Wolcott planning commission grants 30-day extension for contractor site plan, tables spa application and forwards mailbox amendment

WOLCOTT — The Wolcott Planning & Zoning Commission on April 15 granted a 30-day extension to a site-plan applicant while the town engineer reviews outstanding engineering and planting details, tabled two applications and moved a mailbox-and-bus-shelter text amendment toward a public hearing.

Chairman Angelo Mastrofrancesco opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and seated alternate Jeff Stango as a regular member. The commission approved minutes from its April 1 meeting; Commissioner David Ingala recorded an abstention.

The commission spent its substantive discussion on application 260157, a site plan by Brian Andrews for a proposed three-unit contractor business at 1182 Wolcott Road. CZEO Kalinowski reported the Town Engineer has not yet signed off on the planting plan and still requires identification of the species proposed in the retention area and an approval letter. Kalinowski also reminded the commission that site-plan applications have a 30-day statutory review window after acceptance and that the applicant may request an extension to allow the engineer additional time.

Commissioners discussed exterior materials and screening for the proposed building. Commissioner Daniel LaMontagne asked that the application specify the type of arborvitae to be planted and the proposed spacing. Andrews said a fence was shown on the plan to shield the parking area from an adjacent residential lot even though the parcel is zoned general commercial. The commission stated it would be approving only the conceptual design at this stage and that the applicant must stay within the agreed scope.

On a motion by Commissioner David Ingala, seconded by Debra Kiely, the commission unanimously granted the applicant a thirty-day extension while the Town Engineer completes review. The commission then voted, on a motion by Ingala seconded by Jeff Stango, to table application 260157 until the May 6 meeting.

New business included application 260144, a site plan for a wellness spa at 1810 Meriden Road. The applicant was not present and the commission unanimously voted to table the application until May 6.

On another unanimous vote, the commission voted to forward application 260238 (RLP Associates, Inc.) — a proposed text amendment regarding common mailboxes and bus shelters — to the Town Attorney for review, to distribute it to the appropriate neighboring towns and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, and to schedule a public hearing for May 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers.

CZEO Kalinowski reported that Tractor Supply expects to begin work soon and estimated roughly six months for project completion, said he will follow up with the Town Attorney regarding Continental Scrap, and noted a new restaurant is planned for the former J&M site.

The commission adjourned at 6:59 p.m.

Actions recorded in this meeting include approval of the April 1 minutes (David Ingala abstained), a 30-day extension and tabling of site-plan application 260157 (Brian Andrews), tabling of application 260144 (Lan Zou), and forwarding and scheduling a public hearing for application 260238 (RLP Associates, Inc.).