Sound View Commission
Meeting Minutes — Unapproved
22nd February, 2016
7.30 pm
Town Hall Meeting Room
Present: Frank Pappalardo (Chair), Michaelle Pearson, Frank Maratta (Alternate)
Also Present: First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectman Skip Sibley, Selectwoman Mary Jo Nosal
Absent: Harry Plaut, Joann Reis Lishing, David Kelsey, Sandra Ziemba (alternate)
7.39 pm It was determined that a formal meeting could not take place because there was no quorum. No votes were taken. Frank Maratta could not be appointed as an alternate because he had not yet been sworn in for this term.
Approval of January Minutes: Postponed until next meeting.
7.42 pm Correspondence: Chairman Pappalardo reviewed correspondence sent and received:
Historic recognition of Sound View is moving forward. Waiting to hear about the next steps.
A letter was sent to the Zoning Commission regarding the proposed request from Dr. Bassam Awwa, owner, and Kayla LeDuc, operator, for Outdoor Seating & Business Street Parking at 37 Hartford Avenue (formerly Figs & Olives) for a new deli/ market. Presented by Lenny Corto, Jr.
which the Sound View Commission was asked to comment upon. The SVC presented an accommodation for on-street business parking spaces, cited the proposed tables on Bocce Lane as inappropriate and dangerous to pedestrians and vehicle traffic, and suggested conditions by which 4-6 tables could be placed on the front patio, as long as they did not encroach onto the public sidewalk.
A letter was also sent re: the Sugar Shack Special Permit Parking Application, which had been referred to the SVC for comment. The SVC does not support any part of this proposal, citing pedestrian, design and safety concerns and is inconsistent with Sound View Village District zoning regulations. Zoning Enforcement Officer Keith Rosenfeld reviewed and agreed with the SVC’s comments. Sound View resident and former SVC Commission member Paul Orzel also sent a letter opposing this proposal, CCing the SVC.
8pm: Sound View Bikeway Approvals Grant Process:
Mr. Pappalardo said there would be another informational meeting planned for April 25th. Then the project goes out to bid. There will be a town meeting in early July to approve, and ground breaking is projected for just after Labor Day. He also said that the Sound View Improvements Committee had looked at the space outside Figs & Olives to see if a flush bumpout could be added just to the north part of Bocce Lane. The other bumpouts planned are raised with curbs and paving stones, and have benches and/ or trees, mountable curbs so the fire trucks can have access, and one on Pond Road will be flush so larger trucks can make that turn without having to mount the curb.
8.10 pm Sound View Summer 2015 Assessment Review Letter to Board of Selectmen.
Frank Pappalardo has set up a meeting time with First Selectwoman Reemsnyder, TFC Gary Inglis, and State Police Sergeant Mesham to discuss residents’ complaints re unsatisfactory policing last summer and ways to ensure that the same problems and issues do not recur this summer.
8.15 pm Proposed SVVD Zoning Subcommittee:
The town ZEO, Keith Rosenfeld, proposed that the SVC form a subcommittee to take a look at the zoning in the SVDD and make suggestions re any possible changes that might help owners develop their property. This was in response to communications from Hartford Avenue building owners Frank Noe and Bill Randazzo who have expressed their concerns conforming to SVDD regulations and the new FEMA requirements. Mr. Pappalardo spoke to the ZEO and crafted a charge for this subcommittee.
Michaelle Pearson expressed her concern with establishing an SVC subcommittee to deal with zoning issues, as that should be under the purview of the Zoning Commission. She asked Mr. Pappalardo for assurances that before any such subcommittee is established, he would make sure that this is done with the full knowledge and consent of the Zoning Commission.
Selectman Sibley agreed, saying that any subcommittee dealing with zoning issues must have the involvement and sanction of the Zoning Commission. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder agreed, and added that the proposed review of only a small portion of the SVDD sounded like spot zoning, and suggested the entire SVDD be reviewed instead, should this subcommittee be approved. First Selectwoman Reemsnyder also suggested that it might be worthwhile to speak with attorney Mark Branse who helped with writing the SVDD regulations. She will speak with the ZEO about this, as it will likely incur a fee, which must be budgeted for. Selectman Sibley suggested that Mr. Pappalardo ask for this topic to be on the agenda of the next Zoning meeting, so they will be aware of what the proposal entails. Mr. Pappalardo had received input
form and reviewed the subcommittee charge with ZEO Rosenfeld and will make contact with the Chair of the Zoning Commission for further guidance.
8.25 pm Events subcommittee: Sandy Ziemba will head this subcommittee. Members are the same as last year: Joann Lishing, Michaelle Pearson, Sandra Ziemba, Frank Pappalardo. Would like to produce a Sound View event calendar: a single calendar of all events occurring in Sound View, such as the Osprey festival, LOLEF race, SVBA events, etc. Looking for a graphic artist to help with this. Frank Pappalardo will contact printer Brian Cole. Ms. Pearson will contact the High School.
SVBA DEEP/ WPCA Update: The Sound View Beach Association withdrew their letter. DEEP was not in favor of severing Sound View from Hawks Nest.
Other Business: Chairman Pappalardo asked everyone to consider supporting the OLPGN Library by attending the Bookworm Ball on March 19th.
There was no motion to adjourn, as there was not a quorum.
NOTICE: Messages to or from the Town of Old Lyme domain are subject to the Freedom of Information statutes and regulations.
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