Redding Zoning Commission
Public Hearing and Regular Meeting Minutes
March 28, 2018 – 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall Hearing Room
100 Hill Road, Redding, Connecticut
Present: Gerry Casiello, Chairman; Commissioner Matt Lecher; Commissioner Ted Ogonek; Alternate Bill Whitehead; Alternate Gary Miyashiro.
Also Present: Aimee Pardee, Zoning Officer; Applicants Mr. and Mrs. Martino.
The Chairman called the hearing to order at 7:30 p.m.; he seated Mr. Miyashiro for Commissioner Amy Atamian and Mr. Whitehead was seated for Commissioner Paul Scholl.
PUBLIC HEARING: 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. Received February 14, 2018: Public Hearing March 28, 2018.
Mr. Ogonek read the call for the hearing. On the motion of Mr. Lecher and second by Mr. Miyashiro, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the call and open the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
The Chairman addressed the applicants and asked for a “one minute walk through” of the application. Mrs. Martino explained that they plan to install an apartment in their basement for her parents to live in for part of each year. The Chairman reviewed the submitted materials and noted that the apartment will have its own entrance and will also be supplied with the required number of vehicle parking spaces. The Chairman asked what the size of the apartment will be and Mr. Martino replied that it will be 800 square feet. The Chairman noted that there did not seem to be comments available from the Health Department so it is not clear if the current septic system for the dwelling can accommodate the apartment.
The Chairman asked the Commission if there were any questions; there were none. He also opened the hearing to public comment; there were no comments.
On the motion of Mr. Miyashiro and second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to close the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING:
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.; he seated Mr. Miyashiro for Commissioner Amy Atamian and Mr. Whitehead was seated for Commissioner Paul Scholl.
1. Approval of Minutes: Public Hearing & Regular Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2017.
(Present at the December 13, 2017 meeting: Gerry, Paul and Gary).
Discussion of this item was tabled as a sufficient number of commissioners present at the December meeting were not in attendance.
2. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting Minutes February 14, 2018
(Present at the February 14, 2018 meeting: Gerry, Amy, Matt, Ted, Bill and Gary).
On the motion of Mr. Lecher and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2018 meeting as written.
3. 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. If public hearing is closed, for discussion/action.
The Chairman briefly reviewed the application. Mr. Ogonek made a motion to approve Application #18-05Z with the condition that the property owners obtain permission from the Redding Health Department for the installation of the apartment. Mr. Lecher seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
4. Application #18-06Z – 72 Topstone Road (Assessor’s Map & Lot No. 27-67) – Owner Town of Redding: Applicant: Jennifer Hunt on behalf of Haven Hunt. 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 Saturday June 30, 2018 with a rain date of Sunday July 1, 2018 at Topstone Park, Redding, CT. Previously held on September 9th 2017. For discussion/action.
The Chairman briefly reviewed the details of this event. He asked Ms. Pardee about parking for the event; Ms. Pardee said that, although it seemed there were some issues with parking the first time the event was held, Rob Blick had told her that those issues were resolved the second time the event was held in September of 2017. There was a correction of the date of the event: the event is proposed for May 19, 2018 with a rain date of May 20, 2018. On the motion of Mr. Ogonek and the second of Mr. Lecher, the Commission voted unanimously to grant Limited Duration Special Use Permit #18-06Z.
5. Application #18-07Z – 30 Putnam Park (Assessor’s Map & Lot No. 8-2 ) – Owner DNKL (Do Ngak Kunphen Ling). Request for a Limited Duration Special Use Permit in accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations to hold Prayer Flag Ceremony on Sunday May 20, 2018 from 9:00am thru 5:00pm. Previously held on May 20, 2010. /For discussion/action.
The Chairman briefly reviewed the details of this event and noted that there had been no problem with the event in the past. On the motion of Mr. Lecher and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to grant Limited Duration Special Use Permit #18-07Z.
6. Application #18-08Z – 43 Lonetown Road (Assessor’s Map & Lot No. 21-42) – Redding Historical Society. Request for a Limited Duration Special Use Permit in accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations to hold its Rock n’ Roots Revival 2018 Music and Community Festival to be held on June Saturday 30, 2018 with a rain date Sunday 1, 2018 from 12:30pm to approximately 10:30pm. Previously held on July 2, 2017. For discussion/action.
The Chairman briefly reviewed the details of this event and noted that there had been no problem with the event in the past. He also noted that it was recently mentioned in an article in the New York Times regarding living in Redding. On the motion of Mr. Ogonek and the second of Mr. Lecher, the Commission voted unanimously to grant Limited Duration Special Use Permit #18-08Z.
