Many residents received an email from Thompsonville activist Sue Read outlining a number of zoning concerns about the Thompsonville Fire Commission’s Proposal to build a new fire station in Thompsonville. Currently, the Fire Commission is looking to obtain stimulus funding for the new station.
Below you will find Read’s email and the Commission’s response.
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This is an FYI–not from Voices For Thompsonville but as a concerned Thompsonville citizen:
PLEASE BE AWARE
The Thomposnville Fire Department has once again put its cart before the horse in trying to obtain special conditions for moving forward on the Firehouse location on the Trioano Property, the country store lot.
Apparently this site should not even be considered for this site for 2 reasons:
1. The Town of Enfield adopted as law the 1992 Report/proposals of what this property could be used for; mixed use ex: store fronts below; housing above
2. All the efforts the Town of Enfield, The Planning and Zoning, The Enfield Revitalization, and other community groups call for Revitalization of the area; Reseach done and local adopted ordinances show that would include reinstalling shops along this section of Pearl St, thus creating an economic strenght for the area, as it had been for many years offering Thompsonville as a retail destination, an economic stronghold and as an additional tax revenue base. Please see material from the 1992 report which will indicate illustrations of these adopted plans.
The Firestation has not invited the public again for any discussions on this process and are quietly approaching each agency with requests to make changes, variances, etc to the site for their use. Actions which need to come after there is a change in the local law, and a concensus of public opinion on location/purpose, Revitalization needs and tax issues.< br>
Without community discussions people cannot get educated fast enough on what the current protocal is for this block, (the law on this subject) as the Fire department is doing what they call “due diligence”, howver due diligence does not include leaving the public out as was done before.
Be reminded the Thompsonville Fire Department is shrouded under a special ordinance which can either give them the power they need to what they want or to be accountable to the District 2 taxpayers …
You may learn more by contacting our assistant Town planner, talk to your councilman on the subject, ask our State Representative to explain the special ordinance or ask the Fire Department what actions they have taken since the debacle of the summer of 2008 to include a public discusiion — when they forced a public vote on the people with less than a week to decide the right answer and to the tune of over $7 million dollars.
Current actions go against what has already been set forth by the Town and in some cases material is being used to sway or suggest support for their purpose; for example in one VFT meeting, Sir Frank Alaimo reprinted a portion of a page from the VFT newsletter with their heading on it, along with the articles editor- and passed it around with the firehouse materials to the crowd–with no reason or explanation but to seemily suggest that the VFT supported this action without their consent. A dsiclaimer had to be made that his reprint di d not in any way suggest their rubber stamp on this proposal.
My disclaimer: as a Thompsonville activist, I support the Thompsonville Fire Department for their services and their value to the Thompsonville area but would support their concerns/needs unconditionally if their plans were discussed with community input and reverence for the legal use of this critical block.
–Sue
Please learn more and understand the ramifications of what is happening here, get informed….please talk about it with your Thompsonville neighbors…
PLEASE find analysis from the 1992 adopted standards
Analysis: The proposed use and structure is not permitted under the current Zoning Ordinances Section 5.40.4 Sub-Area Regulations, sub-section A. Core Area; core areas as defined under Section 1.40.1 (A & B). Restrictions are further discussed under references in Section 5.40.3 Design Standards, in particular to the clear design restrictions for the block under proposal as stated in subsection 5.40.3Aiii (a-c), inclusive, most notably sub-section (b). Height is restricted to a minimum of two stories (5.10.1 Notes to Area and Bulk Requirements, table, note 10: The maximum front yard in the TVC, BL-H and BG-H districts is 25 ft. The minimum building height is two (2) stories. (BL-H and BG-H amended 9/8/03)) Maximum height is set at 40 feet, but may go up an additional 24 feet maximum depending on increases of building setbacks.
1.40.1 Thompsonville Village Center Zone
The boundary of the Thompsonville Village Center Zone is depicted on the Town of Enfield Zoning Map. Within this district there are two sub areas, which together do not include the entire Thompsonville Village Center Zone, as follows:
A. Sub-Area A: “Core Area” defined as the immediate properties abutting the following streets: the west side of North Main Street from Church Street south to Pearl Street, both sides of Pearl Street from North Main Street south to the parcel on the south side of Walnut Street (on the east side of Pearl Street) and south to the parcel on the south side of South Street (on the west side of Pearl Street), both sides of High Street from Spring Street to Wallace Street, also including the building in the northeast corner of High and Wallace Streets, and the south side of Main Street from North Main Street to the Railroad right-of-way as shown on the Town Zoning Map.
B. Sub-Area B: “Freshwater Brook Access Area” defined as properties abutting the south side of Main Street, from North Main Street to the Railroad right-of-way as shown on the Town Zoning Map.
