I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Friedmann called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Robert Friedmann, Chairman John Talbott, Alternate Member Madeleine Fish, Vice Chairman
Geraldine Lewis, Secretary
Carl Garbe, Regular Member
Charles Sohl, Regular Member
David M. Shearer, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff
Christina Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Maura Farbotka, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
MOTION to approve the minutes of the June 7, 2010 meeting as presented; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by M. Fish; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, C. Garbe, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay Jacobson and Associates invoice # 72558 in the amount of $13.00, invoice #72407 in the amount of $87.30, invoice # 72511 in the amount of $186.10, invoice # 72409 in the amount of $116.40, invoice # 72410 in the amount of $582.00, and invoice #16796 in the amount of $143.95 for a total of $1,128.75; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, C. Garbe, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
C. Sohl raised question with regard to the bills, which ZEO Costa confirmed are all from Flood Reviews. Ms. Costa explained the Zoning Commission has been trying to get on the agenda for a town meeting for close to 2 years. All text has been drafted, but until the fee structure is amended, these flood fees will continue.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Special Exception use Application to relocate Police Department to a 19,000
s.f. building; 6 Custom Drive, Map 46/Lot 1-3, Business B-4 Zone
Applicant: Old Saybrook Police Dpt. Agent: Attorney Christina Burnham
Attorney Burnham, and Chief Spera were present. An error on the agenda was noted: The square footage of the building should be 19,000 s.f. not 9,000 s.f.
Attorney Burnham explained the need for the relocation is due to the heavy rains and flooding
which resulted from a March storm.
The original 1986 plot plan of the building along with a floor plan of the space being used by the department was submitted to each commission member.
This site matches the need of the department best. The town signed a 3 year lease with the owner, who has been very helpful and generous throughout the transition.
Attorney Burnham indicated the Police Department is looking for a waiver of site plan requirements noting there will be no site work done.
There are 22 outdoor parking spaces, along with an additional 8-10 indoor spaces to be used for police vehicles. It was noted the former site only had 16-18 spaces.
There is no parking on the road, but it is allowed on the curbed area of the circle. The public works department has already installed the appropriate no parking signs.
R. Friedmann raised question about heavy parking from the DMV. Chief Spera indicated he has been working with the DMV and has corrected/clarified many parking issues.
Chief Spera stated a building committee has confirmed the old location cannot be salvaged due to numerous problems. They are currently working with the Board of Selectman to develop a new footprint and plans for the building at the former Main Street location. The department is estimating they will be in this temporary location for two to three years.
The stockade, police sign, and display vehicles have already been moved to the new location. Chief Spera marked the location of each on the plans in addition to the dumpster and generator locations.
Both Attorney Burnham and Chief Spera commended the police department staff for all the work done on their own time to make this transition as smooth as possible.
R. Friedmann opened the hearing to the public. G. Westerson also commended the department for their volunteering and help with the move.
MOTION to close public hearing; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, C. Garbe, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to approve the Special Exception Use Application to relocated the Police Department to a 19,000 s.f. building at 6 Custom Drive, Map 46/Lot 1-3, Business B-4 Zone with the following conditions; 1. As part of the move, the Zoning Commission would grant the waiver of the site plan requirement; 2. The provided twenty-two parking spaces would be sufficient for the use; 3. The location of the stockade, signs, display police vehicles, generator and dumpster will remain as indicated on the plans, and 4. The Handicap parking space will be marked appropriately per the Building Inspectors 6/1/2010 report. MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION: ZEO Costa noted the favorable referrals from the Planning Commission, Building Department, Fire Marshall and Building Department;
VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, C. Garbe, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORTS
-Matt Rubin of the Old Saybrook Shopping Center filled out an application for the annual sidewalk sale to be held July 29, 30, 31, and August 1st.
-ZEO Costa has been having discussions with C. Still of the Katherine Hepburn Theater, 300 Main Street regarding signs. Signage has been requested including flagpoles with colored flags, and an open sign, both of which are unpermitted. The Commission said the small sign indicating box office hours, along with a “no entrance sign” will be permitted as directional signs. The Commission agreed with the ZEO that the colored flags and a 3’ x 5’ vinyl open banner are considered signs as defined in the Zoning Regulations.
The Commission suggested that the Kate make a formal permanent sign plan rather then apply for vinyl banners that would not be consistent with the historic character of the building. The plan would need to be reviewed by the Architectural Review Board and then the Zoning Board of Appeals for variances since the square footage of the proposed signs exceeds what is permitted in the Residence A Zoning District.
VI. ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Friedmann adjourned at 8:52 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at the Old Saybrook Town Hall First Floor conference room, 302 Main Street at 7:30 p.m.
Respectively submitted,
Maura Farbotka
Recording Clerk
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