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 TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOKZoning Commission |
Executive Board Robert C. Friedmann, Chairman Madeleine B. Fish, Vice Chairman Geraldine M. Lewis, Secretary |
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741 Telephone (860) 395-3131 FAX (860) 395-1219
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, August 1, 2011 – 7:30 1st floor conference room – Town Hall 302 Main Street |
Members Carl C. Garbe Charles E. Sohl
Alternate Members David M. Shearer John T. Talbott |
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Friedmann called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Robert C. Friedmann, Chairman David M. Shearer, Alternate Member
Madeleine B. Fish, Vice-Chairman
Geraldine M. Lewis, Secretary
Carl Garbe, Regular Member
Charles Sohl, Regular Member
John T. Talbott, Alternate Member (Not Seated)
Attendant Staff
Chris Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Sarah Lyons, Recording Clerk
III REGULAR BUSINESS
The following changes were made to the minutes of July 5, 2011. In paragraph 2 of page 5, the wording is changed to “B. Friedmann inquired as to why less than 30% of the units on the eastern side of the street are affordable”. Paragraph 4 of page 5 was changed to “The Commission accepted the 30 day extension granted by Attorney Childress”.
MOTION to pay Branse, Willis & Knapp., invoices #28184 ($145.00), and #28194 ($43.50), for a total of $188.50. MADE: by M. Fish; SECONDED by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR B. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, C. Sohl, and C. Garbe; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Between The Bridges/Marina Village (continued from 7/5/11)
1) Application for Special Exception Use/Coastal Site Plan Review for renovations to existing building for restaurant/offices use; renovation of existing 4-bedroom dwelling for office/retail uses; construction of new 3,404 s.f. boat repair building and construction of new 800 s.f. sewerage treatment maintenance building, all at existing 289 slip marina. 139, 142 & 163 Ferry Road, Map 45, Lots 11, 14, 29 & 33; 18 acres, Marine Commercial (MC) Zone & Residence A Zone, CT River Gateway Conservation Zone, Coastal Management Zone.
Applicant: Between the Bridges, LLC. Agent: William Childress, Esq.
2) Application for Marina Village Affordable Housing Development Site Plan Review (8-30g) for construction of 90 dwelling units with appurtenant sewerage treatment facilities and maintenance building, parking and amenities, 139, 142 & 163 Ferry Road, Map 45, Lots 11, 14, 29, and 33; 18 Acres, Marine Commercial (MC) Zone & Residence A Zone, CT River Gateway Conservation Zone, Coastal Management Zone, including an Affordability Plan containing, inter alia, draft zoning regulations to govern this development only.
Applicant: Between the Bridges, LLC. Agent: William Childress, Esq.
Chairman Friedmann advised that the commission had received and reviewed all recent correspondence and documents. Attorney William Childress stated that the applicant had submitted all plans and were ready to take questions from the Commission. The Commission inquired as to the vertical clearance of Building E and whether or not there was access for emergency vehicles. Jill Cartegena of Point One Architects indicated that the clearance was 8’ 6”. Fire Chief J.T. Dunn presented some outstanding issues that he wanted the applicant to address. These issues concerned the auto turn, radio system concerns and the possibility of installing a repeater system in the building, access to hydrants at the townhouse buildings that do not have sprinkler systems, conducting a flow test on the water main, trees
and plantings possibility inhibiting rescue access, gate access and having a stand pipe in building 8.
Chairman Friedmann expressed his concern involving the sidewalks behind the townhouse driveways and whether vehicular overhangs could cause issues. Several possible solutions were discussed including the lengthening of the driveways by the narrowing of the road from 24’ to 20’ by buildings G-O. Chairman Friedmann questioned if the town would be liable for the access easement and snow maintenance of sidewalks in this area. The applicant agreed to maintain easement and that information was in the access agreement.
The Commission questioned the applicant regarding the two chambers of the sewage treatment system, which the applicant stated will be identical chambers. The parking for the restaurant will be on both sides of the street, with the east side parking outside of the restaurant entrance and the balance of the parking to be on the western side of the street. Chairman Friedmann requested clarification of the portion of the Milone and Macbroom July 15, 2011 report that addressed the trimming of vegetation to improve site lines. The applicant stated that this vegetation is part of the parcel owned by BTB and does not belong to the adjacent property owner, so trimming will not be a problem.
Chairman Friedmann asked if anyone in attendance would like to speak concerning the two proposed applications. Mr. Tony Lyons, 15 Beaver Dam Trail, and President of HOPE Partnership expressed his support for the project and its positive impact on the neighborhood while creating more affordable housing in Old Saybrook. Resident David Royston of Wild Apple Lane and on the board of HOPE Partnership also voiced support for the project and its benefit for the town in increasing the amount of affordable housing. J.T. Dunn, Fire Chief, expressed his concern regarding the width of the interior roads and boat storage. Robert Fusari, 8 Fencove Court, and a board member of HOPE Partnership expressed his full support for the project.
