REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
Chairman Janis Esty called the regular meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Janis Esty, Chairman
Robert Missel, Vice Chairman
Cathryn Flanagan, Secretary
David Shearer
Kathleen Sugland, arrived at 7:16pm
Kenneth Soudan, seated for Daniel Walden
Members Absent
Daniel Walden
Michael Urban
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
First Selectman Carl Fortuna
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of December 4, 2013 as presented; MADE: by R. Missel; SECONDED: by D. Shearer; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None;
APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay invoice #34781 for $111.00 to Branse, Willis & Knapp, LLC, dated 12/02/2013 for general counsel relating to Sorenson application; MADE by D. Shearer; SECONDED by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay invoice #78889 for $292.00 to Nathan Jacobson & Associates, Inc. dated 12/20/2013 for expenses regarding general consultation per Section 50, 140 and 150 in the Regulations for Public Improvements; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay invoice #78891 for $93.60 to Nathan Jacobson & Associates, Inc. dated 11/9/2013 to 12/20/2013 for consultation regarding Kayak Launch Concept Plan; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer;; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
- Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
R. Missel reported that Jeremy DiCarli had informed him via email that the Town’s Natural Hazard and Mitigation Plan was sent on December 17, 2013 to D.E.E.P. which forwarded the plan to FEMA, where it is in line for review behind five other state plans.
C. Flanagan reported that she had met with Town Planner Christine Nelson on scenic roads and they are finalizing a draft of their plan.
D. Shearer reported that now that the report on Mariner’s Way is complete, the next step is to put together an implementation plan.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
None.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A.“Police Services” Spec’l Exception Use for Town Facility – 23,956 s.f. (5.1 ac.)
36 Lynde Street (Map 29/Lot 79) and 225 Main Street (Map 30 / Lot 58)
Residence A & Central Business B-1 Districts, Coastal Area Mgmt. Zone, Pedestrian Node
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen; Agent: Brian W. Humes, AIA
ACTION: Consider per Town Plans; report for ZC public hearing 2/18/2014.
Town planner Christine Nelson explained to Commission members that this application is a referral from the Zoning Commission for a special exception use.
Attorney David Royston, attorney for the Town of Old Saybrook provided background information, noting that almost all building construction will take place at 36 Lynde Street with the 22,000 sq. ft. addition, and that 225 Main Street comes into this application because the plan calls for an emergency-only access from Main Street to the new Police Department site on Lynde Street. D. Royston introduced Mike McDonald, building contractor, Kevin Roach, Old Saybrook Police Department, and Brian Humes, architect with the firm of Jacunski Humes.
B. Humes reviewed plans and architectural renderings of the proposed police services building, noting the plans were the result of having worked with a building committee comprised of Old Saybrook resident volunteers, the First Selectman’s office, Town staff, and the police department. He stated he believes the proposed plan is consistent with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development and is consistent with the character and fabric of the town.
B. Humes reviewed many aspects of the plan including: parking, lighting, a secondary means of egress—a single width lane—from the rear of the building to Main Street, a service yard in the rear of the building, as well as a 1.2 acre parcel that will be preserved as green space. Additionally, a 4,000 sq. ft area has been permitted for future construction as possible storage area.
B. Humes answered questions from Commission members. The emergency access lane will be gated and the Police Department will determine when the lane is needed for use. Access to rear parking will be gate restricted. The height of the building at the top of the cupola will be 20 ft, and will be lit at all hours. Mature trees will be preserved and will help buffer noise and light. A 6 ft high privacy fence will also buffer light from vehicles and block view of activities. C. Fortuna pointed out that the southern side of the building will be dark as it has no windows. K. Roach added that the police department is in favor of the plans for the building and facilities and is excited about the project, as is Chief Spera.
MOTION to send a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission and to find the application consistent with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development for ~“Police Services” Spec’l Exception Use for Town Facility – 23,956 s.f. (5.1 ac.)
36 Lynde Street (Map 29/Lot 79) and 225 Main Street (Map 30 / Lot 58)
Residence A & Central Business B-1 Districts, Coastal Area Mgmt. Zone, Pedestrian Node
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen; Agent: Brian W. Humes, AIA
MADE: by D. Shearer; SECONDED: by C. Flanagan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None: APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
A motion was made to amend the agenda to include election of officers.
MOTION to amend agenda to include election of officers MADE: by D. Shearer; SECONDED: by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to elect Janis Esty as Chairman of the Planning Commission; MADE: by D. Shearer; SECONDED: by C. Flanagan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to elect Robert Missel as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission; MADE: by C. Flanagan; SECONDED: by D. Shearer; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to elect Cathryn Flanagan as Secretary of the Planning Commission; MADE: by D. Shearer; SECONDED: by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
The Commission members agreed to name the following members as representatives from the Planning Commission to the following Commissions:
K. Soudan – representative to RiverCog Regional Planning Commission
J. Esty – representative to Inland Wetlands and Waterways Commission
D. Shearer – representative to Land Acquisitions
R. Missel – representative to Natural Hazard Mitigation
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission which will be held on February 5, 2014, at 7:00 P.M., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE: by C. Flanagan; SECONDED: by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Clerk
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