Town of Old Lyme Open Space Committee Meeting
Christ the King Church
Minutes: January 4, 2008
Chairman Diana Atwood Johnson opened the meeting at 08:35 with OSC members Peter Cable, Ted Crosby, Evan Griswold, George James, and Ted Kiritsis in attendance. Also in attendance was Ann Brown, Old Lyme Zoning Enforcement Officer, and later in the meeting, to discuss development of property owned predominantly by Howard Tooker, developer Marty Smith and Mike Bennett. Shortly after the start of the meeting Evan departed because of an emergency.
Diana read a letter from David Griswold resigning from OSC. In anticipation of reappointment of the other committee members, the following officers for 2008 were elected by unanimous vote upon a slate nominated by Ted Kiritsis: Diana, Chairman; George, Vice Chairman; and Peter, Secretary.
Diana amended the November 9, 2007 meeting minutes to note that Ted Kiritsis had volunteered to examine, with assistance from Peter, the plans and documentation of the proposed expansion of I-95 through Old Lyme and its effect on designated and potential open space. Upon motion by Ted Kiritsis, seconded by Ted Crosby, the minutes for November 9, 2007, as amended, were approved.
Tooker Property
Marty Smith and Mike Bennett presented conceptual plans for an 85 to 90 unit development on an assembly of parcels between Short Hills Road and Boston Post Road. The assemblage consists of Mays property of approximately 5 acres, Compo property of approximately 30 acres, Joseph property of approximately 30 acres and Tooker property of approximately 195 acres resulting in a total developable site of 256 acres. Messrs Smith and Bennett discussed three conceptual plans of development, the first being a standard development in accordance with Old Lyme zoning regulations, which provides a 15% open space allocation and which has primary access to the development via Short Hills Road and via the Post Road, the latter utilizing a right-of-way granted by Margaret Kus. The other two plans were variants on developments designed according to PRCD
regulations. In the first plan the design was in accordance with current Old Lyme PRCD regulations and resulted in 150 acres of undeveloped land. The plan also called for a community water supply and on-site (i.e., individual) septic systems. The second PRCD plan presented included some attached housing units and thus would require a modification to current Old Lyme PRCD stipulations. In the conceptual plan the attached housing included both duplex and triplex units and provided for grouped septic systems for these units, rather than a communal septic system. In this third plan 170 acres of the developable property would be left undeveloped. To realize the third plan, the PRCD regulation changes required include (1) allowance for attached housing and (2) a flexible specification for minimum separation of units calling for “good connectivity” to replace the current 100’ separation. In the latter two plans primary access to the development could be from the
Boston Post Road, which would moderate the need for improvements to Short Hills Road. The reduced footprint, as compared with the first plan, would also remove the need to impose on wetlands on the development property.
In discussion Ann Brown noted that major improvements to Short Hills Road would necessarily involve imposition on wetlands and emphasized the feature that the modified PRCD plan, as presented, would not require substantial improvement to Short Hills Road. George asked Marty Smith to provide a written draft of changes to the PRCD being sought for his preferred third plan and Smith agreed that he would. In discussion following departure of Marty Smith and Mike Bennett, there was consensus within OSC, from the perspective of providing the best open space option, to support Smith’s proposed exception to PRCD to realize the third plan presented for the development of the Tooker property.
Goals for 2008
Diana asked Ted Crosby for a new open space map to replace the current worn one. Diana also asked George to consider organizing and scheduling a publicized open work party to benefit public awareness of and concern for open space. George indicated he would consider a work party on the Ames property for clearing to protect resident cedars and to provide a bird sanctuary.
Property Updates
a) Marsh property
A proposal has been filed for development of a seven-parcel subdivision on 53 acres of property owned by Edward and Linda Marsh on Mile Creek Road.
b) Lord’s Woods development
Diana reported that negotiations between the Inland Wetlands Commission and Bassan Awwa, developer of the Lord’s Woods subdivision, are continuing pending complete resolution of outstanding issues on remediation of open space encroachment at the development site.
c) Griswold/Whitley property
Following a hiatus in plans for joint purchase by the town and Black Hall Club of Griswold/Whitley Black Hall Woods LLC property, it was reported that the Black Hall Club and the Griswold family members who are principals in the LLC are again in discussion about plans for the property.
d) Diebolt property
Diana reported that the site plan for multifamily development on Diebolt property on Hatchett’s Hill Road had expired, and that the Diebolt Development Co. had reapplied for the multifamily zoning change before the Zoning Commission had acted on their announced intention to restore the original zoning, which did not permit multifamily development.
e) Montanaro property
Diana reported that no further activity had occurred on plans for residential development of the Montanaro property behind Cherrystones Restaurant and the adjacent driving range on Shore Road.
Old Business
a) I-95 Expansion
Ted Kiritsis showed an aerial map of the Old Lyme portion from the DOT report on the proposed I-95 expansion from Branford to New London. There was discussion of the impact on Old Lyme and it was noted that several organizations, such as OSC, Historical Society, as well as the Town government (e.g., Selectmen and Inland Wetlands Commission), will have interest in the progress of these plans. Diana agreed to send a letter to First Selectman Griswold recommending that a committee be formed with representation from all interested parties to follow and assess the impact on Old Lyme of the proposed I-95 expansion.
b) Trail maps
Peter agreed to explore the potential for obtaining a State grant for development and production of maps for open space hiking and walking trails in Old Lyme.
c) Field mower
George reported that the Town does not have a field mower. It was agreed that he would proceed with the purchase of field mower at estimated cost of $2k.
New Business
George inquired about the status of a planned Boy Scout project to have been undertaken by Lou Tiller, Eagle Scout candidate, under the guidance of the Boy Scout advisor, Mike Guntey, to provide proper access to Champlain South with appropriate signage through the OLCT property. Diana reported that no action had been taken on the project since before the deadline specified for this last fall.
On motion by Ted Kirirsis seconded by Ted Crosby it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 11:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Cable
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