MINUTES
Wednesday, December 16, 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
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Richard Sullivan, Alternate Member (seated to vote)
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of December 2, 2009 as written; MADE by D. Ranaudo; SECONDED by R. Sullivan; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, D. Ranaudo, R. Sullivan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
B. Correspondence
In their packets, members received a copy of their budget. C. Nelson said the Planning Commission budget is on track, and they are halfway through the fiscal year. Also received were statement # 23678, #23676 and #23677 from Branse, Willis & Knapp dated 12/04/09.
MOTION to pay statement # 23678 dated 12/04/09 from Branse, Willis & Knapp for $29.00.; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, R. Sullivan, D. Ranaudo; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
MOTION to pay statement # 23676 dated 12/04/09 from Branse, Willis & Knapp for $58.00.; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, R. Sullivan, D. Ranaudo; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
MOTION to pay statement # 23677 dated 12/04/09 from Branse, Willis & Knapp for $1,348.50.; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, R. Sullivan, D. Ranaudo; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
C. Nelson said she is working on the reapplication from the town to the State of CT Office of Policy Management for affordable housing. She hopes to have it out soon, possibly next week.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
MOTION to amend tonight’s agenda to add under V. New Business; Item. C. Municipal Improvement to Approve Option to Ground Lease Agreement; 45 Ferry Road (Map 45 / Lot 3) Residence A, Coastal Management Zone, Petitioner: Board of Selectman; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, R. Sullivan, D. Ranaudo; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
A. Municipal Improvement to Acquire Land of Crosstone Realty Association., 26 Sherman Street (Map 22 / Lot 187), Residence A District, Coastal Management Zone; Petitioner: Board of Selectmen’s Land Acquisition Committee; Agent: Robert W. Fish, Chairman
In their packets, Commission members received a copy of a memo dated 11/24/09 from Michael Pace, First Selectman to the Planning Commission requesting their review of this matter. Attached was the Property Card for Map 22 / Lot 187 and a portion of Assessor’s Map 22.
C. Nelson explained that under Statute 824, the Planning Commission needs to approve acquisitions and leases of land.
R. Fish, Chairman of the Land Acquisition Committee, showed Commission members a town map depicting where all of the open space is located. He then showed them where the 2.24 acre property on 26 Sherman Street is located. He explained that the town has been working to acquire open space where it is available and appropriate. The owners of this land have offered to donate it to the town, and he recommended that the town accept the land donation for open space purposes, noting that this property could possibly be turned into a pocket park.
MOTION to approve and accept the donation of land for Municipal Improvement to Acquire Land of Crosstone Realty Assoc.; 26 Sherman Street (Map 22 / Lot 187) Residence A, Coastal Management Zone, Petitioner: Board of Selectmen’s Land Acquisition Committee; Agent: Robert W. Fish, Chairman, to the Board of Selectmen in that it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development specifically under the section of Conservation & Open Spaces under the goal, “Acquisition of land for municipal purposes, including recreation, habitat protection, economic development, historical and cultural preservation, and the public health, safety and welfare.” MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, D. Ranaudo, R. Sullivan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
B. Municipal Improvement to Acquire Land of Robert & Susan Vyborny, 0 Bokum Road (Map 61 / Lot 11), Residence AAA District; Petitioner: Board of Selectmen’s Land Acquisition Committee; Agent: Robert W. Fish, Chairman
In their packets, Commission members received a copy of a memo dated 12/03/09 from Michael Pace, First Selectman to the Planning Commission requesting their review of this matter. Attached was the Property Card for Map 61 / Lot 11 and a portion of Assessor’s Map 61.
R. Fish said that he and C. Nelson walked the 2 acres of land, and that it is a beautiful piece of land with a vernal pool in the middle of it which would be wonderful for habitat.
He referred to the map of the town’s open space and discussed the “doughnut plan” in which the open space in this area is connected to form a round doughnut shape. C. Nelson further illustrated this point by showing Commission members a map of the area of the “Saybrook Ridge” Subdivision which is right near this property.
R. Fish discussed the town’s program in which fees can be given in lieu of open space when someone purchases and develops a property. He said the fees collected are used to purchase open space.
D. Ranaudo asked about the development of parks on open space land and the idea of leaving the land as is. C. Nelson explained that there is a balance between conservation and development in the open space land.
MOTION to approve the purchase of land for Municipal Improvement to Acquire Land of Robert & Susan Vyborny; 0 Bokum Road (Map 61 / Lot 11) Residence AAA District, Petitioner: Board of Selectmen’s Land Acquisition Committee; Agent: Robert W. Fish, Chairman, to the Board of Selectmen. MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, D. Ranaudo, R. Sullivan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
C. Municipal Improvement to Approve Option to Ground Lease Agreement, 45 Ferry Road (Map 45 / Lot 3), Residence A District, Coastal Management Zone; Petitioner: Board of Selectmen
C. Nelson explained that this item was discussed at this morning’s Board of Selectmen meeting. She said that the town needs to enter into an agreement to lease the portion of 45 Ferry Road which is the site for the 16 units of affordable housing and playing fields. In order for HOPE Partnership, Inc. to apply for the funds for this project, they need to demonstrate that the agreements are in place. She said our attorneys have reviewed the lease.
MOTION to approve Municipal Improvement to Approve Option to Ground Lease Agreement; 45 Ferry Road (Map 45 / Lot 3) Residence A District, Coastal Management Zone, Petitioner: Board of Selectmen in that it is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development specifically under the Residential Development Section, goal 1, “Provide sufficient opportunity for creation of housing alternatives to the typical high-cost single-family house in order to: Accommodate the elderly in a safe and convenient environment, Enable young persons to continue to both live and work in town, Create attainable housing for families at all income levels, Balance rates of development with existing capacity and planned expansion of public infrastructure and services, Encourage design of new and
renovated housing that is compatible with its surrounding neighborhood.” MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, D. Ranaudo, R. Sullivan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
VI. WORKSHOP
A. Scenic Roads
Connecticut Route 154, Ingham Hill Road and Schoolhouse Road
Because only 3 Planning Commission members were in attendance at tonight’s meeting, R. McIntyre decided to postpone the workshop. He will talk with C. Nelson to reschedule the workshop for a future date.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. until the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for, Wednesday, January 6, 2010 in the 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street.; MADE by D. Ranaudo; SECONDED by R. Sullivan; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, D. Ranaudo, R. Sullivan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Noyes
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