William Childress submitted and made his closing statement. In the statement, he discussed the project meeting the goal stated in the Plan of Conservation and Development which was adopted by the Planning Commission; that existing non-comformities and newly created non-conformities find relief under 8-30g; that this project would raise the number of affordable units in Old Saybrook to 109; that the applicant has done everything possible to eliminate any substantial health and safety issues, that they have succeeded in meeting the Connecticut River Gateway goals and retains and adds additional water dependant uses in accordance with CAM. Finally, Mr. Childress feels that the applicant has sought to address every comment from every reviewer.
Both Commission and ZEO Chris Costa commended the applicant for their thorough application. Chairman Friedmann and Chris Costa reminded the Commission that this was their last opportunity to pose any questions to the applicant. The Commission had no additional questions.
The Commission requested and Mr. Childress granted an extension of time to the fullest extent the law would allow for both the Special Exception application and 8-30g Site Plan Review.
ZEO Costa reported that she has contacted and reminded those agencies that have yet to respond to referral requests. All other material that has been received by the Land Use Department that relates to these applications has been forwarded to the Commission, the Applicant, and has been made part of the record. Additional staff comments are expected after the close of the Public Hearing
M. Fish stated that she is on the Connecticut River Gateway Commission and HOPE Partnership; however she has not participated in any discussions at these agencies concerning this application and feels confident that she can objectively be part of deliberations and decision making.
COMMISSION BEGAN DELIBERATIONS
Chairman Friedmann suggested items for consideration by the Commission such as whether or not the restaurant is approvable as a Special Exception considering the proposed activity on the other side of Ferry Road, the location of the sewage treatment plant and whether this best supports the units, the percentage and location of affordable units, the width of the internal road.
Following discussion, ZEO Costa stated that she would work with Attorney Eric Knapp to draft four motions for consideration when deliberations continue.
MOTION to adjourn the deliberations of the public hearing to the next Regular Meeting on Monday, August 15, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at Old Saybrook Town Hall - First Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street; MADE by R. Friedmann; SECONDED by C. Sohl; VOTED IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, C. Sohl, and J. Talbott OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
VI. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORTS
ZEO Costa informed the Commission that there will be a Special Meeting on Tuesday, August 9, at 7:00. The following staff items were also discussed:
- Alan Horton, 18 Pelton Avenue, Map 20/Lot 37: Chris Costa went out to the address with the DEEP following complaints from neighbors. As the result of a prior Zoning Commission Meeting, Mr. Horton was required to relocate steps, move his shed out of the wetlands, and to keep the existing retaining wall. Upon inspection it was discovered that he moved the shed out of the wetlands, but not to the location indicated on the approved plans. The Commission stated that Mr. Horton is required to move the shed to the approved location or return to the Zoning Commission with a new application and as-built.
- Chris Costa reported that she and Joanne Rynecki have been working on sign enforcement and in July had sent out 20 cease and desist letters as well as 15 additional letters to sign companies. On August 2, 2011 they will send out an additional 30 cease and desist letters, including informational letters to the Shoreline Realtor’s Association and the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce. Chairman Friedmann wrote a letter to the Chamber of Commerce inquiring about the status of their sign committee. ZEO Costa informed the Commission that Shoreline Family Physician, 1250 Boston Post Road, was sent a cease and desist letter regarding their prohibited A-frame sign and are appealing her decision to the ZBA.
- Chris Costa informed that Middlesex Hospital, 154 Main Street, Map 37, Lot 127, have submitted an application to the ARB for awnings. The Zoning Commission instructed the ZEO to handle the modification administratively.
- The Historical Society will be having an antique car event in honor of the centennial for the draw bridge on August 24, 2011. They have placed a temporary banner at the end of Main Street for 15 days and it will be relocated to the shopping center for an additional 15 days.
- Chris Costa informed that she met with the owners of Saybrook Junction regarding parking issues. They would like to start using LAZ Parking for their 310 spaces; there are 41 Amtrak spaces, and 30 Pizza Works spaces. There will be two attendants from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 1 attendant from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., no gates, or parking structures and plan to locate this in the middle of the lot. The ZEO is awaiting a site plan and has advised that a Zoning Commission permit will be required.
- R.J. Dibble, Inc. filed an application for a certificate of zoning compliance on July 13, 2011 for a temporary salt storage shed at their property on Ingham Hill Road, Map 35, Lot 8.
- ZEO Costa informed that there have been multiple complaints regarding the parking of cars at the Auto Mall on Middlesex Tpke.
- Special Exception 05-272, Carl Piontkowski, 350 Middlesex Turnpike. The ZEO discussed that the file remains open because a condition of approval was to add a cross easement between two adjacent properties owned by Mr. Piontkowski. An easement cannot be granted to the same person so the file remains open. The Zoning Commission instructed the ZEO to close the file without a cross easement.
Chairman Friedmann adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sarah H. Lyons
Zoning Commission Clerk
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