Regular
Monday, November 5, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion @ Saybrook Point Park
155 College Street Extension
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Friedmann called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Robert Friedmann, Chairman Elizabeth Steffen, Vice Chairman
Walter Harris, Secretary
Madeleine Fish, Regular Member
Paula Stuart, Regular Member
Gerri Lewis, Alternate Member
Charles Sohl, Alternate Member
Arcangela Claffey, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff
Christina Costa, ZEO
Maura Farbotka, Recording Clerk
Alternate G. Lewis will be seated for E. Steffen
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. MINUTES
MOTION to approve the October 15, 2007 minutes as submitted MADE: by A. Claffey; SECONDED: by P. Stuart; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: M. Fish, P. Stuart, C. Sohl, A. Claffey; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING; none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
B. CORRESPONDENCE
Chairman Friedmann informed the Commission of an upcoming seminar. Any interested commission members should contact the Land Use Department.
IV. REQUESTS FOR RETURN OF BOND:
A. Sleepy’s, Inc. – Site Plan Review, 555 Boston Post Rd., Map 40/Lot 45
Return of remainder of landscaping bond - $5,000.00
Per ZEO Costa, landscaping requirements have been met. The new brick sign is still under construction.
MOTION to release the remainder of the landscape bond in the amount of $5,000.00 MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, W. Harris, P. Stuart, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: M. Fish; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 4-1-0.
P. Stuart to step down. Alternate member, C. Sohl will be seated.
B. Blue Pt., Inc. – Site Plan Review, 9,200 s.f. office building, 205 Boston Post Road,
Map 28/Lot 41-1. Return of remaining ½ of landscaping bond,
$10,750.00
Per C. Costa the landscape is complete, but some of the trees and bushes should be re-inspected in the spring.
MOTION to release $5,750. of the landscape bond, and retain $5,000., pending spring inspection of the trees and bushes. MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, W. Harris, M. Fish, G. Lewis, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
P. Stuart reseated.
V. NEW BUSINESS:
A. COASTAL SITE PLAN REVIEW: Addition- Barton Ave.; Applicant: Jim Hughes;
6 Barton Avenue; Map 20/Lot 9-3.
The applicant, Mr. Hughes was not present; he is still awaiting approval from the Health District. ZEO Costa presented the application to the commission for their review.
Application consists of a 57 s.f. rear addition including replacement of deck, new front porch, and dormers on the garage. R. Friedmann raised question regarding height of existing house and addition. C. Costa confirmed both are less than 35 ft. Question raised about plan which shows proposed boardwalk and dock and if project was ever completed. Commission stated that couldn’t be part of this application. W. Harris suggested conditioning CAM approval on residence only.
MOTION to approve the application as submitted because it is consistent with all applicable coastal policies and includes all reasonable measures to mitigate adverse impact. This approval refers to the residence only; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, W. Harris, M. Fish, P. Stuart, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. PRELIMINARY REVIEW: Special Exception application of Sound Mfg., Inc. and
review of a request for modification of submission under Section 52.3.5 of zoning
regulations. W.S. Old Saybrook Realty, LLC will be making a Special Exception appli-
cation for Sound Manufacturing, Inc. as required under Section 41.1 since it use
occupies a gross floor area greater than 40,000 s.f. Agent: Attorney David Royston
Attorney Royston and Kurt Wittik were present. Mr. Wittick is a principal member of the current owner, W.S. Old Saybrook Realty, LLC.
Mr. Royston gave a thorough review of the history of the property.
One of the current tenants, Sound Manufacturing has not completed the required Special Exception Application. Mr. Royston informed the commission that W.S. Old Saybrook Realty has been advised of this, and that they have started the process of preparing the Special Exception Application. Attorney Royston is requesting from the commission some modifications of the application requirements.
Parking was discussed at length. Robert Friedmann raised concern about condition of the parking lot. It was noted that three additional handicap spaces must be included in the plan. Attorney Royston and the W.S. Old Saybrook are looking to the commission for approval of non-conformity of the parking lot. Planting of trees in order to add to the landscape requirements was suggested by Mr. Wittick. He did request that concrete landscape islands not be required because future tenants and their specific requirements are not known. Attorney Royston advised the commission each individual change of use or new tenant would have to clear a Statement of Use and plot plan with ZEO. The applicant would also have to prove proper parking to the ZEO.
