MINUTES
Wednesday, November 4, 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 8:25 p.m.)
Robert Missel, Regular Member
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Kenneth Soudan, Alternate Member (seated for S. Aresco until S. Aresco’s arrival)
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of September 2, 2009 as written; MADE by D. Ranaudo; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, K. Soudan, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Correspondence
In their packets, members received a letter from Branse, Willis & Knapp dated 9/8/09 re: the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Buttermilk Farms, LLC v. Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Plymouth, 292 Conn.317 (June 30, 3009) with the full text of the decision attached. Also from Branse, Willis & Knapp was a letter dated 10/20/09 re: new developments in the law and a change in the procedure for administrative appeals. From M. Pace, First Selectman, was a copy of a letter sent to Commissioner Joseph Marie of the CT DOTdated 10/14/09 re: bicycle safety.
At tonight’s meeting, C. Nelson discussed a request from Dominic Papa from the Whisper Cove development re: his road bonds. C. Nelson explained that once the Road Regulations are adopted, this would fall under the Planning Commission’s domain.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Richard Tietjen spoke about CRERPA. He said that CRERPA has been affected by a decrease in funding and that financial aid has been reduced and restructured. CRERPA has been working on their Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. He also spoke of the elaborate transportation plan for our region.
R. McIntyre has recently spoken with Judith Gallicchio who said that she would like to step down as the representative from the Planning Commission to the Land Acquisition Committee. C. Nelson explained to Commission members the duties and the time commitment this position would entail. R. Missel said he would be interested in this position. B. McIntyre asked C. Nelson if she could request a formal letter of resignation from J. Gallicchio so R. Missel can be officially appointed to take her place.
C. Nelson had a Lot Line Change request for Rock Ridge Drive. She said all of the permits and paperwork were filed. Commission members reviewed the map, and agreed to approve it, and R. McIntyre signed the Mylar.
MOTION to approve Lot Line Change for 2 & 4 Rock Ridge Drive (Map 51 / Lot 8A); Petitioner: Andrew F. & Laura W. Alden and Robert S. and Susan E. Schuster. MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Nelson brought an enforcement issue regarding the removal of a large portion of a stone wall on the scenic portion of Ingham Hill Road to the attention of the Commission. There is a town ordinance which states that no portion of a scenic road can be removed without the permission of the Planning Commission. There have been complaints received about this matter, and the Board Of Selectmen have requested that the Planning Commission review this matter and recommend to the BOS how they would like to proceed. C . Nelson recommended that the PC hold a Public Hearing to allow the property owners and members of the public to come and discuss this issue. She said she has spoken to the property owners and that they were not aware of the rules, however, a letter had gone out to property owners notifying them that this was a
scenic road.
C. Nelson discussed some paperwork filing issues for Saybrook Ridge Subdivision. Our attorney is now handling this matter, and it should be resolved soon.
C. Nelson updated Commission members regarding the Incentive Housing Zone. The application has been submitted to the State of CT for approval of the IHZ, and Old Saybrook has been invited to reapply for the site instead of the zone for the whole neighborhood.
C. Nelson suggested the Planning Commission might want to review and update the Municipal Coastal Program, which was put together in the 1980’s. The Stormwater Management Plan is attached to the DEP permit which is up in January 2011. There are a series of action items that need to be done between now and then to prepare for reapplication. She also spoke about the National Hazard Mitigation Plan and how it is not an emergency management plan but a plan for how to prevent natural hazards from occurring and that it could affect the FEMA Community Rating System. C. Nelson said these plans are being reviewed at the staff level, and that she would like to review them with the Planning Commission soon.
D. Schedule of Meetings
A schedule of Planning Commission meetings for 2010 was presented to Commission members. Concerns over parking problems should there be a performance at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Art Center the same night and time as a Planning Commission meeting were discussed.
