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Commission approves 5,788 sq ft public works garage addition; commissioners pressed on accessibility and stormwater
Summary
Old Saybrook’s zoning commission unanimously approved a special exception June 22 for a 5,788-square-foot addition and reconfiguration of the public works garage; commissioners sought clarification on wash bays, locker-room design for future female hires, stormwater review and tree-canopy impacts.
The Old Saybrook Zoning Commission on June 22 granted a special exception allowing the town to reconfigure its public works garage and build a 5,788-square-foot addition at 49 Middlesex Turnpike.
The applicant’s agent, a self-identified engineer named Mike, described the project as retaining existing vehicle capacity while adding enclosed space, six parking spaces, sidewalk adjustments and a new fire-protection connection from Middlesex Turnpike. “We are looking to retain this area here… and add an addition… we are not touching the septic system. There’s no additional employees added,” the engineer said during the presentation.
Commissioners pressed several operational and design questions before the vote, including whether vehicle washing or maintenance would shift onto the new building (the engineer said washing is currently in the building and will remain), whether locker and shower layouts account for potential future female hires (commissioners urged designing to accommodate that possibility), and the project’s stormwater review by town engineer Jacobson. The commission noted it had received favorable referrals from the Architectural Review Board, the health department and wetlands regulators and had a conservation agent letter on file.
With no public opposition at the hearing, the commission closed the public hearing, moved to deliberation, and approved the special exception by a 5–0 vote. Commissioners instructed staff to verify building-department accessibility requirements and to coordinate stormwater details with the town engineer during permitting.
Why it matters: The project will modernize a decades-old public works facility, protect town equipment from the elements and bring the site closer to aquifer-protection expectations by enclosing equipment. Commissioners emphasized that the project should also plan for accessibility and gender-inclusive locker facilities to avoid retrofits later.
What’s next: Staff and the town engineer will finalize stormwater and building-code details during permitting; the construction timetable and funding/ referendum dates were discussed informally in the hearing but require separate public notices.
