Regular Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park
155 College Street Extension
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Robert Friedmann called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Robert Friedmann, Chairman Paula Stuart, Regular Member
Madeleine Fish, Vice Chairman John Duhig, Alternate Member
Walter Harris, Secretary
Carl Garbe, Regular Member
Geraldine Lewis, Alternate Member
Charles Sohl, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff
Christina Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Maura Farbotka, Recording Clerk
Alternate Member G. Lewis will be seated for Regular Member P. Stuart
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. MINUTES
MOTION to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2008 meeting as presented; MADE: by W. Harris; SECONDED: G. Lewis; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, W. Harris, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
B. CORRESPONDENCE
MOTION to pay Branse & Willis invoice # 18493 in the amount of $1,740.00, # 18492 in the amount of $159.50, # 18494 in the amount of $29.00, and # 18497 in the amount of $72.50 for a total of $2001.00; MADE: by W. Harris; SECONDED: G. Lewis; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, W. Harris, C. Garbe, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay Jacobson and Associates invoice #14677 in the amount of $1,560.76; MADE: by G. Lewis; SECONDED: W. Harris; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, W. Harris, C. Garbe, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
The remainder of the correspondence will be handled under Staff Reports.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING:
A. MODIFICATION TO SPECIAL EXCEPTION PERMIT:
Burger King, 607 Boston Post Road, Map 40/Lot 13, B-2 District
Reconfigure parking, landscaping and façade renovation
Agent: Charles Georgie, AIA
Mr. Georgie of CGA Architects addressed the commission with regard to the project at Burger King. The plan will update the interior and the exterior of the building. Mr. Georgie addressed the proposed affordable housing application from Saybrook Commons, which will be using a twenty-foot drive for emergency access. Mr. Georgie explained there would be 2 parking spaces removed from this area to have proper access to the easement. Mr. Georgie stated Saybrook Commons would be responsible for adding a large gate to the existing fence to allow for the access.
The two parking spaces lost will be relocated to the front of the restaurant.
Landscaping discussed at length. There will be islands added, and replanting of islands to update and clean up. Street trees will be added, in addition to flowering evergreen shrubs. The mature trees in the back of the property will remain, but the trees will be trimmed. R. Friedmann questioned how much cutting would be done on existing tree on Route 1. Mr. Georgie stated this is a trimming only, to be done by a licensed arborist to regain its normal shape.
A sidewalk will be added to the front of the property, working around the landscape. M. Fish questioned the style of the sidewalk. Discussion if it will be similar to stamped brick on Main Street, or concrete. ZEO Costa thought the plan was to use block concrete for this sidewalk.
ZEO Costa reviewed the referrals received to date:
-Building Dept.: Handicap parking addressed.
-Eric Knapp
- G. Jacobson: The recommendations made for the use of bollards and silt sacks was noted. G. Jacobson also suggested care when installing the sidewalk with regard to utilities.
-Planning Commission: positive referral
-Health Department stated plan does not require any changes to the existing septic.
ARB submitted suggestions in their 04/28/08 meeting including color of window trim and doors, and types of lighting.
Mr. Georgie acknowledged D. Lucas’ 04/16/08 memo, which addresses the handicap parking. This plan will bring the handicap space to current code. It will make the van accessible space the required size to bring to code.
There are no new signs proposed for this application. Mr. Georgie did note the existing “clearance” sign at the beginning of the drive-thru would be replaced due to its condition.
W. Harris questioned entrance/exit directions. Directional signs will be painted on pavement for visual direction.
Façade changes include leveling off top of building, and changing the roof from blue metal to copper. R. Friedmann discussed the site elevation plan and the height of building. Mr. Georgie confirmed there is no increase in the height of the building.
During the interior renovation, the restaurant will be closed w/ the exception of the drive-thru service. The interior renovations included a new service counter, and new seating. (# of seating to remain the same).
After discussion, the commission agrees these plans do not increase any non-conformity of the property.
No members of public present.
MOTION to close public hearing MADE by M. Fish; SECONDED: by W. Harris; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, W. Harris, C. Garbe, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to approve the Modification to special exception for Burger King, to reconfigure parking, landscaping and façade renovation; 607 Boston Post Road, Map 40/Lot 13, B-2 District; approved with the following conditions:
1. That the applicant comply all recommendation made by the Fire Marshal, and that a suggestion be made to the Fire Marshall that the emergency access/easement to Saybrook Commons be marked to prohibit parking.
