REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street, Old Saybrook
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Members present: Janis Esty, Cathy Flanagan, Ken Soudan seated for R. Missel, Kathy Sugland seated for D. Shearer
Members absent: Robert Missel, Daniel Walden, David Shearer, Michael Urban
Staff: Meryl Tsagronis, Recording Clerk; Carl Fortuna, First Selectman
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Minutes
MOTION to approve the minutes of June 3, 2015 as presented; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none;
APPROVED: 3-0-0
B. Correspondence
MOTION to pay invoice #38333 for $185.00 to Branse & Willis dated 6/01/2015; MADE by K. Sugland; SECONDED by C.
Flanagan ; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 3-0-0.
C. Committee, Representative & Staff Reports
J. Esty thanked and acknowledged the work of Michael Urban & Dr. Flanagan for producing the Scenic Roads booklet, and also thanked Dr. Shearer for his work with Mariner’s Way and creation of the Mariner’s Way booklet.
Ken Soudan arrived at 7:10pm, and was seated for Daniel Walden.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
- “Community Water Supply” Petition to Amend Subdivision Regulations Section 2 “Community Water Supply” and Section 5.6.1 “Water Supply” Petitioner: Old Saybrook Planning Commission
The public hearing opened at 7:12pm.
Having reviewed the proposed text changes, members found the revised language to be clearer. J. Esty referenced a letter from Torrance Downes of the Connecticut River Gateway Commission, dated June 26, 2015, stating the Commission is in favor of the text changes.
The public hearing closed at 7:14pm.
MOTION to approve “Community Water Supply” Petition to Amend Subdivision Regulations Section 2 “Community Water Supply” and Section 5.6.1 “Water Supply” and to set an effective date of August 17, 2015; MADE by K. Soudan; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan, K. Sugland; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. “Grochowski” Municipal Improvement for Easement of Land – 5,123 s.f. (0.12 ac.) 80 Old Boston Post Rd. (Map 29/Lot 96) Residence A District, Coastal Area Mgmt. Zone Petitioner: Town of Old Saybrook, owner Agent: Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., First Selectman
First Selectman Carl Fortuna, representing the property owners Emily Grochowski and Josh Grochowski, explained that the property has no driveway access to the house. It was determined that the existing driveway is located on the town’s adjacent property. The owners request a non-exclusive right of easement. In the interest of being good neighbors, C. Fortuna asks that the Planning Commission grant non-exclusive easement rights.
Motion to approve “Grochowski” Municipal Improvement for Easement of Land – 5,123 s.f. (0.12 ac.) 80 Old Boston Post Rd. (Map 29/Lot 96) Residence A District, Coastal Area Mgmt. Zone; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
B. “S&S Marine” Spec’l Except. for Marina & Resid’l Use – add’l 1,900 s.f gfa (1.16 ac.) 18 Riverside Dr. (Map 59/Lot 97) Marine Comm’l MC District, CAM & Gateway Conserv. Zones Applicant: S&S Marine Holdings LLC, owners Agent: Joseph Wren, P.E.
Joe Wren, professional engineer representing the applicant S&S Marine Holdings, LLC, explained that the owner proposes to build a two-story multi-use building on the existing marina site. The first floor is to be used by marina patrons, and will have two restrooms and a common space; the upstairs would be a one bedroom residence for the owner, and perhaps in the future, would be for use by an on-site property manager. He explained that a special exception approval is needed because the square footage will exceed 5,000 square feet. He also stated the applicant requests substitutions to the landscaping areas, in part because the sites (front landscaped area and perimeter landscaping buffer) are already developed, with rip rap slopes in some areas.
K. Soudan asked about potential noise issues with a clubhouse. J. Wren stated that since this will be a small marina with 16 slips, and 12 parking spaces, and not a lot of room on the first floor for large gatherings that he didn’t anticipate noise to be an issue. J. Esty concurred that the limited size of the interior space should prevent large groups from gathering and creating excessive noise.
Motion to send a favorable approval to the Zoning Commission of “S&S Marine” Spec’l Except. for Marina & Resid’l Use – add’l 1,900 s.f gfa (1.16 ac.)18 Riverside Dr. (Map 59/Lot 97) Marine Comm’l MC District, CAM & Gateway Conserv. Zones MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, C. Flanagan, K. Sugland, K. Soudan; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission which will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., Town Hall, 302 Main Street, 1st Floor Conference Room; MADE by C. Flanagan; SECONDED by K. Sugland; VOTED IN FAVOR: J. Esty, K. Sugland, C. Flanagan, K. Soudan; OPPOSED none; ABSTAINED none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
Submitted by,
Meryl Tsagronis
Recording Clerk
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