MINUTES
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
1st Floor Conference Room
Town Hall, 302 Main Street
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 (arrived at 7:40 p.m.)
Robert Missel, Regular Member
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Members Absent
Marilyn Milliken, Alternate Member
Kenneth Soudan, Alternate Member
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of May 6, 2009 as written; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
B. Correspondence
In their packets, members received a copy of a letter from Branse, Willis & Knapp dated 5/8/09 re: the status of The Preserve. They also received a letter from Patricia and William Brink received 4/26/09 requesting a road name change for Fourth Avenue Extension.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Richard Tietjen, the Planning Commission’s representative from CRERPA, reported on a possible intermodal railroad project along the shoreline that may hook up with the Valley Railroad. He discussed the issue of finding land for parking for the new facilities.
R. Tietjen also talked about bike paths on the west side of the CT River. He also mentioned that there has been discussion about regional planning and changing the size and scope of regions.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Sale of a Portion of “Quarry Street” as a Municipal Improvement – 1,135 s.f.
Quarry Street, Residence A and Shopping Center B-2 Districts
Petitioner: Nick & Christina Revenikas (M 29 /L16)
Agent: William A. Childress, Esq.
At the May 6, 2009 Planning Commission meeting, Commission members received a memo from Michael Pace, First Selectman, dated 5/1/09 re: the potential sale of the requested property. They also received a letter from Attorney Childress dated 4/10/09 and a letter dated 4/24/09 from Norm Wood, Assessor re: the value of the Quarry Street property.
C. Nelson explained that the reason this agenda item is under Old Business is because she asked Commission members to amend the agenda at the last Planning Commission meeting on May 6, 2009 to add this item, and Commission members decided to review materials and to move discussion of the item until tonight’s meeting.
Attorney Childress presented a map to Commission members and explained to them that the purpose of the request for the purchase of the land is to square off the lot and to clean up the debris.
MOTION to approve Sale of a Portion of “Quarry Street” as a Municipal Improvement – 1,135 s.f.; Quarry Street, Residence A and Shopping Center B-2 Districts; Petitioner: Nick & Christina Revenikas (M29 / L16) Agent: William A. Childress, Esq. in that it is not inconsistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Environmental Impact Evaluation” OSWPCA’s Establishment of a Decentralized Wastewater Management District; Referring Agency: CT Department of Environmental Protection
In their packets, members received a copy of the Environmental Impact Evaluation from the DEP, a copy of the Legal Notice for the Town of Old Saybrook WPCA Notice of Public Hearing to be held beginning June 17, 2009, and a copy of a letter dated 5/ 20/09 from the WPCA re: Municipal Improvement Project Review.
C. Nelson said that the DEP has come to the decision that the Decentralized Wastewater Management District will “have no significant adverse impact on the surrounding environment.” The DEP is asking for the PC’s input on this decision.
Commission members had positive comments about the information they received in their packets and the presentation made by Don Lucas and Pavel Wilson at the May 6, 2009 Planning Commission meeting.
MOTION to approve the proposed evaluation of “Environmental Impact Evaluation” OSWPCA’s Establishment of a Decentralized Wastewater Management District, Referring Agency: CT Department of Environmental Protection in that it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by J. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. “Hotel Suites Accessory to Hotel on Separate Lot”
Petition to Amend Section 37 Saybrook Point Districts of the Zoning Regulations; Saybrook Point SP-2 District and Saybrook Point SP-3 District
Petitioner: Saybrook Point Marina, LLC Agent: David M. Royston, Esquire
In their packets, Commission members received a memo dated 5/15/09 from the Zoning Commission requesting a review of the referenced matter, a Petition for Change in Zoning Regulations and Text of Amendment Petition of Saybrook Point Marina, LLC for Change in Zoning Regulations Dated May 14, 2009.
Attorney David Royston presented to Commission members a copy of the current Zoning Map showing SP-1, SP-2, and Sp-3 Districts. Also included was an aerial map of the Saybrook Point area, a copy of Section 37 of the existing Saybrook Point Zoning Regulations, and a letter dated 6/3/09 from Attorney Royston explaining in detail the history of the property and it’s Zoning Regulations and how it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development.
Attorney Royston discussed the history of the Saybrook Point properties, specifically the homes on 19 Bridge Street and 21 Bridge Street. The applicant would like to upgrade these properties and convert these 2 homes into apartments. The applicant would also like to request a change in the use to allow hotel suites in these apartments as an accessory use of the hotel to be administered by the hotel.
Attorney Royston explained that the entrance to the suites would be no more than 1,000 feet from the hotel entrance so it’s pedestrian accessible. Also, there will be no more bedrooms than what currently exists. There will be no more than 4 bedrooms in each building.
Steve Tagliatela, owner and operator of Saybrook Point Inn spoke. He explained that some guests would like different types of accommodations that may be more long term. This proposal would generate employment opportunities because there will be additional jobs, and jobs which require more training. Also, this proposal would generate more tax revenue.
Jonathan Turley, architect, also spoke. He said the buildings on 19 & 21 Bridge Street will not be torn town, but they will be renovated and restored.
C. Nelson spoke of her concerns about mixing transient housing and apartments with longer term resident housing and the potential for points of conflict.
Attorney Royston and S. Tagliatela said the Saybrook Point Inn staff would regulate the conduct of its guests.
MOTION to recommend approval of the proposed change for “Hotel Suites Accessory to Hotel on Separate Lot” Petition to Amend Section 37 Saybrook Point Districts of the Zoning Regulations; Saybrook Point SP-2 District and Saybrook Point SP-3 District; Petitioner: Saybrook Point Marina, LLC; Agent: David M. Royston, Esquire, in that it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development specifically the section on Economic Development under the goal of “Diversified tax base in Old Saybrook”, and the goal of “A balance between commercial, retail, office and light industrial development and the capacity of supporting public infrastructure and the integrity of the town’s small-town character, natural resources and cultural heritage”, the section on Cultural and Historic Resources under the goal, “Sustain present commercial economic viability without detriment to the Town’s historic structures and small town New England character”, under the supplement section Saybrook Point
Development Program under the goal, “could complete the neighborhood, although uses accessory to development in sub area 2 would be acceptable”; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco, R. Missel; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. WORKSHOP
None
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. until the Special Meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for, Wednesday, July 1, 2009 in the 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Noyes
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