February 27, 2006
Stonington Police Station
1. Call to Order: Called to order by Vice Chairman Stewart Cole at 6:03 pm. Commission members in attendance were B. Bell, J. Herbst, and J. Swenarton. Chairman Simm arrived at 6:30 pm. Members B. Baldwin, R. Dewire and S. Lyons were absent.
2. Review of Town Developments and Proposals
2a. PZ0603SD & SUP Arlene Steinlauf and Stephan Yardan, Trustees - Philip Katz, representing the applicants, presented a modified standard subdivision plan for a cluster development previously reviewed by the commission in August 2005. He pointed out new open space areas marked on the plan that were an attempt to increase the uplands portion of the open space to the 50% required by the regulations. Even with the added open space, the modified standard subdivision plan has only ~40% upland open space. MOTION: The Conservation Commission stands by our original comment that a cluster design is a better alternative for the site than a standard subdivision. However, the Conservation Commission requests an accurate standard subdivision plan that demonstrates all zoning requirements are met. Specifically, the standard
subdivision plan must show that open space includes at least 50% upland land area. (Swenarton/Herbst) Passed unanimously.
2b. PZ0604SD Christopher Carnot - The applicant wants to create a building lot out of a ~7 acre parcel left over from a previous subdivision (approved prior to the 15% set aside requirement) designated as "other land owned by Carnot". The Planning Department is recommending either open space or fee-in-lieu of open space. MOTION: The Conservation recommends fee-in-lieu of open space for this proposal. (Swenarton/Cole) Passed unanimously.
2c. Any pending applications or new preliminary proposals - none received.
3. Open Space Committee
3a. Open space plan update - No report this month.
3b. Discussion on parcels for preservation in Pawcatuck - No discussion, B. Baldwin absent.
3c. Discussion of Walsh Property. Herbst reported that the latest version of the Trust for Public Land report was sent to Mr. John Hamilton, who is the Walsh's representative. There has been no response yet.
3d. Discussion of Montauk Ave. subdivision open space set aside accepted by the Bd. of Selectman - This parcel was part of a subdivision by Ginsberg and Castle approved in the late 1990s and created to meet the
15% set aside requirement. However, it does not appear that any action was taken after the subdivision approval (e.g., deed restrictions, transfer of property to a land trust or neighborhood association)to ensure preservation of this open space parcel as required by the regulations. MOTION: The Conservation Commission will forward a letter to the Bd. Of Selectman covering the following points: 1) There were no deed restrictions placed to protect/preserve the parcel as required following subdivision approval; 2) The property was transferred to the Town without any deed restrictions; 3) We are unaware if this acquisition has been approved at a Town Meeting, as required; 4) Does the Town have any mechanisms in place to hold open space in a permanently preserved state?; 5) What Town procedures are in place to ensure open space
set asides are properly deeded to protect them? (Cole/Swenarton) Passed unanimously.
4. Old Business
4a. Report of PZC Conservation Committee - Draft of proposed Buildable Land Regulations was handed out to members for review. Comments should be forwarded to J. Herbst before this committee's next meeting on March 13.
4b. Trust for Public Land Feasibility Study - Herbst reported that we are still awaiting the final report from TPL.
MOTION: Move to item 5b on the agenda (Bell/Cole) Passed unanimously.
5b. Review of and application for change of use - LI-130 zone - Chairman Simm would like to change requirements in this zone to limit building sizes. This zone currently allows very large buildings, such as warehouses. MOTION: Chairman Simm will speak to the Planning Dept. to develop wording for an amendment to limit building size in the LI-130 zone. (Bell/Herbst) Passed unanimously.
4c. Taugwonk Rd. Rezoning Application - LI-130 to GBR-130 Modified Plan. Chairman Simm has been in discussion with property owners to develop a modified plan.
5a. Mystic River Dam Committee - Chairman Simm to contact Steve Gephardt of CTDEP and S. Cole will contact Trout Unlimited to set up a meeting.
6. Review of January 23, 2006 meeting minutes - Minutes accepted as amended. (Bell/Herbst) Passed unanimously.
7. Adjournment.
MOTION to adjourn (Swenarton). Meeting adjourned 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
John Swenarton, Acting Secretary
Approved with amendments at a regular meeting of the Conservation Commission on March 27, 2006.
Ben Baldwin, Acting Secretary
| 