Planning & Zoning Commission

Chair Stephen Devoto (’21) Middletown Vice-Chair Vice-Chair Secretary Nicholas Nicholas Fazzino Thom Fazzino (’21) (’21) Secretary Thom Pattavina Pattavina (’23) (’23) Planning and Zoning Members Members Richard Pelletier (’23) Richard Pelletier (’23) Catherine Marcus Marcus Fazzino Fazzino (’21) (’23) Catherine Johnson Johnson (’23) (’23) Vacant (’21) James O’Connell (’21) Commission Alternates Alternates Kellin Kellin Atherton Shanay Atherton (’23) Shanay Fulton (’23) Fulton (’23) (’23) James O’Connell (’21) Quatina Frazer (’21) Ex- Ex- Officio Officio Mayor Mayor Ben Ben Florsheim Florsheim William Russo, Director of Public Works Staff Marek Kozikowski, AICP, Director REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 7:00 P.M. The meeting was held virtually. Members of the public had access via https://webex.com, the WebEx application, and via telephone. Start: 7:08 PM End: 8:34 PM. 1. Roll Taking Present: Commissioner Stephen Devoto Commissioner Nicholas Fazzino (Arrived at 7:09 PM) Commissioner Richard Pelletier (Secretary for meeting) Commissioner Catherine Johnson Commissioner James O'Connell Commissioner Marcus Fazzino (Arrived at 7:09 PM) Commissioner Kellin Atherton (Alternate) (seated for Pattavina) Commissioner Shanay Fulton (Alternate) Absent: Commissioner Thom Pattavina Commissioner Quatina Frazer (Alternate) Staff: Marek Kozikowski, Director of Land Use 2. Items removed from the agenda and why Item 5.1 was removed because it was previously postponed and extended by the applicant. Motion to move 7.1 after item 4 Moved by O’Connell, seconded by Pelletier Voting in favor: Devoto, N. Fazzino, Pelletier, Johnson, O’Connell, M. Fazzino, Atherton Passed 7-0 3. Public comment on items on agenda which are not currently scheduled for a public hearing None. 4. ZEO Certification that all public hearing signs have been properly noticed (when scheduled) No public hearing signs were required. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. Page 1 of 4 5. Public Hearings (when scheduled) 1) Request for a subdivision to create 16 lots, open space, and a road currently known as Military Road. Applicant/agent The Middletown Housing Partnership Trust, Inc./David E. Rosenberg, Esq. S2021- 2 (Postponed and extended to October 13, 2021) No discussion. 2) Proposed zoning text amendment to Sections 16, 40, 44 and 61 regarding farm wineries and farm breweries. Applicant/agent City of Middletown/ LU Dept. Z2021-6 Director Kozikowski presented the revisions to the proposed text. Language for was added to include farm cideries to the proposal. Motion to close the public hearing Moved by O’Connell, seconded by N. Fazzino Voting in favor: Devoto, N. Fazzino, Pelletier, Johnson, O’Connell, M. Fazzino, Atherton Passed 7-0 Motion to approve the zoning text amendments Moved by N. Fazzino, seconded by O’Connell Voting in favor: Devoto, N. Fazzino, Pelletier, Johnson, O’Connell, M. Fazzino, Atherton Passed 7-0 Chairman Devoto and Commissioner N. Fazzino supported proposal as a matter of economic development of the right sort and asks city staff to promote this kind of business. Commissioner O’Connell supported the proposal as it dovetails into the planning for the riverfront. 6. Old Business 1) Discussion on activity at Map-Lot 03-0229 Country Club Road. Director Kozikowski reported that they are continuing to work. The currently blasting permit expires on September 30th. Before another blasting permit is authorized, an as-built plan will need to be submitted to verify compliance. 