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ZC 091905.Minutes
TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Zoning Commission
302 Main Street  Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131  FAX (860) 395-1216

                                  MINUTES
                        REGULAR MEETING
                  Monday, September 19, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
             Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park

I.      CALL TO ORDER  

Vice Chairperson Robert Friedmann called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
                        
II.     ROLL CALL

Present                                         Absent
Robert Friedmann, Vice-Chair                    Madeleine Fish, Chairperson
Elizabeth Steffen                                       Walter Harris, Secretary                        
Paula Stuart                                    Professional Staff                              
Charles Sohl                                    Christine Costa, ZEO
Barbara Galler                                  Kate Frank, Zoning Clerk

III.    CORRESPONDENCE

MOTION to approve payment of invoices #10084 for $130.80, #10072 for $797.50 and #10067 for $29.00 to Branse and Willis for legal services made by E. Steffen; SECONDED by P. Stuart; APPROVED by R. Friedmann, P. Stuart, E. Steffen, C. Sohl and G. Lewis; DENIED none; ABSTAINED none; 5-0-0.

IV.     MINUTES

The top line should read “Minutes,” not motions

MOTION to approve minutes with the above noted changes made by E. Steffen; SECONDED by P. Stuart; APPROVED by R. Friedmann, P. Stuart, E. Steffen, C. Sohl ; DENIED none; ABSTAINED by G. Lewis; 4-0-1.


V.      COASTAL SITE PLAN REVIEWS

A.      Addition-Storage, 124 Boston Post Road, Map 44/Lot 20, B-3 District
Applicant: Robert Clark

This site plan was triggered because the structure is greater than 500 square feet, being 720 square feet. The current well will be removed and all setbacks are met.

MOTION to approve the Coastal Site Plan Review for Addition-Storage, 124 Boston Post Road, Map 44/Lot 20, B-3 District, Applicant Robert Clark made by R. Friedmann; SECONDED by P. Stuart; APPROVED by R. Friedmann, P. Stuart, E. Steffen, C. Sohl and G. Lewis; DENIED none; ABSTAINED none;
5-0-0.

B.      2 BR Dwelling, 505 Main Street, Map 23/Lot 79-1, Residence A District
Applicant:  Darren Courtright                                   Agent: Bill Childress

Darcy Collins brought in plans to explain the project. No dock is proposed at this time. Existing elevation is 6, in the area of the house it will be 8. It will take 700 cubic yards of fill to complete this site. Structure will not exceed a height of 35’ from the existing grade. This project already has an Inlands Wetlands Permit. Setbacks are met and the driveway is to have a processed gravel surface for drainage.

MOTION to approve the Coastal Site Plan Review for a 2 BR Dwelling, 505 Main Street, Map 23/Lot 79-1, Residence A District, Applicant : Darren Courtright, Agent: William Childress made with the stipulation that the final structure’s height not exceed 35’ from the existing grade and the driveway is constructed of a pervious material made by R. Friedmann, SECONDED by E. Steffen; APPROVED by R. Friedmann, P. Stuart, E. Steffen, C. Sohl and G. Lewis; DENIED none; ABSTAINED none; 5-0-0.

VI.     PUBLIC HEARING

A.      Application for Special Exception Use, Old Saybrook Community Arts Center and Theatre, 300 Main Street, Map 30/Lot 63-1, A District.
        Applicant: Town of Old Saybrook                 Agent: Thomas MacDonald, AIA

Mr. MacDonald went over the blueprints and floor plan of the building and described the site. They have worked to meet code for assembly use with a sprinkler system, another staircase and a metal “escape hatch.”  The only difference from the original theater is that the proposed stage will be flat. An elevator will be added. Direct access for the handicapped. There is space down below the level of the stage for dressing rooms, the operation manager’s office, storage and an office for the Judge of Probate which is proposed to be a regional office.  Access from the rear of the building is for the judge only, all others will use the entrances in front and on the side. No parking will be lost, 2 handicapped spaces will be changed. The dumpster will be relocated for aesthetics. There was some discussion as to whether the 8’ x 8’ x  8’ cooling tower was its own structure. The applicant will work to meet the setbacks.

Thomas MacDonald left the commission with ten copies of his “utility drawing.” Water comes in from Main Street down the alley. There are storm drains in the parking lot and yard drains. Electrical service comes in from underground off of Sheffield. Right now, the building has two septic systems that will be replaced by one new system located approximately under the skating rink. They will have to work around an easement for a septic tank in order to locate their transformer and cooling tower and will be working with the Town Sanitarian on this issue. The septic tank will be 1500 gallons based on intermittent use for 228 seats. The sidewalk to the new town hall will remain the same, the town kiosk will be removed as well as the fence in the front. The Marcolini tree will be removed (a new tree is to be planted elsewhere) and the elm as well. Several ornamental trees and low shrubs will be added.