5.40.4 Sub-Area Regulations
A. Core Area
i. The first floor of all buildings shall be restricted to retail, service, small professional and medical offices, recreation, government, and similar uses which in the opinion of the Commission are part of active, pedestrian oriented shopping district.
ii. The following uses shall specifically be permitted only above the first floor:
a. residential;
b. offices other than small professional and medical offices;
c. dance studios; and
d. business and trade schools
B. Freshwater Brook Access Area: New developments, additions and renovated buildings within the Freshwater Brook Access Area shall provide public access adjacent to the Brook which access shall be a minimum of 15 feet wide unless waived by the Commission. Such public access shall be dedicated as such in the deed of the property. Access shall be provided from the public street as deemed necessary by the Commission.
5.40.3 Design Standards
A. Building Design
i. No changes shall be made to the architectural features (including, but not limited to, window treatment, door locations, roof design, changes to siding material, architectural trim and features) of any building in the Thompsonville Village Center Zone without approval of the Commission. The standards of this section shall apply to renovation of existing building as well as new construction.
ii. In addition to the architectural elevations required under Section 9.10.2 of these Zoning Regulations, each applicat ion shall include a drawing at a scale no smaller than 1/8″ = 1′ showing the following information:
a. Design type, style and color of materials for building façade and roof;
b. Details of window and door treatment;
c. Details and description of other architectural trim and features;
d. Details of types of awnings, building mounted lighting and signs (or sign theme for a multi-tenant building); and
e. For building containing a mix of commercial and residential uses, information will be provided to demonstrate how noise transmission will be minimized between different uses to the satisfaction of the Commission.
iii. In reviewing and approving the building elevations, the Commission shall use the following criteria:
a. Compliance with the objectives of the Thompsonville Revitalization Strategy ;
b. Compliance with the theme set forth in the design schematics contained in the Thompsonville Revitalization Strategy and as shown in Figure 1; and,
c. A statement or drawing to show how the proposed design encourages the pedestrian oriented “shopping street” environment at the street level.
Analysis (cont.)
The “theme set forth in the design schematics contained in the Thompsonville Revitalization Strategy” is shown in the zoning ordinance elevations in the design guidelines on line. These clearly dictate a minimum of 2-story buildings with the required “retail, service, small professional and medical offices, recreation, government, and similar uses which in the opinion of the Commission are part of active, pedestrian oriented shopping district”, with the 2nd or higher floors reserved for the permitted uses, and a “pedestrian oriented ‘shopping street’ environment at the street level.”
These are minimum standards that must be used as the starting point of what is allowed in the core areas. Although applicants would be allowed to submit substantially different uses (fire department) within the first floor, there is no allowance to waive the two story requirement with only the permitted uses stated above within those spaces. The commission may not vary, by law, their own regulations.
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Below (in italics) is the point by point response of the Commission:
The Thomposnville Fire Department has once again put its cart before the horse in trying to obtain special conditions for moving forward on the Firehouse location on the Trioano Property, the country store lot.
This is necessary due to the availability of funding pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The act madates that any projects funded are shovel-ready prior to June 1. As of right now, the principle impediment to being shovel-ready is the land-use regulatory process: Revitalization Strategy Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. All of these are public meeting where public participation is permitted and encouraged.
It should be noted that the land in question remains owned by the Troiano Family, and is being sent through the land-use regulatory process in case stimulus funding becomes available for its acquisition. If the District does not obtain stimulus funding, it would become a bond issue subject to a referendum.
Apparently this site should not even be considered for this site for 2 reasons:
1. The Town of Enfield adopted as law the 1992 Report/proposals of what this property could be used for; mixed use ex: store fronts below; housing above
The legal status of this report is ambiguous- it is unclear if it was adopted as part of the zoning code or simply a best practice. These issues should be resolved by the Zoning Board of Appeals
2. All the efforts the Town of Enfield, The Planning and Zoning, The Enfield Revitalization, and other community groups call for Revitalization of the area; Reseach done and local adopted ordinances show that would include reinstalling shops along this section of Pearl St, thus creating an economic strenght for the area, as it had been for many years offering Thompsonville as a retail destination, an economic stronghold and as an additional tax revenue base. Please see material from the 1992 report which will indicate illustrations of these adopted plans.
The location has been vacant for over a year and a half. No businesses have expressed interest in occupying the space.
The Firestation has not invited the public again for any discussions on this process and are quietly approaching each agency with requests to make changes, variances, etc to the site for their use. Actions which need to come after there is a change in the local law, and a concensus of public opinion on location/purpose, Revitalization needs and tax issues.< br>
Without community discussions people cannot get educated fast enough on what the current protocal is for this block, (the law on this subject) as the Fire department is doing what they call “due diligence”, howver due diligence does not include leaving the public out as was done before.
We not “quietly approaching” land-use regulatory commissions- we are submitting our application for a public hearing, just like any and every other project. You are most welcome to attend public hearings before regularly-scheduled Inland Wetlands Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings.
Also, our Fire Commission meets monthly on 2nd Wednesday in the Town Hall. The agenda always includes public communication… residents of the Thompsonville Fire District are always welcome to come and share their thoughts and concerns.
