1. Call to order: Called to order by Chairman Stanton W. Simm, Jr at 6:30 pm after recognition of a member's birthday with cupcakes baked by Jennifer Herbst. Commission members in attendance were Bell, Baldwin, Herbst and Lyons. Members Swenarton and Dewire were absent. Dora Hill, a member of the public, was present.
2. Review of Town Developments and Proposals.
2a. PZ0626RA Town of Stonington – Zoning Regulation (ZR) Amendment to Article VI to add Open Space Design Regulations, to delete ZR 6.6.1 Cluster Development and modification to ZR 1.2.2 Definitions to incorporate these changes. Subdivision Regulation (SR) Amendment to Sections 9 and 10 to remove clustering and replace with Open Space Design. Modification to SR 12 to include private drive provision for Open Space Design. Simm stated that the amendment was not discussed at today's PZC Open Space Subcommittee meeting. The Conservation Commission reviewed a draft dated 5/3/2006 and made the following motions:
MOTION: Change 6.6.21.2.5 to remove “whether these exist on the site or on adjacent properties” (Lyons, Bell). All in favor except for Baldwin (nay). Passed.
MOTION: Remove 6.6.21.3.5 regarding a waiver of the buffer requirement (Lyons, Bell). All in favor except for Baldwin (nay) and Herbst (abstain). Passed.
MOTION: Change 6.6.21.6 to remove “and the Wetland Proration Regulations (Section 7.5)” (Bell, Herbst). Passed unanimously.
MOTION: Change 6.6.21.2.1 to include “No more than twenty (20) percent of trees over twelve (12) inches in diameter may be removed and no more than fifty (50) percent of trees over six (6) inches in diameter may be removed” Applicants should be reminded to include the location of existing trees 6 inches in diameter on Type 2 site plans per Zoning Regulation 8.4.2.6 (Lyons, Bell). Passed unanimously.
Change 6.6.21.1 from “the Commission” to “the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC)” to follow the format of the document. Be uniform in use of acronyms such as PZC and OSD. Change “OSD development” to “OSD” (Lyons, Bell). Passed unanimously.
The wetlands proration statement was present in 6.6.21.9 Preservation Areas section of the 7th draft dated 3/6/2006, was altered between drafts and is shown as removed in the 8th draft dated 3/29/2006. MOTION: Include in 6.6.21.9 the following: “The Preservation Area shall be seventy (70) percent non-wetland area. The applicant may include a greater percentage of wetlands not to exceed fifty (50) percent in such open space upon demonstration that such inclusion promotes the purposes of this regulation” (Lyons, Bell). Passed unanimously. Herbst will contact Town Planner Brynes to discuss the change between drafts. The Conservation Commission questioned the definition of “primary and secondary conservation areas” referred to at 6.6.21.9.1.
2b. PZ0633RA Town of Stonington – Zoning Regulation (ZR) Amendment to Article VII, Section 7.12.7.4 to add the HI-60 and NDD to the list of eligible districts; includes modifications necessary to accommodate this change. Chairman Simm read the proposed amendment to the Commission. MOTION: The Conservation Commission recommends that Section 7.12.7.4.1 be changed to read: "…not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet in area or fifteen (15) feet in height…in zones TC-80, GC-60, MHD, HI-60 and NDD" and that the Special Detached Sign is "to be consistent with the nature and character of Stonington" (Lyons, Bell). Passed unanimously.
2c. Any pending applications and new preliminary proposals. None.
3. Open Space Committee
3a. Open space plan update – discussion on parcels for preservation: Bell reported that the Fee in-lieu of open space fund has a balance of $137,928.61, collected as of 5/3/2006, out of $294,500 in total liens. The separate open space acquisition fund has a balance of approximately $160,000.
3b. Discussion on parcels for preservation in Pawcatuck – Ben: Simm asked Baldwin to investigate the status of the Verzillo subdivision.
3c. Discussion of Donald C. & Lesley F. Walsh Property (32.59-acre 34 Anguilla Brook Road, zone GB-130): The Walshes are expected to attend the 5/31/2006 presentation.
3d. Trust for Public Land feasibility study: Herbst said that the venue had been reserved for the TPL presentation to be held at 7 pm on Wednesday May 31st in the cafeteria at Mystic Middle School, 204 Mistuxet Avenue, Mystic. She encouraged Commission members to post notices around town to increase participation and to come early. Refreshments would be appreciated. Herbst and Simm will introduce the presenters and outline the history of open space acquisition in Stonington.
3e. Review of Trust for Public Land presentation on 5/31/06: considered above.
4. Old Business
4a. Report on PZC Open Space Subcommittee: Herbst reported that the Conservation Commission’s Open Space Plan was reviewed at a meeting held earlier today. Changes to the "Action Items" were discussed.
4b. Taugwonk Rd. Rezoning Application - LI-130 to GBR-130 Modified Plan: No change. Both a zoning map change and zoning regulation change are being considered.
5. New Business
5a. Mystic River Dam Committee: Simm reported that the DEP believes that the dam should be removed despite the large amount of sediment behind it. It appears that the sale of the property to a school has fallen through.
5b. Review of and application for change of use – LI-130 zone: To be discussed at the next meeting.
5c. Planning for global warming and sea level rise: To be discussed at the next meeting.
The status of the Peter S. Thacher Memorial Trail, proposed to run from Greenhaven Road to Pawcatuck via Spellman Park and sewer interceptor right-of-ways, was discussed as was the status of the buckthorn tree planted on the southwest lawn of Town Hall as a memorial to the former chairman. The tree is located on the site of the proposed addition to Town Hall.
6. Review of April 24, 2006 meeting minutes. MOTION: To approve the minutes as written (Bell, Herbst). Passed unanimously.
7. MOTION to adjourn (Baldwin). Meeting adjourned 10:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Ben Baldwin, Acting Secretary
Approved at a regular meeting of the Conservation Commission on 6/26/2006.
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