Planning & Zoning Commission

Chair Thom Pattavina (’23) Middletown Vice-Chair Vice-Chair Secretary Nicholas Vacant Fazzino (’21) Thom Secretary ShanayPattavina (’23) Fulton (’25) Planning and Zoning Members Members ers Richard Richard Pelletier Catherine Pelletier (’23) (’23) Marcus Marcus Fazzino Fazzino (’21) (’23) Catherine Johnson Johnson (’23) (’23) Vacant (’21) Sebastian Giuliano (’25) Commission Alternates Alternates Kellin HillaryAtherton Shanay Thompkins (’23)(’25) Fulton (’23) Kellin Atherton (’23) James O’Connell (’21) Kelly Sweeney (’23) Ex- Ex- Officio Officio Mayor Mayor Ben Ben Florsheim Florsheim Christopher Holden, Acting Director of Public Works Staff Marek Kozikowski, AICP, Director of Land Use REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2022 Council Chambers, City Hall & Virtual on WebEx 7:00 P.M. The meeting was held both virtually and in-person. Members of the public had access via https://webex.com, the WebEx application, and via telephone. Start: 7:03 PM End: 9:59 PM 1. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was made. 2. Roll Call Present: Commissioner Thom Pattavina Commissioner Shanay Fulton Commissioner Catherine Johnson Commissioner Richard Pelletier Commissioner Sebastian Giuliano Commissioner Marcus Fazzino Commissioner Hillary Thompkins Commissioner Kellin Atherton (Alternate) Commissioner Kelly Sweeney (Alternate) Absent: None Staff: Marek Kozikowski, Director of Land Use Public: Fourteen members of the public attended into the meeting. 2.1. Election of Officer- Vice Chair Motion to elect Marcus Fazzino for Vice-Chair. Moved by Giuliano, seconded by Johnson Passed unanimously, 7-0 3. Items removed from the Agenda Director Kozikowski noted that items 6.1 and 7.2 are postponed. 4. Public comment on items on the agenda which are not currently scheduled for a public hearing Page 1 of 4 Larry McHugh, President of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce spoke to give general support for the project at 339 Main Street provided that the parking issue is settled. Sandra Russo-Driska, Coordinator for the Middletown Downtown District expressed concerns about parking. She also questions about second floor patios and market rate housing, and requested for a public hearing be held for the project at 339 Main Street. Stephen Devoto, 476 Country Club Road requested that a public hearing be held for the project at 339 Main Street. Jen Alexander, 110 Washington Street requested that a public hearing be held for the project at 339 Main Street. 5. Confirmation that all hearing signs have been properly posted Director Kozikowski reported that no hearing signs were required for the items on the agenda. 6. Public Hearings 6.1. Request for special exception approval for a proposed office use to occupy space on the first floor for an office use in an existing building located at 10A Main Street in the B-1 zone. Applicant/agent Foster Charles, Charles IT. SE2022-1 No discussion. 7. Old Business 7.1. Continued: Request for site plan approval for the rehabilitation of the 46,000 SF building with commercial space and 48 residential apartments located at 339 Main Street in the B-1 zone. Applicant/ agent David Marasow, 339 Main, LLC. SPR2022-9 David Marasow and Fernando Pastor presented the application. The discussion focused on parking. The applicant secured 25-45 parking spaces in a nearby parking garage that has excess capacity. The Commission suggested securing all 50-required parking spaces to be fully compliant with the parking demand. The applicant also presented that they will be market rate units, pets will be allowed for a fee, and historic tax credits will not be sought. The applicant agreed to extend application to the April 13th meeting. Motion to continue the application to April 13 Moved by Fulton, seconded by Johnson Passed unanimously, 7-0 Motion to amend the agenda to move item 8.1 as next item on the agenda Moved by Giuliano, seconded by Fulton Passed unanimously, 7-0 8.1. Request for site plan approval for the conversion of a former community/events building into a residential building with 17 units at 54 Washington Street in the B-1 zone. Applicant/Agent Jed Sosnowitz SPR2022-22 Jed Sosnowitz presented the application. The intent is to convert the building to a residential apartment building. Revised plans showed a total of 19 units/ 20 bedrooms. Common space will be available on the first floor