REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 18, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall, 302 Main Street
1st floor conference room
I. CALL TO ORDER
R. Friedmann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members
Robert Friedmann, Chairman
Madeleine Fish, Vice Chairman
Geraldine Lewis, Secretary
Marc W. Delmonico, Regular Member
Thomas Farnham Jr., Alternate Member
J. Colin Heffernan, Alternate Member
Absent Members
John Talbott, Regular Member
Robert E. Richards, Alternate Member
Attendant Staff
Chris Costa, Zoning Enforcement Officer
Melanie Roberts, Administrative Clerk
There were 7 members of the audience present.
MOTION to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from November 4, 2013 with the following correction: pg. 2, Motion to approve “Saybrook Village Senior Housing” sitting and voting for M. Fish was J. Colin Heffernan. MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, M. Delmonico, J. Colin Heffernan; OPPOSED: 0; ABSTAINING: 0. APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to pay invoice # 34578 & 34582 from Branse Willis & Knapp, LLC. totaling $240.50; MADE: by G. Lewis; SECONDED: by R. Friedmann; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, M. Delmonico, J. Colin Heffernan; OPPOSED: 0; ABSTAINING: 0; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING
A. “Eden Harbor” Application to Modify Special Exception Permit # 04-090 for an approved 32 unit Planned Residential Development, 175 Ferry Road, Map 45, Lot 15, Residence A District, Coastal Management Zone to construct the remaining 10 units, including modifications to buildings, building footprints, landscaping and driveway locations.
Applicant: MDC Corporation Agent: Attorney Mark Shipman
ACTION: Open Public Hearing; Continue or Close by 12/16/2013 (NLT 12/22/2013)
Attorney Larry Shipman spoke on behalf of the applicant and briefly discussed the history of the original application and the minor changes in regards to the size and architectural design of the units occurring with this application.
Design plans were presented to the Commission and the only concern brought forward by the Commission was in regards to the distance of two specific driveways in relation to the roadway. Darren Overton, P.E. answered this question and assured the Commission that the design of the driveways for these two units was more than adequate.
In regards to referrals, given the minor modifications involved in this application, C. Costa stated there were no comments from other Commissions, Agencies, Town Departments, etc.
There were no comments from the public.
MOTION to close “Eden Harbor” public hearing; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, M. Delmonico, J. Colin Heffernan; OPPOSED: 0; ABSTAINING: 0; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to approve “Eden Harbor” Application to Modify Special Exception Permit # 04-090; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, M. Delmonico, J. Colin Heffernan; OPPOSED: 0; ABSTAINING: 0; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
- Dock n Dine Application for Special Exception to construct a 13,530 s.f. Restaurant. 145 College Street, Map 24/Lot 42-1, SP-2 District, CAM, GCZ
Applicant/Owner: The Point, LLC Agent: Joseph Wren, P.E.
ACTION: Open Public Hearing; Continue or Close by 12/16/2013 (NLT 12/22/2013)
ZEO C. Costa received a letter from Joseph Wren, P.E. on behalf of the applicant requesting that the Commission open the public hearing but continue all discussions until the Zoning Commission’s next regular scheduled meeting of December 2, 2013.
MOTION to continue “Dock n Dine” Application for Special Exception public hearing until the next regular scheduled meeting of the Zoning Commission of December 2, 2013; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, M. Delmonico, J. Colin Heffernan; OPPOSED: 0; ABSTAINING: 0; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
V. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Petition to Amend the Old Saybrook Zoning Map to create a Town Center Incentive Housing Zone and Mixed-Use (MU) Subzone that overlays that portion of the Shopping Center Business B-2 District and Gateway Business B-4 District known as Boston Post Road (Assessor’s Map 39, Lot 9 and Map 40, Lots 4, 15, 16, 18-1, 40, 43, 44, 45, & 46), North Main Street (Assessor’s Map 40, Lot 5, 6, 6-1, 7, 10, 12-1, 43-1, 45-1, 45-2 & 70), Stage Road (Assessor’s Map 40, Lots 12, 13, 14).
