East Hampton Economic Development Commission
Meeting Minutes
May 15, 2007
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room, Town Hall
1. Call to order
Vice-Chair Hesen called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM.
Present: Vice-Chair John Hesen; Commissioners Patience Anderson, Bryan Jackowitz, Jon March and Cindy Rooth; Alan Bergren, Town Manager; Richard S. Koriss and George Lee, Northeast Retail Leasing & Management Co., LLC; Dan Scroggins, Lakeview Manor; Wayne Rand, Global Self Service; Rolland Rux, P&Z liaison; Robert Berlin, Town Council liaison
Not Present: Chair Mary Ann Dostaler
2. Approval of Minutes:
a. Special meeting: April 26, 2007
Patience Anderson asked to amend the minutes to read, "Ms. Anderson made a motion that EDC move forward with the proposed agreement and scope of work for developing a physical and fiscal analysis of the Design Development Zone in the amount of $6000." on page 6.
Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve the amended minutes of the April 26, 2007 meeting. Jon March seconded the motion. The motion carried (3-0-2). (Yes votes: Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. March. Abstentions: Mr. Jackowitz, Ms. Rooth Yes votes: 3. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 2.)
3. Announcements & Communications
Vice-Chair Hesen read the following announcements unless otherwise noted.
• Correspondence: A draft letter regarding the EDC position on the municipal water system was handed out. Please send feedback to Chair Dostaler. There was a discussion of the water system proposals. Mr. Bergren clarified the scenarios. Mr. Jackowitz asked if there are other consent orders in East Hampton. Mr. Bergren said there is one for the Food Bag and one for Mallard Cove. Mr. Jackowitz wanted the record to show that he favored spreading out the tax burden over as many customers as possible and do as much as we can while we can. Vice-Chair Hesen agreed with Mr. Jackowitz, and he added that with proposal 4.2 there will be no annual operating cost deficit and it will be self-sustaining. Ms. Rooth said it is best to get it in place and go from there. There was a discussion of the sewer system.
• Event: Middlesex Chamber of Commerce is promoting tourism for the week of 5/15 /07. Vice-Chair Hesen asked for a member to contact Diane Moore, the regional tourism officer. Mr. Jackowitz will contact her and get visitors' guides.
• Event: A Business Expo on 10/26/07 & 10/27/07 will take place at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell. Free.
• Event: The next Business After Work will take place at the New Britain Rockets ball game .
• Event: The next Chamber Breakfast on 5/25/07 will feature Tim Johnson, ABC medical editor, at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell.
• Announcement: CERC has a new president, Robert W. Santy.
• Announcement: Mr. Jackowitz met with Chair Dostaler and Mr. Bergren regarding the EDC duty to properly announce the agenda, especially actions regarding appropriating funds and hiring. ATTACHMENT Mr. Jackowitz said it is our duty to make sure that applicants are properly notified. This should be a collaborative effort of applicants and boards. Ms. Rooth said it was the duty of the P&Z to notify applicants of their responsibilities and the sequence of appearances at Board meetings. Mr. Bergren will look into this. Mr. March said a checklist would be helpful. There was a discussion of the way to alert applicants of their appearances, and Ms. Anderson said this should come to the attention of Chair Dostaler and there could not be a resolution at this meeting.
4. Special Presentations
a. Belltown Square Phase II: CVS pharmacy site plan application Mr. Korriss and Mr. Lee represented Northeast Retail Leasing & Management Co., LLC. Mr. Koriss said the purpose of his appearance is to update EDC. On 5/2/07 there had been a presentation to the P&Z. They had had conversations with Mr. March from an architectural standpoint. They are awaiting IWWA approval. They have done a great deal to protect the lake. They have installed special lighting fixtures. The number of lights is determined by liability. Mr. Koriss showed a front elevation. He said the same materials will be used all around the building. The architect has tried to design the CVS to be in harmony with the bank and with New England. Ms. Rooth said a concern is that there be no negative impact on the neighboring bed and breakfast. Ms. Rooth and Ms. Anderson
said they still cannot understand the relative sizes of the bank and the pharmacy. There was a discussion of the flatness and the height of the pharmacy roof. Mr. Hesen had gone to the site and made some measurements and observations and his perception is that the two buildings will have the same elevation when built, and the view of the road will be blocked but there will still be a view of the lake. Mr. Lee said that you cannot build a large building with low walls. Mr. Scroggins said he wanted to promote the feeling of a small New England town and he had intended to spend a significant amount of money on his project, but if this goes through with a flat roof, he will stop his project. Mr. Scroggins said that on the CVS corporate web site it is shown that CVS pays developers on how close they get to 12,500 or 13,000 square feet. Mr. Koriss said that we build within zoning regulations, we have made many accommodations including a streetscape, and please look at the totality. Mr.
