REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
1st Floor Conference Room, Town Hall, 302 Main Street
Janis Esty called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present
Janis Esty, Chairman
Robert Missel, Vice Chairman
Cathryn Flanagan, Secretary
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
David Shearer, Regular Member
Kathleen Sugland, Alternate Member
Kenneth Soudan, Alternate Member
Michael Urban, Alternate Member
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
One person was present in the audience.
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
MOTION to approve the minutes of March 20, 2013 as presented; MADE: by R. Missel; SECONDED: by C. Flanagan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Ranaudo, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
B. Correspondence
J. Esty reviewed three letters from residents in response to the Scenic Road plan.
- the resident of 370 Maple Ave expressed concern about excessive motorcycle noise along Rt. 154.
- Nila Plocha of 33 Great Hammock Road would like to have the trees better cared for
- The Stengles of 360 Maple Ave would like a curb in front or their house, concerned about cars running up on the lawn
There was a brief discussion of bond amounts from Jacobson & Associates.
MOTION to pay invoice # 77379 for $159.30 for Jacobson and Associates dated 3/06/2013; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by D. Shearer; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Ranaudo, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
MOTION to pay invoice # 32046 for $165 for Branse, Willis & Knapp dated 3/01/2013; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Ranaudo, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
MOTION to pay invoice # 32047 for $33 for Branse, Willis & Knapp dated 3/01/2013; MADE by D. Shearer; SECONDED by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Ranaudo, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
The Commissioners agreed that no action was required at this time regarding the credit of $40.00 on a statement from Branse, Willis & Knapp dated March 1, 2013.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
IV. REFERRALS
A. “Max’s Place” Modification of a Spec’l Exc. for Retail Development – 128,250 s.f. (17.68 ac.) Spencer Plain Road (Map 25/Lots 25 to 32-1 and Map 26 / Lots 2,6-10, 6-11, 6-12, 6-16) Gateway Business B-4 District
Petitioner: Max’s Place, LLC;~~~Agent: David M. Royston, Esq.
Cathy Flanagan recused herself from the meeting. Michael Urban was then seated for C. Flanagan.
Attorney David Royston, Agent presented on behalf of the Applicant. Also present was Ron Lyman, principal member of Max’sPlace LLC. D. Royston explained that Max’s Place LLC had applied for a Modification of the Special Exception approved by the Old Saybrook Zoning Commission on August 20, 2007 for the development of its 17.68 acre project development site at the corner of Boston Post Road and Spencer Plain Road.The Applicant is before the Planning Commission as a referral to determine whether the proposed modifications are consistent with the current “Plan of Conservation & Development”.
D. Royston explained how the Modification Application differs from the Special Exception Application of 2007:
- this application places the property on a slightly different location, moved to the south;
- has a smaller grocery store than originally planned, with a smaller footprint (original size was 63,400 sq ft, changed to 54,100 sq ft)
- has one “liner” building rather than two, along Spencer Plan Road south of the proposed entry drive
- has an additional “liner” building of 10,000 sq ft
- in the area along Boston Post Road, where 3 buildings were planned, this Modification proposes this area be designated “Phase 2” for reserved parking spaces
D. Royston answered questions from the Commissioners, including questions about reserved parking, septic, lighting and sidewalks. D. Royston believes these changes to be minor in the bigger picture and to be an enhancement to the originally approved Plan, stating he believes them to be consistent with the town image. The Town Planner, Christine Nelson, in a letter dated March 27, 2013 recommended the continuation of sidewalks along abutting properties. D. Royston responded the Applicant will provide an easement per Town Planner’s recommendation, running northerly along Spencer Plain road, north of the entrance. D. Royston further explained that the Modifications are consistent with the town’s Plan of Conservation & Development:
- encourages “dialogue between land use boards and commissions in order to promote recognition of the powerful impact that aesthetics has on the quality of life in Old Saybrook;
- “services for residents including employment opportunities”
- cooperating “with private developers to share financial responsibility for upgrading state and local roads and nearby impacted intersections to accommodate development.”
A discussion of cross walks ensued. D. Royston pointed out that under the existing approval, the traffic lights do not have a pedestrian phase to allow pedestrian crossing at Spencer Plain and Boston Post Road intersections. He noted that on March 26, 2013 he received a report from Bruce Hilson, Traffic Engineer, finding a problem with the phased crosswalk at the Boston Post Road intersection. The Commissioners discussed the
pedestrian phase and D. Royston asked if the Commission thinks there should or should
not be an exclusive phased pedestrian crossing. They concluded that either the pedestrian crossings not be phased, or if they are phased, if technology permits, they have an option to have the timing adjusted.
