MEETING MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
Chairman Janis Esty called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present
Janis Esty, Chairman
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Kathleen Sugland, seated for Cathryn Flanagan
Kenneth Soudan, seated for Robert Missel
Members Absent
Robert Missel, Vice Chairman
Cathryn Flanagan, Secretary
David Shearer, Regular Member
Michael Urban, Alternate Member
Staff Present
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk
Four people were present in the audience.
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of July 17, 2013; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;
APPROVED: 4-0-0.
B. Correspondence
MOTION to pay invoice #78198 for $280.26 to Nathan Jacobson & Associates, Inc. dated 8/1/2013 for labor and expenses regarding Shore Ave; MADE by D. Ranaudo; SECONDED by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Ranaudo, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;
APPROVED: 4-0-0.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Donald Ranaudo reported on road endings, stating he had met with Geoff Jacobson and walked the site at Shore Avenue. G. Jacobson is finalizing the survey.
Christine Nelson reported she had met with the tri town Route 1 town planners, known as the River Metropolitan Planning Organization, and they are in the process of gathering base information that towns already have in order to know what information to collect.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Modification of “Pashbeshauke” Subdivision – Lots 8, 9 & 10
Southwest of Whisper Cove Road / 200’ south of Ragged Rock Road
(Map 53 / Lots 40-3, 40-4 & 40-5)
Residence AA-2 District, Coastal Mgmt. Zone, Gateway Conserv. Zone, Flood Hazard Zone
Petitioner: D.W.P. Enterprises, LLC. Agent: James P. Cassidy, P.E.
- Dominic Papa, owner of lots 8, 9, and 10 was present at the meeting. Commission members concurred that the site walk they did on August 7 at the Pashbeshauke subdivision was helpful and made it easier to make a determination regarding the request for modification. D. Ranaudo stated that he believed removal of the ledge outcrop would be appropriate. Kenneth Soudan stated concerns about safety measures and the need to address water containment, specifically for water runoff. C. Nelson offered that containment measures are in place as a standard practice. Earla Frisbie, resident of Pashbeshauke subdivision inquired about alternatives to blasting. Lanny Bell, resident at 26 Ragged Rock Road inquired about the length of time blasting would take place. Dominic Papa, owner
and developer, explained that blasting of the ledge will be a last resource, not a first choice, and would attempt removal with earth movers.. if blasting is needed he estimated two to three days.
- MOTION to approve Modification of “Pashbeshauke” Subdivision – Lots 8, 9 & 10, Southwest of Whisper Cove Road / 200’ south of Ragged Rock Road (Map 53 / Lots 40-3, 40-4 & 40-5) as it is consistent with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, K. Soudan, D. Ranaudo; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
V. NEW BUSINESS
None.
VI. REFERRALS
A. “Lighting” Petition to Amend Zoning Regulations (Townwide Design Standards) Section 62.4.2.B.3, Lighting, to permit waiver to allow for light poles to 20’Petitioner: New England Retail Properties, Inc. Agent: James P. Cassidy, P.E.
James Stachelek with Hallisey, Pearson, & Cassidy was present for the firm, representing James Cassidy, and answered questions from Commission members. The petition before the Commission is for consideration to amend Zoning Regulation section 62.4.2.B.3 to allow 20’ high light poles instead of the regulated 14’ poles.
J. Esty expressed concern about light as a distraction for drivers, the desirability to eliminate light pollution, and the need to take into account the elevation of the road and the community that surrounds the area.
K. Soudan offered the view that he considers this property a gateway entrance to the town and believes the Commission has a responsibility to preserve its New England character. He believes this proposal will hurt that character.
J. Stachelek explained that 14’ poles were originally planned, and that by increasing the height of the poles the number of poles needed will be reduced to ten, and the benefit would be a broader distribution of light, and cost savings due to their energy efficiency.
D. Ranaudo stated he favors the plan and that if the Zoning Commission will consider any future requests for increased pole heights on a case by case basis that he has no discomfort with this request. J. Esty said she has concerns changing the regulations, and has no issue with Tractor Supply.
Commission members discussed conditions that the Zoning Commission consider when granting a waiver to the pole height limit of 14 feet; and that the Zoning Commission will protect:
– distance from nearby residences
– difference in elevation from surrounding streets to avoid glare for passersby, and
- a respectful transition be observed from non-commercial to commercial locations
MOTION to make a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission to amend Zoning Regulations Section 62.4.2.B.3, Lighting, to permit waiver to allow for light poles to 20 feet, with conditions: that the Zoning Commission protect 1) the distance from nearby residences, 2) the difference in elevation from surrounding streets to avoid glare for passersby, and 3) a respectful transition be observed from non-commercial to commercial locations; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, , K. Sugland, D. Ranaudo; K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
B. “Tractor Supply” Mod. of Spec’l Ex. for Retail & Outdoor Sales (34,097 s.f) – 5.37 ac. 401 Middlesex Tpke. (Map 52/Lot 96), Gateway Business B-4 District
Applicant: New England Retail Properties, Inc. Agent: James P. Cassidy, P.E.
K. Soudan stated he is not in favor of the waiver, that while he likes the business,
he is not in favor of granting a waiver to increase the height of the light poles at this location.
MOTION to make a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission for “Tractor Supply” Mod. of Spec’l Ex. for Retail & Outdoor Sales (34,097 s.f) – 5.37 ac. 401 Middlesex Tpke. (Map 52/Lot 96), MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by D. Ranaudo; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, D. Ranaudo; OPPOSED: K. Soudan; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 3-1-0.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission which will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2013, at 7:00 P.M., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE by DR; SECONDED by JE; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Clerk
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