Lee said that EDC has been given no criteria. Ms. Rooth said that her job is to find what is best for East Hampton and we must demand what is best. Ms. Rooth asked that the developers go for a site walk. Mr. Koriss said that he would. Mr. March also said that he would go. Mr. Koriss and Mr. Lee were thanked. Mr. Koriss and Mr. Lee left the meeting. Mr. Scroggins said that he believed the two developers have a good reputation and pride in their construction. He said that CVS has requirements of developments that can be seen on the corporate web site, and the building need not be so large, a big box. Ms. Rooth said that in P&Z regulations, if one neighbor's proposal devalues another neighbor's property, it can be turned down. Mr. Jackowitz said that we need to look at the fact that this commercial building will pay tax dollars, and there is a disconnect in communication between the two developers. Ms. Anderson said we must encourage more dialogue. Mr. March handed out papers,
including memos and a picture of a CVS with a peaked roof.
Ms. Rooth made a motion to table the Belltown Square Phase II application until both parties and EDC go on a site walk, before the next P&Z meeting on June 6,2007. Mr. March seconded the motion.
There was a discussion of the proper procedure. Mr. Bergren said a notice will be posted and the two parties will be invited. After the site walk EDC will return to the meeting room for a special meeting.
Ms. Rooth made a motion to withdraw the previous motion. Mr. March seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Jackowitz, Mr. March, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
Mr. Jackowitz made a motion to consider item 10a. at this time. Ms. Rooth seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Jackowitz, Mr. March, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
10. Old Business -- Consider, discuss and take possible action on the following: a. Belltown Square Phase II CVS application
Ms. Rooth made a motion that EDC take no action on the Belltown Square CVS application until after a site walk to take place before the next P&Z meeting on June 6, 2007, and with both Belltown Square and the Lakeview Inn developers present, and meet afterwards to discuss and take possible action. Mr. March seconded the motion.
Mr. Jackowitz amended the previous motion to state: "In an effort to draft an advisory opinion for the Planning and Zoning Commission, EDC will take no action on the Belltown Square CVS application until after a site walk to take place before the next P&Z meeting on June 6, 2007, with both Belltown Square and the Lakeview Inn developers present." Ms. Anderson seconded the amendment to the motion. The amendment to the motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Jackowitz, Mr. March, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
The vote on the main motion as amended was unanimous. (Yes votes: Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Jackowitz, Mr. March, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
There was a brief recess.
5. Public Comments
Mr. Wayne Rand said he hoped his item could be moved up. He said that he had found out at 4:00 PM today that his renewal would be a topic on the EDC agenda. Ms. Rooth said that notification of a pending EDC agenda item should be made by the P&Z.
Vice-Chair Hesen made a motion to consider item 9a at this time. Ms. Rooth seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Jackowitz, Mr. March, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
9. New Business -- Consider, discuss, and take possible action on the following:
a. Global Self Service Request for a 5-year extension of a car wash approval at 244/257 West High Street. Mr. Rand said this is a renewal, not an application. Five years ago the application was approved. He would like to extend it for another five years. He said he had approval for a car wash. The site is between Global Storage and Highway Service. Mr. Rand would like to keep his options open, and he is not sure he wants to build a car wash. The approval will expire in August, 2007. He said that there is a state statute that allows an extension of five years. They do not have to revisit the application. Ms. Rooth asked if the car wash would use recycled water. Mr. Rand said yes. Mr. Rand said that if EDC wants to write a letter of support that would be great. Mr. Rux said it would be helpful if EDC gave positive feedback to P&Z for
this application. Mr. Hesen agreed.
Vice-Chair Hesen made a motion that EDC will write a letter to P&Z in support of the 5-year extension of the Global Self Service car wash approval at 247 West High Street. Mr. March seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Jackowitz, Mr. March, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
6. Town Manager’s report
a. East Hampton Redevelopment Agency
Seven members will be on the East Hampton Redevelopment Agency. EDC please spread the word and recommend people so that a pool of names can be created. Members might be people with interests in utilities, banking, finance, education, marketing, the Village Center, etc. Mr. Bergren will go through the active file for candidates and he will advertise. The agency will have a liaison to EDC.
b. Status of Brownfields grants
There was a ceremony today in which $400,000. in Brownfields grant money was awarded.
c. Marlborough sewer line project
This project is moving along. Mr. Hesen said we may see construction this summer.
d. Water tower demolition
The Town received $300,000 for the tower demolition. The job will be done before winter.
e. Water system update (Please see above.)
