TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Planning Commission
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131 FAX (860) 395-3125
MINUTES
Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park
155 College Street Extension
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman, Bob McIntyre, called the regular meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Robert McIntyre, Chairman Judith Gallicchio, Vice Chairman
Julius Castagno, Regular Member Salvatore Aresco, Regular Member
Janis Esty, Alternate Member Richard Tietjen, Regular Member
James Conroy, Alternate Member
William Voigt, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Katie Beecher, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the November 16, 2006 minutes as submitted. MADE by James Conroy. SECONDED by Julius Castagno. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, J. Conroy, W. Voigt, J. Esty; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to approve the January 4, 2006 minutes as submitted. MADE by James Conroy. SECONDED by Julius Castagno. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, J. Conroy, W. Voigt, J. Esty; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Correspondence
Members reviewed letter from DEP regarding issuance of permit for discharge of wastewater into Oyster River from the High School, memo from Harbor Management Commission stating that it will not pay $400 for portion of site planning at Ferry Point, letter from CT River Gateway Commission regarding zoning for East Haddam, memo from Christina Costa regarding sidewalk plan, letter from resident regarding sidewalk in Knollwood.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Town Planner, Christine Nelson, stated that the Preserve has been taking up most of the time of the Planning Commission and that they are in the process of finishing all pending projects.
MOTION to hear new business before old business due to time. MADE by R. McIntyre. SECONDED by J. Conroy. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, J. Castagno, J. Conroy, W. Voigt; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. Petition to Amend Section 56 Open Space Subdivisions of the Zoning Regulations to Require in the Residence AAA District
Petioner: Conservation Commission Agent: Christine Nelson for Robert W. Fish, Chairman
ACTION: Review for consistency with Plan; report for ZC PH.
Members reviewed memo from Robert Fish, Chairman, Conservation Commission requesting including Residence AAA District among those districts in which Town mandates the “clustering” of new residential development. Attorney David Royston suggested that the Zoning Commission needs to establish a standard for open space in the AAA District. Suggestion made to decide on individual basis instead of mandate.
MOTION to change zoning regulations in AAA District to match those in AA-1 District. MADE by R. McIntyre. SECONDED by W. Voigt. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, J. Esty, J. Conroy, W. Voigt; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. “Russell” Resubdivision – 2 Lots (3.84 ac.)
AA-1 Residence District
West side of Schoolhouse Road, 500’south of Fawn Trail (Map 50/Lot 11-1)
Applicant: Tim Russell, owner Agent: Donald L. Gesick, Jr. P.L.S.
Attorney David Royston spoke for the owners. He stated that Wetlands has already approved the plan. A Conservation Easement and Restriction declaration was presented and a letter of approval by Town Sanitarian. W. Voigt suggested that owner will need separate easement from utility companies. Letter from nearby property owner stating he had no questions or objections presented. Letter presented from Board of Selectmen stating there are no comments at this time.
MOTION to close public hearing. MADE by J. Conroy. SECONDED by J. Castagno. VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Conroy, J. Castagno, R. McIntyre, W. Voigt, J. Esty; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to approve application for Russell Resubdivision. MADE by J. Conroy. SECONDED by W. Voigt. VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Conroy, J. Castagno, R. McIntyre, W. Voigt, J. Esty; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Petition to Amend Zoning Regulations: Setbacks (sec. 7.4) & Signs (sec. 64.5.3)
Petitioner: Max’s Place, LLC Agent: David M. Royston, Esq.
ACTION: Review consistency with Plan of C and D; report revision for 1/12/06 ZC PH.
Letter was presented from Architectural Review Board recommending that Zoning Commission reject entire text. Members were presented with revision to text of amendment – setbacks only. Sign revisions will be presented separately. New definition of “pedestrian node” added to section 9, text added to the “Special Exception Uses” section in each Business District (B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4) the following additional numbered subparagraph and the addition of a new Section 8.23 regarding Reduction of Setbacks in Pedestrian Node areas of Business Districts.
Recommendation made for Zoning to pay special attention to the definition in part C to “specific architectural treatment” and what will be done so the loading docks aren’t occupied with trucks constantly. Appropriate screening of activity is just as important as hiding loading docks and dumpsters. Add “and shall not be allowed to face any street”. Also in part C add after first sentence “not to exceed 20 feet”.
MOTION to issue a favorable report regarding the amended zoning regulations to Max’s Place, LLC. including the two additions MADE by J. Conroy. SECONDED by J. Castagno. VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Conroy, J. Castagno, R. McIntyre, W. Voigt, J. Esty; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VII. NEW BUSINESS CONTINUED:
B. “Founders Memorial Park” Municipal Improvement & Coastal Site Plan
Petitioner: BOS’ Founders Memorial Park Committee Agent: B. Guenther, Chairman
ACTION: Review per Plan and Municipal Coastal Plan; approve, modify or deny
The Commission discussed the plans for the park including parking and use for the space that is now occupied by the leaf mulching area when an alternate location is found for leaf mulching. Suggestions were perhaps additional parking places and active recreation such as horseshoe or bocce areas. Concerns were voiced that people using the area for fishing and crabbing will park on road. Overall the Commission was very pleased with the park plan.
MOTION to approve the Founders Memorial Park plan. MADE by W. Voigt SECONDED by J. Conroy. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Conroy, J. Castagno, J. Esty, W. Voigt; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Informal Discussion of Open Space Subdivision
Bokum Road (Map 61/Lots 1 & 13)
Developer: Olek Golinowski, LLC Agent: Olek Golinowski, Owner
ACTION: Discuss conventional versus clustered development scenarios.
The Commission was presented with two plans for the subdivision. A recommendation was made to Mr. Golinowski that he present the plans again at a later meeting when the regular members of the Commission were present since they would probably have different suggestions. Those present seemed to favor
the open space plan over the conventional plan but also suggested the possibility for a fee in lieu of open space.
VIII. WORKSHOP
It was decided that Goal Setting Workshop for 2006-2007 be tabled until a future meeting.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn meeting until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion, Saybrook Point Park, 155 College Street Extension. MADE by R. McIntyre. SECONDED by W. Voigt. VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Conroy, J. Castagno, R. McIntyre, J. Esty, W. Voigt; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Katie Beecher
Recording Clerk
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