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
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Maura Farbotka, Recording Clerk
Alternate Member G. Lewis seated for Paula Stuart.
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. MINUTES
Correction should be made on page 5 under Motion. G. Lewis left the meeting prior to this vote. Her name should be removed, and the motion should state APPROVED 4-0-0.
MOTION to approve the minutes of the May 4, 2009 meeting as corrected; MADE: by M. Fish 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.
MOTION to pay Branse and Willis invoice # 21793 in the amount of $3958.50, invoice # 31794 in the amount of $3668.50 and 21795 in the amount of $72.50 and invoice # 21797 in the amount of $87.00 for a total of $7786.50; MADE: by G. Lewis; SECONDED: by G. Garbe; 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.
IV. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION: Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center
Off-site parking Agent: Torrence Downes
Torrence Downes, member of the Town Hall Building Committee and member of the KHCAC Board of Trustees addressed the Commission. Chuck Sill, Executive Director was also present.
Mr. Downes noted this is a preliminary discussion and overview of the parking plan for the center. A two page outline was given to the Commission in their packets, and all items were briefly discussed. Mr. Downes informed the commission of an upcoming meeting with Lt. Speara of the OSPD, to get a discussion started with regard to the parking issues.
Chairman Friedmann question ZEO Costa on the past ZBA variance granted regarding an electric sigh. C. Costa noted that she believed that since a building permit was not pulled within 1 year of the approval that the variance may be expired, and needs to be reapplied for.
C. Garbe confirmed the theater seats 250 people.
R. Friedmann noted the numerous people in the audience, many members of the Main Street Business Association:
-C. Connolly of the O.S. Bike Committee proposed including bike rack installation on this plan and stated her Committee would be able to provide the rack.
-Pam Cartier of Cartier Optical raised questions about the numbers of staff and volunteers at any given event. Chuck Sill estimated approximately 5-6 staff, and 10-12 volunteers.
Ms. Cartier further questioned how current parking regulations would be enforced during these events, noting the maximum 2 hour parking limit during the day (8 am – 2 pm).
The Commission agreed more enforcement of the parking would need to be handled by the OSPD.
-Susan Esty of Estys, 292 Main Street and Chairperson of the Main Street Business Association raised concern with the planned drop zone. Any traffic flow problem should be taken off Main Street. This would be solved by moving the drop off zone off Main and onto Sheffield Street. She also reported on the spaces behind the fire department could be of use. Chairman Friedmann suggested possibly using these spaces as staff parking.
Mr. Downes stated these concerns will be brought up with his upcoming meeting with the police, stressing the need to enforce existing parking rules. He emphasized he realized there are many details to work out, and that the KHCAC is devoted to finding an amicable solution. The Committee will continue talking and working with all involved and affected
parties to come up with a plan and at the same time hopefully correct some of the existing parking issues on Main Street. Mr. Downes hopes to return with a site plan at the June 1, 2009 Zoning Commission meeting.
V. OLD BUSINESS
DISCUSSION:
Special Exception Application of River Sound Development, LLC for Open Space
Subdivision Plan for “The Preserve”, Ingham Hill Road & Bokum Road. Pursuant to
Section 56.5 of the Zoning Regulations, request, on behalf of River Sound, that the Zoning
Commission grant an extension of time of one (1) year to file plans for the Open Space
Subdivision Plan. Agent: David M. Royston
Attorney David Royston was present for the applicant, stating the Commission’s legal councel, Mark Branse, confirmed in his May 8, 2009 letter that the March 2006 extension was unnecessary. Attorney Branse’s letter went on to note that the “clock” did not begin to run until June 5, 2008, which was the date the appeal was dismissed.
C. Sohl confirmed with Atty Royston that this extension is being requested because of two pending appeals on Inland Wetlands decisions.
Discussion held with regard to the necessity of publishing a legal notice of the decision.
MOTION to grant an extension and extension for a period of one year to file plans for the Open Space Subdivision Plan, beginning June 5, 2009; MADE: by W. Harris; SECONDED: by M. Fish; DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION: a member of the public questioned the Commission regarding the opportunity for comments from the public. Chairman Friedmann stated this is not a public hearing, and the public was given an opportunity at the May 4, 2009 meeting to speak. ZEO Costa advised the audience that all correspondence is available in the Land Use Department for public access. R. Friedmann noted that this was a procedural issue, with all pertinent questions answered by legal counsel. VOTING IN FAVOR: M. Fish, W. Harris, C. Garbe, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: R. Friedmann; ABSTAINING:
none; APPROVED: 4-1-0.
MOTION to switch the agenda and move Item VII ahead of Item VI; 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.
VII. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE AND STAFF REPORT
-An Environmental impact evaluation from the DEP regarding the proposed new Wastewater Management District was distributed to Commission members by the ZEO. Chris asked the Commission to evaluate the plan and come prepared at the next meeting with ideas to respond to this request. Don Lucas, WPCA Coordinator will be present at the next meeting to answer any questions.
-ZEO Costa reminded the Commission that the annual gravel pit inspections will be held at the next meeting on June 1, 2009. The order for 2009 will be B&L, Pointkowski, and Dibble). Commission members should meet at the Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.
-The new Walmart sign and the ARB conditions of approval were reviewed by the commission. All agreed this was not a significant change to the previously approved Special Exception and authorized ZEO to handle administratively.
-CRWIII, Lots 3a & 3b Center Road West. ZEO noted discussion with the Applicant that some common sense minor modifications should be considered related to landscaping and the restriping and relocation of the handicap parking spaces closer to the front of building. The Commission agreed these were minor adjustments to the site plan approval, and instructed the ZEO to handle administratively.
- A copy of the Old Saybrook Incentive Housing Zone Application was sent up to the State Office of Policy and Management for review 60 days prior to the ZC proposing a public hearing to adopt the text.
-Outdoor seating: ZEO clarified the proposed seating at the Comfort Café, 90 Essex Road noting an error in the application. There will be 4 tables with a total of 12 chairs.
Vanderbrookes Bakery, 65 Main Street: Outdoor seating will remain the same as last year with 2 picnic tables. Fiores, Main Street was sent a letter stating that it was assumed that since they did not return the outdoor seating renewal certificate of zoning compliance that no outdoor seating was being proposed for the 2009 season.
-The Zoning Enforcement Officer discussed a letter from the Connecticut Gateway Conservation Zone discussing proposed amendments to the definition of height in the Gateway Zone. The ZEO reminded the Commission that last fall she was working with Torrance Downes to amend confusing language in the Gateway Regulations that were interpreted differently such as the differences between the high tide line, mean high tide line, high water line.
ZEO Costa updated the Commission on Dirt, LLC (47 Spencer Plains Road). Mr. Van Epps has made two of the required $2,000.00 payments on time. She reminded the commission that June 1, 2009 is the Superior Court deadline for the site clean up.
VI. WORKSHOP:
A. ZONING REGULATIONS REWRITE SECTION 62:
Update and reformat Article VI Townwide Requirements
The Zoning Commission reviewed draft text on building design with the Town Planner and Zoning Enforcement Officer. The Town Planner requested that the Commission think about neighborhood patterns and design for the next meeting. The ZEO advised that the June 1st meeting agenda may be busy and that the Commission should consider having a Special Meeting for a workshop. The Commission agreed that a special meeting should be held on June 4, 2009 at 7:15 p.m. to work solely on regulations.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Friedman adjourned at 10:21 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held early on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. for annual gravel pit inspections and then continued at 7:30 at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, First Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street.
Respectively submitted,
Maura Farbotka
Recording Clerk
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