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 Geraldine Lewis, Regular Member Madeleine Fish, Vice Chairman John Talbott, Alternate Member
Carl Garbe, Regular Member
Charles Sohl, Alternate Member
David Shearer, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff
Christina Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Maura Farbotka, Recording Clerk
Alternate David Shearer will be seated for Secretary Walter Harris.
Alternate Charles Sohl will be seated for Regular Member Gerri Lewis.
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
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MOTION to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2010 meeting as presented; MADE: by M. Fish; SECONDED: by D. Shearer; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, C. Sohl, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Chairman Friedmann noted the February 2, 2010 resignation letter received from Secretary Walter Harris. Notice has been given to the Board of Selectman to appoint a replacement. R. Friedmann stated any alternate commission members interested in Dr. Harris’ seat should contact the Board of Selectman.
M. Fish suggested a letter be written to Dr. Harris thanking him for his many years of service to the commission.
MOTION to pay Jacobson and Associates invoice # 71759, in the amount of $174.60, invoice # 71757 in the amount of $145.50, and invoice #71758 in the amount of $448.88 for a total of $768.98; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by C. Garbe; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, C. Sohl, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay Branse, Willis and Knapp invoice #s 24488, 24487, 24478, 24485 and 24483, for a total of $2055.00; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: C. Garbe; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, C. Sohl, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
- ZEO Costa noted the letter from Jacobson and Associates dated 02/09/10 which stated there will be no billing rate increase for 2010.
- Packets contained a letter dated 2/3/10 from FEMA indicating they will again be updating their flood maps.
IV. REQUEST FOR RETURN OF $900 SOIL AND EROSION BOND:
Remove non-historic portions of dwelling and replace with a two-story addition; expand existing garage.
174 No. Cove Road, Map 32/Lot 17, AA-2 District
Applicant: Richard Mazzella
ZEO Costa had no concerns with releasing the $900 SE bond. She noted the area will be grassed in the spring.
MOTION to approve the release of the $900.00 SE bond; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by D. Shearer; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, C. Sohl, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
A. SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE MODIFICATION / COASTAL SITE PLAN
Two (@) 48' x 21' seasonal greenhouses for plant sales
1654 Boston Post Road, (Benny’s Plaza), Map 26/Lot 39, B-4 Zone
Applicant: William Van Wilgen Agent: Robert A. Criscuolo, P.E.
Linda Dow, P.E. of Criscuolo Engineering made the presentation to the commission. Also in attendance: W. Van Wilgen, Jim Rotchford, and Robert Criscuolo, P.E. Ms. Dow indicated the applicant is proposing a seasonal retail plant sales. The dates of operation would be from April – December. (4/15–7/15, 9/1-10-31, and 11/20-12/24). Hours of operation were reviewed.
The plans were reviewed at length with the commission and include installation of a 65 x 110 ft stone pad area, and 2 temporary greenhouses and fencing. There will be 2 employees on site. A port – o- potty will be on site, and removed at the end of the season. There will be little to no waste. All garbage will be removed daily and taken to the Branford location
There is no new lighting proposed. The landscape plan and new plantings were reviewed; including 2 curb islands.
D. Shearer questioned the safety of a temporary greenhouse. Ms. Dow explained their construction and concrete base.
ZEO Costa noted the two items noted in the Fire Marshal’s report have been addressed by the engineers.
R. Friedmann questioned snow build up on the temporary structures. Robert Criscuolo addressed all questions, noting the Branford location uses similar greenhouses year round.
Mr. Van Wilgen confirmed any loading will be done on the easterly side to prevent obstruction of traffic and property.
Positive referrals from the Planning Commission, ARB, Health District, and DEP were reviewed.
It was agreed this plan reduces the non-conformity of the site.
The ZEO and Commission stated for the record this is not a farm operation, but is a retail operation doing business as a greenhouse.
Section 62.6 was reviewed by the3 commission, noting the abundance of parking.
MOTION to close public hearing; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by M. Fish; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, C. Sohl, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to approve the Special Exception Use Application and Coastal Site Plan Review for two 48 x 21 seasonal greenhouses for retail plant sales, 1654 Boston Post Road, Map 26/Lot 39, B-4 Zone; that this application be approved because it is consistent with all applicable coastal policies and includes all reasonable measures to mitigate adverse impact; MADE: by R. Friedman; SECONDED: by C. Sohl; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, C. Sohl, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to amend the agenda and add item: Preliminary Discussion: Property of Annello Brothers, 76 Elm Street; MADE: by M. Fish; SECONDED: by R. Friedmann; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, C. Sohl, D. Shearer; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Joe Wren, P.E. was present for the owner’s of the property, Annello Brother’s Realty. Mr. Wren distributed handouts of the site. He explained the existing house on the property will be demolished. The new owners, Annello Brothers Realty plan to construct a new structure as a possible restaurant/deli.
Mr. Wren noted the building will be in compliance with the new pedestrian node regulations. He indicated this change should improve the line of sight at the intersection.
Plans will include both indoor and outdoor seating.
There is public water on the site, and all septic and soil testing has been completed.
VI. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORTS
-ZEO stated Stop and Shop has filed their annual application for their temporary greenhouse.
-New tenant at the old Donnelley Building, 50 Schoolhouse Road, Shore Point, Inc. to rent 50,000 s.f.
ZEO Costa stated she sent a letter to Wittek Development owner of 50 Schoolhouse Road addressing the outstanding items not yet completed from the 2007 Special Exception permit. The items include parking lot cracks not yet sealed, parking lot areas not restriped, and handicap parking and signed not yet installed.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Friedmann adjourned at 9:00 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Monday, March 15, 2010 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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