P & Z Commission Meeting Notes May 11, 2004
The Planning and Zoning Commission’s monthly meeting was held May 11.
Jack Baron of 187 Kent Road was present to ask the Commission about requesting a special exception to operate a bed and breakfast. The Commission advised him that he will need to include sign size and location in his application and it will need a review by Torrington Area Health and the DEP. A public hearing was scheduled for June 8 at 7 pm.
Tom McGowan presented a draft of regulations addressing docks. He incorportated modifications requested by the Commission at its last meeting.
Mr. McGowan spoke to the issue of fences near the lake. He reported that members of the Lake Waramaug Authority had done some informal questionning of land owners and found many interested in a “no fence” rule to protect the scenic vistas on the lake. However, he stressed that no formal survey had been done. Wayne Wilson, chair of the Commission, questionned the source of authority for the commission to regulate fences. The Commission voted to send the draft regulations and questions about fences to the First Selectman to be forwarded to an attorney of his chosing for advice.
The Commission considered correspondence from Cynthia Shook of Brick School Road requesting clarification of the term “agriculture” as used in zoning regulations. They decided to seek the advice of counsel on their response.
Mr. Wilson led the commission in a discussion of their third draft of guidelines or rules for sizes of accessory structures. When no consensus was reached on Draft 3, one member suggested a rule that any building of 100 square feet or less and no more than 10 feet tall could be built without a permit, so long as it observed sideline setbacks (25 feet.) After much discussion, the matter was tabled to the next meeting.
Enforcement activities were reviewed by the commission. They noted that two unregistered vehicles had been removed from 129 Cornwall Road and that the owner of 51 Kent Road responded immediately to their warnings to remove unregistered vehicles by asking for an extension and promising to remedy promptly. Several possible violations at 250 Brick School Road had been observed and it was noted that the selectman are working on resolutions.
Chairman Wilson raised the issue of notification of neighbors when special permits have been requested and asked that members find out how other towns word these notifications. He urged the commission to consider adopting a policy of notification regarding future special permits.
Permits were issued to Susan Bates of 76 Tanner Hill Road for two sheds; to Mark Podlaseck, Brick School Road for a home and to Nancy Binns, 197 Brick School Road for a porch.
