MINUTES OF THE

 

March 20, 2003

 

Planning & Zoning Commission

 

Members Present:  John Atwood, Chairman, and members John White, Chris Brownawell, Linda Cheezum and Dan Swann.

 

Staff Present:  Tom Hamilton, Town Planner, Matt Davis, Assistant Town Planner, and Stacie Sauca, Planning Secretary.

 

            Mr. Atwood called the meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission to order at 1:00 p.m.  The first item of business was the approval of the February 20th minutes.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell seconded by Mr. White the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the February minutes.

 

            The first item on the agenda was Sts. Peter & Paul Church requesting sketch site plan review and recommendations regarding a Special Exception and a height Variance for a new Church facility.  The property is located between Easton Parkway and Rt. 50 south of the Greens @ Cross Courts.  The Catholic Church purchased this 70 acre site a few years ago with the intentions of construction of a new Church complex and the future site for Sts. Peter & Paul School.  Mr. Bill Stagg, agent, explained that they are proposing to construct a Church on the South portion of the parcel and reconfigured the ingress/egress for the site which will be off of Washington Street. Mr. Stagg explained that the roof of the Church is to be 55-60 feet tall.  The R-10A zoning regulations only permit a maximum height of 35 feet.  The applicant is seeking a height Variance.  Steve Zieger, architect for the Church explained that the Church would be brick with a slate roof.  The Church will hold 750 people.  The Church will have offices, recreational room, and a family life center.  They will have extensive landscaping and they are planning to construct an outdoor water feature.  Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Brownawell the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the sketch site plan and make a favorable recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals in the matter of the Special Exception and Variance. Mr. White indicated that the Variance to the height restrictions should be handled by the Zoning Ordinance in the future as a Special Exception review.     

 

            The next item discussed was Easton Church of God requesting sketch site plan review for a 5,040 square foot Church school classroom addition. Mr. Bill Stagg, agent, explained that on November 15, 2001 Easton Church of God came before the Planning Commission requesting review of 2 detached church school classrooms.  At that time the Commission approved the site plan with the understanding that the applicant must return to the Commission to obtain approval of the architecture after Board of Zoning Appeals approval.  The site plan submitted today revises the original site plan which was approved in November.  The Board of Zoning Appeals has approved the amendments to these.  They reduced the number of buildings, placing all classrooms in one building.  Mr. Bob Lorenz, architect, explained that they are proposing a brick masonry building with a metal standing seam roof.  This will match the style of the existing church.  In the future they are proposing to build a gymnasium which will have the same architecture.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the sketch site plan for the church school addition with the understanding that this approval does not include the gymnasium which was also shown on the sketch plan.      

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

Planning & Zoning Meeting

Page 2

March 20, 2003

 

The next item discussed was 13 South Aurora Street requesting PRD (Planned Redevelopment) review of an architectural office site.  The property is located in the Planned Redevelopment District and is approximately 7252 square feet in area.  Mrs. Lauren Dianich, applicant, explained that they are proposing to improve the property with a two-story office building with an attached1 ˝ story apartment.  The parking courtyard with be to the north side of the building which will be heavily landscaped.  They are proposing to put in brick walkways and add extensive landscaping to enhance the site.  The architecture for the building would be brick with a metal standing seam roof.  Mrs. Dianich stated that they are in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.  The Commission commended the applicant for this project because it will be a great enhancement for this area of the Town.  Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the site plan and to favorably recommend PRD project to the Town Council.    

 

The next item was from staff concerning Brant Court Properties.  The applicant’s agent, Bill Stagg, explained that he is requesting a one year extension of site plan approval for the mixed use, senior housing and office complex which was approved last March.  They are currently working with interested investors to undertake the project but they need more time to conclude the sale.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to extend the approval for 1 year.

 

            The next item from staff was a request from Dunkin Donuts.  Mr. Hamilton explained that Dunkin Donuts is in the process of adding on to their building for the addition of a Baskin Robbins.  The applicant would like to defer four parking spaces in the rear of the parking lot. Upon motion of Mrs. Cheezum, seconded by Mr. White the Commission voted 4-1 (Mr. Swann) opposed to defer four parking spaces.  If determined by the Planning Office in the future the 4 deferred spaces must be built.   

 

            There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. by motion of Mr. Swann, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum. 

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Stacie M. Sauca

                                                                                    Planning Secretary