MINUTES
Wednesday, April 7, 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
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Members Absent
Salvatore Aresco, Regular Member
Robert Missel, Regular Member
Cathryn Flanagan, Alternate Member
Richard Sullivan, Jr., Alternate 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 March 3, 2010 as written; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
B. Correspondence
In their packets, members received the following statements from Branse, Willis & Knapp: #24658 dated 3/1/10 for $130.50, and #24659 dated 3/1/10 for $623.50. Also received was an Abbreviated Market Report re: Ferry Crossing from AMS Consulting. In addition there was a proposal for design and production for the Ragged Rock Interpretive Panel from Wolfram Design.
C. Nelson explained that statement #24658 was for the Piontkowski Subdivision. None of the necessary paperwork involving easements, etc., has been filed on the land records. The Planning Commission directed the Town Planner to write a letter requesting that the necessary paperwork be filed, as this was part of the conditional approval of the subdivision.
MOTION to pay statement # 24658 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; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
J. Esty questioned the outstanding amounts on both of the Branse, Willis & Knapp invoices. The Planning Commission asked C. Nelson to check on the status of both bills because the Commission does not usually have outstanding balances on invoices. Until this information is gathered and reviewed, Planning Commission members decided not to approve payment of statement #24659 for $623.50.
MOTION to pay statement # 24659 from Branse, Willis & Knapp for $623.50 for general counsel and representation; MADE by R. McIntyre; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: none; OPPOSED: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo; ABSTAINED: none;
APPROVED: 0-3-0.MOTION FAILED.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
C. Nelson discussed the proposal for design and production for the Ragged Rock Interpretive Panel by Wolfram Design. She said the Planning Commission had required coastal outlooks as a condition of approval for the Pasbeshauke Subdivision on Ragged Rock Road. This is a proposal for sign layout and design. Planning Commission members reviewed the proposal, and they liked it.
C. Nelson said the Planning Commission also requested interpretive signage panels at the coastal overlooks at Cornfield Point, and that this could be discussed in further detail at a future Planning Commission meeting.
C. Nelson attended training on Fair Housing today. She said at some point, the Planning Commission should put together a Fair Housing Plan. She explained that while affordability is important, it is only one aspect of fair housing, and that there are many other aspects including age, race, gender, handicapped accessibility, etc.
C. Nelson said that the Board of Selectmen receives reports periodically for conversion from seasonal dwellings. Old Saybrook has many beach communities, and over the years, the town developed an ordinance saying that seasonal cottages are seasonal, not year round dwellings. She explained that the Zoning Regulations and the Town Ordinance are a growth management tool couched in public health and safety. She suggested the Planning Commission look at on site as well as larger implications of winterization.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
VI. WORKSHOP
A. Scenic Roads
Connecticut Route 154, Ingham Hill Road and Schoolhouse Road
In their packets, Commission members received a summary listing from C. Nelson of ideas the Planning Commission has discussed at previous meetings for things they would like to accomplish regarding scenic roads. The items are as follows: Baseline Survey of Scenic Resources, Notice to Property Owners, Certificate of Contribution, Town Code Update, Town Web Profiles, Barn Survey, Newsletter Articles of Interest, Speaker Series, Scenic Road Signs, Education Stations, Urban Forestry of Scenic Roads, Old-Fashioned Road Materials.
C. Nelson and Commission members went through each section to discuss in more detail how to proceed with each idea, and C. Nelson asked what other ideas they would like to add to the list.
R. McIntyre asked about the scenic road sign process such as who is responsible for the signs, who determines the sign design, and if we have a scenic road sign standard. Commission members agreed that uniformity in sign design and color is important, and that signs should be distinctive.
C. Nelson discussed the idea of Wayfinding, using distinctive and consistent signs to help people find their way.
C. Nelson asked Commission members how they’d like to proceed with scenic roads: developing goals and policies, doing some public outreach and education, amending town plans, etc.
R. McIntyre said he would look at the town code and present ideas on how to change it.
D. Ranaudo shared his concerns about tree removal not only on scenic roads, but on all roads. He said that too many trees are being removed, and he suggested that when a tree is removed, a new one be planted. He offered to speak with Selectman Bill Peace, Director of Public Works, Larry Bonin, and Tree Warden, Guy Pendleton to further discuss this idea.
R. McIntyre talked about the problems with scenic access and road ending maintenance. He suggested that the town enlist the help of local service organizations such as local Boy Scout troops to maintain the scenic overlooks.
Jane Sypher of 44 Great Hammock Road was in attendance, and she asked what the Planning Commission was intending to do to Great Hammock Road. She stated that she would like Connecticut Route 154 to stay the way it is. She was concerned that the preventative maintenance of Great Hammock Road (Connecticut Route 154) could have an adverse impact on her as a homeowner.
R. McIntyre explained to her that the Planning Commission is not intending to make any changes to the scenic road ordinance, but that if changes were made, they would go to Town Meeting.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m. until the next Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Planning Commission scheduled for, Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in the 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street.; MADE by D. Ranaudo; SECONDED by J. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. McIntyre, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none.; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Noyes
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