REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Esty called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m
II. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Janis Esty, Daniel Walden, Michael Urban, Kathleen Sugland seated for Robert Missel
Members Absent: Cathryn Flanagan, Kenneth Soudan , David Shearer, Robert Missel
Staff: Christine Nelson, Town Planner; Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk; Carl Fortuna, First Selectman
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
MOTION to approve the minutes from September 17, 2014 as presented; MADE by D. Walden; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, M. Urban, K. Sugland, D. Walden; OPPOSED none; ABSTAINED none; APPROVED 4-0-0.
B. Correspondence
None
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
Town Planner Christine Nelson reported on the following projects: a) the progress of the layout and design of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development; b) a report on Affordable Housing has been submitted to the State Dept. of Economic & Community Development; c) the Historic District Commission installed signs at entrance to North Cove historic district; d) North Cove and need for dredging.
IV. REFERRALS
- Petition to Amend Zoning Regulations – Completion of Development Section 52.5 Approval of Special Exception; Applicant: Between the Bridges LLC Agent: William A. Childress, Esq.
William Childress, agent for the applicant, Between the Bridges, explained that the applicant requests an amendment to Section 52.5 of the Zoning Regulations to increase the period of project completion to five years, and increase the extension of the period of project completion to five years. Currently, the zoning regulations allow for an initial period of three years, and an extension period of three years. W. Childress stated that the nearby towns of Madison, Westbrook, and Essex allow for periods of five years for project completion and five years for the extension of special exception permits. He noted that projects take longer and longer to complete, particularly those that are multi-use, with different schedules,
requirements, and construction periods.
MOTION to send a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission for
Petition to Amend Zoning Regulations – Completion of Development Section 52.5 Approval of Special Exception; Applicant: Between the Bridges LLC as it is consistent with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development; MADE by M. Urban; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, M. Urban, K. Sugland, D. Walden; OPPOSED none; ABSTAINED none; APPROVED 4-0-0.
B. Petition to Amend Zoning Regulations – Fast Food Take-out Window Section 32.2.4 Restaurant take-out window service; Section 62.4.6(f)(1) Fast Food Restaurant parking ratio; and Section 62.4.6(f)(2) Take-out Window minimum number of parking spaces. Applicant: Cantina Hospitality, LLC, contract purchaser Agent: John Bennett, Esq.
John Bennet, representing the applicant, Cantina Hospitality, explained the proposed amendments to the zoning regulations that the applicant is seeking. The property at 688 Boston Post Road is in the B-1 zoning district, whereas adjacent parcels and those across the street, all of which front Boston Post Road, are in the B-2 zone. In order to have a drive through window, this property would need to be in a B-2 zone.
Regarding parking spaces, J. Bennet requests a text change to Section 62.4.6 (F)(1) to require 1 and ½ parking spaces per fifty square feet of dining room floor area, with a minimum of 10 spaces. He also requests an amendment to Section 62.4.6 (f)(2) to drop the requirement for an extra 10 parking spaces for restaurants with a drive through window. In total, 23 spaces are proposed.
MOTION to send a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission for
Petition to Amend Zoning Regulations – Fast Food Take-out Window Section 32.2.4 Restaurant take-out window service; Section 62.4.6(f)(1) Fast Food Restaurant parking ratio; and Section 62.4.6(f)(2) Take-out Window minimum number of parking spaces. Applicant: Cantina Hospitality, LLC as it is consistent with the Town Plan of Conservation and Development; MADE by D. Walden; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, M. Urban, K. Sugland, D. Walden; OPPOSED none; ABSTAINED none; APPROVED 4-0-0.
C. Petition to Amend Zoning Map – Central Business B-1 District 688 Boston Post Road (Map 37 / Lot 54) and a portion of 33 Main Street (Map 37 / Lot 48) Applicant: Cantina Hospitality, LLC, contract purchaser Agent: John Bennett, Esq. ACTION: Review Town Plans; report to ZC for 11/3/2014 public hearing.
J. Bennet stated that the property does not front Main or Elm Streets, whereas other parcels adjacent to this property that do front Main or Elm Streets are in a B-1 zone. He believes the suggested zone change is appropriate for this parcel. He also stated they have approval from the Health District for this change.
MOTION to make a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Commission for Petition to Amend Zoning Map – Central Business B-1 District 688 Boston Post Road (Map 37 / Lot 54) and a portion of 33 Main Street (Map 37 / Lot 48) Applicant: Cantina Hospitality, LLC, contract purchaser MADE by D. Walden; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, M. Urban, K. Sugland, D. Walden; OPPOSED none; ABSTAINED none; APPROVED 4-0-0.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission on October 15, 2014, at 7:00 p.m., 302 Main Street, Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE by D. Walden; SECONDED by M. Urban; VOTED IN FAVOR J. Esty, M. Urban, K. Sugland, D. Walden; OPPOSED none; ABSTAINED none; APPROVED 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Clerk
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