Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - February 11, 2025
Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - February 11, 2025
The Planning and Zoning Commission of Windsor, Connecticut, held a hybrid virtual regular meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by the Chair. Commissioners addressed administrative items, heard reports, and conducted public hearings on three special use applications.
Consent Calendar
- Meeting Date Change: The Commission unanimously approved moving the March 11, 2025 meeting to March 18, 2025, due to a town referendum on March 11. (Motion by Mr. Gibson, seconded; all in favor).
- Welch Park Courts – CGS 8-24 Referral: The Commission voted 5-0 to recommend to the Town Council improvements to the Welch Park courts, including reconstruction of one tennis court and five pickleball courts, new fencing, sound barriers on two sides adjacent to residential properties, a shade structure, and drainage improvements. The plan was prepared by Design Professionals Inc. dated February 5, 2025.
- Reapproval – 51 Day Hill Road: The Commission acknowledged a reapproval for modifications to a propane tank at 51 Day Hill Road (I zone, 0.25 acres, Kugler/MDC). No objections were raised.
- Site Plan – 89 & 99 Lamberton Road (Solar Array): The Commission approved the site plan for a solar array on the I zone property, subject to resolution of all outstanding staff comments. The applicant provided a sound study (concluding no noise exceedances) and a visual impact analysis. Wetlands approval was received on February 4, 2025, with conditions. The Commission voted unanimously in favor.
- Draft Minutes – January 14, 2025: The minutes were approved with a correction (spelling of a name; two instances noted).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were offered for non-agenda items. During the public hearings, no members of the public spoke in favor or opposition to the applications.
Discussion Items
- Special Use Reapproval – 25 Central Street (The Birdcage): Applicant Stephen McKay requested a 10-year renewal of the special use permit for commercial recreational and cultural activities. He reported over 50 events in the past year, zero complaints, and ongoing investments (soundproofing, planned catering kitchen). The Commission discussed the term length; staff recommended five years due to potential future changes (kitchen, alcohol service). After debate, the Commission approved a 10-year term, noting the applicant’s track record and community benefits.
- Special Use – 245 East Barber Street (Cross Country Automotive): Owner Sal Senna sought a special use permit to add used car sales (up to five vehicles) to his existing repair facility. The property had a gap in zoning approvals since 2001, but the applicant had been operating under DMV approvals. The Commission approved a 5-year special use permit, subject to finalizing a parking plan and resolving ownership of an adjacent paper street (Booth Street).
- Special Use – 27 Sinclair Street (Group Home): Applicant Rhonda Myers proposed a residential care home for elderly individuals (ages 55+). The Commission recessed the public hearing to March 18, 2025, due to numerous unanswered questions regarding building code compliance, occupancy classification, required upgrades (sprinklers, accessibility, parking), and staffing. The applicant had not received all staff comments (email attachment issues). Staff will continue to provide information.
Planning Report & Other Items
- Broad Street Traffic Calming/Pedestrian Safety Project: Referendum scheduled for March 11, 2025; absentee ballots available February 18. Polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- POCD (Plan of Conservation and Development): First public workshop set for February 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. A survey is live on the town website.
- Day Hill Corridor Study: Consultant held a public meeting on January 15. Initial findings presented; final report expected by end of February. The Commission may consider regulatory updates thereafter.
- CFPZA Newsletter: Information shared about the Connecticut Federation of Planning and Zoning Agencies quarterly newsletter and annual conference on March 27, 2025.
Key Outcomes
- Welch Park Courts: Unanimous recommendation to Town Council (5-0).
- 51 Day Hill Road: No action needed; acknowledged.
- 89 & 99 Lamberton Road Site Plan: Approved (5-0) with conditions.
- 25 Central Street Special Use Reapproval: Approved for 10 years (5-0).
- 245 East Barber Street Special Use: Approved for 5 years (5-0) with conditions (final parking plan, Booth Street right-of-way resolution).
- 27 Sinclair Street Special Use: Public hearing recessed to March 18, 2025.
- March 11 Meeting Moved: Approved to March 18, 2025.
- January 14 Minutes: Approved with correction.
- Meeting Adjourned: Motion to adjourn carried.
Meeting Transcript
The planning and zoning commission meeting of uh February 11th to order. And Mitch, would you give the uh audience online? If there's anyone from the public who would like to address the commission, you may do so by raising your hand on your computer if your device has a microphone capability by selecting the participants icon on the zoom menu bar and then clicking raise hand or by dialing star nine on your phone. When you were called on, you will be prompted that you were now on muted. Please state your name and address. Clear communication. We ask that you do not place the call on speaker phone. Okay, thank you. Uh we start with the public communications from the uh uh anyone in the audience that wishes to speak to an item that is not a public hearing item this evening. Uh do we have anyone online? Uh no, ma'am. Okay, thank you. Uh communications to petitions from the planning and zoning commission. Uh I have one announcement. Our meeting on March 11th is going to have to be postponed until the 18th, we due to the referendum being held in town that day. So I'd like to have a motion to move the meeting from the 11th to the 18th. I move the the March 11th, 2025 meeting of the planning and zoning commission be moved to March 18th, 2025. Second. Motion is made and seconded by Mr. Gibson. All those in favor? Aye. Okay. Zoning enforcement officers report none. We have uh CGS 824 on the Welch Park. Who's uh handling that? Um I can uh read the memorandum and then Suzanne Chow, the town engineer is present to asking address any questions that come up. The adopted capital improvement program includes a project consisting of reconstructing the courts at Welch Park. New tennis and pickleball courts and the locations of the existing one are proposed. The surrounding chain link fence will be replaced and a sound barrier added to the two sides adjacent to the residential properties. Uh shade structure is proposed within the court area and drainage improvements and updates are also included in the project. If the town and planning zoning commission is in agreement, the recommended motion will be as follows. Uh the Welch Park Courts as shown on the Welch Park Tennis Court representation. Uh 1701 Pequanic Avenue, Windsor, Connecticut, dated uh two five twenty-five uh design professional inks. Uh there is an attachment included on this, and as I said, the town engineer Suzanne Choates present and can address the questions. Okay, does anyone have any questions for uh which which of these courts are the pickleball courts and which are the tennis courts? Are you unmuted? Oh can you hear me? Yeah. Now I can. Okay. Um the tennis court is the larger, there's one single tennis court proposed and five uh pickleball are the they look like half-sized tennis courts. Okay, I see them. Yeah. So the one on the on the far left is the regular tennis court. Yeah. Correct. Okay. Does anyone else have any questions? Any other questions?
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