MOTION to approve the Planning Commission 2010 meeting schedule. MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
S. Aresco arrived at 8:25 p.m., so K. Soudan, Alternate, will no longer be voting at tonight’s meeting.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Special Exception Use for Residence over 3,500 s.f.- 484 s.f. Garage Addition
122 North Cove Road (Map 32 / Lot 61), Residence AA-2 District, Gateway Conservation Zone, Coastal Management Zone
Petitioner: Henri M. David, Jr. Agent: Brooke Girty, AIA
In their packets, Commission members received a memo from the Zoning Commission dated 10/14/09 with a copy of the Application for Certificate of Zoning Compliance, the Application for Site Plan or Special Exception Uses, and the Application for Building Conversion or Addition or Accessory Structure from the CRAHD.
Both Henri M. David, Jr. and Brooke Girty were in attendance. B. Girty showed Commission members photos of the both the house and the carriage house as well as drawings for the proposed 1 story 22’ x 22’ addition. She explained that the carriage house is not visible from the CT River. She also explained that no plantings would be affected.
MOTION to send a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission for Special Exception Use for Residence over 3,500 s.f. – 484 s.f. Garage Addition; 122 North Cove Road (Map 32 / Lot 61), Residence AA-2 District, Gateway Conservation Zone, Coastal Management Zone; Petitioner: Henri M. David, Jr.; Agent: Brooke Girty, AIA in that it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development particularly the section on Cultural Resources under the goals, “Continue to assure that development activity involving historic sites incorporates design and landscaping features in keeping with the historic character of the site,” and, “Maintain the flavor and character of the Town by monitoring development and encouraging developers to incorporate design features
compatible with New England style architecture into their plans.”, and under the policy:, “Encourage developers to build structures that are consistent with the small-town New England character and style of architecture.” MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by S. Aresco; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, S. Aresco; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Municipal Improvement and Coastal Site Plan Review
Sidewalks on State Route 1 in the Town Center Node & Connector
South side of Route 1 (from the Gateway Building to Staples Plaza)
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen
Presenter: Christine Nelson, AICP, Town Planner
In their packets, Commission members received a project summary report for Project # 105-00xx: Sidewalk Construction, Route 1 from Ledge Road to Main Street, from the DOT dated 9/15/09. They also received the Application Form Municipal Coastal Site Plan Review dated 10/26/09.
C. Nelson explained that federal stimulus dollars have been awarded through the state DOT and through CREMPO. It has been decided that these dollars will be used for patterned concrete sidewalks on the South side of Route 1 from the Gateway Building to the Staples Plaza with a proposed bus pull off near Staples and the bowling alley for those who would like to access the public bus route.
R. McIntyre asked who would be building the sidewalks, and C. Nelson answered that the job will go out for bid.
MOTION to send a favorable recommendation to the Board of Selectmen for Sidewalks on State Route 1 in the Town Center Node & Connector; South side of Route 1 (from the Gateway Building to Staples Plaza) Petitioner: Board of Selectmen as presented by C. Nelson, AICP, Town Planner, as it supports the town Sidewalk Plan, the Yale Route 1 Study; the Coastal Policy per the Coastal Site Plan, and it is consistent with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development particularly the section on Economic Development Policy, “To promote the small-town character and unique natural resources of the town as a marketable economic commodity, providing an exceptional quality-of-life for residents and a quality experience for visitors.” MADE by R. McIntyre;
SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, R. Missel, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Draft Integrated Regional Transportation Access Plan
South side of U.S. Route 1 from the Gateway Building to Staples Plaza
Petitioner: CRERPA/CREMPO
C. Nelson realized that she had not given Commission Members all of the materials she had wanted them to have before tonight’s meeting, so a decision was made to postpone this agenda item until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission.
MOTION to postpone Draft Integrated Regional Transportation Access Plan; South side of Route 1 (from the Gateway Building to Staples Plaza) Petitioner: CRERPA/CREMPO until the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in the 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, R. Missel, D. Ranaudo, S. Aresco; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. until the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for, Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in the 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street.; 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.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Noyes
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