Redding Zoning Commission
Public Hearing and Regular Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2021 – 7:30 p.m.
Held Via Zoom
Present: Matt Lecher, Chairman; Amy Atamian, Secretary; Commissioner Ted Ogonek; Commissioner Bill Whitehead; Alternate Diana Carlino-Coffey; Alternate Gary Miyashiro.
Also Present: Aimee Pardee, Zoning Officer; Applicant Agents Andrew Bartolotta and Anthony Mussachio; Guy Cirino.
Mr. Lecher called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. seating Ms. Carlino-Coffey for the Commission’s vacant seat.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Application #20-08Z: 32 Lee Lane (Assessor’s Map and Lot #37-79): Owner: Alexander Cooper & Nicole Jacoby. (Agent) Andrew Bartolotta, Studio Bartolotta LLC. Request for a Special Use Permit for an Accessory Apartment in accordance with Section 5.12 of the Redding Zoning Regulations. Received 12-09-20: Public Hearing 01-13-21.
Ms. Pardee read the call for the hearing. On the motion of Ms. Carlino-Coffey, and the second of Ms. Atamian, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the call and open the public hearing.
Mr. Bartolotta presented the application. He reviewed the plan for remodeling an existing building on his client’s property: he explained that the building had previously been a studio but that the remodel includes the addition of an apartment.
Ms. Pardee reviewed correspondence received regarding this application from the Redding Health Department and the Planning Commission.
Ms. Carlino-Coffey asked about the square footage of the apartment and the adjacent family room; she also asked about parking. Mr. Bartolotta stated that the apartment would be 587 square feet, while the recreation room would be 993 square feet. Parking would be provided in the existing garage, and adjacent to that structure. Mr. Whitehead asked for clarification regarding the septic system for the apartment: Mr. Bartolotta said that the building has its own septic system.
Hearing no further questions, Ms. Carlino-Coffey moved that the hearing be closed. Mr. Whitehead seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously, closing the hearing at 7:40 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING:
1. Approval of Public Hearing and Regular Meeting Minutes of December 9, 2020.
On the motion of Ms. Carlino-Coffey, and the second of Ms. Atamian, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the December 9, 2020 meeting.
2. Application #20-08-20: 32 Lee Lane (Assessor’s Map and Lot #37-79): Owner: Alexander Cooper & Nicole Jacoby. (Agent) Andrew Bartolotta, StudioBartolotta LLC. Request for a Special Use Permit for an Accessory Apartment in accordance with Section 5.12 of the Redding Zoning Regulations. If hearing closed, for discussion/action.
The Commission discussed the application. Ms. Atamian moved that the application be approved, and Mr. Ogonek seconded. During further discussion of the motion, concern was raised regarding the square footage of the apartment, which cannot exceed 800 square feet. The Chairman noted that, because of the access to an adjacent “recreation room”, the apartment could be considered to be much larger. Ms. Atamian amended her motion for approval to include the condition that the apartment could not have interior access to the “recreation room” area. Mr. Ogonek agreed to the amendment and the motion was carried unanimously.
3. Application #20-07Z: 296 Ethan Allen Highway (Assessor’s Map and Lot #35 – 92): Ridgefield Motor Inn. Alex Patel (Owner); Anthony Mussachio, Mussachio Architects (Agent). Request for Site Plan Approval to demolish existing structures and redevelop property with new “Home2 Suites by Hilton” including 71 guestrooms, manager living quarters, restaurant, and redesigned/expanded parking. Discussion.
Ms. Pardee stated that comments regarding the application were received from the town’s engineering consultant Milone and MacBroom during the afternoon and those comments have been forwarded to the Applicant’s Agent. She stated that the Health Department is working on comments but that Doug Hartline, the Town’s Health Officer has been prioritizing dealing with the Covid Pandemic but hopes to have the comments to the Applicant and Commission shortly. Comments from the Connecticut Department of Transportation are also pending. Mr. Mussachio, the Applicant’s Agent stated that he needs to review and address the engineering comments so the Chairman tabled further discussion until the next meeting.
4. Discussion of possible Commission initiated amendments to Section 5.12 of the Redding Zoning Regulations.
Ms. Pardee reminded the Commission of a conversation they had during the review of a Special Use Application for an apartment that had occurred in August and September and presented a possible amendment to Sections 5.12 of the Redding Zoning Regulations that would address the concerns raised in that discussion. She also made a suggestion regarding removal of the preamble of that Section of the regulations.
The Commission reviewed the proposed changes and discussed how the changes could address their concerns.
On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission decided to accept the amendments as drafted and set a public hearing for their consideration for March 10, 2020.
5. Approval of Zoning Commission Meeting Dates for 2021.
On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Ogonek, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the meeting schedule for 2021.
6. Discussion.
There was no discussion under this agenda item.
7. Future Agenda Items.
• Continued discussion of Application 20-07Z.
• March 10, 2021 Public Hearing regarding revisions to Redding Zoning Regulations Section 5.12.
8. Communication
Discussion of letter from the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the zoning regulations related to free-standing generators.
The Commission discussed the letting from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and also reviewed the regulations as they relate to the placement of generators. The Commission expressed concern regarding the noise created by generators and unanimously agreed that requiring generators to meet structure setbacks would be in the best interest of property owners.
9. Adjournment
On the motion of Ms. Atamian and the second of Mr. Whitehead, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.
Submitted by:
Aimee Pardee