Present: Frank Taylor; Chairman, Gerry Casiello; Vice Chairman, Marshall Sanford, Ben Gordon, Gary Miyashiro, John Shaban, Joseph Ventricelli and Amy Atamian
Also Present: Tom Gormley, Zoning Enforcement Officer ,Attorney Robert J. Sitkowski and Nicolle Burnham Milone & MacBroom
PUBLIC HEARING
Georgetown Land Development, Main Street, Georgetown
Frank Taylor reconvened the public hearing for Georgetown Land Development at 7:32 p.m.
Mr. Casiello questioned Ms. Van Benschoten on what it would take to make the service better at
all the intersections. Ms. Van Benschoten explained that she could review all the intersections
and report back later in the evening. Mr. Casiello also questioned what intersections could not be
mitigated and why. Ms. Van Benschoten stated that fairly significant improvements are proposed
at most of the intersections. Route 107, Main Street, North Main Street, Portland, South Main
Street are all currently failing intersections. The improvements proposed will help these areas.
Addition of pavement would further improve and it would be the best way for better service.
Nicole Bernham of Milone and MacBroom was present and explained that she had submitted a
letter to the applicant dated February 21, 2006 asking for clarification for the following:
1. How the parking requirements will be met.
2. Location of the on street parking.
3. Lighting; which appeared to be a significant deviation for the design code.
4. Pathway lighting.
Attorney Richard Gibbons was present and stated that he has reviewed the letter from Milone and MacBroom and they have asked Susan Van Benschoten to address the parking concerns. Ms. Van Benschoten did provide a memo in response to this letter, which Mr. Gibbons submitted to the record and the Commission. Bob Gilchrest provided a memo to the Commission and the file addressing the concerns for the lighting.
Mr. Gilchrest stated that the design code indicated four foot pathway lights. The applicant wanted to keep the lighting minimal and use the roadway lighting as much as possible. They are looking at this more as area lighting and not pathway lighting. They felt that the twelve foot light fixtures would work better. The lighting around the pond is for conservation purposes and they felt that it was inappropriate to have lighting there.
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Mr. Gibbons stated that they would now be using taller light poles for the roadway and not using much of the pathway poles.
Frank Taylor explained that it needs to be noted on the plans where the material that is staying on the site is being stored and how it is being protected.
Terry Gallagher of Ty and Bond stated that the demolition will occur in phases. There will be stockpiles in each phase and the excess material will be brought to the field near the sewer treatment plant and it will be temporarily seeded and silt fencing will be installed. Mr. Gallagher stated that Milone and MacBroom did request a sedimentation and erosion control plan for each phase and Mr. Gallagher has agreed to provide that.
Mr. Gallagher stated that the steel will come off the site. He will amend the plans to show the stockpiles of various building material and the protection. Mr. Gibbons added that most of the metal sheds will be coming down and the bricks will remain on the site.
Amy Atamian asked that the flood plane lines be added to the plans.
Terry Gallagher stated that the overall site drainage plan on the West Pond Loft area is better gravel and will be added ground water recharge. Added details are in the plans. He distributed his sketch to the Board. They are trying to fit recharge areas where possible. Vortech units will be installed. The calculations for the Vortech units are completed and were distributed to the Commission and the file. The units are sized for a two year storm, which is oversized from the requirements set forth by the DEP.
Frank Taylor explained that haybails should be included with the silt fencing at the points where the slope is toward the silt fencing. Mr. Gallagher agreed.
Mr. Gallagher explained that the roads will be constructed so that it will exceed the town’s standards.
Susan Van Benschoten explained that no right turn will be permitted from Allison to North Main Street. A stop sign will be installed on the south side of Allison Road.
Mr. Gallagher added that the primary access for the Fire Department was up North Main and the secondary is up Allison Road.
