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Home My WebLink About2004-09-16 TGPB OWN OF ROTON LANNING OARD Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, 16 September 2004 – 7:30 PM – Town Hall Members, Groton Planning BoardOthers Present (*Absent) *Monica Carey, Chair Joan Fitch, Recording Secretary Barbara Clark Gary Coats, Town CEO Tom Guihan Glenn Morey, Town Supervisor Mark Baxendell Brad Albro Mary K. Gloster Janice Haines Applicants & Public in Attendance John D. Wood, Applicant; Bonnie Swearingen, Glenda Horton, Betty Ann Sperger, Rick & Deb Satterly, John Anguisit, Leon Bogardus, Pat Griffin, Linda Horton; Don Scheffler, Town Councilman PH UBLIC EARING The Public Hearing was opened at 7:30 p.m. by Acting Chairperson Mary Gloster. Board Secretary Fitch read aloud the Legal Notice, as published; a copy of the Proof of Publication has been placed on file for the record. John D. Wood, Applicant/Bonnie M. Swearingen, RO – 925 Spring St. Extension – TM #25.-1- 11.3 – Motor Vehicle Repair Shop (Reference is made to the 19 August 2004 Planning Board Minutes for details of the application, at which meeting the Public Hearing was scheduled.) Acting Chair Mary Gloster asked the applicant if he wished to speak, and Mr. Wood responded that he was seeking a Special Permit to open a Motor Vehicle Repair Shop at the subject location to work on vehicles for the general public. Acting Chair Gloster then asked for public comments, which were received as follows: Betty Sperger – 922 Spring Street Extension – Simply stated she had no  objections to the proposed MVR shop. Rick Satterly – 926 Spring Street Extension – Has no objections with business,  but will this give “green light” to have more junk vehicles on an already cluttered property? CEO Gary Coats responded that the number of unlicensed/licensed vehicles on the site could be set by the Planning Board. John Anguisit – 358 Smith Road - The subject place is in disarray. Although  some vehicles have been “taken care of,” there’s more there and he doesn’t like to see junk cars. Applicant should meet the rules and regulations. Leon Bogardus – 321 Smith Road – There’s a problem with Code Enforcement  over the past year or so, but now have a CEO who wants to do his job. There are 5 unlicensed vehicles on the subject site right now. Concerned about road frontage because it’s so close to the road. Thinks “this is a license to create a junk yard.” Objects to unlicensed vehicles. Page 1 of 4 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 16 September 2004 Acting Chair Gloster stated she had received a letter from Pamela G. Mott of 930 Spring Street Extension who strongly opposed the issuance of the Special Permit for a motor vehicle repair shop. Property is unsightly and a she is also concerned about the environment due to possibility of fluids leaking from the vehicles. Applicant also keeps late hours and would object to diesel trucks and “air ratchet” sounds at that time. The letter has been placed on file for the record. Pat Griffin – 341 Smith Road – Had no objection to the proposed MVR shop.  Linda Horton – 939 Spring Street Extension – Had no objection to the proposed MVR shop.  With all persons wishing to be heard having been heard, Acting Chair Gloster closed the Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m. D ISCUSSION Planning Board Member Barb Clark asked CEO Gary Coats if he had visited the site since the August meeting and, if so, had he noticed any improvement in the condition of the property. CEO Coats stated that the hedgerow had been cleaned out and a fence installed at the rear to “hide maybe an engine or something.” He had visited the property twice over the past two weeks, and again this morning. Thinks there are 5 vehicles still on the property. Applicant Wood stated he had removed some of the vehicles and junk from the hedgerow. Member Albro asked what would be done with any waste oil, and Mr. Wood answered that he had installed an oil-burning furnace to take care of that. Excess parts would be put on the dump truck that’s “going on the road the first of the week,” and taken from the site for disposal. Member Albro asked the applicant if he had made any arrangements to dispose of the vehicles from which parts had been removed. Mr. Wood replied that they, too, would be removed from the site and properly disposed of. Acting Chair Gloster asked Mr. Wood what his intentions were with regard to the “vehicles sitting there now,” and he answered that he thought he had sold two of them. Member Tom Guihan asked the applicant if he thought he could get the rest of his property cleaned up because his neighbors consider it an “eyesore,” and Mr. Wood responded that other than disposing of the junk vehicles, what did they want him to do. Someone in the audience answered that they expected him to follow the Town Code. Member Albro advised those present that if the Planning Board decides to grant a Special