Planning & Zoning Commission

Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – March 28, 2018 Page 1 REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT MARCH 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 Richard Pelletier Commissioner Tyrell Brown Commissioner Steven Kovach (seated for Commissioner Rossiter) Commissioner Christopher Sugar (seated for Commissioner Salafia) Absent: Commissioner Elizabeth Emery Commissioner Thom Pattavina Commissioner Molly Salafia Commissioner Joyce Rossiter Staff: Joseph Samolis, Director of PCD 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) Item #6.2 did not have the proper sign posted so this item will be tabled to the next meeting. 6. Public Hearings (when scheduled) 1. Public hearing and workshop for the Newfield Street (NPC) Zoning Regulations. Applicant/agent City of Middletown PCD Dept. Z2018-4 Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – March 28, 2018 Page 2 Director Samolis asked the Chair to waive Roberts Rules so this can be a collaborative exercise in this workshop and the Commissioners and public would have the opportunity ask questions as he goes through his presentation. Commissioner Pelletier moves to waive Roberts Rules. Motion was approved unanimously. Director Samolis began his presentation. The reason for the workshop is to address the issues that are plaguing Newfield Street. He stated that the City has received numerous emails about the disjointedness of Newfield Street and the traffic situation. He said a large portion of this area is residential as he showed the zoning map. There are 6 different zones on Newfield Street. You have (R-15) Residential Zone; (RPZ) Residential Pre-Zoning; (M) Mufti-Family and (PRD) Planned Residential Development which are all residential zones. There also is the (I2) Industrial Zone and NPC (Newfield Street Planned Retail Business). The environment is one of the constraints along the street with wetlands, floodplain & floodway which constrains the development of that corridor to a narrow strip. Infrastructure is another constraint as the traffic can get congested at peak hours. Some of the positives is that water & sewer connections are available on that street, the City is planning on a multi-use trail that connects the Tuttle Road to downtown. There is also access to elementary, middle and high schools as well as athletic fields along Newfield Street. He gave a detailed description on what kind of development would be best for Newfield Street. He went over the prior Director Michiel Wackers’ plan to recall it the Newfield Street Center Zone which is intended to provide residents of this community with retailing and personal services. It is designed to permit mixed use developments, retail development and higher density residential development limited by standards designed to protect the abutting or surrounding residential zones. He then asked the Commissioners and public if they had any questions, statements, suggestions regarding this text change. A brief discussion ensued. Director Samolis went on to described what kind of commercial development is currently allowed in the NPC Zone and the traffic impacts on Newfield Street area. He spoke about a recent draft rendition. The Commission was entertaining the idea of allowing for more of a Mixed Use Development approach with the Newfield Street Corridor. He went on to show the benefits of the mixed use approaches.  Better use of parcels, allowing for both a mixture of horizontal and vertical development;  Multi-use of parking infrastructure (reduction in impervious materials);  Encouraging other forms of transportation (walking, biking, public transportation);  Reduction of potential impacts to Newfield Street traffic concerns; and  Environmental Conservation. The most practical way of allowing for additional uses within a current zone as well as give the Commission greater discretion over the review process is to employ what are called Floating Zones. Director Samolis gave a detailed description of the zone and the proposed new Floating Zone language. A discussion followed. A motion to continue the public hearing to the next meeting was moved by Commissioner Pelletier. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Brown. Motion was approved unanimously. Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – March 28, 2018 Page 3 2. Request for a Special Exception with regard to Section 61.02.17 to change use from an Auto Repair to Auto Sales for new and used cars at 455 Middlefield Street and a request for a waiver for a site plan. Applicant/agent Royalty Transportation Services SE2018-2 See Item #5. Motion to table to the 4/11/18 meeting was moved by Commissioner Pelletier. Commissioner Fazzino seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously. 7. Old Business None 8. New Business 1. Request for a G.S 8-24 Review for the acquisition of 128 Washington Street from Oddfellows Playhouse, Inc. to the City of Middletown and subsequent lease back to Oddfellows Playhouse. Applicant/agent City of Middletown, PCD Dept. G.S. 8-24 2018-3 Director Samolis explained the proposal for the City to take ownership of the building at no cost and lease it to Oddfellows Playhouse with a 25 year lease. Motion to grant an affirmative G.S. 8-24 Review was moved by Commissioner Pelletier. Commissioner Fazzino seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously. 9. Public comment on topics which are not or have not been the subject of a public hearing 10. Minutes of the Regular Meeting, Transcripts, Staff Reports and Commission Affairs 10.1 Minutes of March 14, 2018 The minutes of 3/14/18 was tabled to the next meeting as there were not enough votes to pass it as Commissioner Fazzino abstained. 10.2 Other Commission Affairs a. River-Cog Report Although there was a RiverCog meeting, Commissioner Emery was unable to attend so there will not be a report. Director Samolis gave an update of the Route 9 plans with the DOT. He stated that the DOT has met with the public and will hopefully address their concerns. 11. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM Minutes of the Planning & Zoning Commission Regular Meeting – March 28, 2018 Page 4 Respectively submitted Joseph Samolis Director of Planning, Conservation and Development