Ms. Van Benschoten explained that on Route 7 and North Main Street, located in Wilton, Ct. there will be no change in the level of service, but there will be some increase in delay, although it will be minimal. Route 7 and West Church Street, also in Wilton, Ct. will not have a service level change and there will be no impact from the project. Route 7 and Route 107 is currently at levels “D” in the a.m. and the p.m. With the improvements, it will become level “B” in the morning and “C” in the p.m. Route 107 and Church Street is currently at level service “F” and it will remain at “F” and the delay will increase significantly. In order to accommodate this, they could widen the mouth at Church Street, but there would still be a
significant delay. A left hand turn could be prohibited, but it is not recommended. Route 107 and 57 will have a signal. It is currently at level service “F” with extensive delays. The south bound
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left turn will have pockets and also proposed. With the improvements, it will be level service “B”. At Route 107 and North
Main Street, South Main Street and Portland Avenue is currently service “F” and with the signal that is proposed it will be levels “A” and “B”.
Terry Gallagher stated that they have revised some plans for the State Traffic Commission regarding Portland Avenue and North Main Street at the Georgetown Veterinarian. Curbing, sidewalk and landscaping are proposed for the veterinarian. Ms. Van Benschoten added that they have swung Portland Avenue so that the space for the vet will increase. It will be a safer situation. Ms. Van Benschoten also stated that the gas station, across the street, is an existing safety concern. She requested that Terry Gallagher have curbing and pull away as far as possible. Mr. Gallagher had just submitted the revised plans to Ms. Van Benschoten.
John Shaban questioned the planting plan and what will happen if the trees begin to die. Mr. Gibbons stated that the Tax District is responsible for maintaining the trees.
Robert Gilchrest stated that they have a form of evergreen between the units and the railroad tracks to be planted. They are hardy and grow relatively quickly.
No maintenance schedule has been submitted to date.
Frank Taylor reviewed the letters from SWRPA, Fire District, and the Town Attorney.
There was no one from the public wishing to speak regarding this application at this time.
Attorney Gibbons submitted a copy of the Conservation Commission permit to the Commission and the file. They are currently working on the Declaration and will wait until it is complete to give a copy to the Commission.
Barry Hawkins was present and explained that there were six changes to the Declaration. The first is to section 2.34 in which they simplified it. Also revised were sections 2.72, 2.10, 3.1, 5.2 and 5.3. They would like Town Counsel to review these changes.
Attorney Bob Sitkowski questioned the successor designation. Mr. Gibbons stated that it is all in Section 8 now.
Tina Miller of 8170 Acre Road questioned Section 5.2 and the change for the maintenance of open space. She feels that it went from something specific to something general. Mr. Gibbons stated that they have never set forth a specific maintenance schedule and they felt that the maintenance schedule should be separate and not in the Declaration. Attorney Bob Sitkowski added that the maintenance of the open space needs to be fine tuned.
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Nicole Bernham stated that DEP has specific programs on how the storm drains are cleaned and swept. She offered her assistance with this portion of the revision
Ms. Miller also questioned section 3.1 on the restriction of subleasing. Mr. Gibbons stated that they are trying to dissuade foreign investors. He also added that nowhere else in town are there prohibitions for renting and there should not be greater provision than the rest of the town.
John Matteo of Fairfield Homes 2000 was present and submitted a draft affordability plan to the Commission dated February 8, 2006. He stated that he did receive the letter by Town Counsel. They have responded to his letter point by point. The affordable units were designed to ensure the units would generate credit for the town and are applicable to all state and federal laws. Revisions were made to the Affordability Plan and it was just submitted late today. He also added that the term of the affordability will stay at 40 years.
Mr. Casiello questioned why they would extend the term past 40 years. Mr. Sitkowski explained that the 40 years is a minimum and they request that the applicant look into this, it is not a legal issue, just polity.
Mr. Gibbons submitted a request to the Commission to extend the public hearing until March 22, 2006.
MOTION: Mr. Sanford made a motion to continue the public hearing on the application
submitted by Georgetown Land Development, Main Street, Georgetown for a site plan approval
until the next regularly scheduled meeting in the Town Hall Hearing Room. Mr. Gordon
seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.
Filed subject to approval,
Respectfully Submitted,
Dorothy Torres, Clerk
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