MINUTES
Wednesday, March 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
Robert Missel, Regular Member
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Cathryn Flanagan, Alternate Member (seated to vote for Sal Aresco)
Richard Sullivan, Jr., Alternate Member
Members Absent
Salvatore Aresco, Regular Member
Cameron Evangelisti, Alternate Member
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of February 3, 2010 as written; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by J. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, C. Flanagan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. Correspondence
In their packets, members received the following statements from Branse, Willis & Knapp: #24476 dated 2/1/10 for $130.50, and #24477 dated 2/1/10 for $565.50. Also received was a letter to Michael Pace from Geoffrey Jacobson, PE dated 2/9/10 re: 2010 billing rates, and Commission members received an updated 2010 Planning Commission Member Roster.
At tonight’s meeting, R. McIntyre opened correspondence that had come in since members’ packets had been picked up. Margaret Burns from CRERPA requested that Commission members fill out surveys re: view shed. R. McIntyre distributed the surveys, members filled them out and placed them in the postage paid envelope to be returned to CRERPA.
MOTION to pay statement # 24476 from Branse, Willis & Knapp for $130.50 for Subdivision and Open Space Golinowski. LLC; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, C. Flanagan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay statement # 24477 from Branse, Willis & Knapp for $565.50 for General Representation and Counsel for the Road Regulations; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, C. Flanagan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
C. Nelson reported that the Board of Selectmen is sending in their contract tomorrow for the American Recovery and Revitalization Act for the sidewalk project.
C. Nelson discussed the workshop that was held regarding barns in Old Saybrook. The workshop was well attended by many people in the community. Many offered to take pictures of barns in town with the deadline being March 15, 2010.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Martel” Special Exception & Coastal Site Plan Review for Retaining Wall & Filling
78 Neptune Drive (Map 8 / Lot 52) Residence A District, Coastal Mgmt. Zone
Petitioner: Laura and Rock Martel, Owners
In their packets, members received a memorandum from the Zoning Commission dated 1/29/10 re: this application with attached Application for Certificate of Zoning Compliance, Application for Site Plan or Special Exception Use and Project Description & Statement of Use, and they received the Application Form Municipal Coastal Site Plan Review revised 1/20/10
R. Martel presented blueprints from E2 Engineering. He explained that this has been an ongoing project since 1990, and he’s anxious to complete it.
Because the current wood timber wall is failing, he’d like to replace it with a stronger concrete wall. He’s hoping to have the wall completed in less than one year, and once it is completed, he said he would sell the heavy construction equipment, which is now in his yard.
R. McIntyre asked about sedimentation control, and R. Martel assured him that there would be sedimentation control and a minimum amount of fill used.
D. Ranaudo asked about the materials for the wall. R. Martel explained that he would be using concrete block. He looked into more aesthetically pleasing materials, but they were cost prohibitive. He plans to add plantings over time, which will cover much of the wall.
Commission members discussed aesthetics further and determined that because public view will be limited, the project will be a big improvement over what is there now.
R. Martel added that his neighbors have signed statements of support for this project.
MOTION to recommend approval of “Martel” Special Exception & Coastal Site Plan Review for Retaining Wall & Filling; 78 Neptune Drive (Map 8 / Lot 52) Residence A District, Coastal Management Zone; Petitioner: Laura & Rock Martel, Owners in that it is not inconsistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development, and based on location, appropriate materials and proper sedimentation control, the project will ensure the resource stays protected. The Planning Commission recommends that there be a thorough review of sedimentation control to make sure it’s done correctly.; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, C. Flanagan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. WORKSHOP
A. Scenic Roads
Connecticut Route 154, Ingham Hill Road and Schoolhouse Road
In their packets, members received copies of the following Zoning Regulations: Section 62 “Access, Circulation, Parking and Loading” and Section 63 of the Zoning Regulations “Landscaping, Screening and Buffering” both of which were adopted 7/20/09 and effective 8/17/09.
C. Nelson and C. Flanagan attended a meeting to discuss Old Saybrook’s scenic roads on February 17, 2010 at the Old Saybrook Historical Society. Because there was not a quorum for either the Planning Commission or the Old Saybrook Historical Society, the meeting did not take place, and C. Nelson would like to follow up with the Old Saybrook Historical Society to reschedule the meeting for a later date.
At tonight’s meeting, three members of the community were in attendance. R. McIntyre asked them what their interest was in tonight’s workshop, and then he invited them to share their questions.
Bud Skelly, a 40-year resident of 274 Schoolhouse Road, said he was instrumental in having Schoolhouse Road designated as a scenic road. He researched the history of his home, and he had it added to the CT Register of Historic Places to prevent town interference of his property because at one point in time, the town wanted to widen Schoolhouse Road which would have adversely affected his property. His home is now a state certified historic property. He shared with Commission members the history of his home, which was built in 1765 by Ebenezer Ingham. He is concerned that the town is not properly maintaining Schoolhouse Road. He mentioned that the road in front of his house is crumbling. He’d like the town to improve not only road maintenance, but also the rural character of the road, which includes tree canopy.
He also spoke of his concerns about the cutting of trees on Schoolhouse Road.
Jim Mingino of Great Hammock Road, used to live on Schoolhouse Road, and he was involved in an ad hoc group to save Schoolhouse Road a few years ago. He spoke of his experience when the town worked on Schoolhouse Road and his concerns of how that work would have possibly damaged his home’s foundation. He too would like to see the town improve road maintenance and the rural character of the scenic roads in town.
Jane Sypher of Great Hammock Road, asked what the Planning Commission was intending to do to Great Hammock Road. She had concerns about the impact that a scenic road designation could have on her as a homeowner.
R. McIntyre explained the issue that recently occurred with the removal of a portion of a stone wall on Ingham Hill Road, and that the Planning Commission would like to improve town plans to clarify the ordinances regarding scenic roads, and they would like to educate the public to encourage stewardship of these scenic roads. R. McIntyre assured J. Sypher that there were no changes in ordinances being made at tonight’s meeting, and that this was simply a discussion workshop. He discussed the differences between a scenic road and an historic district in terms of the town’s authority over a property owner’s rights. He explained that the intent of a scenic road designation is to protect the road from over improvement. On a road such as 154, Great Hammock, the town is limited in authority by state
statute. He also said any changes to the town ordinances would go through town meeting.
Commission members thanked B. Skelly, J. Mingino and J. Sypher for their valuable input at tonight’s meeting.
C. Nelson shared the information C. Flanagan has put together for “Events Magazine” on scenic roads.
C. Nelson said she would make a list for the Planning Commission regarding what they would like to accomplish regarding the scenic roads. Also, she talked about Zoning Regulations 62 and 63, which were included in members’ packets. She said any development proposed on a scenic road should be given extra consideration.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m. until the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for, Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in the 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street.; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by C. Flanagan; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, C. Flanagan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Noyes
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