Petitioner: Old Saybrook Zoning Commission
ACTION: Deliberate and act.
B. Petition to Amend the Old Saybrook Zoning Regulations to add Section 54.1.3.E.2 to describe the proposed map change to create the Saybrook Junction Town Center Incentive Housing Zone and Mixed Use Sub-Zone that overlays that portion of the Shopping Center Business B-2 District and Gateway Business B-4 District known as Boston Post Road (Assessor’s Map 39, Lot 9 and Map 40, Lots 4, 15, 16, 18-1, 40, 43, 44, 45, & 46), North Main Street (Assessor’s Map 40, Lots 5, 6, 6-1, 7, 10, 21-1, 43-1, 45-1, 45-2 & 70), Stage Road (Assessor’s Map 40, Lots 12, 13, 14)
Petitioner: Old Saybrook Zoning Commission
ACTION: Deliberate and act.
Chairman Friedmann opened both of the above mentioned public hearings. Commission members received a copy of a letter dated November 18, 2013 from Chief of Police Michael A. Spera to Chairman R. Friedmann. The Commission had previously asked for Chief Spera’s input in regards to traffic concerns in the above mentioned IHZ zone.
Traffic congestion, the use of traffic studies, and parking concerns along N. Main St. were discussed by Commission members. Chairman Friedmann asked Commission members if any new information was needed in order to proceed. The Commission agreed that no new information was needed and that they were ready to vote.
Chairman Friedmann reminded all Commission members that in order to vote on the map and text changes that each Commission member must be fully up to date in regards to these matters. This includes listening to audio recordings of meetings in which members may have been absent. Chairman Friedmann the proceeded to ask each voting member if they were eligible to vote based on these criteria. All said yes.
Public comment was taken at this time.
Eleanor LaPlace of 4 Fourth Avenue stated she is not in favor of these amendments due to concerns regarding location, traffic, emergency response and quality of life issues.
Dick Goduti of 3 Gregory Place stressed that Old Saybrook should not necessarily be the leader when it comes to instituting this matter and asked the Commission if they found out what other towns are doing in regards to these matters. J. Colin Heffernan and C. Costa spoke in regards to what other towns are doing and offered a copy of the research that was done.
MOTION to close both public hearings; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by G. Lewis; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, M., J. Colin Heffernan, Thomas C. Farnham, Jr.; OPPOSED: 0; ABSTAINING: 0; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
MOTION to approve the Petition to Amend the Old Saybrook Zoning Map; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by None; MOTION FAILS.
MOTION to approve the Petition to Amend the Old Saybrook Zoning Regulations; MADE: by R. Friedmann; SECONDED: by None; MOTION FAILS.
VI. COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE & STAFF REPORTS
Clothing Drop Box Enforcement
ZEO C. Costa stated that she is currently contacting organizations who have clothing drop boxes located in Old Saybrook to try and work on making sure these boxes are appropriately located.
65 Bokum Road
After discussion amongst Commission members in regards to mulch issues on this property it was agreed that the ZEO can address this issue administratively as a low priority item.
22 Denmore Lane
This matter has been addressed as requested during the Commission’s last meeting and is moving forward legally.
774 Boston Post Rd. Variety Video
ZEO C. Costa met with the owner of the business in regards to concerns over the language/content of the new window signage. After some discussion it was determined that C. Costa handle this matter administratively. Ms. Costa stated that she will be in touch with the owner to see what can be agreed upon.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. until the next Regularly Scheduled meeting of the Zoning Commission which will be Monday, December 2, 2013 at the Old Saybrook Town Hall, 1st Floor Conference Room, 302 Main Street at 7:00 p.m.; MADE: by G. Lewis; SECONDED: by R. Friedmann; VOTING IN FAVOR: R. Friedmann, M. Fish, G. Lewis, M., J. Colin Heffernan, Thomas C. Farnham, Jr.; OPPOSED: 0; ABSTAINING: 0; APPROVED: 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melanie Roberts, Recording Clerk
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