July 27, 2010

Call to order: The monthly meeting of the Sterling Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman D. Morrow at 7:35 p.m.

Roll was called: Dana Morrow-present; Frank Bood-present; George Simone- absent; Paul Ezzell-absent; Kelly Marchesseault-present Alternate Ross Farrugia-absent; Alternate Michael Cafaro, Sr.-absent; Alternate Ron Marchesseault-present.

Alternate R. Marchesseault was seated for G. Simone.

Staff present-Russell Gray, Joseph Theroux, Jamie Rabbitt, and Judy Lincoln.

Public Hearing on Application by Sterling Planning & Zoning Commission to Amend Zoning Regulations: Chairman Morrow opened the hearing and J. Lincoln read the legal notice. There were no citizens present. Town Planner J. Rabbitt explained that the changes are administrative in nature (correct where choices seem available and they are not, spelling and other grammatical errors).

It was noted again that other than staff and the commission members, no one was present from the public with questions or comments on the application.

D. Morrow made a motion, seconded by F. Bood, to close the public hearing at 7:40 p.m. All voted in favor of the motion.

Chairman Morrow made a motion, seconded by F. Bood, to move the ZEO Report to before Audience of Citizens. All voted in favor of the motion.

New Business:

a. ZEO Report: J. Theroux, Zoning Enforcement Officer reported the following: 1) the violation at 1012 Plainfield Pike (Seaman) has been abated. Mr. Seaman is sending a letter detailing what has been done. Upon receipt of this letter J. Theroux will conduct an inspection and if the inspection proves satisfactory the violation will be lifted. 2) There have been a few small zoning permit approvals. 3) A complaint about a junk yard on Harris Road was received. J. Theroux noted that under our Zoning Regulations there is no regulation to cover this. R. Marchesseault made a motion, seconded by F. Bood, to accept the ZEO Report as presented. All voted in favor of the motion.

Audience of Citizens: None

Approval of Minutes: D. Morrow made a motion, seconded by F. Bood, to approve the minutes of the 06/29/2010 meeting as presented. All voted in favor of the motion.

Correspondence: None

Unfinished Business:

a. Sterling Center Site Development: It was reported that the Selectmen denied, without prejudice, the request by Economic Development Coordinator Sharon Chviek on behalf of the Economic Development Commission, for a six month extension on the potential purchase of 3.7 acres of town-owned land on Sterling Road (previously referred to as the “Revere Site” as there has been no significant progress in the plans since the last six month extension was granted for Steve by & Raymond Weidele to purchase the property.

Chairman Morrow reported that he contacted Paula at the Last Green Valley about obtaining help with developing a plan/footprint for Sterling Center but that that help would not be available until springtime.

J. Rabbitt and D. Morrow reported on their meeting with S. Chviek and G. Cooper, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission held on 7/13/10.

Chairman Morrow called for a special meeting workshop to be held on Tuesday August 17^th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the Scope of Services for updating the Plan of Conservation and Development. Pizza will be available prior to the workshop.

New Business:

b. Updating Plan of Conservation & Development: This item was covered under Unfinished Business: Item a.

Any other business: 1) The Agricultural Commission has asked the P&Z members to review a three page handout regarding Agriculture and Farming that they would then like to discuss with P&Z members at the August 24^th Planning & Zoning Commission meeting 2) First Selectman Gray reported that there were no adjacent landowners in Sterling for the Bailey Road .05 acre parcel proposed to be transferred to Voluntown. There has also been no further word from Voluntown about the property.

Adjournment: R. Marchesseault made a motion, seconded by F. Bood, to adjourn at 8:47 p.m. All voted in favor of the motion.

Attest:_______________________________

Judith K. Lincoln, Recording Secretary

Attest:_______________________________

George Simone, Secretary