Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
PC 090606.Minutes
TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Planning Commission
302 Main Street  Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131  FAX (860) 395-3125
              
MINUTES
Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park
155 College Street Extension

I.        CALL TO ORDER

Chairman, Robert McIntyre, called the regular meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

II.        ROLL CALL

Attendant Members       Absent Members
Robert McIntyre, Chairman                                     James Conroy, Alternate Member                                                                 
Judith Gallicchio, Vice Chairman        
Janis Esty, Alternate Member                            
Julius Castagno, Regular Member
William Voigt, Alternate Member 
Richard Tietjen, Regular Member
Salvatore Aresco, Regular Member

                
Attendant Staff                                                        
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Katie Beecher, Recording Clerk                               


III.       REGULAR BUSINESS
        
A.      Minutes

        The following corrections were made to the minutes of August 2, 2006:
        Page 4 – 8th paragraph, change Italy to Portugal
        Change the word they after Bessoni to he..
        Page 5 – 1st full paragraph, take out word not

MOTION to approve as amended the minutes of August 2, 2006.  MADE by S. Aresco. SECONDED by J. Gallicchio.  VOTED IN FAVOR:  J. Gallicchio, J. Castagno, R. Tietjen, R. McIntyre, S. Aresco OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;  APPROVED: 5-0-0.
     
                                

B.      Correspondence  

Town Planner Christine Nelson presented:

1.  A memo from Branse, Willis & Knapp regarding a new State statute regarding land use hearings.  Notices to public will be published in the paper.

2.  A letter from CRERPA.  Fema has approved the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Draft and it has been sent to the Board of Selectman.  The Plan of Conservation & Development may need to be updated.

3.  Minutes from the Zoning Commission and Architectural Review Board.

4.  A flyer about the Listen To The River Initiative.

5.  The Town Budget in the black.

6.  A letter from the State Traffic Commission asking for help from Town Planners with increasing compliance with CGS Section 14-311 pertaining to Major Traffic Generators.

7.  A letter praising Zoning Enforcement Officer Christina Costa for her actions regarding the Carter et al. Civil Action.

               
C.      Committee, Representative &  Staff Reports

                      Christine Nelson  reported that she is working with the Historic Commission                                      Chairman on the South Green Historic District project.  There will be a Public  Hearing                         in October.  A Main Street Gateway node meeting was held.

                Christine is working with Barbara Gunther on a grant for Founders Memorial                                      Park. to purchase education signs for coastal road endings.  They are also                                      working with the Historical Society.  The signs will be about cultural and                                       environmental resources.  The Town website continues to be updated.
                
MOTION to move Old Business (V)  before the Public Hearing (IV) MADE by J. Gallicchio. SECONDED by S. Aresco.  VOTED IN FAVOR:  J. Gallicchio, S. Aresco,  R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;  APPROVED: 5-0-0.


D.      Appointment of Representatives

None.


IV.    OLD BUSINESS
                                                                                                                A.  “Massini” Subdivision of Land – 1 Lot (0.25 ac. total)
        Southeast side of Boston Post Road (Map 44/ Lot 18)
        Restricted Business B-3 District, Coastal Management Area
        Petitioner:  Estate of Lino Massini   Agent:  William A. Childress, Esq.

        The area was a small 1 lot subdivision divided into 4 - 1 acre lots in the 1950’s.  3           have been built on.  None of the lots would meet current regulations.  Attorney                         Childress has presented a subdivision application with requests for waivers under                       Sections 4.3.2, 4.3.3, 4.3.3.1, 4.3.5, 4.3.6, 5.2.1F, 5.2.2, 5.6.3 and 5.8.  The land           is in a transitional zone, residential or commercial and there is no plan for the land at                 this time.

        Memos were presented with no objections from Building Official Don Lucas,                       Town Sanitarian Scott Martinson and Zoning Enforcement Officer Christina Costa.  
        
MOTION to approve the waivers as presented in the Massini Subdivision of Land application, (Map 44/Lot 18)   MADE by S. Aresco. SECONDED by J.Castangno.  VOTED IN FAVOR:  J. Gallicchio, S. Aresco, R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;  APPROVED: 5-0-0.

MOTION to approve the Massini Subdivision of Land and coastal site plan application, (Map 44/Lot 18)   MADE by J. Gallicchio. SECONDED by S. Aresco.  VOTED IN FAVOR:  J. Gallicchio, S. Aresco, R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;  APPROVED: 5-0-0.


IV.     PUBLIC HEARINGS

“Max’s Place” Resubdivision of Land – Center Road West
        Petitioner:  Ron Lyman          Agent:  David M. Royston, Esq.

        This public hearing regarding Max’s Place is only to address the removal of Center Road                         West within the boundaries of the resubdivision and create a new cul-de-sac at the new road                     ending at Center Road West.

        Attorney Royston presented for the petitioner.  Lot 30 on Spencer Plains Road is not    included                on this application because it is deed restricted.  The lot cannot be used to sell      or support                      grocery or food stores.  The plan incorporates the changes requested by the IWWC.

        Ralph Gometz, owner of Lots 2 and 4 Center Road West presented a letter to the Planning                         Commission.  He stated that in his opinion the file he viewed at the Old Saybrook Land Use              Office did not include information or items that must be completed per the Old Saybrook                         Subdivision Regulations at the time of submission.  He stated that the commission is                     obligated to reject the application.

        Brian Greenhill, owner of 7 Center Road West.  His business is in a light industrial zone                       and abuts Max’s Place on three sides.  His business employs 18 people.  He is concerned with            the scope of the project and how it will effect his business.

