Regular Meeting
Monday, August 3, 2009 @ 7:30 p.m.
First Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Friedmann called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Robert Friedmann, Chairman Walter Harris, Secretary
Madeleine Fish, Vice Chairman John Duhig, Alternate Member
Carl Garbe, Regular Member
Geraldine Lewis, Regular Member
Charles Sohl, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff
Christina Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Maura Farbotka, Recording Clerk
Alternate Member C. Sohl was seated for Secretary W. Harris.
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
MOTION to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2009 meeting as presented; MADE: G. Lewis; SECONDED: by M. Fish; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, G. Lewis, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Land Use Educational items in each Commission Member’s packets.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Petition to Amend Section 37 of the Zoning Regulations, SP-3 District (Cont’d.)
To permit Hotel Suites as an accessory use to a permitted Hotel use not located on the
same lot as the Hotel, under specified conditions.
Petitioner: Saybrook Point Marina, LLC By: David M. Royston, Its Attorney
Attorney Royston, Stephen Tagliatella and Andy Abels of the Saybrook Point Inn were present.
Chairman Friedmann stated for the record that he listened to the Zoning Commission 7/20/09 tape up until the recess taken by the applicant. Attorney Royston stated that on behalf of the applicant, he would waive Chairman Friedmann listening to the remainder of the tape (post recess).
Mr. Royston discussed his July 24, letter, and distributed to the Commission a revised Amendment /Petition to Text Change, dated August 3, 2009.
The major difference in the revised amendment is the elimination of a definition for transient lodging, and the removal of any time limitation.
Attorney Royston discussed Mark Branse’s July 31, 2009 letter, and his meeting with Zoning Enforcement Officer Costa on August 3, 2009.
The specific proposed definitions to add to Section 9 of the Regulations were reviewed, noting the major difference is the addition of cooking to Hotel Suites.
Stephen Tagliatella addressed the Commission stating he has to become more flexible and fulfill the varying needs of his patrons. He stressed there are no life/safety issues by removing any time limit. This amendment would benefit all parties including the business, customers and the town. He noted there is always a surplus of parking spaces.
Chairman Friedmann raised many questions and clarified/reviewed all aspects of the amendment with Attorney Royston and the Commission members. Attorney Royston stressed this amendment makes sense from all standpoints. Commission members Garbe, Fish and Lewis all stated their approval of the amendment.
Andy Abels of the Saybrook Point Inn stated this change would have a negligible effect on parking.
Chairman Friedmann opened the hearing to the public. No comments.
MOTION to close Public Hearing; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, G. Lewis, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to adopt the Amendment to Section 37; Petition of Saybrook Point Marina, LLC for Change in Zoning Regulations as amended; Petition dated August 3, 2009; to be effective August 24, 2009. DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION: C. Garbe asked ZEO Costa if she felt comfortable with the amendment without the specific definition of transient lodging, and the lack of a time limit. MADE: by G. Lewis; SECONDED: by C. Garbe; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, G. Lewis; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
V. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORTS
-Ferry Road – IHZ development; ZEO Costa asked all members if it was necessary to have Hope Partnership come to the Commission for a preliminary review for a proposed incentive housing development on Ferry Road.. All members felt this was not necessary since HOPE will be having preliminary staff reviews but if HOPE felt it was necessary then they were welcome to request to be added to a future agenda.
-Gateway Regulation changes. ZEO Costa reported she is working with Torrance Downes, continuing to update the Gateway Regulations to clarify discrepancies with determining buffer areas and height.
-Chairman Friedmann noted he will be writing a statement to be submitted for the annual Town Report on the activities of the Zoning Commission from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. Specific items he will include will be the several workshops the Commission held in addition to the updating and amendment of many regulations.
The Commission inquired with the ZEO if the Old Saybrook Shopping Center, Boston Post Road submitted an application for temporary tent event/sales at the shopping center for sales events that occurred the previous weekend. The ZEO replied that she was not aware of the event nor did she receive an application. The Zoning Commission instructed the ZEO to inform the owner of the Shopping Center that in the future an application for special events should be applied for.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chairman Fish adjourned at 8:55 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Monday, August 17, 2009 at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, First Floor Conference Room, 302 Main at 7:30 p.m.
Respectively submitted,
Maura Farbotka
Recording Clerk
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