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Vice Chairman, Jonathan Gibbs, called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.
Attendant Members
Jonathan Gibbs, Regular Member
David Wight, Regular Member
Kingmon Snow, Jr, Regular Member
Absent Members
Theodore (Guy) Pendleton, Chairman
Arcangela Claffey, Regular Member
Attendant Staff
Christina Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
MOTION to amend the agenda to move V. Design Excellence Awards before III. Old Business. MOVED by D. Wight; SECONDED by K. Snow; IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, K. Snow; OPPOSED: none ABSTAINED: none APPROVED: 3-0-0.
V. DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Annual commendation for integrity in contextual design of development in Old Saybrook.
Commission members discussed the wording for the Design
Excellence Awards.
III. OLD BUSINESS- none
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. “RAP Riverside Drive, LLC” Site Plan Review
36 Riverside Drive (Map 59/Lot 97)
Marine Commercial District
Applicant: RAP Riverside Drive, LLC Agent: DOCKO, Inc., Keith Neilson, PE
In their packets, Commission members received a copy of the Design Review Application form dated 2/11/10 along with the existing conditions plan and the proposed site plan and building elevations.
Keith Neilson, PE presented for the applicant. He reviewed the site plans with Commission members, and explained that this project allows for the storage of 12 boats, parking and a remodeled building. This project will involve extensive landscaping and extensive remodeling of the site, with a 2 story colonial building to replace the current building which is in a state of disrepair. K. Neilson said that the septic system has been reviewed and approved by the Health District. He has met with Don Lucas, Building Official, to ensure the Building Code requirements have been satisfied, and he has also met with Torrence Downes of the Gateway Commission who is also satisfied with the plan.
Commission members liked the architectural design of the building, but they had concerns about the proposed lighting, particularly for the parking area.
C. Costa asked whether the lights would be on photo sensors or a timer. She also asked about proposed lighting for the decks, specifically, what types of fixtures would be used and what wattage would be used.
There was discussion about the gabion wall and the types of vegetation proposed for planting (juniper, bayberry and ornamental grasses) which will obscure the wall so it will blend in.
J. Gibbs stated his two main concerns as follows: 1. the carving out of the hillside on the CT River, and 2. potential light spillage on the CT River, especially for night fishermen. He’d like there to be no direct bulb glare. He said what is appropriate lighting for the Commercial District may not be appropriate for the Marine Commercial District. He suggested the applicant reduce the level of illumination interference from what is proposed as much as possible, and that he come back to the next ARB meeting to demonstrate changes in the lighting plan. He suggested lower lighting which could be shielded by ground coverage. Also, he would recommend, and Commission members agreed, that the applicant come back to the ARB with a picture of the proposed excavation of the hill, and the vegetation so the ARB can see
what impact this will have.
D. Wight asked about lighting on the sign. K. Neilson said the sign will be lit by 1 or 2 incandescent 100 watt bulbs in a cylinder shining down on it. The power for these lights will come from the building.
K. Neilson said he would make an appointment with C. Costa and D. Lucas as soon as possible to go over the ARB’s recommended changes. He hopes to be prepared to come to the next ARB meeting to present the modifications he has made in the site plan to meet the ARB’s concerns.
MOTION to continue “RAP Riverside Drive, LLC” Site Plan Review; 36 Riverside Drive (Map 59 / Lot 97) Marine Commercial District; Applicant: RAP Riverside Drive, LLC; Agent: DOCKO, Inc., Keith Neilson, PE so the applicant may address the concerns of the Architectural Review Board. MOVED by J. Gibbs; SECONDED by K. Snow; IN FAVOR: D. Wight, J. Gibbs, T. Pendleton, K. Snow, A. Claffey; OPPOSED: none ABSTAINED: none APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. REGULAR BUSINESS
- Meeting Minutes- February 8, 2010 and February 22, 2010
MOTION to approve the minutes of February 8, 2010 with the following correction: on page 2. paragraph 2,. J. Gibbs noted that the intent of his statement was not so much about invasive plants but more about the concern of damaging plants, etc. MOVED by J. Gibbs; SECONDED by K. Snow; IN FAVOR: K. Snow, J. Gibbs, D. Wight; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
MOTION to approve the minutes of February 22, 2010 as written. MOVED by J. Gibbs; SECONDED by D. Wight; IN FAVOR: K. Snow, J. Gibbs, D. Wight; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
B. Correspondence – In their packets, members received an updated Architectural Review Board Member List for 2010.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports –
C. Costa spoke to the Commission about sign compliance. She said a number of businesses in town have A frame signs which are in violation of the Zoning Regulations. She said she is planning to send letters to these businesses within the week to invite them to a meeting so she can explain the regulations to them, let them know what types of signs are permitted and what types of signs are not permitted, and answer any questions they may have.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday March 22, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main St. MOVED by D. Wight; SECONDED by K. Snow; IN FAVOR: K. Snow, J. Gibbs, D. Wight; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
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