Lecher, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the application and set the public hearing date for May 10, 2017.
4. Discussion
Referral by the Town of Ridgefield: Application to construct a little league field on property located within 500’ of Redding town line (corner of Simpaug Turnpike and Route 7).
Ms. Pardee distributed a letter from the Redding Planning Commission regarding the proposed playing field. The Commission then discussed the concerns raised by the Planning Commission including the potential impact on Redding due to the lighting and noise from the field, as well as the possible traffic. The consensus of the Commission was that there is agreement with the points raised by Planning. The Chairman asked Ms. Pardee to contact the Planning Chairman to see if he would like to have Zoning co-sign a letter from Planning to the Town of Ridgefield, or if the commission should generate its own correspondence.
Additional discussion item:
The Chairman stated that the First Selectman has scheduled a town information meeting for May 15th in order to review the latest developments in the town’s attempts to resolve issues with the former Gilbert and Bennett property in Georgetown. The Chairman stated that he had met with the Board of Selectmen and had gotten an update on the status of the foreclosure of the property; he clarified that, although the courts have put the town on the top of the list to recover the property, the foreclosure will not extinguish debts and obligations that were taken on. As such, the town is considering a number of possible options for the property including finding an outside developer, and offering “tax incremental financing” that would divide up future tax revenue between the various parties that hold a stake until the obligation were paid off but that the town needs to weigh if it will receive enough tax revenue to support the services required by any development. He described the process of negotiating a resolution to the outstanding issues with the property financing as very complicated but noted his understanding that any final resolution would have to be approved at a town meeting.
The Commission briefly discussed what had been approved for the property in the past and the Chairman noted that all approvals will expire in 2018. The Commission reviewed what work had been completed on the property and the Chairman stated that he believes that there is still grant money allocated for completion of the river walls and also for the work on the intersection near the Nissan dealership off Route 7.
5. Future Agenda Items
Public Hearing of May 10, 2017
6. Communication
There was no discussion under this agenda item.
7. Adjournment
On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Scholl, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee Pardee