MINUTES

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION REGULATORY REVIEW COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 9, 2008,

Council Chambers, Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building

Members present:     R. Favretti (Acting Chairman), R. Hall, L. Lombard, M. Beal, J. Goodwin, P. Plante

Others present:                      G. Padick, Director of Planning; C. Hirsch, Zoning Agent (arrived at 2:10pm)

I. Call to Order

            The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Favretti at 1:04 p.m.

II. Minutes
4-2-08 - Plante MOVED, Beal seconded, to approve the 4/2/08 minutes as written.  MOTION CARRIED with all in favor except Goodwin and Hall who disqualified themselves.
11-24-08- Goodwin MOVED, Lombard seconded, to approve the 11/24/08 minutes as written.  MOTION CARRIED with all in favor except Plante who disqualified himself.

III. Consideration of potential revisions to the Zoning Regulations/Zoning Map

a. Draft Agricultural Regulations
Padick distributed a 12/9/08 draft revision of Mansfield Zoning Regulations regarding the keeping of animals.  He related that revisions previously discussed had been incorporated including a new section on 4H or student projects.  He also distributed draft regulations from the Town of Guilford.  After reviewing with Padick the 12/9/08 draft, members identified a number of potential revisions designed to clarify the proposed regulations.  It was agreed that individual suggestions for revisions be submitted to Padick for consideration in preparing a new draft.  It also was decided to move existing and proposed agricultural provisions to a new section in Article X with a new intent section and, as determined necessary, new definitions.

b. Review of Existing and Potential Definition of Family
Padick distributed an 11/20/08 listing prepared by the Zoning Agent of addresses where student occupancy issues had been raised.  This listing which is considered a “watch list” also indicates sites where violations and citations have been issued in 2007/2008.  Padick also distributed a 2005 listing of actions taken in other college communities to address student housing issues.  It was noted that through the efforts of Mansfield’s Community Quality of Life Committee, this listing is being updated and that recommendations for potential zoning revisions are expected to be submitted to the PZC in 2009.  The Committee members discussed with Padick and Zoning Agent Hirsch many aspects of the existing student housing issues and potential actions Mansfield and the University of Connecticut are considering.  It was agreed that a review of the definition of family and related regulations involving student occupancy should be a committee priority.

c. Listing of other Potential Revisions
Padick distributed and reviewed, item by item, a listing of potential regulatory revisions.  He related that based on previous committee discussions these items can be considered priorities.  He noted that some of the potential revisions would be relatively easy to implement while others will take a more comprehensive effort.  Members were asked to review the list and be prepared to identify more specific priorities for staff to work on.  In the interim staff will be refining the proposed agricultural regulations and potential “quick fix” revisions.  

IV. Future Meetings

Padick related that he was unavailable for the 1/13/08 meeting and suggested that the January meeting be skipped to allow him time to work on revisions to the Inland Wetland Regulations.  This was agreed to and the next meeting was tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2009.

V. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

R. Hall, Secretary