7. Application #18-09Z– 100 Blackrock Turnpike (Assessor’s Map & Lot No. 32 – 66) Request for a Limited Duration Special Use Permit in accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations for the “Bloomin’ Metric Bicycle Club” to use Joel Barlow High School Parking Lot on May 20, 2018 for a rest stop. Previously held on May 31, 2015. For discussion/action.
The Chairman briefly reviewed the details of this event and noted that there had been no problem with the event in the past except that there had once been complaints regarding noise from a band. The Chairman asked Ms. Pardee if there were bands planned for the event; she stated that Walter Czudak, the JBHS Building and Grounds Director, did not say that they intended to have entertainment. On the motion of Mr. Ogonek and the second of Mr. Lecher, the commission voted unanimously to grant Limited Duration Special Use Permit #18-09Z.
8. Application #18-10Z – 25 Cross Highway (Assessor’s Map & Lot No. 22 & 57) – First Church of Christ Congregational. Request for a Limited Duration Special Use Permit in accordance with Section 5.11.2 of the Redding Zoning Regulations to hold its “37th Annual Church Fair” on September 29, 2018 from 10:00am to 4:30pm. Previously held on September 30, 2017. For discussion/action.
The Chairman briefly reviewed the details of this event and noted that there had been no problem with the event in the past. On the motion of Mr. Lecher and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the commission voted unanimously to grant Limited Duration Special Use Permit #18-10Z.
9. Item #18-11Z – Discussion of possible amendments to the Redding Zoning Regulations:
- Section 3.14 regarding minimum rectangles
- Section 5.1 regarding application notifications
- Section 5.4 regarding erosion and stormwater control
- Section 5.11.2 regarding renewal of limited duration Special Use Permit.
The Chairman began the discussion by noting the number of Special Use Permits that the Commission had just considered. He said that he feels that the Commission brings little to the renewals of the permits. He said that the proposed revisions to Section 5.11.2 would allow for administrative renewal of Limited Duration Special Use Permits by the Zoning Officer but that they could always request to see a renewal application if there had been a problem with an event in the past. The Commission discussed this and decided to add wording to the Section that specifically allows the Zoning Officer to require that the applicant come before the Commission.
The Chairman next addressed Section 5.4 regarding erosion and stormwater control. Ms. Pardee explained that the section had been reorganized and that additional language had been added in order to bring the section into alignment with the requirements of the State of Connecticut Stormwater General Permit. There was a brief exchange regarding the effectiveness of bonds.
The Chairman noted that a change to Section 5.1 regarding neighbor notifications had been previously discussed and had come up periodically over many years. He explained that the current regulations only require the notification of direct abutters of a property that is the subject of an application before the Commission. By changing the language to require notification of property owners within 100’, property owners across the street from a subject property would also be notified. Ms. Pardee noted that this is the case with the majority of towns around Redding ; she also said that she felt that the property across the street could be the most impacted by a project so requiring their notification would be a good change.
Lastly, the Chairman reviewed the proposal to strike Section B of Section 3.14. He explained the thought behind having a minimum rectangle on a property in that it prevents the creation of irregularly shaped lots. He said that he did not understand why an exception to the minimum rectangle standards would apply to only certain properties and said that, in removing the exception, all new lots in town would be subject to the same standards.
On the motion of Mr. Lecher and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to set a public hearing for consideration of the amendments for May 9, 2018.
10. Discussion and possible vote to fill the position of Vice Chairman.
The Chairman stated that it had been mentioned to him several times that the position of Vice Chairman had not been filled after the previous Vice Chairman, Michael Hoffman, resigned to serve on another board. The Chairman stated that the Vice Chairman would Chair the Commission if the Chairman was not present. He then nominated Matt Lecher for the position. Hearing no further nominations, the Chairman called for a vote. Mr. Lecher was unanimously approved as Vice Chairman.
11. Discussion.
Ms. Pardee mentioned that Earth Day will be held on April 21, 2018 with the usual activities such as collection of litter. She said that the town is also planning a light bulb exchange and that more details will be available soon.
12. Future Agenda Items
Public Hearing regarding revisions to the regulations on May 9, 2018.
13. Communication
There was no discussion under this agenda item.
14. Adjournment
On the motion of Mr. Miyashiro and the second of Mr. Lecher, the commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
Submitted by Aimee Pardee