Planning and Zoning Commission - Special Meeting

Good evening. It's 7 o'clock. Call to order the town of Winchester final zoning commission meeting for February 9th, 2026. We'll have a roll call starting on the left. Jan. Oh, I'm sorry. Roll call. Roll call. Jan Perry, Scott Eisen, Peter Martin, Willie Flap, and Rrist is absent, Charlene's absent, John is absent, and Adam's all absent and excused. [clears throat] Okay. Agenda review. Anybody want to change anything on the agenda? Order? No. Mr. Chairman, do you want to see Jan this evening? Oh, yes. And we're gonna see Jan Perry and Scott

and Scott. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Uh public comment, anything not related to agenda items? Anybody want to say anything? No. Okay. So, we're going to have the first public hearing PZC25-22. And I'm going to recuse myself and leave it in the hands of Peter Marshall.

Yes. Uh we'll be scheduling public we having a public hearing PZC2-22. Applicant Andrew Champagne. Location 342 East Wakefield Boulevard. proposal installation of a fence in excess of 4 feet in height section 415-113D3 zone high the lake district come on up and just press one of the little red microphones on the that microphone please so that it'll be recorded yes Champagne Lynn Carter 342 East Wakefield first of all thanks for rescheduling this really appreciate taking the time to come out and do this

um [clears throat] the neighbor um Margaret Sowski could not be here tonight. Um but I did include a letter that she wrote in support of the project. We did see that included in here. Um what we're looking to do is just get a special permit to um replace some dying private hedges um on the south side of the property with a fence. Uh right now we have about 63 feet of privet edge, California privet edge. that's um [clears throat] anywhere from five to seven feet wide depending on the season and we try and keep them pruned to about 8 and 1/2 ft but in the summertime they grow over 10 ft.

So they've been an unbelievable privacy hedge for us between the two properties. Um one point I want to make clear before we go any further is that this isn't a an issue with two neighbors that don't get along. We get along great obviously with a letter coming in from the neighbor. She's one of the best neighbors you can have. So, this isn't about that. It's just that you can see kind of the way the properties are. Her backyard abuts to our sideyard and there's just no privacy. But,

um, over the last couple of years, these hedges have started dying off and, uh, we've had a professional arborist come out and take a look at them. He sprayed them for us a couple of times and we just can't get them back. And over last summer in particular, they pretty much died off east to west almost all the way to the lake. So, we talked about different options to regain the privacy that we're losing and um we decided that the best course was to just put in a fence in that one particular section. Um the fence that we basically decided on with the two of us was this. It's a white cedar fence be produced by a company out of Canton, well-known company out of Canton. Um it would be it's finished on both sides

and we would just age naturally. It's going to have two anchors basically on both sides of it. On the east side, you can see there's a a green giant tulia. And then on the um lake side, we have a buffer garden that runs about 20 ft from from our lake to from the lake wall to where the fence would start. Um the um so the fence would be right on the property line basically in the same position that the hedges are. Um it would be actually just on our side of the property line. We didn't want this to be any expense to Miss Okowski. So we're going to put it right on our side of the property line. So if there's any maintenance issues, that would be our responsibility. And um that's about it. I mean those the we're never going to regain what we had with those, you know, with a 10-ft privet. You couldn't see through them at all. But you can see I think There were some pictures that I included.

You can see that they're just I mean they're twigs now and you can see right through them. So, and then this is the fence that we like to put up. White cedar again with the lattice on top. And um that's about it. What condition is the hedge out closer to the road there? I see this it shows on the drawing another hedge. The other hedge for some reason that one's fine. It's the same type of material, same type of plings. Yeah, it's a California privet and on the north side that's my family's property on the other side and it runs the entire length and that one's in great shape too. No, I just wonder I just see it here. I

couldn't tell us why he thought there might be some kind of might but again we had them sprayed several times and we just [clears throat] couldn't get them back. So, um the neighbor also has rescue chihuahua so we we really didn't want to spray them more than we had to but um He doesn't think that they're going to come back at all. We had talked about the option of putting in some new hedges, but there's almost 30 of them, and that would require a pretty big dig to replace disturbing a lot of area there near the lake. This is going to require about eight eight fence posts,

you know, that'll be dug with a post hole digger. And um so basically we just have to replace what's there. You know, take out the old ones and level out the land a little bit. It's a very level piece of property. So by I'd looked at that. There's no slope to the lake. It would also give us the opportunity to put in a generator. [clears throat] You can see the the Green Giant that's on the east side of the property. She has a generator right on the property line behind it. See that? And we haven't been able to do a generator because if you notice on our garage corner, there's a propane tank there. Yep. So, we couldn't be far enough from that with the way the hedges stick out, you know, three and a half.