2. That the recommendations from the ARB be complied with including replacement of wall packs with shrouded security lights, the existing pole mounted fixtures to be replaced with shrouded fixtures; the blue trim on building, and the yellow doors be changed to dark bronze.
3. Silt sacks are to be placed in all catch basins during construction; Bollards be placed in front of parking spaces that face in towards the front entrance and play area, as per G. Jacobson’s 05/19/08 letter.
4. Check for design of sidewalk to be installed that it is consistent with sidewalk plan, and doesn’t interfere with utilities.
5. Landscaping bond for 2nd year growth is set in the amount of $500.00.
6. That revised plans indicating all revisions be submitted to the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by W. Harris; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, W. Harris, C. Garbe, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORTS
-ZEO Costa advised the commission that a request has been received from Attorneys Sheehan & Sheehan regarding an application for outdoor seating at Vinnie’s restaurant from 05/24/08 thru November 2008.
-ZEO Costa updated the commission on the online cards available on the town website. The Assessor’s department and the Planning Commission have both contributed the funds to bring these to the website. Some of the vital information the Zoning Department needs is, however, not available on the site. This includes lot size, district, etc. Ms. Costa requested the commission approve a one-time payment of $1,900 to Fuss and O’Neill to make the information that is required, available on the web. She noted the cost to put the entire street card on line would be approximately $15,000.00. Ms. Costa and the commission agreed this would be a great asset to the website and the public who require the information. C. Garbe questioned about a disclaimer. ZEO Costa advised there is a
disclaimer listed as you access the site.
MOTION to approve the one time payment of $1,900.00 for the purpose of updating the information required for the Community Explorer online website; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, W. Harris, C. Garbe, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
-Letter received from Wittick Development requesting a change in the type of trees to be planted. They are requesting flowering trees with a 1 & 1/2 in. caliper trees instead of the 3 & ½ in. caliper trees previously agreed on. After a discussion, the commission indicated that the caliper of the new trees must be at least 3 inches.
-ZEO Costa noted the recent lawsuit filed in the Sam’s Case.
-Gravel Pit inspections will take place at the next meeting on June 2, 2008 at 6:00. Commission Members are to meet at the Town Hall.
-The new flood ordinance is almost complete, and will be going to a town meeting in June.
-ARB has concluded their selections for Design Excellence Awards. The award recipients have been notified, and Ms. Costa will advise of date and location of award ceremony when known.
-Letter from Attorney Royston advising that some clearing will soon begin at the Max’s site. The clearing was previously approved.
-ZEO Costa updated the commission on the status of the Saybrook Commons/Affordable Housing project. Permits/approvals still pending from both the DEP and WPCA.
-ZEO advised another sweep of illegal signage would be conducted soon.
-IWWC Officer Kelly Volansky sent a letter to Mr. Paul Burdick, Re: Dirt, LLC. An incomplete application and insufficient fees were noted.
-Rock Martel; 78 Neptune Drive. ZEO Costa read a letter to the commission from Mr. Martel dated 05/18/08. This letter indicated he was in the process of securing an engineer for the purpose of completing his backyard project, which was started in 1990. In this letter, Mr. Martel requested an extension of one month.
The commission reviewed and discussed the situation and his request at length. The constant complaints of the neighbors who have had to view the site for close to twenty years were a great concern. The commission stated over the years Mr. Martel has been given countless opportunities to correct the problems, with no improvement to date. The commission feels they would be negligent to allow yet another delay on this matter, and feel the only way to insure work gets underway is to continue with the court filing.
The Commission understood the individual concerns of Mr. Martel; however felt that it was in the interest of the community to legally pursue the matter.
MOTION to proceed with the court filing against Mr. Rock Martel, 78 Neptune Drive on 05/20/08 as previously discussed MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, W. Harris, C. Garbe, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Friedman adjourned at 9:00 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Monday, June 2, 2008 at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park, 155 College Street Extension, at 7:30 p.m.
Respectively submitted,
Maura Farbotka
Recording Clerk
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