JANUARY 8, 1998
| ROLL CALL: | Bruce Richardson-Chairman-Excused Thomas Case-Vice Chairman-Present Bernie Rouillard-Secretary-Present Alan Kachanian-Regular Member-Present Wayne Morris-Regular Member-Present John Spinney-Regular Member-Present Cheryl Yennaco-Alternate-Excused Charles Sweetser-Alternate-Excused David Dubay-Alternate-Present Margaret Crisler-Selectman-Excused Ralph Williams-Selectman's Alternate-Excused |
The meeting convened at Town Hall, at 9:00 P.M. Mr. Dubay filled in for Mr. Richardson on the Board.
PETITION # 1 - PUBLIC HEARING
Mrs. Dunn spoke on behalf of this petition to restrict firearms shooting ranges to the Limited Industrial District. The petitioners feel this would define the only place for a shooting range and do not feel a firearms shooting range is compatible to the other commercial districts. The restriction of 300 feet from any occupied building was taken from two (2) sources, the Fish & Game Statute and the Criminal Code. The Board members discussed the wording of the petition and Mr. Case read comments from Atty. Bernard Campbell, Town Counsel. Mr. Everett Ryan addressed the issue of outdoor shooting ranges and the restrictions of berms around the perimeter. Mr. Rouillard motioned to not recommend petition # 1 and Messers. Spinney and Morris seconded. Passed unanimously.
PETITION # 4 - PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Case read the petition in its entirety and a letter from Mr. Tai Deh Hsu, owner of Lot # 11-A-350, in opposition to this petition. This petition would rezone lots 11-A-300, 310, 310-A, 315, 317, and 350 from Limited Industrial to Business Commercial District A. Atty. Randy Wilbert, representing Jeffrey Thompson, spoke on behalf of this petition. The petitioner would like to eliminate lots 11-A-400 and 410 from the petition. Atty. Wilbert discussed the different uses allowed in each district and thought this zoning change would balance Route 111. Mr. Jeff Thompson spoke on behalf of this petition and the best use of the land on Route 111. Mr. Case stated his reasons for not supporting this petition, which included the majority property owner was opposed, Mr.Tai Deh Hsu, this would be spot zoning, does not believe in zoning by petition, and would prefer to wait for the Master Plan Survey. There is currently renewed interest in industrial development at this time. Mr. Morris motioned to not recommend this petition and Mr. Dubay seconded. Passed unanimously.
PETITION # 2 - PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Case read the petition in its entirety. This petition would require a 50' buffer for non-residentail uses of land which abut a residential district. Ms. Donna Mae Morgan spoke on behalf of this petition stating her experience both as a commercial owner of property and a residentail owner. Mr. Case read Atty. Campbell's comments on petition 2 and 3 as they are both dealing with the same issue of buffers. Members of the Board were in favor of the intent but felt amendment 9 and 10 and the current zoning would address this issue. Mr. Gattinella addressed the language of the petition and Mr. Peter Zohdi explained the 50' buffer zone would eliminate the Neighborhood Business District in the Mammoth Road area. Petition # 2 will be re-advertised due to an error in transcription.
PETITION # 3 - PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Case red the petition and it was correctly advertised. This petition is basically the same as petition # 2 and the comments were the same. Mr. Morris motioned to recommend this petition and Mr. Kachanian seconded. The vote was a tie 3-3. Mr. Spinney questioned if abut meant the abutters across also. Mr. Spinney motioned to not recommend this petition and Mr. Rouillard seconded. Passed 4-2.
PETITION # 5 - PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Case read the petition in its entirety and Mrs. Dunn spoke on behalf of this petition. The goal of the petition was to give maximum protection and clarify the present regulations regarding the W.W.P.D. Mr. Turner demonstrated the present zoning regulations regarding W.W.P.D. and the effect of this petition on the development in town. It was shown that a current subdivision of twenty lots would have eight less lots. Mr. Thorndike, Town Surveyor, explained his method of interpretation for the past twenty years and this petition would not only make the zoning more restrictive, it would entail excessive hours of engineering to apply to a subdivision. Mr. Dubay motioned to not recommend this petition and Mr. Rouillard seconded. Passed unanimously.
Mr. Dubay motioned to continue consideration of amendment # 3