You got to get the distance for the meet the fire code. Yeah. Yep. So, the green giant is going to be come down or No, no, that's that we hope it never comes down. Beautiful tree. [laughter] I had all I could do to get that in there. I'm sure. I'm sure. And then on the on the lakeside as well, there's a big buffer garden. It's got arctic willows and hydrangeanger and um there's a huge um yeah, it's a heritage river birch that's down there. That's kind of like the showpiece of that corner of the property. We planted those all as well. And then right in the middle of the property there, right where the 63 is, there's also a huge heritage river birch there

as well. Any members got any questions or any concerns? Pretty thorough. This is going to be from the edge of the shrubs 8 ft high to the lake. No, the the first section of it's going to be a and it's not going to go to the lake. No, where it starts right now is 10 ft high. It's going to actually be we're going to do this swoop because this property extends out beyond the neighbors. Yeah. It's only where the red 20 ft from the lake. where the green part is, that's all buffer garden down there that we planted when we built the house. That'll stay. That's all staying.

So, your thoughts on the neighbors up there? Do they have a lot of fences that are 10 12 feet or 8 to 10 ft high? Cuz at one time it could only go like four feet with so many feet from the lake. No, this isn't going to be 10 ft high. This is going to be 6'. You got one there already that's 10 ft. know that the hedges are hedges. Okay, I'm good with the hedges. Yeah, I'm just not good with the fence. No. So, this is going to be in the summertime. This would be 4 feet almost 4T less than what's there. Like I said, it's never going to provide the privacy that we have, but it's at least a buffer between the two properties. And and it's not your privacy I'm thinking of. I'm thinking of the neighbors.

Well, that's the other point I want to make. The only two people that this affects is us and the neighbor. It will not You can't see this from the street. No one's view is going to be blocked by this. No one's breeze. It's just I mean I these guys have been out to see it and they you can't see it from the street. So it's not cutting off the view from any neighbors. When they look out to the left or the right of the lake, the fence will not be in the way. Not at all. It's a lot.

The property to her left further south. Um I've been on that property to just make sure that it wouldn't block. But you you can't even really see like where her dock is. You can't even see that part. It's kind of um just the way the angle is. You can't see it from anywhere. The our house completely blocks the fence from our neighbors to the north. That's my cousin's house. And again, from the street, you can't see it. Custom? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. And we did verify all this on site a couple months ago at this point. Yeah.

And again, the point the hedges are higher than defense is going to be now. So if anything, you know, view which we don't technically legislate be enhanced if anything. So you are good with it. Oh yeah. Okay. The neighbor actually suggested that we just go with a sixoot all the way to where that buffer garden is, but we we thought it would look a lot nicer if we did this, you know, this hoop drop down because it's I mean it's a really pretty fence. Yeah, it's beautiful. It's actually the sort of solid on the bottom of that fence is only 60 in high and then the lattice works 20 on top of that. Yeah, it's about 20 in on top of that.

So the part that you can't see through is only 5t tall. Yeah. So the overall height is six feet, but the the solid part is approximately five. And the reason why we did the lattice on top is to try and stay within the regulations of the semiopen design, you know. Yeah. And it really catches your eye. The example is that C it's Cape Cod fence in Canton and they have it in their yard and it's absolutely beautiful. So aesthetically we thought it would look really nice and especially be natural. It would blend in. [snorts] So anything else from staff or anyone from the public wishing to comment?

Oh well twice. Okay. Uh I'll make a motion to close public hearing PCC 25-2. We got to have the second. Second. All in favor. Okay. Well, wherever you are again. Appreciate you coming out tonight. Not a problem. Nobody wants the hearing. So then they'll make a decision. Yeah. We'll make a decision after here. Okay. We've got a couple other things quick here to do and it won't be long. Okay. So, I'm back. So item B. Item B to if we're going to open these and continue them or do we just

can we continue them without I think you can open it and continue. Okay. Because we don't have most of the board members are absent tonight. The two public hearings for the town of Winchester for zoning apps. We're just going to open them and then continue them. So want to open PZ25-20 applicant town of Winchester proposal updates to zoning regulations sections 415-26 415-38 415-40 415-19 415-21 415-55 appendix A use table I'll second all in favor

okay We'll do the next one. We're going to open in PZ C hearing 25-21 African town of Winchester prefer updates to Okay. So, we should when we just opened we should carry that forward now or to be continued February 9th. Yeah. Part of the motion should be continued to February. Want to make sure there's nobody in the audience who wants to talk on that quickly. Did any you want anybody want to talk on those zoning changes? No. Okay.