and the basement will be available for storage. The applicant received confirmation from the City that 20 parking spaces can released in the Arcade parking lot which is a 5 minute walk from the building. Refuse will be stored in front of the building but was recommended by the Commission to be stored inside. Page 2 of 4 Motion to approve subject to addressing staff recommendations. Motion to approve the minutes Moved by Giuliano, seconded by Fazzino. Passed unanimously, 7-0 7.2. Request for an affirmative GS 8-24 report for the conveyance of two parcels located at 395 Country Club Road and map-lot 07-0498 Country Club Road from the City of Middletown to Middletown Youth Soccer. Applicant/agent City of Middletown/Land Use Dept. GS 8-24 2022-6 No discussion. 7.3. Request for an affirmative GS 8-24 report for the acquisition of property located at 31 Rapallo Avenue for the purpose of creating additional parking in the North End. Applicant/agent City of Middletown/ECD Dept. GS 8-24 2022-7 Director Samolis, ECD presented the application. The city seeks to acquire the property for the purpose of installing a public parking lot to provide additional parking in the north end. Motion to grant an affirmative GS 8-24 Report Moved by Pelletier, seconded by Fulton Passed unanimously, 7-0 7.4. Request for an affirmative GS 8-24 report to extend a lease from Congregation Adath Isreal for parking on property located at map-lot 24-0264 William Street. Applicant/agent City of Middletown/ECD Dept. GS 8-24 2022-8 Director Samolis, ECD presented the application. It’s a renewal of a lease that the City currently has for the use of the parking lot. Motion to grant an affirmative GS 8-24 Report Moved by Pelletier, seconded by Fazzino Passed unanimously, 7-0 7.5. Approving that an Executive Session of the Planning and Zoning Commission be held pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, Section 1-200(6)(B), for the purpose of discussing attorney-client communications involving strategy and negotiations regarding the pending litigation known as The Hartford Dispensary d/b/a Root Center for Advanced Recovery v. City of Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission, Docket No.: AC 45292, MMX-CV20-6029705-S, and that the following individuals are invited to attend: (1) the members and alternate members of the Planning and Zoning Commission; (2) Marek Kozikowski, Director of Land Use; and (3) Christopher Forte, Assistant General Counsel. Motion to move to executive session Moved by Giuliano, seconded by Fulton Passed unanimously, 7-0 The Commission entered executive session at 8:53pm and exited at 9:44 pm. 7.6. Motion to authorize Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte to convey the Planning and Zoning Commission’s response to The Hartford Dispensary d/b/a Root Center for Advanced Recovery’s settlement offer. Motion to authorize Assistant General Counsel Christopher Forte to convey the Planning and Zoning Commission’s response Moved by Fulton, seconeded by Fazzino Passed unanimously, 7-0 7.7. Discussion on the Middletown Section of the Regional Housing Plan. Page 3 of 4 Director Kozikowski presented and discussed strategies to address affordable housing in Middletown that are going to be presented by the consultants on March 16th. A discussion with the Commission ensued. 8. New Business Moved to after item 7.1. 9. Public comment on topics which are not or have not been subject of a public hearing None. 10. Minutes, Staff Reports, and Commission Affairs 10.1. Minutes of the February 23, 2022 regular meeting Motion to approve the minutes Moved by Giuliano, seconded by Fazzino. Passed unanimously with one abstention, 7-0 10.2. RiverCOG Report Commissioner Johnson reported that they are seeking public comment on the Draft Regional Bike and Pedestrian Plan. She offered to included comments and photos of specific areas that should be addressed. 10.3. Staff Reports Director Kozikowski reported on administration, staffing, riverfront master planning, and updates on activity of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Commission on Conservation and Agriculture, the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency, and the Urban Forestry Commission. 10.4. Commission Affairs None. 11. Adjournment Motion to adjourn Moved by Johnson, seconded by Giuliano. Passed unanimously, 7-0 Submitted, Marek Kozikowski, AICP Director of Land Use Page 4 of 4