Redding Zoning Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 14, 2018 – 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall Hearing Room
100 Hill Road, Redding, Connecticut
Present: Gerry Casiello, Chairman; Amy Atamian, Secretary; Commissioner Matt Lecher; Commissioner Ted Ogonek; Alternate Gary Miyashiro; Alternate William Whitehead.
Also Present: Aimee Pardee, Zoning Officer
REGULAR MEETING:
The Chairman seated Mr. Whitehead for Commissioner Paul Scholl and called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes: Public Hearing & Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2017.
The Chairman noted that only two members of the Commission present were also present at the December 13th meeting; he therefore tabled a voted on the minutes until the next meeting.
2. Application #18-01Z – 37 Lonetown Road (Assessor’s Map #21 & Lot 42A): Owner: Town of Redding; Applicant The Mark Twain Library – In accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations: request for a Limited Duration Special Permit for the Mark Twain Library’s 23rd “Annual Frog Frolic to be held at the Redding Community Center on Saturday April 28, 2018 from 10:00am through 4:00pm. Previously held on April 29, 2017. For discussion/action.
The Chairman noted that this event has been held for many years with no issues or complaints. On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to grant Limited Duration Special Use Permit No. 18-01Z.
3. Application #18-02Z – Georgetown Village Restoration – In accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations: request for a Limited Duration Special Permit to hold its “16th Annual Georgetown Day” on Sunday June 10, 2018 from Noon to 6:00PM on Main Street in Georgetown. Previously held on June 11, 2017. For discussion/action.
The Chairman noted that this event has been held for many years with no issues or complaints. On the motion of Mr. Lecher and the second of Mr. Whitehead, the Commission voted unanimously to grant Limited Duration Special Use Permit No. 18-02Z.
4. Application #18-03Z -43 Lonetown Road (Assessor’s(Map #21 & Lot #42): Owner Redding Historical Society; Applicant Redding Garden Club – In accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations request: for a Limited Duration Special Permit to hold its “Annual Plant Sale” at the Redding Historical Society on Saturday May 12, 2018 from 9:00am until 2:00pm. Previously held on May 13, 2017. For discussion/action.
The Chairman asked the Zoning Officer if this event was again planned for only the Historical Society property with parking on the Onion Field; Ms. Pardee stated that it is. The Chairman noted that this event has been held for many years with no issues or complaints. On the motion of Mr. Ogonek and the second of Mr. Lecher, the Commission voted unanimously to grant Limited Duration Special Use Permit No. 18-01Z.
5. Application #18-04Z – 101 Marchant Road (Assessor’s Map #12 & Lot #79) – Owner New Pond Farm Foundation; –In accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations request for a Limited Duration Special Permits for the following: All items for discussion/action.
(a) Applicant John McCleary: New Pond Farm’s annual “Run For The Cows” , Sunday May 6, 2018 from 7:00am and ending approximately 12:00pm. Previously held on May 7, 2017.
On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to approve this event.
(b) In association with the Redding Garden Club: Garden Tour, June 9, 2018. Previously held on June 7, 2014.
On the motion of Mr. Ogonek and the second of Ms. Atamian, the Commission voted unanimously to approve this event.
(c) Annual Harvest Festival: October 13, 2018 (rain date October 14, 2018). Previously held on October 14, 2017.
On the motion of Mr. Lecher and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to approve this event thereby granting the Limited Duration Special Use Permits for all of events in Application 18-04Z.
6. Application #18-05Z – 9 Little River Lane (Assessor’s Map #22 & Lot #78) – Kenneth F III & Ashley E. Martino –Request for a Special Use Permit for Residential Apartment.in accordance with Section 5.12 of the Redding Zoning Regulations. For receipt/to set public hearing.
The Commission briefly reviewed the application for completeness. On the motion of Mr. Ogonek and the second of Ms. Atamian, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the application and set a public hearing date of March 28, 2018.
7. Discussion
The Chairman asked for an update regarding enforcement action at 147 Cross Highway. Ms. Pardee explained that a Cease and Desist order had been issued in October for violation on the property; that order was appealed and upheld by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The owner of the property has no appealed the ZBA decision to Superior Court.
The Chairman also spoke regarding Limited Duration Special Use Permits. He suggested that the regulations might be amended to allow for the Zoning Officer to approve events that had been successfully held in the past instead of those application coming before the Commission. Ms. Pardee agreed to look into drafting regulations to reflect that change.
Ms. Pardee also raised the issue of neighbor notifications for applications, noting that the policy of only notifying direct abutters sometimes leaves others, such as property owners across the street from a subject property, uninformed. The Commission agreed to consider an amendment to the regulations to include notification of applications to property owners within 100’ of a subject property.
8. Future Agenda Items
Public Hearing: March 28, 2018.
9. Communication
There was no discussion under this agenda item.
10. Adjournment
On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Aimee Pardee