AMENDED REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, May 7, 2012 at 7:00 PM
1st floor conference room – Town Hall
302 Main Street
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Friedmann called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Robert C. Friedmann, Chairman Madeleine B. Fish, Vice Chairman
Charles E. Sohl, Regular Member Geraldine M. Lewis, Secretary
John T. Talbott, Regular Member
Thomas C. Farnham, Jr., Alternate Member, seated for M. Fish
Elizabeth D. Steffen, Alternate Member, seated for G. Lewis
Robert E. Richards, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff
Christine Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Susan Graham, Administrative Clerk
There were four members of the audience present.
III. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. MINUTES
There were two corrections in the minutes. The location was the 1st floor conference room, not the 2nd floor. Chris Costa was present under staff members, not Christine Nelson.
MOTION to approve the minutes from the April 16, 2012 Regular Meeting, as amended; MADE: by E. Steffen; SECONDED: by T. Farnham; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, C. Sohl, J. Talbott, E. Steffen, T. Farnham; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
B. CORRESPONDENCE
MOTION to pay Branse, Willis, and Knapp invoices #30032 ($198.00), #30033 ($66.00), #30037 ($478.50), and #30038 ($99.00) for a total of $841.50; MADE: by E. Steffen; SECONDED: by R. Friedmann; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, C. Sohl, J. Talbott, E. Steffen, T. Farnham; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay Nathan L. Jacobson & Assoc. invoices #75578 ($204.20), #75579 ($792.70), #75580 ($213.94) and #75577 ($183.38) for a total of $1394.22; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by E. Steffen; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, C. Sohl, J. Talbott, E. Steffen, T. Farnham; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
IV. DISCUSSION
Coastline Motor Sports, J.P. Power Sports LLC, to relocate pre-existing business which performs service, sale of parts and sale of jet skis and motorcycles from 309 Boston Post Road to 280 Boston Post Road, Map 53, Lot 44-26, I-1 District, CAM.
Jerry Lamarche was present to discuss plans to move his business, Coastal Motor Sports, to the unused portion of the Ocean Performance site at 280 Boston Post Road. The present permit allows sales of jet skis and ATV's. The sale of motorcycles would require the Zoning Board of Appeals to give approval for a Certificate of Location for Motor Vehicle use. The Zoning Commission will require Coastline to return for a modification of the existing Special Exception for the property to allow for the sale of said motorcycles. The Commission also instructed the applicant of the need for additional landscaping to compensate for the outdoor sales area.
V. PUBLIC HEARING
A. “Ethan’s Landing”, Application for Site Plan Review to construct a 15 unit affordable housing development pursuant to C.G.S. 8-30g
120 Spencer Plains Road (Map 46/ Lot 5-2)
Residence AA-1 Zoning District
Owner: George Bessoni, Agent: Attorney Edward Cassella
Robert Richards recused himself from the public hearing. Atty. Ed Cassella and Joe Wren, engineer for applicant, were present to discuss the application for the housing plan. They displayed revised architectural plans and discussed the most recent revisions. There was discussion over concerns from business and residential neighbors. Chairman Friedmann clarified that since this is a C.G.S. 8-30g application, the Commission can only concern itself with public health and safety.
Some modifications were made to the plans as a result from Town and public input. The black vinyl-coated fencing around the retention pond was changed from 3' to 4' high and will be heavily landscaped. The "Ethan's Landing" sign will be moved back to the island and placed on a bollard. An as-built utility plan will be supplied showing septic, water lines, and electric and cable to the best of the surveyor's ability. It was agreed that the condo docs and by-laws are to be subject to review and approval by the Commission's attorney before final approval. ADA requirements will be met, as necessary.
Mr. Farnham stated that he had listened to the tape recording of the previous meeting and was adequately prepared to vote on this issue.
MOTION to close public hearing of “Ethan’s Landing”, Application for Site Plan Review to construct a 15 unit affordable housing development pursuant to C.G.S. 8-30g 120 Spencer Plains Road (Map 46/ Lot 5-2) Residence AA-1 Zoning District; MADE: by E. Steffen; SECONDED: by R. Friedmann; No discussion; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, J. Talbott, C. Sohl, E. Steffen, T. Farnham; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
The ZEO provided a copy of a draft Resolution for Approval and the Commission agreed to review it at the next meeting. ZEO official to draft a Resolution of Denial. The Commission found this to be unnecessary. The matter was continued to the May 21, 2012 meeting for deliberations.
