Planning & Zoning Commission

Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – February 28, 2018 Page 1 REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT FEBRUARY 28, 2018 1. Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Devoto called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance 2. Roll Taking Present: Commissioner Stephen Devoto Commissioner Nicholas Fazzino Commissioner Joyce Rossiter Commissioner Richard Pelletier Commissioner Elizabeth Emery Commissioner Tyrell Brown Commissioner Steven Kovach (seated for Commissioner Salafia) Commissioner Thom Pattavina (seated for Commissioner Brown) Commissioner Christopher Sugar Absent: Commissioner Molly Salafia Staff: Joseph J. Samolis, Director of Planning Conservation and Development Public: 15 Members of public were in attendance 3. Items removed from the agenda and why None 4. Public comment on items on agenda which are not currently scheduled for a public hearing None 5. ZEO Certification that all public hearing signs have been properly noticed (when scheduled) No public hearing signs needed. 6. Public Hearings (when scheduled) 1. Proposed Zoning Code Text Amendment with regard to Section 61.01.58 to allow stand-alone dispensaries for marijuana sales. Applicant/agent Praveen 1 Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – February 28, 2018 Page 2 Dhulipalla Z2018-3 A COPY OF THE PROPOSED TEXT IS ON FILE WITH THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK Chairman Samolis apologized to the Commission for never receiving the staff comments. He read the comments into the record so that the Commission would have more information. A question came up on why pharmacies can’t sell it. The pharmacies in Middletown, the CVS’s, Walgreens’ and other big name pharmacies don’t want to take the risk because the federal government does not recognize marijuana as a controlled substance. From the public: Attorney Michael Dowley is not representing the applicant but has several parties who are present tonight who would like to file applications for medical marijuana dispensary facilities in Middletown. He said the State of CT has many stringent rules for selling marijuana. There is an incredible need within this area for medical marijuana and the State has a list of illnesses that marijuana would have benefits. After receiving a prescription the patient would then have to make an appointment where they will sit with the pharmacist and figure the best course for them. He read a letter from the City of Torrington who is also looking to open facilities there. The planner there wrote to several; town who currently have facilities. The planners from the towns of Milford, Bethel, and South Windsor, all stated that they never had a single complaint from their dispensaries. Jeffrey Goldblatt said that as a doctor he has seen over 500 people who come to him for a prescription because of their illnesses. They then have to go to the dispensary and speak to the doctor there. There are over 65 different varieties of marijuana and the doctor determines what variety would work best for the patient. He continued to say how well his patients were doing and some even brought him their unwanted medicines. Travis Tangretty said he represents the group who would like to open dispensaries in Middletown. He described the steps on how a patient would be qualified for marijuana. The average age is about 52 years old and they are suffering from the 23 different conditions allowed by the State of CT. These dispensaries provide safe access for these older patients. He also explained the security portion and that the State of CT has strict security plans. Liam Sweeney who also works with Travis reminded the Commissioners that the State deadline for consideration is April 8, 2018. Ann White spoke and said she was a typical medical marijuana patient. All her previous medications did not help at all and now she only has to take one medication. Attorney Todd Levy stated that he has worked in-house for growers for years. He explained that the deadline is approaching and it takes a long time for architecture, permits and site plans. He hopes that the Commission will not table this application or they may miss out. 2 Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – February 28, 2018 Page 3 Commissioner Fazzino moves to close public hearing. Commissioner Emery seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. Commissioner Fazzino moves for approval for the proposed Zoning Code Text Amendment with regard to Sections 61.01.58 to allow stand-alone dispensary facilities for marijuana sales. Director Samolis read the corrected amendment into the record. Commissioner Brown seconds the motion. Commissioner Pelletier suggested that the Commission vote in favor of this application. A brief discussion ensued. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 7. Old Business None **Note: Commission Tyrell Brown will now be seated as a regular member. 8. New Business 1. Request for a G.S. 8-24 Review for a lease agreement with CHC on corner of Main Street and Grand Street. Applicant/agent City of Middletown/PCD Dept. G.S. 8-24 2018-2 Director Samolis gave a brief description on this application. CHC would like to build a park with benches at this corner for everyone to use. It would be a five-year lease with an option to renew for another five years. He also explained that the City can break the lease with a thirty day notice if someone wants to build a commercial piece of property. Commissioner Pelletier moves to grant an affirmative Request for a G.S. 8-24 Review for a lease agreement with CHC on corner of Main Street and Grand Street. Commissioner Fazzino seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 2. Request for a public hearing and workshop for the Newfield Street (NPC) Zoning Regulations. Applicant/agent City of Middletown PCD Dept. Commissioner Pelletier moves to schedule a public hearing and workshop on March 14, 2018 for the Newfield Street (NPC) Zoning Regulations. Commissioner Fazzino seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 3. Request for a public hearing and workshop regarding Section 40 of the Zoning Regulations for review of the parking requirements. Applicant/agent City of Middletown PCD Dept. Commissioner Pelletier moves to schedule a public hearing and workshop on March 14, 2018 regarding Section 40 of the Zoning Regulations for review of the parking 3 Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – February 28, 2018 Page 4 requirements. Commissioner Fazzino seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. 9. Public comment on topics which are not or have not been the subject of a public hearing None 10. Minutes of the Regular Meeting, Transcripts, Staff Reports and Commission Affairs 1. Minutes of February 14, 2018 Commissioner Rossiter moves for approval of the minutes of February 14, 2018. Commissioner Kovach seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The Chair states the matter carried with 6 affirmative votes and one abstention by Commissioner Kovach. 2. Other Commission Affairs a. River-Cog Report Commissioner Emery gave an overview of the last RiverCog meeting. 11. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM. Respectively submitted Joseph Samolis Director of Planning, Conservation and Development 4