I. CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman Susan Missel called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members: Theodore Pendleton, Anthony Brodeur, Barbara D’Agostino, Susan Missel
Absent Members: I. Ben Akin, Jennifer Hoben
Attending Staff: Chris Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer; Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
- Correspondence & Announcements
None.
B. Election of Officers
This item was concluded at meeting of February 9, 2015
C. Correspondence & Announcements
None.
D. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
None.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. “The Cedar Chest” 2 Signs
907 Boston Post Road, Map 29/Lot 5
Shopping Center Business B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Nancy Briggs
This application was heard and concluded at meeting of February 9, 2015.
B. “Ocean Star Nail Spa” 2 Signs
907 Boston Post Road, Map 29/ Lot 5
Shopping Center B-2 District
Applicant/Agent: Ying Jia
This application was continued from the February 9, 2015 regularly scheduled meeting.
Owner Ying Jia stated she had recently replaced an old sign with a new “Spa” sign. Commission members agreed the sign does not blend in well with its surroundings and that a softer look is preferred. They asked that Y. Jia attempt to have the lettering and background reversed, on a dark background.
Barbara D’Agostino arrived at 7:10pm.
Christine Costa offered to speak to Fast Signs on behalf of Y. Jia to ask them to make changes consistent with neighboring business Cedar Chest and will provide them with a photo of Cedar Chest’s sign.
MOTION to not recommend approval of “Ocean Star Nail Spa” 2 Signs, 907 Boston Post Road, Map 29 / Lot 5, Shopping Center B-2 District, Applicant/Agent: Nancy Briggs as presented and that applicant eplore making changes that are more consistent with other merchants in the plaza; MADE by A. Brodeur;
SECONDED by B. D’Agostino; APPROVED by T. Pendleton, A. Brodeur, B. D’Agostino, B. Missel; ABSTAINING: None; (4-0-0).
C. Petition to Amend the Old Saybrook Zoning Regulations Section 64, Signs, in B-1 & B-2, B-3, B-4, MC & SP-2 Districts to change setbacks from the street for freestanding signs and add/increase size of second freestanding signs on corner lots and allow three wall signs per tenant that may be increased to over 100 s.f. as a SPECIAL EXCEPTION; first wall only.
Petitioner: Max’s Place, LLC & 75 Old Saybrook, LLC Agent: Attorney David M. Royston
At the February 9, 2015 meeting, Board Members requested more time to review this petition. Presenting on behalf of this application was Attorney David Royston.
Attorney Royston noted that the Planning Commission had recommended favorable approval of this application and emphasized that any special exception use under these proposed regulations would have to come before the Zoning Commission for approval, as well as before a public hearing.
C. Costa noted that the proposed revisions have been reviewed by Town Attorney Mark Branse. Commission members discussed many of the text revisions and the possible results of such changes. Barbara D’Agostino saw the changes as possibly leading to sign clutter, stating that no business needs more than one sign. Susan Missel also did not want to risk having sign clutter, and believes the current signage is sufficient. A. Brodeur stated he was comfortable with the fact that there’s special exception and that signs must be in conformity. T. Pendleton was also in agreement with the revisions. D. Royston showed examples of existing signs, noting that some would be too large under the new regulations, and that specific conditions would have to be met. Members agreed they would like to see additional wording in the regulations to state that “a 3rd wall sign be a special exception in all districts.”
The motion did not carry and was therefore denied.
MOTION to approve the Petition to Amend the Old Saybrook Zoning Regulations Section 64, Signs, in B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, MC & SP-2 Districts to change setbacks from the street for freestanding signs and add/increase size of second freestanding signs on corner lots and allow three wall signs per tenant that may be increased to over 100 s.f. as a SPECIAL EXCEPTION; first wall only, and that a 3rd wall sign be a SPECIAL EXCEPTION in all zones. Petitioner: Max’s Place, LLC & 75 Old Saybrook, LLC ; Agent:
Attorney David M. Royston as presented; MADE by A. Brodeur; SECONDED by T. Pendleton APPROVED by T. Pendleton, A. Brodeur; DENIED: B. D’Agostino, S. Missel; ABSTAINING: None; (2-2-0).
D. “Eastpointe” Incentive Housing Development – 186 units (10.78 ac)
7 North Main Street, Map 40/ Lots 5 & 6-1 and Map 39 / Lot 9
Shopping Center Business B-2 District, Pedestrian Node, Incentive Housing IH Zone (Multi-Family MF Subzone) Applicant: Eastpointe, LLC., contract purchaser; Agent: Edward M. Cassella, Esquire
At the February 9, 2015 meeting, Board Members requested more time to review this petition. Presenting on behalf of this application was Attorney Edward Cassella, Bryan Robik, Managing Partner of Eastpointe, and Bruce Reinheimer.
Attorney Ed Cassella explained that a primary concern in approval of this application was with the turning radius on North Main Street and ensuring it is wide enough for fire and emergency vehicles. He has since met with the fire department and traffic consultant and the turning radius has been addressed.
Bryan Robik reviewed site plans, addressing some of the concerns raised in the previous application, notably garages, storage, lighting, and parking. Commission members asked that the garage doors be simplified with fewer panels and that they be carriage type doors with strap hinges.
Members discussed simplifying the facade of the three story buildings designated as #24, as there are too many elements, stone, clapboard and shakes. It was agreed that the center portion would remain as is, and the left and right sides would have stone at bottom with cedar shakes above.
Landscape architect Bruce Reinheimer reviewed landscape changes, notably trees, fencing, and emergency access. Trees, mainly along the boundary of the cemetery, were surveyed and determined that 78 trees will be saved. A mix of evergreen and deciduous will be planted—286 new trees in total. T. Pendleton would like to see smaller links in the chain link fence as a deterrent to trespassers.
A. Brodeur summarized the comments: simplify garage doors with fewer panels and add strap hinges; implement facade changes to building #24, make changes to chain link fence. S. Missel would like applicant to look into adding more storage space.
Applicant agrees to prohibit residents from installing satellite dishes, but if circumstances ever require a dish that it be shielded from view.
MOTION to approve “Eastpointe” Incentive Housing Development –
186 units (10.78 ac), 7 North Main Street, Map 40 / Lots 5 & 6-1 and Map 39 / Lot 9, as presented with the recommendations to simplify garage doors with fewer panels and to add strap hinges; implement facade changes to building #24, make changes to chain link fence with smaller link size; and explore adding more storage space; MADE by A. Brodeur; SECONDED by S. Missel; APPROVED by T. Pendleton, A. Brodeur, B. D’Agostino, S. Missel; ABSTAINING: None; (4-0-0).
MOTION to approve the minutes of the special meeting of February 9, 2015 as presented; MADE by S. Missel; SECONDED by B. D’Agostino; APPROVED by T. Pendleton, A. Brodeur, B. D’Agostino, S. Missel; ABSTAINING: None; (4-0-0).
V. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. to the next Regular Meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2015, 7:00 p.m. at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street at 7:00 p.m.; MADE by T. Pendleton; SECONDED by Barbara D’Agostino; APPROVED by T. Pendleton, A. Brodeur, B. D’Agostino, S. Missel; ABSTAINING: None; (4-0-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Secretary
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