OLD LYME PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2010
PRESENT WERE: Chairman Harold Thompson, Vice Chairman Robert McCarthy, Chris Kerr, Steven Ross and Alternate Stephen Martino seated for Connie Kastelowitz.
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
AMEND AGENDA
Chairman Thompson made a motion to amend the agenda to move Item 3 the Plan of Conservation and Development to Item 1 and Item 1 Review of Fee Schedule to Item 3. Steve Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
PLAN OF CONSERVATION OF DEVELOPMENT
Chairman Thompson explained to the commission members from other commissions in town that the Planning Commission began discussions on the Plan of Conservation and Development topic early this year. The Planning Commission determined at one of their workshops that the commission members would divide the Plan of Development up into sections and each PC member would serve as a liaison to the other various commissions in town that would be providing input into the rewrite process of the plan. The commission sent out a cover letter dated May 5, 2010 to the various commissions with a copy of a marked up Plan of Development which outlined the sections that they had provided input in the past and asked for their input once again and requested their comments be submitted back to the Planning Commission prior
to June 25, 2010.
Thompson noted as of today the Planning Commission has not received comments from the Board of Finance, Park & Recreation, Inland Wetlands, Zoning and Water Pollution Control Authority.
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Thompson stated he received an email from Jane Marsh, Zoning Commission today stating that she is more than happy to meet with the Planning Commission and work with us on the Plan of Conservation and Development but she didn’t feel comfortable just submitting her comments without any discussion.
The commission discussed the various conversations that they had with the individual commissions over the last few weeks. Thompson stated that the Planning Commission did develop a plan for the rewrite but noted it has been difficult to move forward due to the lack of response
George James stated he would be happy to submit comments on behalf of the Water Pollution Control Authority.
Kim Groves stated that the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission had their monthly meeting this evening and she would discuss this issue with the members. .
Chris Kerr stated he would again be in contact with the Chairman of the Board of Finance.
Ross suggested that the Planning Commission send out a brief email to the various commission chairs indicating that the Planning Commission really needs their feedback.
Thompson stated he would like to hold a meeting as soon as the commission receives the remaining responses.
The commission agreed to begin their next regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. rather than 7:30 p.m. in an effort to spend some time on the rewrite of the Plan of Conservation and Development.
ORIGINAL DIVISION – ALEX AND PATRICE ROMEO – BUTTONBALL ROAD
Thompson stated the commission has received correspondence from Tom Metcalf stating the revised plans have satisfactorily addressed his initial review comments. Thompson also noted that Ann Brown, Zoning Enforcement indicated that the lots comply with the zoning regulations. It was also noted that Brown requested that Conservation Zone (Gateway District) line on the western portion of the parcel be added to the plan as well as the name of the soil scientist who marked the wetlands. The commission confirmed those items had been completed. Thompson also reported that Mr. Rose, Town Sanitarian confirmed that the plans are in compliance with the Public Health Code.
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Thompson stated that Attorney Cassella has also reviewed the application and confirmed that based on the land records the parcel has existed in its current form since prior to 1958 and therefore is eligible for a free split. Attorney Cassella also requested that any approval granted by the commission be contingent upon the review and approval of all legal documents.
Steve Ross made a motion to approve the Original Division application for Alex and Patrice Romeo on Buttonball Road contingent upon review and approval of all necessary legal documents as specified in Attorney Cassella’s letter dated August 24, 2010. Robert McCarthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
REVIEW OF FEE SCHEDULE
Thompson stated the reason for this agenda item is to adjust our current fees to be in keeping with the area towns as well as cover the review fees associated with the processing of an application. He further noted that our current fees are insufficient to cover the costs of the required legal advertising. Thompson noted that the proposal is to increase the fee for two Planning Commission applications. He stated these two applications would include the Original Division Application and the Lot Line Modification. The new fees would be $125.00 for each of those applications.
Ross stated that another approach would be to modify the way the fees are charged. He stated this would provide for changes in the future as advertising costs change whether it be up or down. He suggested the commission consider having a fee that states a fixed amount plus cost of advertising. He stated therefore if the advertising costs change the fees do not have to be modified.
Groves stated the advertisement costs are not known until the application is approved and that approval is published in the newspaper. She further stated she felt it would be difficult to recover fees after the application was approved. Ross stated the applicant would not be able to record the mylar until the fee was paid.
Kerr stated he felt it was easier to just to set a fee and collect the fee when the application is submitted. He also stated that he could see potential problems with applicants requesting that fees be published in different papers in an effort to reduce their cost.
Martino asked which papers the applications were published. Groves stated the town uses the New London Day for their legal advertising.
Ross asked for the current applicant fees.. Groves stated one application is $85.00 and the other is $75.00. Ross clarified that the recommendation is to raise both application fees to $125.00 and noted the advertising generally runs around $100.00. Ross asked how many of these applications were approved last year. Groves noted she did not have
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an exact count. McCarthy also noted the town incurs many other costs such as legal and engineering fees, therefore the cost of the application fee was not covering those costs.
McCarthy suggested the commission go with a fixed number.
Ross asked how the public would be informed of these changes. Groves stated the regulations were amended several years ago to allow the commission to raise their fees without going to a town meeting.
Ross stated that given the increases were small and involve only handful of applications a year he did not have a problem not holding a public hearing. He further stated ordinarily he felt the public should be notified of any fee changes.
Robert McCarthy made a motion to increase the fees on the two applications. (Lot Line Modification and Original Division) Chris Kerr seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Harold Thompson made a motion to adjourn. Steve Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
Land Use Administrator
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