I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman, Robert McIntyre, called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Robert McIntyre, Chairman
Janis Esty, Vice Chairman
Salvatore Aresco, Regular Member
Robert Missel, Regular Member
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Kenneth Soudan, Alternate Member (arrived at 7:35 p.m.)
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Kathy Noyes, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of September 3, 2008 as read. MADE by R. Missel. SECONDED by D. Ranaudo. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, R. Missel, D. Ranaudo, J. Esty. OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: S. Aresco; APPROVED: 4-0-1.
B. Correspondence
C. Nelson mentioned that there is a line item in the budget for training and education. If Commission members are interested in pursuing this, she can give them more information on various trainings and conferences.
There is an invitation from the Economic Development Commission for a workshop on September 29, 2008 on affordable housing. C. Nelson encouraged members to attend.
C. Nelson reminded Commission members that they are invited to the opening of Founders Memorial Park which is on Monday, September 22, 2008 at 11:00 with lunch to follow. Members should rsvp to the Selectmen’s office.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
C. Nelson said the Council on Environmental Quality hopes to issue a report by the end of the year.
C.Nelson reported that work continues on the State Plan and how town and city planners can implement it regarding permitting.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Special Exception for Residential Use in Gateway Conservation Zone (6,242 s.f) – 0.59 ac.
174 North Cove Road (Map 32 / Lot 17)
Residence AA-2 District, Gateway Conservation Zone, North Cove Historic District
Applicant: Richard & Marion Mazzella Agent: David M. Royston, Esq.
Attorney David Royston presented for the applicant. He explained that this application is a Special Exception because changes were made in regulations by the Gateway Conservation District in March 2008 regarding dwellings over 3,500 square feet. After the proposed addition is added to this house, the total will be 6,242 square feet, which exceeds 3,500 square feet total triggering the need for the Special Exception application. Atty. Royston presented sketches illustrating what the house looks like now, and how it will look after the addition is completed, noting that all materials are of the kind and style consistent with those of the existing house.
Atty. Royston explained that a non historic portion of the house is being removed, and an addition is being added in its place. He also discussed the history of the home and the significance of the “Doty Ell” which is of historic significance, built in 1645.
Atty. Royston added that the applicant has been before the North Cove Historic District Commission and the Gateway Conservation Commission, and they both have approved the project. He gave Commission members a copy of the signed Certificate of Appropriateness from the NCHD, and he also handed out copies of a letter from the architect specializing in historial restorations who consulted on the project. He explained that the project meets all of the Gateway standards and is fully consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development. He presented a letter, dated 9/17/08, to Commission members outlining specifically which sections of the Plan of Conservation and Development are met by this project: the sections on Residential Development, Town Image and Cultural and Historical Resources.
Richard Tietjen, a former member of the Planning Commission who is now a representative from the Planning Commission to CRERPA, spoke. He said that the Gateway rules are currently being rewritten by Judy Preston, and he suggested Planning Commission members invite Judy Preston to speak at one of their meetings to update them on these regulations. He also talked specifically about his concerns regarding tree cutting in the North Cove neighborhood.
Atty. Royston addressed concerns about the applicant’s plan in regard to tree cutting. One dead tree will be removed and 1 live tree will be relocated. Commission members suggested that there be no tree removal beyond what is indicated in the applicant’s plan.
C. Nelson also noted that this project is consistent with the section of the Plan under Conservation and Open Spaces entitled Coastal and Riverview Protection: “ Encourage development to enhance existing public vistas, especially across marshes, the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. Discourage inappropriate development and tree removal practices that negatively affect the Connecticut River viewshed from land as well as from the river. Provide for scenic easements and height restrictions of new structures where appropriate.”
MOTION to send a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission for Special Exception for Residential Use in Gateway Conservation Zone (6,242 s.f.) – 0.59 ac. – 174 North Cove Road (Map 32 / Lot 17) Residence AA-2 District, Gateway Conservation Zone, North Cove Historic District; Applicant: Richard & Marion Mazzella; Agent: David M. Royston, Esq. in that it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development specifically the sections on Residential Development, Town Image and Cultural and Historical Resources as is stated in the letter from Attorney David Royston dated 9/17/08 (please see attached letter). Also, it is consistent with the section under Conservation and Open Spaces specifically Coastal and River View Protection. The Planning Commission
recommends that there be no tree removal beyond what is indicated on the plan. MADE by S. Aresco. SECONDED by R. Missel. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, S. Aresco. OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0
B. Spec’l Except. for Res. Use in Gateway Cons. Zone (3,116 s.f)-0.84 ac.
14 Mulberry Street (Map 24 / Lot 5)
Residence A District, Gateway Conservation Zone
Applicant: Colleen D. Lallier, Trustee Agent: David M. Royston, Esq.
Attorney David Royston presented for the applicant. He explained that the applicant would like to remove the existing house and construct a new dwelling. Because the proposed house is 4,000 square feet, and over 3,500 square feet, it requires a Special Exception under the Zoning Regulations. Also, it is construction within a Gateway Zone.
Atty. Royston discussed the 100 foot riparian buffer. There can be no building or disturbance 100 feet from the river or wetlands. This riparian does have an extensive effect on the property, thus, this proposal required variances of the riparian buffer, and it went to the Gateway Commission for review. He reported that the Gateway Commission had no objection to the proposal, however, they did recommend the applicant put in a vegetative buffer.
Rich Snarski recommended vegetation that is consistent with the tidal wetlands, and this is part of the Special Exception application.
Atty Royston presented a letter, dated 9/17/08, to Commission members stating why this application is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development referring specifically to the sections Residential Development, Conservation and Open Spaces, Water Resources.
MOTION to send a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission for Special Exception for Residential Use in Gateway Conservation Zone (3,116 s.f.) – 0.84 ac. – 14 Mulberry St. (Map 24 / Lot 5) Residence A District, Gateway Conservation Zone; Applicant: Colleen D. Lallier, Trustee; Agent: David M. Royston, Esq. in that it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development specifically the sections regarding Residential Development, Conservation and Open Spaces and Water Resources as outlined in the letter dated 9/17/08 from Atty Royston. (Please see attached). MADE by S. Aresco. SECONDED by D. Ranaudo. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, S. Aresco.
OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. WORKSHOP
A. Draft Road Regulations & Amendments to Subdivision Regulations
Geoff Jacobson, Town Engineer, and Judy Gallicchio, representative for the Planning Commission for the Road Regulations Committee, were present at tonight’s meeting. They have been reviewing the Subdivision Regulations and Road Regulations with C. Nelson to change some of the wording, eliminate redundancies, and to make the regulations more “user friendly.”
G. Jacobson explained that Section 60 is a procedural section. Members looked it over, and then moved to Section 70 which is a key section on road appearance and road design criteria.
K. Soudan asked about bicycle paths. C. Nelson said there is currently a committee working on improving bike paths in town and working to make Old Saybrook more “bicycle friendly”. C. Nelson suggested she and G. Jacobson meet to discuss bike paths in more detail.
There were also discussions about road width, which G. Jacobson said is 24’, road grade and cul de sacs. Suggestions were made and discussed, and Commission members will meet with G. Jacobson and J. Gallicchio at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 to further review amendments to these regulations.
B. The Plan of Conservation & Development
TOWN CHARACTERIZATION: Zoning District Purpose Statements
C. Nelson would like to form a subcommittee to work on the purpose statements. S. Aresco offered to work with C. Nelson on this.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 10:14 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion, Saybrook Point Park, 155 College Street Extension. MADE by R. Missel. SECONDED by S. Aresco. VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, J. Esty. OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Noyes
Recording Clerk
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