REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Town Hall – 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Janis Esty called the regular meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Janis Esty
Robert Missel
Cathryn Flanagan
Donald Ranaudo
Kathleen Sugland, seated for David Shearer
Kenneth Soudan
Michael Urban, arrived at 7:40 P.M.
Members Absent
David Shearer
Staff Present
Carl Fortuna, First Selectman
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Kathleen Noyes, Recording Clerk
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes from October 17, 2012 as presented.; MADE by D. Ranaudo; SECONDED by C. Flanagan; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Flanagan, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: R. Missel; APPROVED: 4-0-1.
In their packets, Commissioners received a copy of their budget dated 10/31/2012, and a fact sheet from the DEEP about the Coastal Jurisdiction Line.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
C. Nelson distributed copies of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and map that the NHMC is going to be reviewing. R. Missel said the NHMC would reconvene with other Town Hall staff members to review these materials, especially in light of what the town has experienced as a result of Hurricane Sandy. C. Nelson reserved the Town Hall’s 1st Floor Conference Room on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. for this meeting.
C. Nelson said the Land Use Office is expecting many people will be applying for permits for repairs after the storm. She has spoken to the DEEP about their permitting regulations and how to most quickly meet the affected residents’ needs.
IV. REFERRALS
A. Acquisition of the “SNET Building” as a Municipal Improvement
36 Lynde Street (Map 29/Lot 79), Residence A District
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen; Rep: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman
C. Fortuna said this building is still owned by SNET. The building has been for sale since December 2011, and C. Fortuna has been through the building with various sets of architects since that time. The steel reinforced building was built very well. It is built on a slab, and it is one story. An A2 survey has been done, and lead and asbestos testing is being done very soon. The parcel itself is 3.8 acres. It is zoned for residential not commercial use.
C. Fortuna feels this building would be a positive opportunity for the town as a possible location for the police station. The old police station could possibly be used for downtown parking which would promote Main Street and the village center. He said the idea is to take down the old police department building, and build a new one to fit in aesthetically with the Town Hall, Firehouse and The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Art Center.
The acquisition of this building would allow for more downtown recreational space. Various ideas such as a dog park and an ice skating rink have been suggested as possibilities.
Chief Spera and C. Fortuna have drafted a letter for regulatory approval.
MOTION to approve the Acquisition of the “SNET Building” as a Municipal Improvement; 36 Lynde Street (Map 29/ Lot 79), Residence A District; Petitioner: Board of Selectmen; Representative: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman as it is consistent with the goals and policies of The Plan of Conservation and Development as follows: "Promoting Main Street and the village center as the focus for community life in Old Saybrook", "Encouraging a balance of commercial, civic and residential uses in the Town Center to maintain vitality and character", and "Providing adequate space in the village center for the present and future conduct of local governmental business."; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, C. Flanagan, R. Missel, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
- “Tractor Supply” Spec’l Ex. for Retail (19,097 s.f) & Outdoor Sales (15,000 s.f.) – 5.37 ac.
401 Middlesex Tpke. (Map 52/Lot 96), Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant: New England Retail Properties, Inc.; Agent: Mark C. D’Addabbo, President
James Cassidy, Professional Civil Engineer, presented for the applicant. He explained that M. D’Addabbo is the developer of this property and president of NERP.
J. Cassidy handed out a Statement of Use as well as letters from the Towns of Putnam, Windham and Stonington attesting to the fact that they have had no parking issues with Tractor Supply Company. He also reviewed his drawings with Commissioners. He said Tractor Supply Company sells supplies to the small “gentleman” farmer such as lawn mowers, corral panels, apparel, fencing, and many other items.
The curb cut would stay the same. The large concrete pad would be used for large products that cannot fit into the store.
J. Cassidy discussed parking. Based on the zoning regulations 124 parking spaces are required. He said they are proposing a total of 72 parking spaces plus 52 to be deferred for a total of 124 spaces.
He designed a storm water basin system to protect the wetlands. There will be a zero increase in flow from the site. The storm water will be filtered then drained through a series of pipes to treat the runoff. There will be a series of galleys to allow additional infiltration to spread out the flow.
Tractor Supply Company has a one-story prototypical design. The applicant would like to have a vestibule at the front entrance and a gamble roof structure to give the building a New England farm style look. They would like to add awnings over the faux barn doors. There will be a permanent sidewalk display area for lawn mowers and wood splitters. The building is mason block up to ½ the height of the door. There is a tan colored hearty plank section with a red ban and a faux cornice along the perimeter of the building.
J. Cassidy discussed the landscaping plan. They are proposing a 4- foot burm and evergreen trees which will screen the back corner of the building.
J. Cassidy said that although there is an existing septic system, there is a lot of fill in the area where it was going to be placed. The septic waste will be pumped through a large pipe into a leaching field in the front of the building. It is a solid, pressure-tested pipe with no joints so there is very little chance of leakage.
J. Cassidy distributed copies of the photometric plan dated 11/5/12 by Sylvania Lighting Services of Middletown, NY. There will be wallpacks with full cut off features. There is gooseneck style lighting along the front of the building and over the sign on the front of the building. The lights will be lit during business hours until one hour after closing.
D. Ranaudo asked about if a traffic study had been conducted for exit and entrance onto Middlesex Turnpike. J. Cassidy said the proposed development meets minimum sight line requirements.
D. Ranaudo asked C. Nelson about sidewalks, and C. Nelson said The Sidewalk Plan does not require sidewalks in that part of town.
C. Nelson said the current driveway is directly across from the driveway across the street. J. Cassidy said they are planning to move the driveway about 10 feet to the south.
M. Urban asked about the Aquifer Protection Zone. J. Cassidy said the proposed site is in the Aquifer Protection Zone, and they have an application pending with the Aquifer Protection Agency for their 11/15/2012 meeting.
MOTION to recommend approval for “Tractor Supply” Special Exception for Retail (19,097 s.f.) & Outdoor Sales (15,000 s.f.) – 5.37 ac. 401 Middlesex Turnpike (Map 52 / Lot 96), Gateway Business B-4 District; Applicant: New England Retail Properties, Inc. Agent: Mark. C. D’Addabbo, President, particularly as it pertains to The Town Plan of Conservation and Development under the following Economic Development Policies: “To proactively promote and attract appropriate and diverse commercial and industrial development”, and “To encourage development of commercial and industrial sites that is consistent with Old Saybrook’s small-town character with respect to scale, appearance, and design and with special regard for landscape and other site amenities, traffic
safety and convenience, and functional and visual linkages with adjacent areas.” MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR: C. Flanagan, J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, R. Missel, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. OLD BUSINES
None
VI. NEW BUSINESS
None
VII. WORKSHOP
MOTION to continue A. Scenic Roads until the December 5, 2012 meeting of the Planning Commission at 7:30 P.M. in the 1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall.; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by J. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, C. Flanagan, R. Missel, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission which will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at 7:30 P.M.,Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room.; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by J. Esty; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, C. Flanagan, R. Missel, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Noyes
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