A motion was made to send a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission for a Modification to the Special Exception for Max’s Place, with the condition that Zoning consider the phased pedestrian crosswalk.
MOTION to send a favorable recommendation with modification to the Zoning Commission for “Max’s Place” Modification of a Spec’l Exc. for Retail Development – 128,250 s.f. (17.68 ac.)
Spencer Plain Road (Map 25/Lots 25 to 32-1 and Map 26 / Lots 2,6-10, 6-11, 6-12, 6-16)
Gateway Business B-4 District; in that it is consistent with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development; and request that the Zoning Commission take a special look at the phasing of pedestrian crosswalk signals and that either they not be phased or that they be phased with the option to change the sequence, based on current technology; MADE: by J. Esty; SECONDED: by D. Shearer; VOTING IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, D. Ranaudo, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: C. Flanagan;APPROVED: 7-0-1.
C. Flanagan returned to the meeting.
B. Demolish “Police Department Building” as a Municipal Improvement – 9,198 s.f. (1.33 ac.)
225 Main Street (Map 30 / Lot 58) Town Center Business B-1District
Petitioner: Board of Selectmen;~Agent: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman
First Selectman Carl Fortuna addressed the Commission to explain his request for the demolition of the abandoned police building at 225 Main Street, and desire for a recreational area. He explained that this discussion is preliminary and that the plan will likely involve demolishing the abandoned police building, possibly creating parking on the site where the police building is, and establishing some type of recreational area on the nearly 1.3 acres beyond the former police building site. He expressed his wish to create something that would draw people toward that end of Main Street. He’d like to see a multi use recreational area.
J. Esty asked for clarification as to why the Selectman wants the building demolished.
C. Fortuna responded that it is not usable and that a structural engineer deemed it to be structurally unsound.
MOTION to approve the demolition of the “Police Department Building” as a Municipal Improvement– 9,198 s.f. (1.33 ac.) 225 Main Street (Map 30 / Lot 58) Town Center Business B-1District; DISCUSSION: amended to read that an engineer has determined the building to be structurally unsound and not able to be renovated; MADE: by J. Esty; SECONDED: by C. Flanagan; VOTING IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Ranaudo, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
MOTION to amend the Agenda to add Discussion of pedestrian safety as it pertains to Town’s sidewalk plan prior to item V. WORKSHOP; MADE: by J. Esty; SECONDED: by C. Flanagan; VOTING IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Ranaudo, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
C. DISCUSSION: SIDEWALK PLAN
D. Shearer expressed concern about pedestrian safety, noting this is a long standing issue, citing the recent fatal pedestrian incident. He questioned what can be done to slow traffic on Main Street and to improve the field of vision at the crosswalks. J. Esty had the following suggestions: education, get police involved; making the crosswalks more clearly marked. The Commissioners discussed the various options available for improving the crosswalk, possibly with better visual signals. C. Fortuna suggested requesting the involvement of the CT State DOT, to have them come out and do an analysis, as Main Street is a state road, and they can present options. It was agreed that there needs to be increased awareness of pedestrian safety. J. Esty suggested asking police to talk to middle school students about bike
safety as it pertains to safely crossing the streets. C. Nelson suggested inviting the chief of police to come in and talk to the Planning Commission to provide a status on accidents and enforcement on Main Street. The Commissioners agreed to continue this discussion at the next regularly scheduled meeting or at the second meeting in May.
V. WORKSHOP
~~ “Road Endings”
ACTION: Review inventory of road endings, status of improvements to-date, and potential for other locations for improvement.
Don Ranaudo and C. Flanagan gave a report on road endings, noting that several, if repaired or cleaned up would provide improved public access to the water. Present in the audience was Mr. Goduti, member of the Harbor Management Commission. Mr. Goduti expressed his Commission’s desire that the Planning Commission consult with Harbor Management about plans for development on or near the water. D. Ranaudo and C. Flanagan identified road endings in the town, some of which are in need of repair. They identified the road ending referred to as “Soundview” as a good candidate to be cleared of brush and debris, noting it would not require much effort or money. C. Nelson recommended that the Commission, along with Larry Bonin, Director of Public Works, and Geoff Jacobson, engineer with Jacobson &
Associates, do a site visit at Soundview to determine what will be needed in terms of permits and regulations.
MOTION to have a subcommittee of the Planning Commission meet with Larry Bonin and visit the road ending at “Soundview”; MADE: by J. Esty; SECONDED: by R. Missel; VOTING IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Ranaudo, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m. to the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 1st floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street at 7:00 p.m: MADE: by C. Flanagan; SECONDED: by R. Missel; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Ranaudo, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 8-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Secretary
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