Town of Old Lyme Open Space Committee Meeting
Christ the King Church
Minutes: June 8, 2007
Chairman Diana Atwood Johnson opened the meeting at 08:35 with OSC members Amanda Blair, Peter Cable, Judi Glover, Evan Griswold, George James, Connie Kastelowitz and Ted Kiritsis in attendance. Also present to describe the Coastal Land Assessment Methodology (CLAM) project and its results for the Town of Old Lyme was David Kozak, Senior Coastal Planner for the Office of Long Island Sound Programs, CT Department of Environmental Protection. Three Old Lyme residents plus the Town Zoning Enforcement Officer also attended to hear Mr. Kozak’s presentation.
On motion by Connie seconded by George, the minutes for May 11, 2007 were approved by vote.
Subdivisions
a) Lord’s Woods development
Diana reported that a procedure for counting trees cut on designated open space area at the development site had been initiated by a professional forester and that an arborist would value the lost trees working with Burnett’s Landscaping. Estimated initial cost of the forester’s survey is $500 and estimated cost for the arborist valuation is $500, for a total cost of about $1,000, to be paid by the developer, for assessment of needed remediation for trees cut on open space at Lord’s Woods development. Diana noted that no plan for remediation of encroachment on open space had been received from Don Fortunato, development project engineer. Also discussed was the additional easement for power lines requested by CL&P, which increases the power company easement from 50 ft on the approved plan of development to 60 ft. It was noted that
this change should require the developer to return to the Planning Commission for approval. Ted Kiritsis suggested that OSC send letters to Planning and Inland Wetlands Commissions reiterating OSC requirements to be met by the developer before any approvals be granted by the two Commissions. There was general agreement by the Committee that letters should be sent and Diana said she would draft and send the letters.
b) Four Ponds development
Diana reported that discussions on common use open space and conservation open space easement for the subdivision were at an impasse. Town attorney James Mattern understands OSC concerns that open space and PRCD regulations stipulate that designated open space areas are for passive recreation and that only construction for public health and safety are to be allowed in designated open space areas. It is not clear that the Four Ponds development intends to follow these stipulations. Diana indicated that she would attend the June 11 Zoning Commission meeting to discuss these issues with that Commission. In following discussion the general question of an overarching definition of open space designation in developments was raised. An issue of particular concern is whether subdivision open space should be deeded to the town, with concurrent
responsibility for its preservation and maintenance, or whether open space in a development should be primarily for the recreational benefit of the development residents, with its maintenance being a responsibility of the development. It was agreed that a meeting involving Planning and Zoning Commission and OSC should be planned and would be helpful in defining and resolving ambiguities in the Town’s intent for open space designation.
Coastal Land Assessment Methodology (CLAM) Project Presentation
David Kozak, Senior Coastal Planner for the Office of Long Island Sound Programs, CT Department of Environmental Protection described the CLAM project and the results of its finding as applicable to Old Lyme. The CT DEP Office of Long Island Sound Programs (OLISP) is conducting the CLAM project, a coastal land conservation planning tool to identify large, undeveloped parcels of significant conservation value within 1,000 ft of coastal waters. Using GIS, aerial photography and a set of evaluation criteria that include parcel size, presence of coastal resources (e.g., coastal water, tidal wetlands) and proximity to open space, OLISP has identified in Connecticut 160 undeveloped parcels larger than 25 acres with significant conservation value. Each parcel has been classified into one of three conservation tiers and discussions have
been initiated between OLISP and municipal conservation organizations (open space committees, conservation trusts, etc) to share the CLAM project results and, for OLISP, to obtain additional data about identified parcel conservation value, ownership and any unique circumstances. Dave Kozak indicated that DEP seeks to partner with communities in using CLAM results to develop conservation acquisition strategies for identified first and second tier properties. Two first tier and seven second tier properties that have been identified in Old Lyme through the CLAM process were discussed in detail.
Old Business
a) Policy on Work Parties
Diana distributed a version of a draft policy formulated by George and edited by Diana for individuals and group work parties intending to conduct maintenance and stewardship work on Town open space. OSC members were asked to review the draft policy, which will be voted upon at the next OSC meeting.
b) Conservation Easements
Diana distributed an updated inventory of conservation easements on property in town and indicated that this would be discussed at the next OSC meeting.
On motion by Evan, second by George, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 10:50.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Cable
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