Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
7:30 p.m.
Second Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Friedmann called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Robert Friedmann, Chairman Geraldine Lewis, Secretary
Madeleine Fish, Vice Chairman David Shearer, Alternate Member
Carl Garbe, Regular Member
Charles Sohl, Regular Member
John T. Talbott, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff
Maura Farbotka, Recording Clerk
Alternate Member J. Talbott was seated for G. Lewis
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
Correction on page 2 under Motion to close public hearing, C. Garbe was listed twice. D. Shearer added to vote.
Correction to vote: Should read 4-0-0, not 40-0.
MOTION to approve the minutes of the July 6, 2010 as amended; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by C. Garbe; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, C. Sohl, J. Talbott; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay Jacobson and Associates invoice # 72770 in the amount of $40.60 and invoice # 72779 in the amount of $41.10 for a total of $81.70; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by C. Sohl; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, C. Garbe, C. Sohl, J. Talbott; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
IV. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION:
A. Proposed Zoning Regulations Amendment to Section 53 Special Standards for Hotel Suites in the SP-3 District to allow for a combination of hotel rooms and hotel suites as a Special Exception Use and preliminary discussion of Special Exception for hotel suites.
21 Bridge Street, Map 24, Lot 53
SP-3 District, CT River Gateway Conservation Zone and Coastal Management Zone
Owner: Saybrook Point Marina, LLC. ~~ Agent: Attorney David Royston
Attorney David Royston, Architect Tom MacDonald and Steve Tagliatela were present for the discussion. Attorney Royston gave a thorough history of the proposed site and its abutting properties.
21 Bridge Street is part of the SP-3 District, which contains numerous multi-family units.
Saybrook Point Marina applied for and was granted a variance by the ZBA to permit renovations and upgrades to the building.
The ZEO has determined that this building and its main use is a 7-bedroom multi family building. Attorney Royston indicated Rosewood, LLC, which owns 19 Bridge Street, has granted an easement for parking access. Plan has health department approval.
Attorney Royston stated a Special Exception Application to the Zoning Commission would be necessary to convert the building to Hotel Suites, noting that this discussion is in no way a decision or predetermination of approval.
Tom MacDonald reviewed preliminary drawings showing different combinations of hotel suites / hotel rooms.
R. Friedmann raised question with regard to room service availability, and/or kitchen on site.
Discussion held with regard to use / purpose of proposed common room. Applicant will clearly outline for Special Exception application.
Mr. Tagliatela stated this renovation will be different from his other sites, and will be a historical preservation of this 1880s building.
M. Fish and C. Sohl both spoke in favor of the plan, stating the existing building is detraction to the neighborhood.
Commission members agreed they would not discourage an application. They requested viewing plans using only hotel rooms, along with a clear definition of the common area.
Attorney Royston indicated he would like to apply for the text change at the same time as the Special Exception Application.
IV. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORTS
-Ocean surveys to relocate from Sheffield Street to a 35,000 s.f. office warehouse space on Mill Rock Road East. Okay for ZEO to handle administratively.
-Kendall Inc., a database management company to move to office space on Mill Rock Road East.
-Stella Doro and Saigon City Restaurants, (Boston Post Road), have added outdoor seating. ZEO has mailed outdoor seating applications to both businesses. The number of seats meets zoning regulations; okay for ZEO to handle administratively.
-Rock Martel, 78 Neptune Drive has reimbursed the Commission for legal fees, and placed performance bond per SPEX approval. Work has started, w/ hope to complete with November deadline.
-Cohen’s Bagels to open in the former Frankie & Giannis restaurant on Main Street. No changes other than type of food to be sold.
-Ferry Crossing (Hope Partnership), 45 Ferry Road: A minor change / request to rotate building E. Okay for ZEO to handle administratively.
-Sculpter to lease space within Bernie’s Watch and Jewelry store on Boston Post Road.
-Rutigliano litigation, Vincent Avenue was approved by IWWC in August and will be applying to ZBA for variance, and then to ZC for Special Exception.
-Main Street Tavern, Main Street to be leased by Jack Flaws of Jack’s Restaurant. Proposal includes new bar, and continuation of food service through the wall from Jack Rabbits. To be named “Hole in the Wall”.
-ZEO has sent email to Guilford Savings Bank about the removal of a tree from the front of the building. ZEO will update commission when response is received.
-Per the Commission’s request, the ZEO has sent a letter to Pat Brink regarding the removal of box trucks on the property adjacent to Old Saybrook Stone, Mill Rock Road East. No response received to date.
-ZEO continues to review Site Plans / Special Exception approvals for missing landscape as depicted in site plans.
-Attorney Knapp and ZEO Costa continue to try and locate a correct phone number / address for Alexander Walker, owner of the Starbucks property in order to send letter regarding completing of SPEX / Site Plan approval conditions. Multiple mailings to several addresses have been returned.
-ZEO Costa and Land Use Staff have continued to review and research properties remaining on the Volume 200 (seasonal) list. This will give an accurate account of how many properties remain on the list in preparation for an anticipated referral by the BOS for an amendment to the Winterization Ordinance.
~VI. ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Friedmann adjourned at 9:30 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Tuesday, September 21, 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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