MINUTES
OLD LYME PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 12, 2017
PRESENT WERE: Harold Thompson, Robert McCarthy, Chris Kerr, Steven Ross, Edgar Butcher, and Alternates Barbara Gaudio and Todd Machnik.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The commission began their meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
TWO LOT SUBDIVISION – PETER & MILDRED CARON – 442-1 SHORE ROAD
Mr. Peter Caron was present to review his proposed two lot subdivision with the commission. Mr. Caron reported that they met with the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission and noted they also visited the site. He stated they will not be issuing their report until their May 30th meeting at which time they indicated they will vote for a finding of no jurisdiction. He also indicated he would be meeting with the Open Space Commission tomorrow morning. Thompson stated as outlined in Attorney Cassella’s letter dated May 11, 2017 the commission has been asked to waive the requirement for open space and has 4 options for proceeding. The commission may grant the waiver, it may require open space in the form of a conservation easement, or accept a
a fee in lieu of open space. He further noted an open space exemption exists if the parcel of land is given to a relative and the transfer is without consideration. Mr. Caron also provided the commission with a copy of a letter he had written to the Open Space Commission. Steven Ross stated that 15 percent of 9 acres is less than an acre and a half of required open space and knowing the applicant has the option to get an exemption and is willing to exercise that option than why not just grant the waiver and eliminate all the action associated with a tiny amount of open space inaccessible to the public. McCarthy stated that the parcels were large by themselves. The commission agreed with both statements made by the Mr. Ross and Mr. McCarthy.
Steven Ross made a motion to grant the waiver of open space for the Peter & Mildred Caron subdivision located at 442-1 Shore Road. Chris Kerr seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ORIGINAL DIVISION/FREE SPLIT – HARRY LEWIS – 41 NECK ROAD
Mr. Lewis stated since the last meeting he had Stuart Fairbanks, of Angus McDonald and Gary Sharpe & Associates revise the plan to include the 25 ft. of frontage as well as a zoning data table.
Thompson stated the commission received a letter from Attorney Cassella dated May 11, 2017 indicating the applicant should demonstrate that both of the parcels have the amount of Minimum Area of Buildable Land (MABL) required by the regulations.
George Caulkins, Ledge Light Health District also noted that the two dwellings are reportedly served by a common well located on the westerly lot. He strongly recommended that a well be installed on the second, easterly lot to serve that lot eliminating the shared wells.
Harold Thompson made a motion to approve the Original Division at 41 Neck Road for Harry and Lana Lewis contingent upon the applicant demonstrating that the parcels comply with the MABL regulations and the access strip shown on the plan be identified on the map. Chris Kerr seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
LOT LINE MODIFICATION – MARSH – 88-1 BUTTONBALL ROAD – 86-1 BUTTONBALL ROAD
Mr. Marsh presented the proposed lot line modification. He noted they were modifying the lines to allow for a more suitable house location.
Harold Thompson stated the commission received a letter from Attorney Cassella indicating that two pieces of information are required to complete the review. He stated the applicant does not show the existing and proposed minimum area of buildable land noted that 88-1 and 88-2 are rear lots therefore the setbacks need to be increased pursuant to Section 6.1. Of the Old Lyme Subdivision Regulations.
Steven Ross made a motion to approve the Lot Line Modification for Edward and Linda Marsh at 88-1 and 88-2 Buttonball Road contingent upon the plan being revised to meet the rear lot setbacks and in compliance with the MABL (minimum are of buildable land) requirements.
DISCUSSION – PLAN OF CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT – SALT MARSH ADVANCEMENT AND SEA LEVEL RISE
Harold Thompson stated the workshop on Monday did not go favorably. Thompson stated the commission has spent a lot of time and effort on these proposed changes.
Todd Machnik stated the commission really had two proposals. The first being to streamline the process to elevate your structure to comply with FEMA guidelines and the second was the ability to armor your property.
Ross stated maybe the objective should be through the Plan of Conservation and Development to encourage those changes since this commission does not have the ability to make those changes
Discussion ensued.
Harold Thompson made a motion to ask Attorney Cassella to draft up a very simple line of encouragement using the proposed POCD changes and condensing it down to a reader’s digest version.
Discussion:
Steven Ross suggested that Harold and he draft the proposed wording.
The motion was amended to have Steven Ross and Harold Thompson draft the proposed wording for Ed Cassella’s review.
Steven Ross seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
READING AND APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 13, 2017 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MAY 2, 2017 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Steven Ross made a motion to waive the reading and approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2017 and the Special Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2017. Barbara Gaudio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
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