ROUTE ONE TASK FORCE
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, Sep 25, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
FIRST Floor Conference Room
Old Saybrook Town Hall
302 Main Street
- Meeting was called to order at 5:41 pm by D.Shearer
II. Members present included Chairman D. Shearer, E.Baker, T. Downes, K.Roberts, J. Keating K.Constable and B.D’Agostino. Members absent included T.Lyons. C.Fortuna (and Steve Gernhardt) attended the last 15 min of the meeting.
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Motion made by J.Keating to approve Aug Meeting Minutes. Seconded by B.D’Agostino
C. Presentation by Bob Friedman (OS Zoning): B.Friedman provided an overview of Zoning perspective and districts for Rte 1 East which includes a variety of types: B-4, B-3, Marine, Residential and industrial (not on road frontage). B.Friedman also stressed the importance of incentive housing w/ mixed use (with an apartment above the business). Availability of a Bus stop was discussed briefly requiring the permission of the property owner. B.Friedman referenced the new Hunter ambulance coming to Rte 1 E, suggesting further small business entrenchment. This is an automobile based section of Rte 1- you can’t walk there; emphasis placed on sidewalk plan. B.D’Agostino suggested that directional signs exist by the Thai
Restaurant to inform people of what is down Rte 1 East. B.Friedman suggested having a DOT wish list for Rte 1 East. B.Friedman emphasized that as there is no sewer system, no chain restaurants will come into Rte 1 East. There may be a need for some housing opportunity overlay. As Marine commercial property is limited in OS, B.Friedman mentioned the need for keeping this type of zoning. There was mention of change from B3 to B4 to create a retail destination. B.Friedman emphasized the need for a ‘sense of place’ to create a draw for people to want to go there. J.Keating stated that the EDC had called the Rte 1 E area the ‘Marine District’, emphasizing a sense of marine types of businesses. C.Nelson emphasized the broadness of the zones and the possibilities which could be considered. What is missing in OS? What can the market support? Cannot have competition against main street businesses as they will not be
able to thrive. K.Roberts stated consideration of ordinance for enhanced services over retail. B.Friedman stated that we need something on Rte 1 E that will bring people to OS and make a destination for them (eg- School for Life Skills for adults, culinary school and other activities). T.Downes stated that should a zoning change occur, it would need to create an incentive. B.D’Agostino stated that with so many things happening, a ‘multi-vision’ approach may be required. E.Baker mentioned Starbuck’s as an example and how it applied a ‘mission’. B.Friedman referred to a book entitled the ‘Third Place’. B.D’Agostino asked if there was a study available for successful places and what made them successful? B.Friedman suggested the West Hartford Blue Back Square. E.Baker suggested having a multi-generational place to go. High School students do not have a place to go- need to
connect to OS HS. Are there survey’s available for possibilities like ‘Survey Monkey’ that describes what people like to do or should be doing? T.Downes asked about the possibility of tax abatements to help stimulate growth on Rte 1 E. B.Friedman mentioned the B-4 zone was full of peat, ledge and wetland areas, making development challenging.
D. Rte 1 East District documentation: D.Shearer emphasized that he would be working with C.Nelson over the next week to develop a draft Rte 1 East template that the Task Force could then begin populating with text, figures and photos to further capture trends of thought and progress to the final goal as quickly as possible.
VI. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn by T.Downes; seconded by J.Keating
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