OLD LYME PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 10, 2008
PRESENT WERE: Harold Thompson, Rob McCarthy, Steve Ross, Chris Kerr, and Alternate Nancy Strohla seated for Connie Kastelowitz and Alternate Robert Pierson.
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. Thompson informed the public in attendance that due to improper notification by the applicant no public hearing would be held for the Short Hills Subdivision. He further stated the Public Hearing for this subdivision would be held in September.
REGULAR MEETING
COMPLETION OF IMPROVEMENTS VILLAGE ESTATES SUBDIVISION
Thompson stated the commission has received a letter from Attorney Mattern dated July 9, 2008, in response to the concerns raised by the property owners living in the Village Estates Subdivision.
Thompson stated this letter identifies two things. The first being that the developer has five years to complete this project and no action can be taken by the Planning Commission until that 5 years as ended which is February 2009. Thompson stated therefore the bond money can not be used to complete these improvements until the time has expired for the developer to complete the improvements. Steve Ross suggested that the engineer for the project also be contacted to try and locate the developer.
Robert Pierson and Chris Kerr recused themselves for the next two items on the agenda.
LOT LINE REVISION – SHORT HILLS PROPERTIES, LLC – SHORT HILLS ROAD
Marty Smith, Vice President of Real Estates Services of Connecticut, who is the sole member of Short Hills Properties introduced Mike Bennett, engineer for the project and Howard Tooker, one of the owners of the subject properties of this application. Bennett used a colored map to review the proposal with the commission. Bennett stated as result of the modifications this parcel would consist of 25 acres and be a code complying lot.
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July 10, 2008
Groves reported this proposal has received both zoning and health approval from the appropriate town staff. Groves further noted that Mr. Metcalf indicated in his letter to the commission dated July 9, 2008 that from an engineering perspective there are no issues associated with the proposed lot line revision.
Bennett stated Attorney Cassella submitted a letter to the commission dated July 10, 2008 outlining his concerns. Bennett stated the plans have been revised to address Attorney Cassella’s comments and resubmitted to town staff. Bennett noted the revisions include the addition of the MABL areas and test hole data. Bennett stated the existing cabin does not have a septic system and a note has been added to the plan to reflect this. He also noted the proposal includes demolishing the cabin which is also noted on the plans.
McCarthy asked if there were an existing easements or easements proposed to the Tooker property in the future. Bennett stated there are a number of easements and rights-of-way through this property. Bennett stated there is currently a gravel road that runs through the property and it provides access through this entire property as well as the Woodruff Property and this information is noted on the plans that were submitted to the commission. Bennett also noted that there is a 60 ft. right-of-way along the Culotta property as well as underground easements.
Steve Ross made a motion to approve the lot line revision. Nancy Strohla seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
SUBDIVISION – SHORT HILLS PROPERTIES, LLC – SHORT HILLS ROAD
Harold Thompson reported that no public appearing would be held this evening due to improper notification by the applicant. The applicant granted the Planning Commission an extension to hold the public hearing in September. The commission agreed to schedule a site walk on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
SUBDIVISION – DAVID A. BLACKBURN – 14 BLACKWELL LANE – 2 LOTS
Harold Thompson made a motion to receive the application and set it for public hearing for Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. Robert McCarthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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July 10, 2008
Robert Pierson recused himself from the following agenda item.
REFERALL OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING REGULATIONS – SECTION 12 – PLANNED RESIDENTIAL CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT
Thompson reported the commission received a letter from Attorney Cassella dated July 10, 2008 with regard to proposed text amendment.
Ross stated he felt the way the proposal was submitted it was difficult to determine which part of the text was proposed and which part was existing. McCarthy concurred with Mr. Ross that it was difficult to go back and forth between the two texts submitted to decipher which text was proposed and which text would remain in its current language. McCarthy stated the proposed text was intended entirely for lots of only 100 acres or more and he felt that excluded most parcels and would only apply to a few remaining parcels in town.
Thompson stated that he also noticed that the proposed changes were focusing on a very specific size properties that would be developed in this manner.
Steve Ross made a motion to forward a comment to Zoning regarding the applicability of the proposed text to only very few tracts of land within the Town of Old Lyme along with Attorney Cassella’s comments. Nancy Strohla seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MUNICIPAL REFERRAL – CHRIST THE KING SOUTH CHAPEL PARKING LOT – LOCATED ON ROUTE 156
Thompson stated a letter was submitted to the commission from Selectmen Griswold stating this property could potentially be ideal for the expansion of the safety facility in the future.
Chris Kerr stated he felt it was a great opportunity. He further noted it was abutting the existing police station. Nancy Strohla concurred with Mr. Kerr.
Pierson stated he felt it was also a great opportunity for the town. Ross also stated he felt it was a great idea, but also stated he felt it was a great idea to purchase the property across from town hall and the majority did not feel that way. McCarthy also supported the purchase of the property.
Harold Thompson made a motion to the Selectmen that they proceed with the purchase of this property located on Route 156. Chris Kerr seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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July 10, 2008
SUBDIVISION – EDWARD G. & LINDA B. MARSH – 81 MILE CREEK ROAD – 8 LOTS
Harold Thompson made a motion to receive the application and set it for public hearing in September. Nancy Strohla seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
READING AND APPROVAL OF THE JUNE MINUTES
Steve Ross made a motion to waive the reading of the minutes and approve them as submitted. Nancy Strohla seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
Land Use Administrator
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