MINUTES
OLD LYME PLANNING COMMISSION
PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING
MAY 9, 2019
PRESENT WERE: Harold Thompson, Steven Ross, Todd Machnik, Jon Curtis and Alternate Don Willis seated for Rob McCarthy and Alternate Barbara Gaudio.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The commission began their meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING – RESUBDIVISION APPLICATION -19-1GREAT OAK ROAD – CAWIAMCA – 4 LOTS
The agent for the applicant, Michael Bennett, L.S. submitted a letter dated May 9, 2019 formally withdrawing the application.
Harold Thompson reviewed the timeline with the commission. He stated the commission received the application at a Special Meeting held on March 21, 2019 due to the lack of a quorum at the Regular Meeting on March 14, 2019.
He stated the Lot Line Modification was approved at the March 21st meeting contingent upon the applicant complying with all the conditions outlined in both letters from Attorney Cassella and Tom Metcalf which included the correction of the easement. Thompson also noted the application for the Resubdivision was received and set for Public Hearing at the April 11, 2019 meeting. The applicant requested the hearing be continued to the May 9th meeting at which time the application has been withdrawn.
Thompson stated the conditions of the easement have not been satisfied at this time so the commission had three options. They could have held the hearing and denied it without prejudice or continued the hearing or ask them to
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May 9, 2019
withdraw which is what was done. Thompson stated the intent is once the easement is modified the applicant can reapply.
Thompson stated he felt that the communication was lacking. He stated it was his hope that when there is a discrepancy between commissions it would be helpful to have a phone discussion prior to a document being generated. He further stated he understood the documents may have been generated to identify the condition of the problem.
Thompson further stated there does not seem to be a clear path on how the easement will be modified.
Steven Ross stated the letter from the Open Space Commission states they cannot at present support the approval of this application and would also recommend the Board of Selectmen not offer an approval as well. Ross stated it has become a moot point because there is no application at this point. Therefore he stated the problems will be resolved prior to the receipt of a new application.
Thompson stated if any of the commission members have questions that need to be addressed by counsel he would appreciate that they contact him first as a courtesy because most often members have the same questions and concerns.
Ross asked if this has occurred and if members other than the chair have gone directly to counsel. Jon Curtis indicated he did call counsel but he had not received a response but wanted clarification on the easement.
Thompson stated that a commission member list has been sent to all the members and is updated annually. He also stated his contact information is available at town hall.
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May 9, 2019
READING AND APPROVAL OF THE APRIL SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DATED APRIL 11, 2019.
Steven Ross made a motion to waive the reading and approve the Special Meeting minutes as submitted. Don Willis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Steven Ross made a motion to waive the reading and approve the Regular Meeting minutes as submitted. Don Willis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS OR CORRESPONDENCE
Harold Thompson made a motion to adjourn. Steven Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
AFTER ADJOURNMENT
Amanda Blair asked if there was going to be a discussion with the Open Space Commission. Thompson stated he would like to get the easement issue resolved prior to discussion. He said the intent of the whole project was to get Open Space much more land and access but until this is resolved it would just be speculation until the plans are finalized. Thompson said the plans have gone through many revisions which has been part of the problem. He said he would like to wait for a complete set of plans. Ross stated there cannot be a discussion without an application.
Amanda Blair stated she would like to discuss a smooth procedure for all commissions when an application is submitted to the Land Use Department.
Steven Ross stated the public hearing has not yet been held nor has a presentation been made. Blair stated the Planning Commission modified a Lot Line. Todd Machnik stated the approval was granted contingent upon the easements and that has not happened so the approval is not valid.
Reemsnyder stated the Open Space commission should have known about this prior to the modification because there could be a problem even with the contingencies. She further suggested the chairs of the commission get together and talk about a smooth collaborative communication with the help of town staff. She urged all the volunteers to work together with the help of staff.
Ross stated he finds it helpful to read various commission’s minutes on the website.
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