MINUTES
OLD LYME PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
PRESENT WERE: Harold Thompson, Todd Machnik, Steven Ross, Robert McCarthy and Alternate Barbara Gaudio was seated for Edgar Butcher.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The commission began their meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION – MUNICIPAL COASTAL BOUNDARIES
Thompson stated he received an email from First Selectwomen Bonnie Reemsnyder who received a request from the Executive Director of COST (Connecticut Council of Small Towns) requesting the commissions input and assessment on the proposed bill based on updated sea level rise numbers.
The commission reviewed the proposed SB-7 Climate Change Bill including the language regarding municipal boundaries. This proposed bill requires municipal coastal boundaries to be updated to reflect numbers developed by UCONN’s - (CIRCA’s) Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaption rather than the data compiled by (NOAA) North Atlantic National Ocean Atmospheric Administration. The data coming out of the University of Connecticut postulates a sea level rise that is higher than predicted by NOAA. There is nothing that defines what the basis of that definition is or what the basis of that increase level or what caused the sea level rise.
Thompson indicated that Section 9 also includes the requirement that changes to the municipal coastal boundary be submitted to the Commissioner of DEEP for approval. Thompson noted that COST feels that the DEEP should be informed but should not have any authority to review or approve our Coastal Maps. Thompson also noted that part of Section 9 requires that municipal Planning Commissions to amend their updated municipal coastal boundary within one year following the most recent sea level changes.
Thompson stated that COST does not agree with UCONN and would like to have the data defined by NOAA.
The commission discussed the proposed legislation. The general discussion noted that there was no information to support the UCONN assumptions and there was very little information concerning the mission or purpose of COST as it relates to modification of the coastal maps. Todd Machnik suggested that the commission set up another workshop/presentation with GZA Environmental who works with towns to deal with coastal resiliency and invite other land use commissions to attend. Thompson agreed to contact GZA to set up a meeting. It was noted that GZA is in the process of finalizing a coastal management report for Old Saybrook.
Steven Ross made a motion to reply to the First Selectwomen indicating concerns regarding the source of the data, and the opposition to any approval from DEEP, and that we feel an independent study that addresses the Town of Old Lyme’s sea level rise and coastal storm flooding is more appropriate and this is the approach that the commission would like to concentrate its efforts. Todd Machnik seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
READING AND APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 18, 2018 MEETING MINUTES
Steven Ross made a motion to waive the reading and approve the minutes as submitted. Barbara Gaudio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS OR CORRESPONDENCE
- Thompson reported that the Aquifer Amendment regulation had been passed by the Zoning Commission and would become effective June 1,
2018. Keith Rosenfeld distributed copies of the regulation as it was approved and a copy of the revised Aquifer map. .
- The commission discussed sea level rise and elevation of houses.
ADJOURNMENT
Steven Ross made a motion to adjourn. Robert McCarthy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
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