So then PC-25-21 applicant town of Winchester proposal updates to subdivision regulations [clears throat] section 400-53 fire suppression requirements and we're going to postpone that till February 7th. I'll make a motion second that. Okay. All in favor? I Okay. Just one comment, Jeremy. I Yes, I got that through. Okay. that just a couple minor changes under, you know, where Winchester Fire Department to make it town of Winchester Fire Services. I'll make that change for you.

Yeah. And I talked with John Field. He he agreed with that. He couldn't make it tonight, but I'll let him know what it'll be February 9th. So now, old business PZ C-25-22, applicant Andrew Champagne, location 342 West East Wakefield Boulevard. Proposal install installation of a fence in excess of 4t high. Section 415-13B paragraph 3 zone Highland Lake. I'll make a motion to approve PZC 25-22 applicant and Champagne. Second. Any discussion? All in favor?

Abstain. I abstain. So, three to one. Okay. [clears throat] So, you got it. Mhm. Okay. New business PZC-26-1 applicant Ashley Holm location 309 Colber Road proposal special permanent application for home occupation section 415-44 zone RR I'll make a motion to we need a public hearing on that correct

if you want that you open that hearing on February 23rd notifications for the cog and everything else. I'll make a motion. Go to the cog, but it's newspapers and signage and all that. U make a motion to have public hearing for PCC 266-1 Ashley Holm uh to February 23rd. I'll second it. All in favor? Okay. Is that you? That's me. Okay. So, we're just opening the hearing. We're just accepting and that's it. So, you have to come back. Yes, I will be the 23rd at seven. I'll be here. And then

item B, applicant PZ PCC-26-2 applicant Paul. Okay. It's allow sha on behalf of bachelor school apartments location 179 press street proposal modification to special permit PZC-24-14 to add four additional units zoned town center single family okay I'll second that um public hearing same thing

um okay motion to have public hearing for PCC 26-2 and poss on behalf of Bass School Apartments for February 23rd. All in favor? Who seconded it? I did. Okay, I'll second. [clears throat] Okay. Okay. All right. Other business number seven.

Uh, no, no real business. Just a couple of things that I wanted to let you know about. I'm going to be providing some potential [clears throat] language for consideration at the February 9th meeting uh regarding flood planes zoning, residential compounds and all. We'll have a discussion then about the implications of House Bill 8002. Jeff and I attended a training last week. Uh that was pretty well attended I think from everybody in our positions around the state commission members. Um lot of information to digest. Um I don't think really any major impacts on Winchester but we've had some conversations. We've got some thoughts um and we'll have a conversation I think in February. We'll be able to digest digest our own thoughts by then spit them out. Good luck.

Yeah, that's a lot of I need some um TY is also working to schedule a focus workshop with all of our uh client commissions and [clears throat] probably Sage. We're not entirely sure yet that it's going to work out that way, but that's what we think is going to happen. We're trying to get the heavy hitters and land to come in and do a Zoom session with with all of the commissions that we work with. Um, just have a really targeted [clears throat] discussion on recommendations and what we need to do to your regulations to get them in line to be comp with the House bill. Again, I don't think it's a major uh it's I don't think it's a big lift here. We're already doing a lot of the things we need to be doing. Um, but you know, there will be some targeted changes that we need to make. Um, and then just a reminder, you've got some other hearings set for February 9th. Uh, mountain top 179 Colbrook and uh George New at 25 center. Okay.

So, on the mountain top trucking, can you get us some uh aerial pictures of what's there now and what was there when they applied the first time? The last time. Yeah. Okay. Are you [clears throat] are you updating the uh survey to show how much been taken out since the last time he was here? Is that something to still do? It's not required. Uh, the commission can request it if you feel important. I don't think we should do it each time, but I don't know how long ago it was done. I think we had it last time if I remember right. [clears throat] Yeah, we'll have to check. Have to look what see what the latest survey is up on on file.

At one point they had said that they had [clears throat] something. Yeah, I don't think it needs to be done each time, but maybe every nine ten years or something. I don't think they take that much out of here, I don't think. No, I think they're taking more out of Torington. Everything's out of Torington, most of it. They've been they've been taking a lot out of there lately. They've been going up the up the side of the mountain and stuff. So, they have been taking quite a bit out, but they also redid their driveway, too. So, so it' be good to see what's back there and what how it compares to what was there before. Sure.