Be reminded the Thompsonville Fire Department is shrouded under a special ordinance which can either give them the power they need to what they want or to be accountable to the District 2 taxpayers …
You may learn more by contacting our assistant Town planner, talk to your councilman on the subject, ask our State Representative to explain the special ordinance or ask the Fire Department what actions they have taken since the debacle of the summer of 2008 to include a public discusiion — when they forced a public vote on the people with less than a week to decide the right answer and to the tune of over $7 million dollars.
The Thompsonville Fire District is governed by a Special Act of the Legislature. We are completely accountable to the public. Our commissioners are elected to staggered three-year terms by the district taxpayers at the our annual meeting, which will occur this year on May 14. Our annual budget is subject to public referendum. All of our meetings are open to the public.
Moreover, it should be noted that the District must comply with all federal and state laws and is subject to an annual audit submitted to the Office of Policy and Management.
Current actions go against what has already been set forth by the Town and in some cases material is being used to sway or suggest support for their purpose; for example in one VFT meeting, Sir Frank Alaimo reprinted a portion of a page from the VFT newsletter with their heading on it, along with the articles editor- and passed it around with the firehouse materials to the crowd–with no reason or explanation but to seemily suggest that the VFT supported this action without their consent. A dsiclaimer had to be made that his reprint di d not in any way suggest their rubber stamp on this proposal.
This was part of a multi-page packet assembled to show why the artist’s rendition in the Shapiro report could not be fulfilled for this parcel: specifically the existence of a sewer easement that could not be built over.
Analysis: The proposed use and structure is not permitted under the current Zoning Ordinances Section 5.40.4 Sub-Area Regulations, sub-section A. Core Area; core areas as defined under Section 1.40.1 (A & B). Restrictions are further discussed under references in Section 5.40.3 Design Standards, in particular to the clear design restrictions for the block under proposal as stated in subsection 5.40.3Aiii (a-c), inclusive, most notably sub-section (b). Height is restricted to a minimum of two stories (5.10.1 Notes to Area and Bulk Requirements, table, note 10: The maximum front yard in the TVC, BL-H and BG-H districts is 25 ft. The minimum building height is two (2) stories. (BL-H and BG-H amended 9/8/03)) Maximum height is set at 40 feet, but may go up an additional 24 feet maximum depending on increases of building setbacks.
The artist’s rendition in the Shapiro report does not account for the existence of a sewer easement which prevents the construction of a contiguous block on the parcels in question.
The proposal varies from the setback requirement due to Federal OSHA and FEMA regulations which mandate a minimum apron of 60 feet for fire stations. In this case, local zoning regulations must yield to these mandated federal safety standards.
Regarding height regulations, the proposed tower would compliment the towers on Caronna’s Market, the existing fire station, and various church steeples scattered throughout the village.
Although much of the proposed station is only one story, it will be nearly as tall as a two-story building, thus complimenting the streetscape.
Analysis (cont.)
The “theme set forth in the design schematics contained in the Thompsonville Revitalization Strategy” is shown in the zoning ordinance elevations in the design guidelines on line. These clearly dictate a minimum of 2-story buildings with the required “retail, service, small professional and medical offices, recreation, government, and similar uses which in the opinion of the Commission are part of active, pedestrian oriented shopping district”, with the 2nd or higher floors reserved for the permitted uses, and a “pedestrian oriented ‘shopping street’ environment at the street level.”
These are minimum standards that must be used as the starting point of what is allowed in the core areas. Although applicants would be allowed to submit substantially different uses (fire department) within the first floor, there is no allowance to waive the two story requirement with only the permitted uses stated above within those spaces. The commission may not vary, by law, their own regulations.
We are applying to the Zoning Board of Appeals to have this zoning issues resolved by a variance.
We encourage citizens who have concerns about the proposed fire station to attend our meetings and to contact the Commissioners. We are your elected representatives: your voice in the governance of this district
Marge Perry
(860) 749-0645
sperry20@cox.net
Mike Helechu
(860) 745-9938
mhelechu@aol.com
Dominic Alaimo
(860) 748-8617
freshwat.store@sbcglobal.net
Please be sure to include “Thompsonville Fire” in the subject line of any emails that you send.
June 17, 2009
Support Our Troops!
Posted by James Bailey Brislin under Commentary & Politics | Tags: Afghanistan, Iraq, Support the Troops |Leave a Comment
Following the success of the troop surge, the media has largely stopped covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, this does not mean that they are over. America continues to have major contingents of troops serving extended deployments to the Middle East.
As the war has dropped off the radar screen of the main stream media, efforts to support the troops have faded away . However, this is not so for one organization: Move America Forward.
Veteran radio host Melanie Morgan and internet journalist Andrew Breitbart are sponsoring a Troopathon, to encourage ordinary citizens to send care packages to our American troops.
Ron Winter, a Vietnam veteran and conservative activist from Hebron is participating in the troopathon. I have agreed to join his team, the Greyhawks, which was what his unit in Vietnam was nicknamed
You can send a care package to our American troops by clicking this link. It will direct you to the page that Move America Forward has set-up for sending care packages.
Please take a moment to thank our armed services personnel for their bravery.