OLD LYME PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 14, 2005
PRESENT WERE: Chairman Harold Thompson, Robert McCarthy, Steve Ross, Connie Kastelowitz, and Alternate Robert Pierson seated for Chris Kerr. Also present were: Tom Schellens and Kim Groves.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
SUBDIVISION – KENWOOD, LLC - 11 LOTS – 392 SHORE ROAD – WOOD CREST ESTATES
SUBDIVISION - FLANDERS 161, LLC – 3 LOTS – 392 SHORE ROAD – SOUTH LYME ESTATES
Mr. Thompson stated currently the Inland/Wetlands Commission has not rendered a decision on Wood Crest Estates and because the two applications are somewhat interdependent, he would like to table any action until next month.
Harold Thompson made a motion to table these two items until the February meeting. Robert Pierson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
REFERRAL OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE OLD LYME ZONING REGULATIONS
Mr. Thompson stated the commission has received a memo from the Zoning Commission referring the proposed amendment for comments. He noted after reviewing the revision there was a reduction in lot size requirements per unit. He stated the definition of transient lodging was not clear in the proposed regulation nor was it defined in the current zoning regulations.
Mr. Ross stated he felt to some extent transient lodging was defined. He noted in Section 32.5.4 of the proposed text a room was defined, however he felt the use and how it would be enforced should be further defined. He noted the wording stated at the end of the paragraph in the section, “Restaurants and rooms for public entertainment shall have an aggregate capacity at one time not in excess of (4) four times the number of guest rooms”. He stated his interpretation is if you have (10) ten guest rooms that means you would be limited to no more than (40) forty people in the restaurant. Mr. McCarthy stated this wording was a part of the original text and had not been changed in the proposed text. Mr. Ross suggested this be noted to the Zoning Commission. Mr. Ross stated that compared to the existing facilities in town such as The Bee & Thistle or the Old Lyme Inn, he could not understand why they would want to limit the restaurant capacity as proposed.
Harold Thompson made a motion to forward our comments to the Zoning Commission particularly as they relate to Section 32.5.4. Steve Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Page 2 – Minutes
January 13, 2005
PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION – CHRIST THE KING PROPERTY – THOMAS SCHELLENS
Mr. Schellens presented a proposal for the Christ the King Property. He stated a group of concerned individuals have formed an exploratory committee interested in the purchase of the church properties. He noted other people have expressed an interest in converting the church into condominiums. He stated there are two separate properties involved. The church being on its own lot and the rectory/ parish house are located on a separate parcel. He is proposing to convert the church itself into a building for the Old Lyme Historical Society to be funded by a non-profit group. The rectory would be converted into a single family residence and the parish hall would be torn down in order to create a new building lot. The property is located in an R-15 zone, however under zoning the
creation of any new building lot would require 30,000 square feet. Therefore, as part of the proposal the existing lots around the parish center would have to modified in order to reach the 30,000 square foot requirement. He noted both himself, Mr.Flower and the rectory could reduce the size of their own property to reach the requirement for the new lot. Mr. Shcllens asked the commission if they would be in favor of this proposal/modification. The commission explained their only jurisdiction would be if the project meets the regulations.
SAUNDERS HOLLOW ROAD – DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION – THOMAS & JANE SCHELLENS
Mr. Schellens explained most of the work is completed including the drainage, however the paving has not been completed. He further noted in his conversation with his engineer subsequent to Mr. Metcalf’s review of December 24, 2004 his engineer suggested that he wait until April to determine whether the surface has held up over the winter. At that point in time he could request the commission to consider waiving the paving requirements. Mr. Ross noted that the time elapsed is insufficient to assess the stability of the driveway and this application was approved in part do to the paving application. Mr. Schellen’s commented that perhaps it would be most expedient to wait until the asphalt plant opens in the Spring and pave the driveway as approved in the proposed application.
No action was taken.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Robert Pierson made a motion to reinstate the current slate of officers. Connie Kastelowtiz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
READING AND APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER MINUTES
Steve Ross made a motion to waive the reading and approve the minutes as submitted. Harold Thompson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
Land Use Administrator
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