The Town Council may seek an extension of time.
f. Communication and coordination between boards and commissions
Mr. Bergren is working on finding a date when all land use boards are available to meet.
g. Other - Email discussions
Mr. Bergren said that Chair Dostaler cautions EDC on email communications substantially and interactively discussing topics because this could actually constitute a meeting.
h. Other - One Watrous St.
Mr. Bergren met the new owner of one Watrous Street, Jim Downey, and his attorney. It was a positive meeting. The owner is interested in rehabilitating mills and properties. Mr. Bergren invited the owner to attend a future EDC meeting.
7. EDC Budget / Liaison / Committee Reports
a. EDC budget - Vice-Chair Hesen Vice-Chair Hesen clarified that this budget is the current operating budget. Vice-Chair Hesen did not have the completed budget. He had asked to have payments for Planimetrics and TPA encumbered.
b. Report from EDC liaisons to:
IWWA - Chair Dostaler was not present.
PZC - Chair Dostaler left notes regarding the P&Z meeting of 5/9/07 which Vice-Chair Hesen read: The TS and Sons application was approved; the Belltown Square application public hearing was continued; Magnum Group/Roadside Deli was approved with modifications; the Hamden Woods application was postponed; Global Self Service request for an extension was continued. ATTACHMENT Mr. Rux said there was some concern with the aesthetics of Belltown Square. Mr. Rand's application may need to be reviewed. Mr. Rux said that it was recommended that the P&Z chair meet with the EDC chair to discuss the appropriations for the DDZ and the Village Center. Chair Dostaler had said that the home-based business regulation is wrapped up whenever P&Z is ready. Ms. Anderson said it was good to let the chairs work it out, and EDC can work as sous chefs
for the P&Z.
WPCA - Vice-Chair Hesen
• There was a discussion of the Marlborough sewer.
• Mr. Hesen said the Lyman viaduct is on hold.
• The Rapallo viaduct has a sinkhole. Mr. Bergren called the DEP and there was money to begin emergency work on the sinkhole.
• The Village Center water system was at one time extended to 11 Summit Street. There is a hose running through Epoch Arts. This situation will be addressed.
• Vice-Chair Hesen described changes in the ESA service area situation. He passed out a map. ATTACHMENT He described the service entities that will provide for various properties in East Hampton. It is now clarified as to who services whom. Mr. March said that would save money on litigation in the future.
c. Streetscape Steering Committee
Mr. Bergren said they are meeting tomorrow night and I will be there.
d. Brownfields Steering Committee (See above.)
8. Business Updates
a. Visitations
• Mr. Bergren - Verizon's new store will have a dedication and pictures will be taken on 6/12/07 at 4:00 PM. All are invited.
• Ms. Rooth will make arrangements for the Hung Wan grand opening.
• Chair Dostaler and Vice-Chair Hesen had a meeting with Paul Angelico of Angelico's. Vice-Chair Hesen said some research is in progress. There was a discussion of bright glaring lights in the town. P&Z will take up the light situation.
9. New Business
a. Global Self Service request for 5 yr. extension of car wash approval at 244/257 West High St. (Please see above)
b. Scope of work to solicit proposals for an economic development consultant. Vice-Chair Hesen said Mr. Bergren is making inquiries at Portland.
c. Items covered in Town Manager’s report No action required.
10. Old Business – Consider, discuss and take possible action on the following:
a. Belltown Square Phase II application (see above)
b. Printed promotional materials Mr. March said that Nick Moujet will make a proposal with a price quote for a small card, not in color. It will be ready for the next EDC meeting, and more materials are to come. Mr. March had no map updates. Chair Dostaler may know more.
c. EH Business Meet & Greet Mr. Hesen said the next Meet & Greet will take place on 5/30/07 at 5:30, possibly in the Community Room of the Library (place to be confirmed.) There will be a raffle. He needed approval of funds for food and drink.
Ms. Anderson made a motion to approve the sum of $250. for the purposes of the next Meet & Greet. Ms. Rooth seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Jackowitz, Mr. March, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
There was a discussion of who to invite and how to get the word out. Ms. Rooth said that the new online directory should be put to use.
d. East Hampton Community Guide More next time.
e. Business survey and online business directory
10. Public Comments
12. Adjournment
Ms. Anderson made a motion to adjourn. Mr. March seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Vice-Chair Hesen, Ms. Anderson, Mr. March, Ms. Rooth. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Wright Recording clerk
Attachments referenced in these minutes can be viewed at East Hampton Town Hall.
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