MINUTES
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
1st Floor Conference Room
Town Hall, 302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman, Janis Esty, called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Janis Esty, Vice Chairman
Salvatore Aresco, Regular Member
Robert Missel, Regular Member
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Kenneth Soudan, Alternate Member (Seated to vote for R. McIntyre)
Members Absent
Robert McIntyre, Regular Member
Marilyn Milliken, Alternate Member
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of April 1, 2009 as written; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Correspondence
In their packets, members received two bills from Branse, Willis & Knapp: statement # 21575 dated 4/1/09 for $43.50 and statement # 21576 dated 4/1/09 for $1,030.00.
MOTION to pay statement # 21575 for $43.50 from Branse, Willis & Knapp; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay statement # 21576 for $1,030.00 from Branse, Willis & Knapp; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
At tonight’s meeting, C. Nelson submitted three more bills from Branse, Willis & Knapp to the Planning Commission for their approval.
MOTION to pay statement # 21789 for $261.00 from Branse, Willis & Knapp; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay statement # 21791 for $29.00 from Branse, Willis & Knapp; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay statement # 21792 for $43.50 from Branse, Willis & Knapp; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
A memo dated 5/4/09 was distributed to Commission members from Bob Fish, Conservation Commission re: Dedication of the Crystal Lake Fishway which will be on Monday, May 18, 2009.
At tonight’s meeting, Commission members received a letter from Michael Pace dated 5/1/09 re: the potential sale of town property adjacent to Revenikas, 950 Boston Post Road.
MOTION to amend agenda to add under V. NEW BUSINESS, Item C. Revenikas, Quarry Street (Map 29 / Lot 16); MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
C. Nelson reported that the ARB is in the process of finishing up Design Guidelines.
C. Nelson also noted that the Land Use Department has been busy with enforcement issues.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. WPCA Decentralized Wastewater Management Program (DWMP) and Wastewater District (WWMD) Presentation
Agent: Pavel Wilson, Chairman
In their packets, members received a letter dated 4/6/09 from Robbie Marshall, WPCA Info. Specialist re: Municipal Improvement Project Review.
Pavel Wilson, Chairman and Don Lucas, WPCA Coordinator and Town Building Official, presented information about the Wastewater Management Plan. D. Lucas distributed a packet prepared by Robbie Marshall, Information Specialist. D. Lucas also handed out an Environmental Impact Evaluation from the DEP. The Facilities Plan prepared by Fuss & O’Neill was also discussed.
D. Lucas explained that an ordinance was passed to empower the WPCA and the Health District. There is a public comment section that needs to be completed and incorporated into the Plan. A Public Hearing is scheduled for June 17, 2009, and in July, P. Wilson and D. Lucas will come back to the Planning Commission for formal recommendation for adoption of the Plan.
D. Lucas explained that he wanted to inform the Planning Commission about the plan. He talked about the public education sessions for the residents of the 15 focus areas in town. Public response to these information sessions has been positive.
D. Lucas discussed why sewer avoidance is more economically viable, and he went over the figures involved. He and P. Wilson talked about the Clean Water Fund Grant and the percentage of costs which this grant covers. P. Wilson explained the process involved in completing state paperwork so the town will be eligible for the Clean Water Fund Grant.
B. Municipal Improvement for Affordable Housing
45 Ferry Road (Map 45 / Lot 3), Residence A District, Coastal Mgmt. Zone
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen and HOPE Partnership, Inc.
In their packets, Commission members received a memo dated 4/27/09 from Michael Pace, Selectman re: the approval of municipal improvement for affordable housing.
David Royston, a Director for HOPE Partnership, Inc. spoke about the history of the HOPE Partnership, which stands for Housing Opportunities People Everywhere. He also talked about the description of the Ferry Road project, and he submitted a letter dated 5/6/09 re: Ferry Road CGS 8-24 referral, explaining how the project is consistent with The Plan of Conservation and Development. (The letter is attached to these minutes). Also submitted was a copy of the land deed dated 12/8/08. The land is a dual purpose site. It must be used for both affordable housing and recreation purposes. He explained that a portion of the land will be used for active recreation, a U12 soccer size field, and a regulation little league field, and the other portion of the land will be leased to HOPE Partnership, Inc. for affordable housing. D.
Royston discussed how the site will need to undergo review by the appropriate town agencies for their approval.
Greg Nucci, Architect from Point One Architects, presented his conceptual architectural plans. He said that this is a site concept to encompass site development for both the recreation component and the housing component. The drawings depict 14 units of residential housing, 4 of which are 3 bedroom, 10 of which are 2 bedroom, for a total of 32 bedrooms. He explained the benefits of a common area in the front of the units.
Commission members asked about the management of the units. D. Royston said that HOPE Partnership, Inc. will negotiate with development partners regarding financing, managing and development.
Commission members had suggestions for parking space placement.
Bob Fusari, a Director of HOPE Partnership, Inc. spoke of his extensive background in development and he spoke of his feelings about why this project is so important to Old Saybrook. He answered questions about median income and qualifications potential applicants must meet to be eligible for the affordable housing.
Velma Thomas, Selectman, spoke on behalf of the Board of Selectmen, stating that the BOS is in favor of this project. She said Michael Pace, First Selectman, is on the Board of HOPE Partnership, Inc.
V. Thomas gave statistics regarding the large number of young people leaving our state because they cannot afford to live here. She said she felt this project is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development, and the multiple use of land (affordable housing and recreation) will benefit many people in town.
Kathleen Marchand has been working very actively on the issue of affordable housing for many years, and she spoke of the importance of the Ferry Road project.
MOTION to approve Municipal Improvement for Affordable Housing ;45 Ferry Road (Map 45 / Lot 3), Residence A District, Coastal Management Zone; Petitioner: Board of Selectmen and HOPE Partnership, Inc. in that it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development specifically Residential Development goal “Provide sufficient opportunity for creation of housing alternatives to the typical high-cost single-family house in order to: enable young persons to continue to both live and work in town and create attainable housing for families at all income levels”, and the goals under Residential Development specifically cited in Attorney Royston’s letter dated 5/6/09 (attached to these minutes).; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan. OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Revenikas, Quarry Street, (Map 29 / Lot 16)
Commission members decided to postpone discussion of this agenda item until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street.
MOTION to postpone V. NEW BUSINESS, C. Revenikas, Quarry Street (Map 29 / Lot 16) until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. WORKSHOP
A. “Residential Development” section of the Plan
MOTION to continue Workshop “Residential Development” section of the Plan until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street.; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel, K. Soudan. OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission,Wednesday, June 3, 2009 in the 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Noyes
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