MINUTES
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 8, 2008 at 7:30p.m.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
Chairman D. Wight called the regular meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Five members were seated to vote.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
David Wight, Chairman
Jonathan Gibbs, Regular Member
Guy Pendleton, Vice Chairman
Kingmon Snow, Regular Member
Arcangela Claffey, Alternate
Elizabeth Swenson, Vice Chairman arrived at 7:36 p.m.
Attendant Staff
Joanne Rynecki, Recording Clerk
III. NEW BUSINESS
A. “The Cottages at Marina Village” Site Plan
142 Ferry Road (Map 45/Lot 33, Map45/Lot 29/Block 1, 1-1 thru 1-8, and
Map 45/Lot 29/Block 1, 10-1 thru 10-28)
Marine Commercial District
Applicant/Agent: Between the Bridges, LLC
The applicant requests that the Architectural Review Board review the preliminary plans and provide feedback and suggestions for architecture and landscaping. Representing the developer is Maggie Gallagher. Also present were John Cunningham, TEC Landscape Architects and Jill Cartagena, Point One Architects. Ms. Gallagher explained to the board that the project will involve three components: 1.) Marine Commercial Services, currently existing; 2.) Restaurant, currently existing, but moved to a renovated space; and 3.) Residential, new construction. The discussion focused primarily on the proposed residential buildings, landscaping, parking and public access points.
Proposed are 86 flat and townhouse style units ranging from 900 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft. The units will be located on both the east and west sides of the Ferry Road. The east side will have views of the river. The west side will have views of the river and the marsh. An area of tidal wetlands on the western side of Ferry Road will be deeded to the Town of Old Saybrook for open space. The property will provide its own waste water treatment. The marine commercial footprint will remain the same.
In an effort to create a neighborhood feel and provide housing for a diverse income range, the developer is proposing 26 units on the western side of Ferry Road that would be “workforce affordable”. The units would have water views, be a part of the condo association and tie together with the entire project. Also on the western side of Ferry Road will be 9 buildings or “Cottages” with 4 units in each building of varied levels. On the eastern side of Ferry Road, overlooking the marina will be a total of 24 “Cottage” units.
The developers have hired specialists to ensure that the project has a necessary balance between required parking for dock owners, marina, restaurant, and condo owners and landscaping to bring in as much green as possible allowing for public space. Ms. Gallagher explained to the board that this is a vital mixed use property that can benefit the town by improving the area and making this a destination for residents and visitors. Roadside parking and sidewalks will be complimented with shade trees and ornamental plantings. A special retaining wall is being designed to shroud the front of the commercial marine service buildings with plantings. The parking area on the western side of Ferry Road will be lower than the street level with a berm to be less visible from the road and property
owners.
Overall, the board was pleased with the plans and will look forward to seeing the next layer of information as it becomes available. The board recommends:
Allowing the public access to area by providing parking, installing walkways and viewing access points. A public walkway along the marina in front of the proposed restaurant is strongly recommended. The board would support the reduction of parking and/or allowing 20% of reserve parking if it would make it possible to install a 6 foot public walkway from the restaurant that runs along the parking lot at the edge of the marine boat basin. Road side parking is encouraged and provisions in the condo documents to allow condo owners to personalize their outdoor space, with fencing and plantings would enhance the feel of the area. Overall architectural detail in the residential buildings is pleasing however, the board would like to see alternate design plans for the elevator towers and a more dramatic
offset of the façade on the 26 unit building.
IV. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Meeting Minutes – November 24, 2008
MOTION to amend the minutes of November 24, 2008 by inserting the word “garage” between the words “adjacent” and “gable” in the motion for “Village Centre Residences” Section IV, Item A.
MOVED: by D. Wight; SECONDED: by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, G. Pendleton, K. Snow
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: A. Claffey, E. Swenson; APPROVED: 4-0-2
B. Correspondence - none
- Committee, Representative & Staff Reports –none
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:56 p.m. until the next regular meeting on Monday December 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main St.
MOVED by G. Pendleton; SECONDED by K. Snow
IN FAVOR: D. Wight, G. Pendleton, J. Gibbs, K. Snow, A. Claffey, E. Swenson
OPPOSED: none. ABSTAINED: none. APPROVED: 6-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joanne Rynecki, Recording Clerk
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