Thomas entertained questions from the commission.  The OSPC has recommended approval. Scott Martinson, Town Sanitarian, has no objection as long as the new system is up to code. Joan Hozell, Office of Long Island Sound has no objections. Don Lucas, Building Inspector, has some concerns about the septic system and access from the rear which were discussed. The Traffic Commission has no known traffic concerns. The floor was opened to the public and the only speaker was Betty Van Zandt, adjacent property owner of the businesses to the side of the town building. She had some concerns about the water lines and septic pipes. Her own are now under town property and she wondered if they would have to be relocated. The architect will work with the Town Sanitarian to find an answer to this. She brought in pictures from last winter that showed limited access for her tenants and did not allow enough of a turning radius for fire equipment.

The only outstanding referral is that from the Fire Marshall.

MOTION to close the public hearing for Special Exception Use, Old Saybrook Community Arts Center and Theatre, 300 Main Street, Map 30/Lot 63-1, A District, Applicant : Town of Old Saybrook, Applicant: Thomas MacDonald, AIA made by P. Stuart; SECONDED by E. Steffen; APPROVED by R. Friedmann, P. Stuart, E. Steffen, C. Sohl and G. Lewis; DENIED none; ABSTAINED none;
5-0-0.

Deliberations are to occur when the Fire Marshall’s report has been received.

VII.    OLD BUSINESS

Petition for Change in Zoning Regulations, Amend Section 55, Planned Residential District, Petitioners: Steven W. Greenberg, Amy Zamkoff and Hyla Crane, Agent: David Royston



MOTION to continue the Petition for Change in Zoning Regulations, Amend Section 55, Planned Residential District to the next regularly scheduled Zoning Commission Meeting made by R. Friedmann; SECONDED by G. Lewis; APPROVED by R. Friedmann, P. Stuart, E. Steffen, C. Sohl and G. Lewis; DENIED none; ABSTAINED none; 5-0-0.

VIII.   NEW BUSINESS

A.      Site Plan Review Application, Application for Boat Sales, outside storage and second floor storage, 15 Clark Street, Map 43/Lot 13, Marine Commercial District, Applicant: James S. O’Rourke, O’Rourke Marina

        Marine Commercial District requires a 15% minimum area be landscaped. The boat
storage area will be grassy and this counts toward this requirement. The perimeter landscaping is a combination of a 6’ fence and screening trees and shrubs. This site was the focus of a preliminary discussion a few months ago. The site will be for new and used boat sales in the summer and storage of boats to be sold in the winter. The only service provided on site is cosmetic detailing. No sanding and no major repairs. A 6’ cedar fence that looks finished on both sides was installed today, the neighbor paid half also.

The Health Dept. has no concerns, Don Lucas has some concerns regarding the ADA and some interior building modifications. The ARB recommended approval with restricted outdoor lighting and the Fire Marshall needs to work with the applicant on a plan to get fire trucks in.

MOTION to approve the Site Plan Review Application for Application of Boat Sales, Outside Storage and 2nd Floor Storage, 15 Clark Street, Map 43/Lot 13, Marine Commercial District made by R. Friedmann with the stipulation that the applicant meets the conditions of the Fire Marshall and the Building inspector; SECONDED by G. Lewis; APPROVED by R. Friedmann, P. Stuart, E. Steffen, C. Sohl and G. Lewis; DENIED none; ABSTAINED none; 5-0-0.

IX.     COMMITTEE STAFF & REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

The ZEO went over such issues as the carnival at Stop & Shop and the Estuary Council buses need to move behind the building temporarily. Matt Rubin has requested that the skate park be dismantled, items are currently being stored at the old leaf dump. Vicki would like to take three pieces for Park and Rec that could be moved for auxillary parking.

X.      ADJOURNMENT

MOTION made to adjourn the regular meeting of the Old Saybrook Zoning Commission at 9:18 pm made by R. Friedmann, SECONDED by G. Lewis; APPROVED by R. Friedmann, P. Stuart, C. Sohl, G. Lewis and E. Steffen; DENIED by none; ABSTAINED none; 5-0-0.


Respectfully submitted,



Kate Frank
Zoning Clerk







Next meeting:  Tuesday, October 11th, 2005 at 7:30 at the Acton Public Library, Old Boston Post Road.