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Town of Essex Approved Planning Board Meeting Minutes and Public Hearing – October 4, 2012

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Town of Essex Planning Board

Minutes of Public Hearing and Regular Meeting of October 4, 2012

PUBLIC HEARING

Chair James Van Hoven called the meeting to order at 7 PM.

All members of the Planning Board were present. Olive Alexander, David Hislop, Nicholas Muller, Pat Tivnan, James Van Hoven, Mark Walker, Derrick Wrisley.

Tax Map #40.73-2-11.000 – CFES/Rick & Karen Dalton – Site Plan Review/Special Use Permit for 2303 Main Street, Essex, aka The Van Ornam Building, for demolition and renovation including a new roof and windows and new structure to replace the old theater/garage wing. There will be a change of use from residential/commercial to commercial/office/meeting space. The existing CFES sign will be rehung on the front of the building.

Karen and Rick Dalton presented an overview of their plans, noted above. Susan Bacot-Davis was also present as their architectural advisor. Following their remarks, members of the public made comments as follows:

Anita Shapiro expressed concern over her perceived lack of sufficient parking spaces for large events that will be held in the new assembly space. She also expressed concern that her driveway is often blocked by parked cars on Main Street. She enquired how many employees will be in the facility. The Daltons replied that there will be nine, the same employees who are now located in the rear of the Essex Inn.

Helen Goetz expressed concern about large groups using the new assembly space at the rear of the building and the noise that may be generated. She asked if that facility would be used for Inn events. The Daltons responded that it would be used for events sponsored by CFES and also by outside organizations that rent the facility from CFES as well as by community organizations

Tom Stransky asked if there would be significant alterations to the exterior of the building. The Daltons noted there would not be.

The general conversations that followed focused on the problems of parking, and possible noise in the neighborhood.

Nicholas Muller moved the Public Hearing be closed, with Mark Walker seconding the motion. The vote was unanimous to do so. The hearing concluded at about 7:30 PM

REGULAR MEETING

Chair James Van Hoven called the regular meeting of the Planning Board to order at about 7:30 PM

All members of the Planning Board were present. Olive Alexander, David Hislop, Nicholas Muller, Pat Tivnan, James Van Hoven, Mark Walker, Derrick Wrisley.

The minutes of the September 6, 2012 meeting were reviewed. Nicholas Muller moved acceptance and Derrick Wrisley seconded the motion. The motion carried with all present except Pat Tivnan voting in the affirmative. Pat Tivnan abstained as she was not present at the meeting.

New Business

Tax Map #48.3-1-7.000 – Michael Christian – Minor Subdivision 157 Brookfield Road, Essex – Application is for an 8 acre set-out.

Michael and Nichole Christian were present as was Kevin Hall, land surveyor, who spoke for the Christians. He provided the Planning Board will a detailed plat of the proposed subdivision. The Chair noted that an APA permit will be required as a portion of the subdivision is in wetlands. Mr. Hall noted that approval of the APA has been requested. It was also noted that a list of the owners of neighboring properties must be provided.

Mark Walker moved the application be considered complete pending receipt of a list of owners of neighboring property. Olive Alexander seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Derrick Wrisley moved to schedule a public hearing on the application at the Planning Board’s meeting of November 1, 2012. The motion passed unanimously.

Tax Map #40.73-5-12 – Jim and Colleen Van Hoven -Site Plan Review. Application for a renovation of an existing deck in the Historic, Hamlet and Shoreline Overlay Districts.

Chair Van Hoven relinquished the chair to David Hislop for this portion of the agenda.

Following discussion Nicholas Muller moved the application be considered complete. Pat Tivnan seconded the motion. The motion passed with all present voting affirmatively except for James Van Hoven, who abstained

Nicholas Muller moved to schedule a public hearing on the application at the Planning Board’s meeting of November 1, 2012. The motion passed with all present voting affirmatively except for James Van Hoven, who abstained.

James Van Hoven then resumed the Chair.

Old Business

Tax Map #40.73-2-11.000 – CFES/Rick & Karen Dalton – Site Plan Review/Special Use Permit – Draft Permit for 2303 Main Street, Essex, aka The Van Ornam Building, for demolition and renovation including a new roof and windows with a new structure to replace the old theater/garage wing. There will be a change of use from residential/commercial to commercial/office/meeting space. The existing CFES sign will be rehung on the front of the building.

A SEQR was conducted on the project. At its completion Nicholas Muller moved to issue a negative declaration. Pat Tivnan seconded the motion which as adopted unanimously.

Discussion of the project followed, focusing on possible excessive noise during gatherings in the assembly space, the need for subdued exterior lighting, hours of operation of the assembly space, and parking concerns.

David Hislop moved, with Pat Tivnan seconding, a motion to amend the DRAFT permit with the following additional conditions:

Excessive noise will not be permitted during functions in the assembly space.

Exterior lighting must be subdued and not intrusive on neighboring public and private spaces.

The facility can operate between the hours of 7 AM and 11 PM.

Olive Alexander felt there should be a written plan for handling parking for events that involve large numbers of participants. Following discussion, David Hislop moved the motion be amended to include the condition that the owners are encouraged, in consultation with appropriate Town Officials, to develop a written plan for handling parking for events that involve large numbers of participants and have it on file with the Code Enforcement Officer. The motion was seconded by Olive Alexander.

A vote was then held on the Permit, as amended above, and was unanimous.

Report of the Chairman. No Report.

Report of the Zoning Officer. Distributed earlier to Planning Board members.

Public Comment. None

Adjournment. Chair Van Hoven declared the meeting adjourned at about 8:10 PM

Respectfully submitted

James Van Hoven, Chair

About Olive Alexander

Although I grew up in Essex on my grandparents’ farm and developed strong ties to farming, I wanted to see more of the world and experience the differences in cultures and people. I spent nearly fifty years in England, New Hampshire, Texas and New Jersey with trips to almost all of the fifty states and Singapore, an incomparable learning experience. I now live on property that has been in our family for three generations and still love the fields, the farms and the animals.