        Ralph Gometz spoke again and stated that he was not provided with a notice about the                    public hearing as a nearby property owner.  Attorney Royston stated that property owners                        within 100 feet of the development are required to receive notice and Mr. Gometz’ property is           more than 100 feet away.
        
        Chairman McIntyre asked Town Planner Christine Nelson about prior decisions regarding the               previous time this application was submitted.  Christine said she would research and provide            all of the Planning Commission members with any prior information.  She will also be                    researching Mr. Gometz’ claims as to the incomplete or missing paperwork in the file he                         viewed.

        Commission member Sal Aresco asked if the Commission could over-ride the town vote to                   sell Center Road West.  Christine responded that the vote was contingent upon permits and                       approvals.  She stated that the setback changes have been acted on by the Zoning Commission             already.  Businesses can ask for reduced set backs on a case by case basis if they put parking                  behind the building.  

        Commission member Judy Gallicchio asked for Christine’s comments.  The Planning                         Commission has the authority to waive requirements and standards.  Submittal requirements               are often asked to be waived.  The  Commission needs to consider if changes to the road will            stand on their own if the development does not get approved.

        Commission member Julius Castagno would like more information on the original                           application since he was not a member of the commission at that time.  Member Bill      Voigt                   requested more information regarding drainage and water run off.  Member Dick   Tietjen                 asked when the Planning Commission can study the entire project.  Christine clarified that the           Planning Commission is only addressing the re-subdivision of Center Road West.

        Attorney Royston stated that Mr. Lyman’s signature is on the application.  He stated that                       each lot has already been shown to be developable.  The lots will be merged.  The Commission    will be presented with information regarding the entire project later.

        Member Judy Gallicchio asked to have the driveways of the abutting properties pointed                   out on the plans.

MOTION to continue the Public Hearing on Max’s Place Resubdivision of Land – Center Road West to the September 20, 2006 Planning Commission meeting. MADE by J. Gallicchio. SECONDED by J. Castagno.  VOTED IN FAVOR:  J. Gallicchio, S. Aresco, R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;  APPROVED: 5-0-0.



MOTION to continue Max’s Place Special Exception for Retail Businesses to the September 20, 2006 Planning Commission meeting. MADE by J. Gallicchio. SECONDED by J. Castagno.  VOTED IN FAVOR:  J. Gallicchio, S. Aresco, R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;  APPROVED: 5-0-0.

MOTION to adjourn meeting at 11:40 until the next scheduled meeting on September 20, 2006.  MADE by J. Gallicchio. SECONDED by R. McIntyre.  VOTED IN FAVOR:  J. Gallicchio, S. Aresco, R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;  APPROVED: 5-0-0.



        

VI.     NEW BUSINESS

        A.      “Max’s Place” Petition to Amend Zoning Regulations – Section 64 Signs
        Petitioner:  Ron Lyman                     Agent:  David M. Royston, Esq.

        Attorney Royston on behalf of the petitioner submitted a seven page petition for change in                      sign regulations which would apply to all Business, Marine and Industrial Districts.

        The subjects include internally illuminated signs, indoor signs, projection of signs attached to                buildings, decrease in sign size when the sign is within 10 feet of a street line and maximum                   sign size to not exceed 150 square feet.  

        The petition also addresses limitations on size and height to 50 square feet in area or         height of               20 feet if located more than 25 feet from a street line, no signs permitted to be       painted on the          wall of a building and a sign will not exceed 35 square feet in area nor a height of 15 feet if                         located between 25 feet and 30 feet of a street line.  

        The petition also calls for an increase in signs where a lot has frontage on a street with                      two or more vehicular entrances which are more than 1000 feet apart or has frontage on two or           more streets with two or more vehicle entrances which are 1000 feet apart, the number of                        ground signs on the lot may be the same number as the number of said vehicular entrances                         which are 1000 feet apart with limitations and conditions.  New height and type standards for           wall signs, percentage of wall coverage, area of signs and timing of internally illuminated signs               are also covered.

        Chairman McIntyre asked if pictures or diagrams could be provided as examples of the                    amendments, as did member Sal Aresco.  Judy Gallicchio asked about a maximum number of          signs allowed and said wall signs would also have to be considered.

        Chairman McIntyre said the Town would like to see less signage but that there could be                  benefits to traffic flow with signs at far apart entrances.  Attorney Royston pointed out that the              petition added a standard for illumination that is more restrictive than what is        available now.                  Christine Nelson said that the ARB helps to design the appearance of the signs.

MOTION to continue the Petition to Amend Zoning Regulations – Section 64 Signs by Max’s Place  to the September 20, 2006 Planning Commission meeting. MADE by R. McIntyre. SECONDED by J. Gallicchio.  VOTED IN FAVOR:  J. Gallicchio, S. Aresco, R. McIntyre, J. Castagno, R. Tietjen; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;  APPROVED: 5-0-0.


        B.      “Max’s Place” Special Exception for Retail Businesses – 135,900 s.f.    (17.68ac)
        Spencer Plain Rd/Boston Post Rd.; Gateway Business B-4 District
        (Map 25/Lots 28, 29, 30, 32, 32-1 and Map 26/Lots 2, 6-10, 6-11, 6-12, 6-16)
        Petitioner:  Ron Lyman          Agent:  David M. Royston, Esq.

        
VII.   WORKSHOP

        None


VIII.   ADJOURNMENT

MOTION to adjourn meeting at 9:28 until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion, Saybrook Point Park, 155 College Street Extension.  MADE by S. Aresco.  SECONDED by J. Conroy  VOTED IN FAVOR:  J. Gallicchio, J. Conroy,  S. Aresco, R. Tietjen, J. Castagno OPPOSED: none;  ABSTAINED: none;  APPROVED: 5-0-0.

Respectfully Submitted,



Katie Beecher
Recording Clerk