PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 7:08 p.m.
Town Hall – 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Robert Missel called the regular meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Robert Missel, Vice Chairman
Cathryn Flanagan, Secretary
David Shearer, Regular Member
Michael Urban, seated for Donald Ranaudo
Members Absent
Janis Esty, Chairman
Kathleen Sugland
Donald Ranaudo
Kenneth Soudan
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of May 15, 2013 as presented; MADE: by D. Shearer; SECONDED: by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Shearer, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
MOTION to approve the minutes of May 1, 2013 with the following revision: p. 2, 2nd to last paragraph, replace paragraph with “Michael Urban reported that he and his group have reviewed a draft of the scenic roads chapter of the Plan of Conservation and Development”; MADE: by D. Shearer; SECONDED: by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Shearer, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
B. Correspondence
None
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
David Shearer reported that the Route One Task Force has met and has been brainstorming and collecting ideas for how best to use the land in this area. They have discussed ideas including parks, and various educational facilities. He noted that branding is a very important factor.
Cathy Flanagan reported that she attended a meeting of RiverCog, which was very informative.
Christine Nelson gave an update of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Cathy Flanagan reported on Road Endings, noting that a road ending at Cornfield Point has been cleaned up, which she finds very encouraging. C. Nelson said that most of the engineering study has been completed at Shore Avenue.
IV. WORKSHOP
A. Scenic Roads
ACTION: Review the Sidewalk Plan in the context of pedestrian safety on Main Street; send report to Board of Selectmen and Police Commission.
D. Shearer presented a summary of recommendations of the Sidewalk Plan for improving pedestrian safety and crosswalks on Main Street. He identified six or so crosswalk locations where pedestrian safety is of concern.
Referencing the Sidewalk Plan, he recommends possible updates to pages 16, 19, and 28.
The Commission members agreed that safety in the crosswalks could be achieved through increased illumination and stronger visibility. The crosswalks could be made to stand out more and be more visible to motorists. An increase in illumination and color (as noted on pages 11 and 26 of the Sidewalk Plan) and a possible brick pattern extending across the street, would address the visibility issue.
C. Nelson offered to draft a letter to the Chairman of the Police Commission, copying First Selectman Carl Fortuna.
V. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission which will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at 7:00 P.M., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE: by C. Flanagan; SECONDED: by D. Shearer; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Shearer, M. Urban; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Clerk
| 