The commission agreed this is a pre-existing, non-conforming property with no changes to the footprint or the height of the building. They feel a primary concern with this property is to keep it occupied and industrial.
Specific requests for waivers:
1. Existing and proposed contours.
2. Location of rock outcrops.
3. Height of buildings, fences and walls.
4. Size, height, orientation and plans of all existing signs and outdoor lighting. It is proposed that the location of all existing outdoor lighting be shown and that any proposed signs or change in lighting be shown.
5. Utilities and Drainage. There is no proposed change to the Sanitary Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Storm water Drainage, water supply facilities or underground and above ground utilities. Refuse collection areas will be shown.
Chairman Friedmann received a consensus from the commission in the above waivers. In addition, site elevations drawings are not required.
MOTION that the site plan requirements be waived under Section 51.2.1 for the items listed #1-5, in addition to the site elevations drawings as stated in Attorney Royston’s letter to the Zoning Commission, dated 11/02/07; MADE: by R. Friedmann; DISCUSSION ON MOTION: It should be noted that any changes in lighting/signs or landscaping could only be approved if the change makes the site more conforming; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, W. Harris, M. Fish, P. Stuart, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF ZONING
COMPLIANCE: tenancy of FCP Groton, LLC (gross floor area of approximately
13,000 s.f) at property of W.S. Old Saybrook Realty, LLC, 50 Schoolhouse Rd./
Donnelley Rd., pursuant to Section 51.2 B of the zoning regulations. Agent:
Attorney David Royston
Attorney Royston provided the commission with a statement of use/change of use for this tenant. This is an auto parts specialty shop which receives, assembles and ships out internet orders. Three tractor-trailer deliveries per day; no trucks parked on site. There are no retail sales or displays.
ZEO instructed by commission to handle administratively.
D. APPROVAL OF ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF ZONING
COMPLIANCE: tenancy of Specialty Store Lighting, Inc. (consisting of a gross
Floor area of less than 40,000 s.f.) at property of W.S. Old Saybrook Realty, LLC,
50 Schoolhouse Rd./Donnelley Rd., pursuant to Section 51.2 B of the zoning
regulations.
Attorney Royston described a new tenant occupying the property, Specialty Store Lighting. This company receives commercial lighting products, and distributes to East Coast retailers. There are no retail sales or displays, and no parking of trucks on site.
ZEO instructed by commission to handle administratively.
MOTION to change agenda and move item number VII before item VI MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by W. Harris; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, W. Harris, M. Fish, P. Stuart, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VII. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORTS
-Walmart requesting 2 trailers for Christmas/holiday storage from 10/25/07 to 12/25/07. Commission approved until 01/02/08.
-ZEO reviewed proposed Christmas tree sales at 1450 Boston Post Road from 11/23/07 until 12/23/07. To be held on grass area with temporary signage. Possible light pruning, and wrapping of trees. Generator on site for lighting. Commission authorized ZEO to handle administratively.
-ZEO reviewed new plans for Essex Savings Bank drive thru. Commission agreed it does not increase non-conformity.
-Sam’s Wall: DEP has ruled to take gabion wall down.
-Accessory apartment to be located on Lookout Hill Road.
-Vincent Avenue update. Billboard has been taken down; with bird feeders put up on each post. Commission advised ZEO no action to be taken.
-Ocean Performance: landscaping is in; will be striping parking in spring.
-Stark (Pathway Lighting): delay in changes. Stark is working with town on road/drainage issues.
-Dark Skies: Update to ARB at December meeting.
-Aquifer Seminar: ZEO Costa and Alternate Member, C. Sohl attended a 2 day seminar.
-Annual meeting dates were discussed.
VI. WORKSHOP: Zoning regulation re-write
The commission continued their discussion on possible rewrites to the zoning regulations.
Commission agreed to cancel the November 15, 2007 regularly scheduled zoning commission meeting.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Friedmann adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Monday, December 3, 2007 at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park, 155 College Street Extension at 7:30 p.m.
Respectively submitted:
Maura Farbotka, Recording Clerk
| 
