MINUTES
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 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
Robert Missel, Regular Member
Richard Sullivan, Jr., Alternate Member seated for Donald Ranaudo
Cathryn Flanagan, Alternate Member
Members Absent
Cameron Evangelisti, Alternate Member
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Joanne Rynecki, Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of January 20, 2010 as written; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, R. Sullivan, S. Aresco, R. Missel; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Correspondence - none
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Ms. Nelson reported that Saybrook Ridge subdivision, which was approved nearly 4 years ago, still has not filed the appropriate documentation for the subdivision on the land records. Christine spoke to Mr. Piontkowski, the owner, who was unaware that his attorney had not yet filed the necessary documents. Mr. Pointowski wishes to maintain the approval, therefore he said he will have the documents filed as soon as possible. Christine will report the status on this matter at the next meeting.
IV. OLD BUSINESS - None
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Van Wilgen Garden Center” Special Exception for Garden Center
1654 Boston Post Road (Map 26 /Lot 39) Business B-1 District, Coastal Mgmt. Zone
Petitioner: William Van Wilgen, Tenant
ACTION: Consider per Town plans; Report for 3/1/10 ZC p.h.
Jim Pretti from Criscuolo Engineering appeared before the Commission to explain the plans to construct two 21’ x 48’seasonal greenhouses on a 65’ x 110’ processed stone pad with fencing surrounding the area. This satellite location will bring Van Wilgen grown nursery products and christmas trees to this area of the shoreline. The main facility is located in North Branford, CT. The area of the site is a grassy area on the western side of the property. Two existing line stripped islands will be replaced by curbed landscaped islands containing perennials and a tree. The curbed islands will help to direct traffic flow. Two trees will be added to the northwest corner of the site. The fencing will consist of a stockade fence along the western/rear of the site and a
split rail fence along the remaining sides. The stockade fence is permanent and the split rail fence is temporary. The greenhouse business will be seasonal and the greenhouses, split rail fence and porta-potty will be removed from December 14th thru April 15th each year. The business will be operational from April 15 – July 15, September 1 – October 31 and November 20 – December 25. No fertilizer will be applied or sold on site. Any insecticides used to treat the plants will be organic. There will be 2 employees hired to work at this location.
MOTION to make a favorable recommendation to the ZC for the approval of 1654 Boston Post Road, Map 26, Lot 39, to construct 2 greenhouses on a processed stone pad with fencing for the sale of seasonal nursery products. This business and temporary structure is consistent with the plan of conservation and development as it relates to employment choice to local residents and proactively promote and attract appropriate and diverse commercial and industrial development. MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by J. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, R. Missel, S. Aresco, R. Sullivan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. “Valley Shore Assembly of God” Special Exception for Place of Worship
36 Great Hammock Road (Map 20 /Lot 158) Res. A, Coastal Management Zone
Petitioner: Valley Shore Assembly of God Agent: Marios Ellinas, Pastor
ACTION: Consider per Town plans; Report for 3/10/10 ZC p.h.
Marios Ellinas, Pastor of the Valley Shore Assembly of God, reviewed the plans for a 17.5’ x 35’ building addition to the Valley Shore Assembly of God Church. The addition requires the reconfiguration and addition of approximately 44 new gravel parking spaces. This application will be before the ZC as a Special Exception because it is located in a residential district.
MOTION to make a favorable recommendation to the ZC for the approval of the building addition and increased parking spaces for 36 Great Hammock Road, Map 20, Lot 158. The project is not inconsistent with the plan of conservation and development for the Town of Old Saybrook.; MADE by S. Aresco; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, R. Sullivan, R. Missel, S. Aresco; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. WORKSHOP
A. Scenic Roads
Connecticut Route 154, Ingham Hill Road and Schoolhouse Road
ACTION: Consider per Town plans; and Report for 2/4/20 BOS mtg.
The Commission discussed the need to increase awareness of our scenic roads and historical landmarks located on private property and the Town of Old Saybrook right of way along our scenic roads. The plan of action includes Standards – Ordinance (restoration, restitution or fines), Subdivision/Road Regulations to ensure existing stone walls on proposed subdivision properties are left intact and used to divide new lots. Notice of Scenic Roadway and historical landmarks recorded on Land Records and Historical Society. Provide a baseline survey of existing features along our scenic roads with maps and photographs. Establish outreach with informational articles in the Saybrook Events Magazine, web page and public speakers to educate the public on our stone walls. Provide signage to identify
historical features with street side signs and educational stations. Work into the Town Plan the Goals, Policies and Programs of Scenic Roads.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. until the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for, Wednesday, February 17, 2010 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, R. Sullivan, S. Aresco, R. Missel; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joanne Rynecki, Clerk
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