VI. OUTDOOR SEATING RENEWALS
The ZEO reported on annual applications for outdoor seating renewals. The following businesses requested as follows:
Less seating: Blue Crab, Comfort Café, Dagmar, Fiores, Monkey Farm, Rosemary & Sage, VFW Post 10153. Zoning Commission approval was granted.
New seating: Saybrook Soup & Sandwich, T.J.'s Restaurant. Zoning Commission approval was granted.
Same seating: Café Toscana, Cloud Nine, Cuckoo's Nest, Dairy Queen, Dunkin Donuts (1635 BPR), Foodworks, Fresh Salt/Terra Mar, J.A.M.M.S., Jack Rabbits, Johnny Ad's, Liv's, Mike's Deli, Otter Cove Restaurant, Paperback Café, Penny Lane Pub, Pizza Palace, Pizzaworks, Sal's Pizza & Pasta, Subway, Tissa's Le Souk du Maroc. Zooning Commission approval was granted.
More seating: Back Porch, Dunkin Donuts (744 BPR), Rabbit Hole, Rio Café, Saigon City. Zoning Commisssion approved only 25% outdoor seating. The ZEO will send a letter stating the maximum number of seats is 25% of indoor seating and that is what the Zoning Commission approved.
None requested: Paesan's Pizza, Stella Doro, Tauro/Fogo, Starbuck's, Vanderbrooke, Dock & Dine. The ZEO will be in contact with them for a third time. A request will be sent to Harvest bakery (former Niko's Café). Outdoor seating will be placed on the agenda once requests are submitted.
VII. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE AND STAFF REPORTS
Chairman Friedmann received a letter from Healthy Communities / Healthy Youth of Old Saybrook asking for ideas to involve the youth with the Zoning Commission. Suggestions were made, such as inviting them to a meeting when there would be extra time to explain the zoning process.
Mr. Talbott reported that the Natural Hazard Mitigation Committee will be meeting Wed. afternoon and is wrapping up its project.
Chairman Friedmann and Ms. Steffen will be attending a forum at The Lyceum in Hartford on May 15th regarding NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard).
ZEO Costa was given permission to handle the following administratively:
Grossman Chevrolet, 300 Middlesex Turnpike – requesting to build new parapet wall with new corporate logo. Meets regulations and is a minor modification to Special Exception use.
45 Ferry Road – Point One Architects requesting to omit rain gardens from back of building. No objection from Geoff Jacobson. Commission determined this to be a minor modification to Special Exception use.
S&S Marine, 128 Essex Road – Owner, Scott Sundholm, has hired Attorney Matthew Hoberman and will be seeking a text change for the Shopping Center Business B-2 District. The Commission still wants the boats removed by June 1, as stated in the litigation warning letter. The Commission did not review proposed text change and will await an application.
Dock & Dine, 145 College Street – ZEO advised Dock & Dine is renovating bar area, no changes in number of seats.
Former Jack's Saybrook Steak, 286 Main Street – new owner renovating interior, no changes to seats. The Commission found this to be a Special Exception use to a Special Exception use.
Chester's Second Hand Store, 1610 Boston Post Road – The ZEO advised that she has visited the new store to advise that they are in violation and need permits.
The ZEO also reported annual letters have been sent out to sign companies and merchant associations reminding them of the required permitting and how to avoid zoning violations.
The ZEO advised that the Land Use Dept. has received many inquiries about the new draft FEMA flood maps. The ZEO is requesting that FEMA provide an informational meeting to the public. The earliest FEMA would be available to do so is August.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on Monday, May 21, 2012 at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 1st floor conference room, 302 Main Street at 7:00 p.m.: MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by T. Farnham; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, J. Talbott, C. Sohl, E. Steffen, T. Farnham; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINING: None; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Graham
Administrative Clerk
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