MEETING MINUTES
January 14, 2016
7:30pm
Chairman Carol Conklin called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
II. ROLL CALL
Members present: Carol Conklin, Elizabeth Swenson, Jim Keating, John DeCristoforo, Joseph Arcari, Sandra Roberts, Matthew Pugliese, Bruce Greenfield
Members absent: David Cole
Staff: Susan Beckman, Economic Development Director, Chris Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer, Meryl Moskowitz, Recording Clerk
Attorney Eliza Heinz, Branse & Willis; Attorney David Royston
Carol Conklin summarized by stating the biggest change to the Mariner’s Way plan has been with retail. Originally the Plan called for theme-based retail of 20%, however based on feedback at the public input regarding concern about a 20% requirement being too restrictive, the EDC determined to eliminate retail from the Mariner’s Way Overlay uses for this petition understanding that any developer wishing to use the area for retail could petition the Zoning Commission for that change. She stated that the Commission took into consideration comments from Attorney David Royston throughout the process of developing the proposed zoning changes as well as feedback from the public and other property owners.
III. PUBLIC QUESTION & COMMENT
None
IV. REGULAR BUSINESS
- Approval of Minutes: December 10, 2015
- Correspondence & Announcements
Economic Development Director Susie Beckman discussed the CERC Site finder, which included mention of the Donnelly property. She asked if the Commission wished to sponsor the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce Chili Fest with a $100 donation, as they have done in past years.
S. Beckman also discussed an opportunity to do a regional ad with Business Facilities, promoting relocation. The cost would be split with the other participating towns in the region.
V. OLD BUSINESS
- Mariner’s Way Zoning – Attorney David Royston
Attorney David Royston reviewed some of the history leading up to Mariner’s Way. He presented suggested text changes to the Mariner’s Way petitions. Suggested text changes include an amendment to the pedestrian node, making the entire length of Mariner’s Way a pedestrian node.
Attorney Royston addressed the Purpose Clause, advising it is not regulatory but is a guideline. He believes the EDC’s purpose clause is inconsistent with the Town Plan of Conservation & Development.
Among other suggested text changes are the inclusion of retail, in section 57.3 – Special Exception Use;
a reduction of the minimum setback, from 40’ to 20’ and that it should be from the street line 57.5.1 –Setbacks for Principal Structures. Attorney Royston also suggested new text for addition of public parking, to regulate that 5% of parking spaces must be for public parking. Attorney Royston concluded with a request for the public hearing to be continued so that the petitions could be amended, and by stating that his proposed amendments represent what is consistent with the Town Plan of Conservation & Development.
Commission members agreed to call a special meeting on Tuesday, January 19 at 3pm for further discussion of the petitions. They agreed to consider the merits of inclusion of public parking in the Plan.
S. Beckman informed the Commission that the Town had received a $200,000 Brownfield Area-wide Revitalization grant (BAR) for the branding of Mariners Way. She would like to include in the budget a line item for a town-wide marketing plan of $20k.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
- Main Street Benches – potential capital request Budget – tabled.
VII. PUBLIC QUESTION & COMMENT
None.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
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