MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
Chairman Esty called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Members Present
Janis Esty, Chairman
Robert Missel, Vice Chairman
Cathryn Flanagan, Secretary
David Shearer, Regular Member
Kathleen Sugland, Alternate Member
Michael Urban, seated for Donald Ranaudo
Kenneth Soudan arrived at 7:01 p.m.
Members Absent
Donald Ranaudo, Regular Member
Staff Present
Stella Beaudoin, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
Approval of the August 7, 2013 Site Walk Minutes
MOTION to approve the site walk minutes of August 7, 2013 as presented; MADE by D. Shearer; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, M. Urban, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: C. Flanagan and R. Missel; APPROVED: 5-0-2.
Approval of the August 14, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Ms. Esty seated Ken Soudan for David Shearer and Kathleen Sugland for Cathryn Flanagan.
MOTION to approve the minutes of August 14, 2013 as presented; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by K. Soudan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: R. Missel and C. Flanagan; APPROVED: 3-0-2.
B. Correspondence – There was no correspondence.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
David Shearer reported that the Route 1 East Task Force has made significant progress throughout the summer. The Task Force has put a good deal of hard work into the project and extended past their one year committed time in order to get to goal. The finalized documents will be presented to First Selectman’s office and will then be put forward at the first meeting in October to the Board of Selectmen. Once accepted, the Task Force will present the finalized documents and present to other relevant Commissions for views and comments.
Robert Missel reported that the Natural Hazards Mitigation Committee plan has experienced a tie-up on the federal and state end and as such the Plan is in a holding pattern. There is no proposed date for completion at this point.
Cathryn Flanagan reported that the Road Endings Committee is working on Clinton Avenue. The Committee met again with Jeff Jacobson, P.E. who is finalizing a design plan. A meeting will be conducted on September 28, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. at which time the Plan to improve Town property and road ends will be made available for review. A letter will be sent notifying the neighbors of the September 28th meeting.
Cathryn Flanagan reported that the RiverCOG Regional Planning Commission is working on putting together a plan for conservation and development for the entire region. The Committee is seeking input from the members of the community and has a drafted letter which will go to the Old Saybrook Planning Commission which contains a survey seeking input on visions and goals moving forward.
IV. REFERRAL
A. “Developable Land (Incentive Housing Zone)” Petition to Amend
Zoning Regulation Section 9.1 Definitions
Petitioner: Eastpoint, LLC Agent: Edward M. Cassella, Esq.
Attorney Edward Cassella presented on behalf of Eastpoint LLC. Mr. Cassella stated that he put forward three applications in May 2013 to the Zoning Commission. The three applications consisted of 1) overlay incentive housing; 2) a height increase of this proposal from 38’ to 47’, and 3) amendment to the Zoning regulations to allow for leeway in the incentive housing zone. Mr. Cassella stated that the Planning Commission has found this proposal consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development, however the Planning Commission felt that the height on this proposal should be capped at 42’. The Zoning Commission granted the overlay of the incentive housing zone as an allowed use, however denied
the height increase and the amendment to the Zoning Regulations.
Mr. Cassella has since met with Christine Nelson, Town Planner and Christina Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer to determine the best design and the best number of the units on-site.
Currently, Eastpoint has 14.3 acres on contract to purchase. Of the 14.3 acres, 3.5 acres will go to the Department of Transportation which leaves remaining 10¾ acres to housing. Mr. Cassella stated that the current requirement allows 20 units per acre. Mr. Cassella would like the number units within the incentive housing zone to be in a more manageable range.
Mr. Cassella stated that the idea behind amendment is to reduce the amount of developable land as well as to provide mechanisms for the same. Mr. Cassella stated that there has been much discussion throughout the Town for mixed use within the zones.
William Finger, Eastpointe stated that there have been a few other proposals for development of this property. David Mack had submitted a plan for a Lowes franchise and he also submitted a multi-family plan for 216 units. Mr. Finger stated that he has not seen any proposals for mixed use for this property.
Mr. Finger commented on a referral letter from the Route 1 East Committee and he noted that there is an addendum in which that Committee requests that they be granted the ability to weigh-in on this plan. Mr. Finger stated that the proposed modification to the language would enable a plan that is consistent with the original proposal as put forward in May 2013
Mr. Cassella stated that this is a tough site for mixed use as there is very little frontage. This project is proposed for the construction of high-end apartments with 20% reserve for people who make 80% of the median income. Mr. Cassella stated that the Zoning Commission has approved multi-family without mixed use.
MOTION to make a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission on Developable Land (Incentive Housing Zone) petition to amend Zoning Regulation Section 9.1 Definitions as presented; MADE by J. Esty; SECONDED by C. Flanagan; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, M. Urban, K Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 7-0-0.
V. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission which will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, at 7:00 P.M., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 2nd Floor Conference Room; MADE by R. Missel; SECONDED by D. Shearer; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, R. Missel, C. Flanagan, D. Shearer, K. Sugland, M. Urban, K Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 7-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Stella Beaudoin
Recording Secretary
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