MINUTES
OLD LYME PLANNING COMMISSION
PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014
PRESENT WERE: Harold Thompson, Chris Kerr, Todd Machnick, Steven Ross, Edgar Butcher and Don Willis.
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order and seated Todd Machnik for Robert McCarthy.
PUBLIC HEARING
AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS TO THE OLD LYME SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
The Commission received a letter from the Connecticut River Gateway Commission requesting the hearing be held open in order for them to receive the additional information needed to determine whether the regulations and standards are consistent with their statutory mission of protection. Attorney Cassella recommended the Planning Commission give the courtesy of an extension of the public hearing and noted he would be providing the Gateway Commission with a version showing the revisions in advance of their next meeting on June 26.
Harold Thompson made a motion to continue the public hearing until the next regular scheduled meeting. Steven Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
REGULAR MEETING
The commission received two referrals from the Town of Old Lyme under the Connecticut General Statutues 8-24 – Municipal Improvements. Under these statutes no municipal agency or legislative body shall (1) locate, accept, abandon, widen, narrow or extend any street, bridge, parkway, or other public way (2) locate, relocate, substantially improve, acquire land for, abandon, sell or lease any park, playground, school or other municipally owned property or public building etc. (see full statute) until the proposal to take such action has been referred to the Planning Commission for a report. The commission may make a positive determination that this proposal is consistent and in harmony with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. In the case of a disapproval of the proposal by the commission the
reasons shall be recorded and transmitted to the legislative body of the municipality. This also will require a two thirds vote moving forward for the municipality. The provisions of this section shall not apply to maintenance or repair of existing property, buildings or public ways, including, but not limited to resurfacing of roads.
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OLPC – June 12, 2014
These improvements will still require and application to all other commissions having jurisdiction over these Municipal Improvements for compliance with all zoning regulations, subdivision regulations, public health code, traffic impact and building codes through the site plan process.
SECTION 8-24 MUNCIPAL REFERRAL – BOATHOUSE PROJECT AT HAINES PARK
Todd Machnik recused himself from this application.
Selectwomen Reemsnyder and Co-Chairman of the Boathouse Committee Paul Gianquinto were present to discuss the Boathouse/Hains Park Improvements located at 166 Boston Post Road. The proposal is to expand the the first floor of the one story Boathouse and add a second story, and reconfigure the basketball court. Bathrooms will be added and the driveway entrance will be widened and the parking will be reconfigured. The commission expressed concerns over the layout of the basketball court and suggested greater protection from the possibility of a vehicle crashing into the fence. The building square footage will increase by about 50 percent. The commission had some questions with regard to design plans and it was explained that this was simply a presentation for the conceptual use under CGS Section
8-24 a municipal referral.
Chris Kerr made a motion to recommend a positive referral for the Boathouse Project at Hains Park. Harold Thompson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
SECTION 8-24 MUNICIPAL REFERRAL – ACCEPTANCE OF A PARCEL OF LAND AT NO COST FROM THE CONNECTICUT DEEP
Selectwomen Reemsnyder presented the proposal. Colored maps delineating the parcel and its location were submitted to the commission along with the DEEP’s conditions for the property transfer. She indicated that the Harbor Management Commission and Board of Selectmen felt that the conditions were reasonable and compliance is inherit in the plans for an expanded use of the property. This property abuts town owned property which was formally the road to the bow bridge over the Lieutenant River.
Todd Machnik expressed concern that a barrier meeting appropriate vehicle arrest standards be installed. It was explained that Harbor Management Commission and the Selectmen would follow up on this as we doubt that the existing barrier is appropriate but this barrier is located on the existing town land and not the parcel to be acquired.
Chris Kerr made a motion to recommend a positive referral for the acceptance of a parcel of land at no cost from the DEEP. Robert McCarthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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OLPC – 06-12-14
READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MAY 8TH, 2014 MEETING MINUTES
Steven Ross made a motion to waive the reading and approve the minutes as submitted. Robert McCarthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
Land Use Administrator
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