Okay. So, their last approval, we started including recycling material. Do [clears throat] you still do that? Because the material has to go someplace from some of these construction companies. Otherwise, you're going to dump it someplace up in Winchester. But if uh I think if you look at the last uh gravel operations we had I included recycling and in uh but I I think Mountaintop has taken all their recycling stuff down onto the Route 800 in Tarington next to the pump place across from Southwest Furniture. Yes. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. because they've got they've got a huge yard there where all the recycling material

here. We could when people have excess material, they can take it someplace because they'll use it and mix it in with something and get rid of it. It just makes sense to have them have it go to the gravel operations. Okay. Where do we stand with with the old Piper property? Pepper property because we've had Yeah. So, they're they're still working on that, too. They brought in uh a few different consultants to help them with that application. I think they finally understand that they do need to Yeah. I mean, we because they've [clears throat] got millings in there. They've been using it for trucking and everything else, right? Yeah. They they intend to have that as an operational uh location to get to. So, well, yeah, they will just because

because their is winding down. Yeah. Very soon. So, who's they? Mountain Top. Yeah, Mountain Top. That's awesome. Yeah. He bought all the Pepper property and he also got the the old PL property too next door. Okay. He owns from the telephone company building down. Okay. Down to Mickey Ham's [clears throat] old building. So once you get to Mickey Hams, that's Darlington, right? Yeah. Yeah. But yeah, they had come in with some plans that were 25 years old that had been approved by the commission back in 2001 or two, I think it was. Um and tried to submit an application to to you all for that operation. We kind of [clears throat] They don't meet today's requirements. They don't meet storm water storm water guidelines. [clears throat]

You'll see. Yeah, some copies of copies of copies. Oh, yeah. I'm sure. Not surprised. So, what about the Ficasso property? Field industries. Is he going to come for us for what he's doing there or is it just going to continue the way? Is there anything that we need to do about there? Uh let us look into that tomorrow and see because I think he still got uh he inherited approvals on there although the operation has changed. So yeah, that's yeah because there was originally conditions [clears throat] of approval there were you know removal of all that material especially [clears throat] from the wetlands

material also brought in now some transfer operation, right? Because they're supposed to be winding that down and it was supposed to be uh industrial subdivision. Well, there was an industrial subdivision which uh Gene Berinsky had on on the southern section before Kenny bought it and uh Rob Kell, but then once we approved the whole thing um it was he could mine mine all that hill off but all that material he had material stored in wetlands. see had a culvert that was installed that wasn't uh allowed and it had to be replaced and and I know wetlands approved that and it was all supposed to be leveled and and turned into grass.

So, and again I that's another place I think is doing recycling. They'll bring in wood chips, sand, top soil. Yes. Okay. Looks like there's a lot of millings in there too. Y not too many millings I don't think. mostly top soil, wood chips, things of that nature. But I wouldn't put it past them to bring millings in when they get it. Problem is, so many people want them today. Y as soon as you put it on a truck, they're taking selling. Yes. Yep. So the millings don't last long. Okay. Okay. Approval of minutes for January 12th, 2026 regular meeting. Make a motion to approve the minutes of January 12th, 2026.

I will second that. And who was here? Can we even do that? I got the minutes here. I can tell. You don't have to just read the minutes. Jan was here. Yeah, Jan was here. So, okay. Scott was here, too. So, okay. So, good. Yep. We can all got a vote. Everybody okay with it? Okay. Unanimous. Done. Then I guess the last one next to the last one is communication. We're good. Just a reminder that the uh hour training for affordable housing is tomorrow night. Is that Yeah, Zoom training.

It's tomorrow night. And if you can't make it, uh they are going to record it on their website. Just a reminder, I still got to figure out how to sign in. It's a Zoom class. Yeah. Try all the links that have been sent out just don't work for me. On the attachment to All right. I'll try resending it to you. Okay. Because you go all the way to the bottom, it says sign up here. a button on the bottom to sign up here and that just says access denied by uh the host. Well, we'll have to get on this case. I'll send it to you again. All right. [clears throat] We'll cut out the link because the link for the for the zoom for the Zoom at the top.

Yeah. But that's just a link for the Zoom. That's not the link to sign up. Yeah. Right. All right. I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? Okay. Hey, not bad. 22 minutes. 22 minutes again. Good job. Yeah, but I don't think February 9th is good for I think maybe we'll be out by It's not that heavy, but