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
Tuesday February 22, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion
155 College Street Extension
Saybrook Point
CALL TO ORDER Chairman, Madeleine B. Fish, called the regular meeting to order at 7:30pm.
ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Madeleine Fish, Chairman Elizabeth Steffen, Regular Member
Robert Friedmann, Vice Chairman Barbara Galler, Atlernate Member
Walter Harris, Secretary
Paula Stewart, Regular Member
Geraldine Lewis, Alternate Member
Charles Sohl, Alternate Member (Arrived at 7:40)
Attendant Staff
Christina Costa, Enforcement Officer
Andrea DeDominicis, Recording Clerk
CORRESPONDENCE
Madeleine Fish made corrections to statement #8332 payable to Branse & Willis, the corrected amount is $377.00. Statement #8266 has a corrected amount of $768.50. Statement # 8275 is correct and totals $58.00.
Board Members briefly discussed a letter sent by Attorney Levi to Betsey Samms concerning a large
Gabyon wall made out of stone and chicken wire. The wall was built on the riverfront in Otter Cove. The letter states that the DEP is getting involved.
MINUTES
The Zoning Commission reviewed the minutes of February 7, 2005 and noted Gerri Lewis name was misspelled. She uses an “i” at the end of “Gerri” not a “y”.
Chris Costa mentions to the Commission that Kate Hoey, who is training for the new Zoning clerk did not put “boxes” around the Motions but will do so next time. Also Kate will add the Old Saybrook Town Heading to minutes as well. Madeleine Fish would like to see Kate continue to keep track of all outstanding applications.
COASTAL SITE PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION
A. Addition of breezeway and garage, 333 Springbrook Road, Map 58/Lot 33, AA-1 District
Applicants: Denise and Art Cote
Commission notes the addition of breezeway and garage has been approved by the IWWC
Commission last Thursday, February 17, 2005 meeting all specifications.
Robert Friedmann asked the applicant if the proposed stairs going from the breezeway up to an area above the garage be used as living space? Denise Cote said the loft area above the garage will be one large open room used as living space. Robert Friedmann suggests the applicant check with the Fire Marshall to see if they are recquired to have a second set of stairs to exit the room above the garage.
Robert Friedmann also notes a discrepancy on the plans showing the proposed garage as 12’ x 16’ when in fact the garage will be 16’ x 16’. Art Cote says he got the revised plans late but they are with Chris Costa and she will switch the plans.
OLD BUSINESS
A. SITE PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION/COASTAL SITE PLAN REVIEW
APPLICATION (Con’d.)
9,600 s.f. addition to exising 6,000 s.f. building, Map 26/Lot 6-5, B-4 District
Applicant: 10 Center Road, LLC. Agent: Robert Doane
Bob Doane, engineer for the applicant brought forward revised plans requested by the Commission at last months meeting. Reviewing engineer, Geoff Jacobsen has not reviewed the plans but Bob offered to explain the revisions to the Commission members. Bob explains the driveway on the site was poorly built and has many low points. He suggests that re-charging the driveway will help improve the pooling of water and will handle 20,000 sq. ft. of runoff. Seasonally high ground water could pose a problem and the IWWC would like to see a 4’ X 4’ gallery. Bob will consult Geoff Jacobsen about that.
He addressed a question about the driveway easement which to date, there is no easement. The Railway would prefer not to have a formal easement on the site. The Commission also discussed the number, size and location of parking spaces and handicap spaces. The width and dimensions of parking lot islands needs to be addressed. Bob will speak with Geoff to get clarification on these issues.
The silt fence on the plans meets the requirements and an elevation dam using the first floor of the existing building will control the elevation on the site.
Madeleine Fish asked if there will be any cooking facilities on the site and Bob said there
would not be. She also asked if ground water could spill into the Septic system. Bob assured
that the septic system was sealed and no seeping would occur.
Chris Costa will recquire flood lights with shields on the premises so the lighting will be
contained on the premises. Chris also mentioned the removal of the Fire Bushes, and would
like the shrubbery to be replace with Standing Ewes.
B. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION
Consider proposed antique auction house as a retail use.
Applicant: Norman Lagassie Antiques & Collectibles 315 Boston Post Road
Norman currently rents a 2,000 sq. ft. retail space. An additional 2,000 sq. ft. space became available recently and he currently uses the additional space as his sculpting studio and office. He would like to utilize that space, 4-6 times a year as a site for a retail auction. He has asked the Commission to discuss ideas, and see if it was feasible for him to do.
Gerri Lewis was especially concerned with the pedestrian safety if a large number of people were to show up at the auction. Because you never will know the volume of people who may attend, Madeleine Fish said a policeman would be recquired and be present before, during and after the auction to direct traffic.
Chris Costa mentioned the amount of parking spaces available on the property. In the past, town business like Huffman Koos have had substantial traffic issues due to large crowds attending special sales event. Walter Harris suggests having the existing parking lot re-designed and re-striped to accommodate more cars although it may be costly since Norman is a tenant and not the owner of the property.
Robert Friedman said there would be a seating capacity which would have to be adhered to, if to many people showed up at a certain auction, the over flow would have to be turned away.
The health department may need to be involved if there is be catering of food on the
premises. The Fire Marshall would have to approve also.
It is suggested by Madeleine Fish that the proper procedure for Norman is to put together a
site plan for review by the Commission members. Then the Commission can put together
specific stipulations for him to follow.
C. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION
Proposed text change to revise Connecticut Gateway Standards. Board set a Special Meeting date, Monday, March 10, 2005 at 6:30pm in the Town Hall conference room to address this issue.
COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORTS
The ZEO discussed the Middle and High School Request to grandfather existing parking. Zoning Commission said they need to provide more parking.
-The ZEO discussed a request from Fulkerson Real Estate to rearrange lighting and remove excess
lighting proposed. Zoning Commission authorized ZEO to handle administratively.
-The Zoning Commission authorized the ZEO to handle the annual renewal of Stop & Shop
greenhouse administration.
-The Zoning Commission discussed and authorized the ZEO to handle the tenant fit out of the
Walmart snack bar to a Subway sandwich shop on the condition that no additional seating be
proposed.
-The ZEO reminded the Commission to attend the CBA Seminar and distributed materials about
new educational seminars.
-The ZEO discussed George Bessoni’s plans to add an office addition onto his property located on
Boston Post Road. ZEO advised she would be sending the matter to the Zoning Commission for site
plan review due to parking and other issues.
Radio WLIS submitted a request to extend the Special Exception Permit. The Zoning Commission informed the ZEO that they need to reapply.
ADJOURNMENT
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea DeDominicis
Andrea DeDominicis, Recording Clerk
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