2) Adoption of the revised By-laws of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion to approve the revised by-laws with the a typographical correction. Moved by N. Fazzino, seconded by O’Connell Voting in favor: Devoto, N. Fazzino, Pelletier, Johnson, O’Connell, M. Fazzino, Atherton Passed 7-0 7. New Business 1) Request for an affirmative GS 8-24 report for the replacement of the existing pool, rehabilitation of the existing building and construction of a new splash pad and associated amenities at Veteran’s Park located at 200 Walnut Grove Road in the R-15 zone. Applicant/agent City of Middletown/Public Works Dept. GS 8-24 2021-23 Page 2 of 4 Chris Holden, Deputy Director presented the project, which includes reconstructing the road and parking lot located in front of the military museum, installing at least two EV charging stations, replacing the pool, keeping and restoring most structures, constructing a small building, removing lower garage connecting the multi-use trail, constructing a new splash pad, and improving the upper parking lot. The road will be made one way. Low impact development drainage infrastructure will be added. Eventually the bridge to Jackson Street will be constructed. Formal parking will be added along Walnut Grove Road will be installed to replace ad hoc parking spaces on the road. The multi- use trail will be 10 ft which is a typical design. ADA parking will be added to the upper parking lot with easy accessibility to the pool. Commissioner O’Connell supported the reconstruction of the bridge. Commissioner Johnson was happy to hear that the bridge to Jackson Street is being eventually rebuilt and hopes that it will accommodate cars. She was glad to hear about the connecting the multi-use trail. She suggests a unified plan about all aspects of the park. She had concerns about the separation of the pool and splash pad on separate plans. Additional spaces should be added for sitting and eating areas. She has concerns over the raingarden. She does not support changing the road from two-way to one-way noting circulation problems throughout the neighborhood. The spaces along the road aren’t necessary and street trees should be place between the road and the sidewalk. Commissioner Devoto supports the application as supported by the Plan of Conservation Development as it addresses connectivity and vibrancy in the city. Motion to grant a positive 8-24 report Moved by N. Fazzino, seconded by O’Connell Voting in favor: Devoto, N. Fazzino, Pelletier, Johnson, O’Connell, M. Fazzino, Atherton Passed 7-0 2) Schedule public hearing for a re-subdivision creating two lots from a 5.23 ac property located at 88 Preston Avenue in the R-60 zone. Applicant/agent Roger and Marylou Spurr/Pat Benjamin P.E S2021-3 (Suggested date: October 13, 2021) Motion to schedule a public hearing for October 13, 2021 Moved by R. Pelletier, seconded by O’Connell Voting in favor: Devoto, N. Fazzino, Pelletier, Johnson, O’Connell, M. Fazzino, Atherton Passed 7-0 3) Discussion on Public Act 21-29 (aka HB 6107). Director Kozikowski read through and discussed pertinent legislation related to the Commission and the Zoning Code. 8. Public comment on topics which are not or have not been the subject of a public hearing None. Page 3 of 4 9. Minutes of the Regular Meeting, Transcripts, Staff Reports and Commission Affairs a. Minutes of the August 11, 2021 Regular Meeting Motion to approve the minutes of the August 11 th meeting Moved by O’Connell, seconded by Atherton Voting in favor: Devoto, N. Fazzino, Pelletier, Johnson, O’Connell, M. Fazzino, Atherton Abstained: Johnson, M. Fazzino Passed 5-0 b. Minutes of the September 8, 2021 Regular Meeting Motion to approve the minutes of the September 8 th meeting Moved by O’Connell, seconded by Atherton Voting in favor: Devoto, N. Fazzino, Pelletier, Johnson, O’Connell, M. Fazzino, Atherton Abstained: Johnson, M. Fazzino Passed 5-0 c. River-Cog Report Commission Atherton noted that RiverCog Commission has not met since the last meeting. d. Staff Reports Director Kozikowski reported he sent out a housing survey for the regional housing plan and encourages participation. Furthermore a variance application for a “tiny home” will go to public hearing in October. The department is still short staffed but working towards filling vacant position. e. Commission Affairs None. 10. Adjournment Motion to adjourn Moved by O’Connell, seconded by N. Fazzino Voting in favor: Devoto, N. Fazzino, Pelletier, Johnson, O’Connell, M. Fazzino, Atherton Passed 7-0 Respectfully submitted, Marek Kozikowski, AICP Director of Land Use Page 4 of 4