The Town Plan & Zoning Commission met at Town Hall on March 1.
Following are notes on what was covered during the meeting.
Zoning Enforcement Officer Jack Demirjian said he has received several calls regarding electric vehicle charging stations. He noted that they require a building permit.
Demirjian asked if the commission would like him to handle them administratively or if they would like to review them. He stated that the charging stations are not addressed in the zoning regulations, which led to a discussion.
Commissioner Kevin Cornell said that the stations are usually freestanding on commercial properties, noting they they do not cause a loss of parking spaces. Chairman Oscar Parente added that they sometimes are part of a site plan.
After a brief discussion, the commission said Demirjian could handle the subject administratively.
— end of discussion —
Zoning Enforcement Officer’s Report:
Demirjian said that Avangrid, 100 Marsh Hill Road, submitted a site plan for an environmental storage building, noting that all of the pertinent department heads have reviewed it. After a brief discussion, there were no additional comments.
Demirjian said the Affordable Housing Special Meeting seemed to go well. He noted that he will inform the commission when he receives input from the Southern CT Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG).
Parente asked if the zoning bylaws allow the commission to appoint a committee. After a brief discussion Parente said the commission could schedule a Special Meeting to discuss the information if necessary. Demirjian said he would check the bylaws to see if a committee is allowed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1.) RESUBDIVISION APPLICATION- Submitted by Sunrise Hill Estates, LLC. For the Re-subdivision of Lot 4 of Sunrise Hill Estates. To create a single-family residential lot from an existing lot comprised of 2.85 acres in the Residential (RES) Zone at the end of Skyview Road. (Continued from 2/15/22 meeting.)
Joe Porto, Esq., Parrett, Porto, Parese, & Colwell, Hamden, representing the applicant for the application, said this proposal meets all the bulk standards. He noted that at the last TPZC meeting, neighbors stated that the road has not yet been completed.
Porto added that his client has agreed to follow a written schedule to patch the binder. He explained the schedule to the commission. He noted that asphalt plants are closed for the winter. Discussion ensued.
Demirjian said he has met with the develope Robert Sachs, who stated that the road would be finished after construction is completed. Demirjian sent the schedule to one of the concerned neighbors and asked him to distribute it among the other neighbors.
Parente asked Demirjian if all pertinent signoffs have been obtained, and Demirjian said they were.
Parente said he didn’t see a problem with this re-subdivision.
Demirjian noted that the lot has a detention pond, which is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the sub-division.
2.) SITE PLAN APPLICATION- Submitted by DGA, LLC. For Chip’s Restaurant, 321 Boston Post Road. To construct an 1,188 square foot outdoor patio. AN APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL EXCEPTION, PERMIT OR USE has also been submitted in conjunction with this application per sections 383-143.4 & 383-175 of the Orange Zoning Regulations.
Joe Kubic, Esq., Harlow, Adams & Friedman, P.C., is representing Chip’s. The applicant is seeking an outdoor patio as a Special Use. Attorney Kubic noted that Wetlands granted the applicant its approval.
John Wicko, Architect, 58 Prospect Street, Milford, stated that the Governor’s Executive Order is in effect until March 31. He said outdoor dining would be “as of right” beginning on April 1, 2022.
Wicko said the applicant wants to proceed now so that the outdoor patio would be ready for outdoor dining this year.
Kubic presented a brief history of the site and distributed information to the commission. He noted that Chip’s Restaurant has been in existence since 1966. A brief discussion ensued.
Kubic explained that the KenMike office building is a mixed-use property adjacent to 321 Boston Post Road. He said he has spoken with the Fire Marshal and the Traffic Commission. He said he believed that traffic circulation would be safer with this proposal.
Kubic explained that there are two different uses on this one parcel. It has not been legally subdivided; it is legally one parcel. He noted that the Assessor called it a “courtesy split.” Chip’s and the KenMike building are taxed separately.
Kubic said Chip’s has adequate parking yet has access to a mixed-use parking lot. It was noted that that each business on the property has different peak hours.
The commissioners discussed the existing parking spaces, during which Demirjian said the parking spaces need to be double striped.
Jeff Gordon, Codespoti & Associates, stated that there would be pedestrian access in the front of the building. There would be a natural flow for parking lot traffic. Parente noted that they are not enlarging a non-conformity. The commission discussed this.
Wicko said that four seats are being removed to accommodate the new sliding doors, which would lead to the patio. He added that the patio area would be supervised by the hostess. The patio also is accessible from the parking area.
Parente said zoning regulations prohibit food and/or drink preparation in the outdoor seating area. It was noted that all preparations would be done inside.
Discussion turned to the safety of pedestrians in the parking lot, and Demirjian stated that the Fire Marshal and the Police have signed off on the application.
Chairman Parente asked if there were any questions or comments from the audience. There were none.
The commission voted unanimously to approve the motion.
NOTE: This information was extracted from the unofficial Meeting Minutes.