REGULAR MEETING
Monday, November 1, 2010
First Floor Conference Room
302 Main Street
Old Saybrook, CT
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 Carl Garbe, Regular Member
Madeleine Fish, Vice Chairman Charles Sohl, Regular Member
Geraldine Lewis, Secretary David M. Shearer, Alternate Member
John T. Talbott, Alternate Member
Alternate Member J. Talbott was seated for C. Garbe
Attendant Staff
Christina Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Christine Nelson, Town Planner
Maura Farbotka, Recording Clerk
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
MOTION to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2010 as presented; MADE: by G. Lewis; SECONDED: by M. Fish; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, J. Talbott; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
MOTION to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2010 as presented; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, J. Talbott; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
MOTION to pay Jacobson and Associates invoice # 72918 and invoice #72919 for a total of $1786.33; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, J. Talbott; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
MOTION to pay Branse, Willis and Knapp invoice # 26216 in the amount of $72.50, invoice # 25867 in the amount of $43.50, # in the amount of $29.00, and invoice # in the amount of $29.00 for a total of $174.00; MADE: by G. Lewis; SECONDED: by R. Friedmann; no discussion on the motion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, J. Talbott; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINING: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0.
Discussion with ZEO Costa regarding the outstanding Ordinance 71 bills for the withdrawn application, Between the Bridges.
Letter received from the Valley Shore Assembly of God requesting a 6-month extension on completing their landscaping plan and installation of the fence. The Commission agreed to the request of a 6-month extension.
Edward Maynard, Jr. was present regarding the recent 2 night sporting event held under the lights at the Old Saybrook High School. He stated he and his neighbors were not notified two weeks in advance, as previously indicated.
Mr. Maynard wanted it to be clear that he and his neighbors fully support the annual cancer walk held at the school, and they do not want this issue to affect that fundraiser.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING
A. SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE APPLICATION
Construct a 3,960 s.f. Warehouse building, 2 Center Road West, Map 26/Lots 6-7 & 6-8, Business B-4 District
Applicant / Agent: Ralph Gometz
Mr. Gometz addressed the commission and reviewed the plans for the proposed building. It would consist of 7-10 units, ranging from 275 to 520 s.f. This building will be the same use as his existing 10-unit warehouse which rents storage space to small construction companies.
There will be minimal lighting on site, and will include the use of multiple motion detectors. Mr. Gometz's company is an energy star rated company. Interior lights are on from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
There will be no heat or running water in the units.
Discussion with the commission about a proposed rain garden to accommodate drainage. This rain garden will be built with the consideration of possible future growth/ construction of similar buildings.
The planting schedule was reviewed in addition to pictures of the site provided by Mr. Gometz.
The applicant pointed out the location of the bathroom, handicap parking, and the dumpster to the commission. He noted there is no signage proposed, and this plan will reduce the amount of impervious surface on the site.
There is no restriction for fire truck access.
Approvals were noted from the Planning Commission, Inland Wetlands, and the Building and Health departments. Verbal okay from the Fire Marshal, with a report to follow.
MOTION to close public hearing; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, J. Talbott; OPPOSED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0. |
MOTION to approve the Special Exception Application for 2 Center Road West as presented; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, J. Talbott; OPPOSED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0. |
V. WORKSHOP
Revisit the concept of incentive housing and residential housing regulations for commercial
uses in the town.
Town Planner, Christine Nelson and Zoning Enforcement, Officer Christina Costa continued discussion with the Commission from the October workshop.~~~ Appropriate zones for incentive housing zone adoption and creating new zoning regulations for mixed use housing were discussed.~
The Commission agreed that to contact the HOPE Partnership to have a joint workshop meeting in December.
VI COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORT
-ZEO Costa red a letter from Stuart Fairbanks regarding a proposed addition of 68,050 s. f. to the Old Saybrook Animal Hospital. Mr. Fairbanks is looking to the commission for clarification on zoning regulations pertaining to animal hospitals, and boarding and kennel establishments. Mr. Fairbanks included with his letter copies of regulations from the towns of Chester and Essex.
The commission agreed that the proposed 24 parking spaces are adequate.
-Apple Rehab, Boston Post Road proposing to enclose porch and change interior. Change will require a modification to the approved Special Exception Permit for the site.
-Between the Bridges Marina, Ferry Road.~ The applicant withdrew this application before the first night of the public hearing when Ordinance 71 fees are required to be submitted by.~ The ZEO has written and called the applicant’s attorney for review fees in the amount approximately $21,000.00.~ The ZEO will continue to follow up until funds are collected.
-The ZEO and Chairman Friedmann reported on site inspections subject to litigation that afternoon. Chairman Friedmann stated that the end results for both project are better then what they were at the time of violation however may have been what the Commission would have wanted if the projects had started with the Commission prior to violations.~ Both the Rock Martel, 78 Neptune Drive and Dirt, LLC., 47 Spencer Plains Road properties have improved in compliance and appearance but both have additional work to go.
-Walmart, 665 Boston Post Road. Seasonal Trailers requested; no change from previous year. Ok for ZEO to handle administratively.
-Cafe Rio, 162 Main Street. Former Frankie & Giannis. Proposed Breakfast / Lunch Restaurant. Special Exception Use to Use. Ok for ZEO to handle administratively.
-Youth & Family Service, Main Street. Request received for temporary storage unit for seasonal donations to be removed by January 1, 2011. Ok for ZEO to handle administratively.
-Ocean State Job Lot, Boston Post Road request to open at midnight for Black Friday.
-ZEO Costa reported to the Commission that Sandy Prisloe has been hired as the new Environmental Planner.
-Town Planner advised the Commission that the State Office of Policy and Management (OPM) provided a letter of preliminary determination of eligibility for incentive housing payments on October 27, 2010 and that the Commission would need to readopt its incentive housing zone and regulations in order to qualify for payments.~ Staff noted that the deadline to adopt is November 30, 2010, which would not give enough time for 35 statutory referrals for the public hearings.~ Staff will contact OPM to advise of this problem and schedule public hearing as soon as possible.
VI. ADJOURNMENT:
Chairman Friedmann adjourned at 10:00 p.m. until the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Monday, November 15, 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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