Permit, there will be stipulations as to how many vehicles can be on the site at one time, hours of operation, etc. Acting Chair Gloster advised that the Town Code only allows one unlicensed vehicle per property; however, she thought the applicant would be repairing someone else’s licensed vehicles. Mr. Wood responded that that’s not always the case as his brother-in-law operates a used car sales lot and has asked Mr. Wood to work on his cars before they are sold; these would be dealer cars, he stated. They would be transported to the site using dealer plates, but then the plates would be removed for use elsewhere until the applicant repairs them and they are returned (again using the dealer plates) to the sales lot. CEO Coats explained the difference between a junk vehicle (which will never see the road again) and an unlicensed vehicle. Junk vehicles, he stated, had to go. At the conclusion of their discussion, Member Mark Baxendell made a motion to postpone their decision until the 21 October 2004 meeting to review the comments given. The motion was seconded by Member Tom Guihan, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Acting Chair Gloster Nays: None Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Guihan Absent: Chair Carey Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #34 of 2004. Page 2 of 4 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 16 September 2004 In the meantime, CEO Coats will continue working with the applicant to get his site cleaned up. Acting Chair Gloster advised the applicant that anything he could do to improve the aesthetics of the property would be good. David McMasters, Applicant/RO – Cor. Cobb Street & West Groton Rd. – TM #23.-1-5.311 – Boundary Change Request It was noted by Acting Chair Gloster that neither the applicant, nor a representative, were present to answer the Board’s questions. A motion was then made by Member Tom Guihan postpone any action on the proposed boundary change until the 21 October 2004 meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Janice Haines, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Acting Chair Gloster Nays: None Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Guihan Absent: Chair Carey Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #35 of 2004. Approval of Minutes – 19 August 2004 A motion was made by Member Baxendell to approve the Minutes of the 19 August 2004 Planning Board, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Barb Clark, with the vote recorded as follows: Ayes: Acting Chair Gloster Nays: None Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Guihan Absent: Chair Carey Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #36 of 2004. Other Business CEO Coats advised the Board that at the October Planning Board meeting there will be an  application for a proposed cell tower to be erected by Cingular across from Member Clark’s property behind a section of woods—between numbers 1034 and 1072 Old Stage Road. He stated he was concerned with the “fall zone” as it relates to the leased area, and the existing turnaround. Town Supervisor Morey stated the Board could limit the number of carriers whose antennae would be allowed on a tower. Supervisor Morey had three concerns: (1) change the M-1 designation on Route 222 so the  Howards can have a greenhouse and (2) so Sovocools can sell their property as a horse farm, and (3) eliminate the 2000’ perimeter around the Village that allows no businesses. Should hold a public hearing in October or November to take care of these matters.  Supervisor Morey stated Comprehensive Plan being worked on and, when finished, should be used as a guide. Approval of Public Hearing Minutes – 2 September 2004 A motion was made by Member Clark to approve the Minutes of the 2 September 2004 Planning Board Public Hearing, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Member Guihan, with the vote recorded as follows: Page 3 of 4 (T) Groton Planning Board Minutes of Public Hearing & Regular Meeting 16 September 2004 Ayes: Acting Chair Gloster Nays: None Member Baxendell Member Clark Member Guihan Absent: Chair Carey Member Haines Motion carried. This becomes Action #37 of 2004. Executive Session At the request of Town Supervisor Morey, at 8:24 p.m. a motion was made by Member Baxendell to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. The motion was seconded by Member Clark, with all members present voting in favor. On a motion made by Member Albro, seconded by Member Baxendell, with all members present voting in favor, the Planning Board came out of Executive Session at 8:47 with nothing having been decided Adjournment At 8:48 p.m., a motion was made by Member Clark to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Member Haines, with all members present voting in favor. Joan E. Fitch, Board Secretary Emailed to Town Clerk, Chair Carey, & Board Member Gloster on 10/5/04. Originals delivered 10/5/04. Page 4 of 4