TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Planning Commission
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131 FAX (860) 395-3125
MINUTES
Wednesday, February 1, 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 7:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Robert McIntyre, Chairman James Conroy, Alternate Member
Judith Gallicchio, Vice Chairman Julius Castagno, Regular Member
William Voigt, Alternate Member
Richard Tietjen, Regular Member
Salvatore Aresco, Regular Member
Janis Esty, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff Absent Staff
Katie Beecher, Recording Clerk Christine Nelson, Town Planner
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
Amendments to the meeting minutes of January 18, 2006
Correct spelling of Voight to Voigt. Minutes should reflect that the minutes from the November 16, 2005 meeting were also approved.
Alternate member William Voigt was seated for regular member Julius Castagno and alternate member Janis Esty was seated for Sal Aresco for the purpose of voting on the minutes.
MOTION to approve the January 18 minutes as amended for errors and omissions. MADE by W. Voigt. SECONDED by J. Esty. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, W. Voigt, J. Esty; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: J. Gallicchio, R. Tietjen, APPROVED: 3-0-2.
Sal Aresco was re-seated for Janis Esty for the remainder of the meeting.
B. Correspondence
Members reviewed a letter from First Selectman Michael Pace appointing Judith Gallicchio as the Planning Commission representative to the Land Acquisition Committee. Members also reviewed four bills from Branse, Willis & Knapp, LLC. Bills numbered 11371 and 11369 are tabled until the next meeting for Christine Nelson’s input. Members voted to pay bills 11368 and 11370.
MOTION to pay $290 for General Counsel & Representation to the firm of Branse, Willis & Knapp, LLC, 148 Eastern Boulevard, Glastonbury, CT as per their Statement No. 11368 dated 01/01/06. MADE by S. Aresco. SECONDED by J. Gallicchio. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Gallicchio, W. Voigt, S. Aresco, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay $1,131 for Open Space Subdivisions to the firm of Branse, Willis & Knapp, LLC, 148 Eastern Boulevard, Glastonbury, CT as per their Statement No. 11370, dated 01/01/06. MADE by S. Aresco. SECONDED by J. Gallicchio. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Gallicchio, W. Voigt, S. Aresco, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Judith Gallicchio had nothing to report from the Board of Selectmans’ Land
Aquision Committee. Robert McIntyre reported that public hearings are now
closed on The Preserve and the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
would be deliberating at the Febrary 2, 2006 meeting.
D. Appointment of Representatives
Chairman McIntyre had correspondence with Town Planner Christine Nelson about the Planning Commission representative for CRERPA. The members felt the Commission would be best served by a current Planning Commission member for attendance purposes. Richard Tietjen agreed to be the representative.
MOTION to elect Richard Tietjen the representative for the Planning Commission of CRERPA. MADE by R. McIntyre. SECONDED by J. Gallicchio. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Gallicchio, W. Voigt, S. Aresco, OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: R. Tietjen; APPROVED: 4-0-1.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Draft “Sidewalk Plan”
Planning Commission members Sal Aresco and Judith Gallicchio and former Planning Commission member Stuart Hanes presented an overview of the draft plan with special emphasis on education about “the rules of the road”, increasing enforcement of laws pertaining to the conduct of pedestrians and bicycles with regard to automobiles and to each other, a review of Town guidelines and regulations regarding building placement and other issues to ensure good access for pedestrians, sidewalk widths, liability of Town vs. private citizens with regard to injuries from failure to remove ice and snow, the need for sidewalks North of I-95, on more sections of the Scenic Route 154 “Coastal Loop Road” and in the Main Street “Town Center”. The need for regulations rather than guidelines
for sidewalks to be put in with new developments was highlighted along with the need for access to local beaches by people on foot.
Community Comments:
Resident Bob Fish commended the authors of the Draft of the Sidewalk Plan and said that it should be added to the Plan of Conservation. He was impressed about the way that planning, conservation and economic plans worked so well together.
Jim Keating, Chairman, Economic Development Commission, agreed with Bob Fish’s comments also adding that sidewalks were important for tourism.
Liz Swenson, Vice Chairman, Architectural Review Board, had several comments:
The picture on the front cover of the Plan shows unattractive metal railings. She suggested that wood railings replace the metal ones and that the Town work with the DOT to replace them. She suggested not using stamped brick patterning on the sidewalks because of flaking. Judy Gallicchio said that this only occurred because the store owners were not given the correct information on which ice melter to use. Liz Swenson also suggested a pedestrian walkway in the areas of Schoolhouse Road and Ingham Hill about 5’ high on the sides of the road. She also said she believes sidewalks should be mandatory for new development, not simply guidelines because some developers (ex. CVS, North Cove new condominiums) do not have them.
