REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
1st Floor Conference Room
Town Hall, 302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Janis Esty, Chairman
Robert Missel, Regular Member
David Shearer, Regular Member
Kathleen Sugland, Alternate Member, seated for C. Flanagan
Michael Urban, Alternate Member, seated for D. Ranaudo
Kenneth Soudan, Alternate Member
Members Absent
Cathryn Flanagan, Regular Member
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Attorney Eric Knapp, Commission Counsel
Geoffrey Jacobson, Town Engineer
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
MOTION to approve the minutes of March 7, 2012 as presented; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by D. Shearer; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, R. Missel, D. Shearer, M. Urban; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay Branse, Willis & Knapp # 29675 in the amount of $297.00; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, M. Urban, R. Missel, D. Shearer, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay Branse, Willis & Knapp # 29676 in the amount of $264.00; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by D. Shearer; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, R. Missel, D. Shearer, M. Urban; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates, Inc. # 75458 in the amount of $602.93; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by D. Shearer; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, R. Missel, D. Shearer, M. Urban; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
In their packets, Commissioners’ received CLEARSCAPES (CLEAR) The Center for Land Use Education and Research. C. Nelson explained the history of CLEAR, and the services they offer. C. Nelson encouraged Commissioners to speak to the PC chairman if they’d like to attend any of the education sessions.
- Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
R. Missel reported that the Natural Hazard Mitigation Committee is changing its meeting schedule from two meetings a month to one meeting a month. They hope to complete their report by the end of this fiscal year. The specifics of the education and outreach component need to be discussed in more detail. The NHMC would like to give a presentation to the Planning Commission at their May 16, 2012 meeting.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. “Bonding for Public Improvements” & “Lot Line Changes”
Subdivision Regulations and Regulations for Public Improvements
Commissioners received Public Act 11-70, An Act Concerning Bonds and Other Surety for Approved Site Plans and Subdivisions from Branse, Willis & Knapp, LLC, dated 7/11/11.
Atty Knapp reported that the legislature passed Public Act 11-79 which became effective 10/1/2011. This Public Act mandated that all subdivisions should have the ability to use surety bonds as one of the ways to secure the improvements that need to be made during the life of the subdivision. A 10% contingency should be added to the total of the bond for the life of the subdivision to make sure unexpected things can be covered that might exceed the original bonding figure. The Public Act mandates that if subdivisions are approved in phases, each phase should be bonded separately. The legislature has a new bill in front of them to modify this act. It may be that further changes will need to be made if the new bill is passed.
Atty Knapp and Atty Mark Branse have gone through Old Saybrook’s Subdivision Regulations and made changes to the text to conform to Public Act 11-79. The proposed changes to the text for bonding will apply to cash, letter of credit or surety bond.
Atty Knapp read and explained all of the text changes he is proposing. He is recommending the PC adopt the draft text for local modification of procedures to give the town maximum protection.
G. Jacobson assisted Atty Knapp in answering Commissioners’ questions about subdivision bonding.
Commissioners requested certain changes to the proposed text. Atty Knapp will send C. Nelson a revised copy of the draft text for the Commission to review and refer to public hearing.
MOTION to continue “Bonding for Public Improvements” & Lot Line Changes” Subdivision Regulations and Regulations for Public Improvements to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission which will be on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 7:30 P.M., Town Hall, 302 Main, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, R. Missel, D. Shearer, M. Urban; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. 2013-2018 Conservation & Development Policies Plan for Connecticut
C. Nelson sent a report to CRERPA on the Planning Commission’s behalf. She distributed copies of the report to Commissioners for their review. She said the state plan is policy based, and she compared the state plan of conservation and development to the town plans. She suggested Commissioners refer to the report for future reference because the town plan must be consistent with the state plan. C. Nelson asked Commissioners to consider the items she noted “n/a” as “not addressed”, and she asked them if they would like to address these items in their Town Plan of Conservation and Development.
MOTION to approve the 2013-2018 Conservation & Development Policies Plan for Connecticut; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, R. Missel, D. Shearer, M. Urban; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Scenic Roads
Commissioners reviewed C. Nelson’s notes regarding scenic roads.
Commissioners discussed the importance of bicycle lanes. They were concerned about street width and bicycle lane safety. D. Shearer suggested that where there is new construction or roads that are being resurfaced, bicycle lanes be added where possible as long as they meet town and state rules and regulations.
J. Esty suggested the PC review the Sidewalk Plan and think about how a bicycle plan can be worked into it. She also suggested Commissioners drive all scenic roads in town, both town and state owned, to look and see if there are barns, notable trees, scenic views, overlooks, trails, accessibility, and other municipal improvements, programs or standards.
Commissioners asked C. Nelson to invite interested residents who’ve shown an interest in preserving scenic roads such as Bud Skelly, Bob Day, Bob Lorenze and Barbara Maynard, to the Planning Commission’s second meeting in April, which is April 18, 2012. They can share the history of the roads, interesting facts about the roads, etc.
MOTION to continue Scenic Roads to April 18, 2012 at which time, the Planning Commission will have guest speakers present; MADE by D. Shearer; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, M. Urban, R. Missel, D. Shearer, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
D. Old Saybrook Plan of Conservation & Development – Residential Development
In their packets, Commissioners received information from the CT Coalition to End Homelessness including “The Future of Housing in the United States and Connecticut, 18th Gallivan Conference UConn Law School, February 24, 2012 by Barry Bluestone, Dean, School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs.
At the last PC meeting in February when housing was discussed, the PC heard about the need for housing from speakers from three different levels of government.
Commissioners asked C. Nelson if she could arrange for a real estate agent to come and speak at a future PC meeting about the current state of the real estate market and what is available for housing.
C. Nelson thought it would be helpful to have a developer come and speak to Commissioners about what’s being built in different communities. She suggested the ZEO or the Chair of the Zoning Commission speak about the Zoning Regulations. She also asked Commissioners if they’d like to have a speaker come and talk about complimentary infrastructure and amenities for housing such as open space for parks and playgrounds, bus stop structures, and other things associated with developments.
J. Esty said she would like to talk to someone who’s had an affordable housing project in another town to see what their successes and pitfalls were. C. Nelson offered to contact Maria DeMarco, a contact person for HOPE Partnership, to come and share her experience.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:42 p.m. until the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission which is scheduled for April 4, 2012 at the Town Hall 1st Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street Old Saybrook, CT; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, M. Urban, R. Missel, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to modify the motion to adjourn to include the MOTION to continue Old Saybrook Plan of Conservation & Development – Residential Development to the May 16, 2012 meeting of the Planning Commission, 7:30 P.M.,Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, M. Urban, R. Missel, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
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