Resident Guy Pendleton pointed out that privet hedges are a problem along sidewalks because they need to be trimmed in order to not encroach on to walking areas. He suggested a Town ordinance to keep shrubs a certain number of feet away from the edge of the sidewalk. He also suggested that developers contact Cornell University when they are putting sidewalks around trees. They have a special formula that allows tree roots to grow through the material without uplifting the sidewalks. He also said that on Maple Avenue some of the soil around the sidewalks is too high and prevents water from running off, making it difficult for residents, especially the elderly, to remove ice in the winter.
Judy Gallicchio informed those at the meeting that the next step was for the Draft Plan to be recommended to the Board of Selectman for adoption. It is hoped that the majority of the Plan is accepted and implemented.
MOTION to close public hearing of the DRAFT Sidewalk Plan: Municipal Improvements, Programs & Standards for Sidewalks and other Pedestrian Resources. MADE by S. Aresco. SECONDED R. Tietjen. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Gallicchio, W. Voigt, S. Aresco, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to consider recommendations that have been made to the DRAFT of the Sidewalk Plan and continue deliberations including limited liability for the Town if sued for injury occurs on a sidewalk, grading soil away from sidewalks so they are easier to clear and have drainage, using Cornell University system for sidewalks around trees, look at the practicality of the stamped “brick” concrete, requiring sidewalks for new development, minimum distance for shrub plantings along sidewalks and to require additional plantings when it is impossible to move a building up, hiding parking areas at next Planning Meeting, February 15, 2006. MADE by R. McIntyre. SECONDED by W. Voigt. VOTED IN FAVOR: R.
McIntyre, J. Gallicchio, W. Voigt, S. Aresco, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Draft Sections of the Plan of Conservation & Development –
“Conservation & Open Spaces” and “Economic Development”
Members reviewed letter from First Selectman Michael Pace stating that the Board
of Selectman are in concurrence with the proposed FINAL DRAFT Amendments
to the Plan of Conservation & Development for “Economic Development” and
“Conservation & Open Spaces” and a letter from Wilma Asch, Executive Director
of the EDC requesting that a change be made in the Final Draft Amendments to
the Plan of Conservation & Development for Economic Development on pages 4,
5, and 6 re-naming the “Ferry Point and Riverside Complex” to “Marina District”
All of the members feel that “Marina District” is preferable and that the name of
the “Ferry Point Riverside Complex” should be changed on pages 4, 5, and 6.
Bob Fish, Chairman, Conservation Commission, reported that so many hearings
have already taken place so he had nothing different to add. Sal Aresco spoke
about an endangered species preservation area also to be used for species that need
protection so they do not become endangered called “Viable Habitat”. He did not
see it included in the Conservation & Open Spaces Plan but said the Plan was
excellent.
Jim Keating, Chairman, Economic Development Commission, was at the meeting
to answer questions. He reported no new information.
Liz Swenson had comments regarding page 3. She voiced concerns that the
Economic Development Commission would not have adequate time for
development if it was also raising funds. She mentioned other possible available
funding. Jim Keating explained the function of the Old Saybrook Foundation (to
bring Donnelleys to Town) and said this could be re-activated to raise funds.
MOTION to close the public hearing on the Plan of Conservation & Development – “Conservation & Open Spaces” and “Economic Development” MADE by J. Gallicchio SECONDED by W. Voigt. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Gallicchio, W. Voigt, S. Aresco, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to continue deliberations at the next meeting, February 15, 2006 on the Plan of Conservation & Development – “Conservation & Open Spaces” and “Economic Development” MADE by W. Voigt SECONDED by J. Gallicchio. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Gallicchio, W. Voigt, S. Aresco, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Judy Gallicchio requested that Christine Nelson, Town Planner please provide full
sized maps of the Sidewalk Plan to the members of the Planning Commission.
V. OLD BUSINESS
None
VI. NEW BUSINESS
None
VII. WORKSHOP
A. Goal Setting 2006-2007
Chairman Bob McIntyre had nothing more on the Parking Lot plan but said that the Zoning Commission needs to be involved. He also stated that the issue of the road endings needed to be acted upon by the Board of Selectmen before going any further with future goals or plans. Christine Nelson would be needed to comment on the Plan for the Next Decade.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn meeting at 9:32 p.m.until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion, Saybrook Point Park, 155 College Street Extension. MADE by J. Gallicchio. SECONDED by W. Voigt VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Gallicchio, W. Voigt, R. McIntyre, S. Aresco, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Katie Beecher
Recording Clerk
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