Planning & Zoning Commission

Chair Thom Pattavina (’23) Middletown Vice-Chair Vice-Chair Secretary Nicholas Fazzino(’23) Marcus Fazzino (’21) Thom Pattavina (’23) Secretary Shanay Fulton (’25) Planning and Zoning Members Members ers Richard Pelletier (’23) Richard Pelletier (’23) Catherine Marcus Fazzino (’21) Vacant (’25) Catherine Johnson Johnson (’23) (’23) Vacant (’21) Sebastian Giuliano (’25) Commission Alternates Alternates Kellin Atherton (’23) Kellin Atherton (’23) Shanay Fulton (’23) James O’Connell (’21) Kelly Sweeney (’23) Tyler Eckstrom (’25) Ex- Ex- Officio Officio Mayor Mayor Ben Ben Florsheim Florsheim Christopher Holden, Director of Public Works Staff Marek Kozikowski, AICP, Director of Land Use REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 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: 7:00 PM End: 7:29 PM 1. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was made. 2. Roll Call Present: Commissioner Thomas Pattavina Commissioner Marcus Fazzino Commissioner Shanay Fulton Commissioner Richard Pelletier Commissioner Catherine Johnson (arrived at 7:05pm) Commissioner Sebastian Giuliano Commissioner Kellin Atherton (Seated for Vacant) Commissioner Tyler Eckstrom (arrived at 7:04pm) Absent: Commissioner Kelly Sweeney Staff: Marek Kozikowski, Director of Land Use Public: 4 members of the public attended. 3. Items removed from the Agenda Item 6.1 has been removed from the agenda. 4. Public comment on items on the agenda which are not currently scheduled for a public hearing Page 1 of 4 None. 5. Confirmation that all hearing signs have been properly posted All public hearing signs have been properly posted. 6. Public Hearings 6.2. Request for a re-subdivision to create 10 lots from a 26.84 ac property located at 2015 South Main Street in the I-4 zone. Applicant/Agent: Robert J. Trigo/Tricon International. S2022-6. William Braun and Robert Trigo presented the application. Mr. Braun explained that they received approval for this subdivision back in July of 2022, however Mr. Trigo didn’t file the Mylar with the Town Clerk by the appointed deadline so they are here to get this re-subdivision reapproved. Motion to close the public hearing. Moved by Commissioner Giuliano, seconded by Commissioner Fulton. Passed unanimously: 7-0. Commissioner Giuliano clarified that this is a new application to be approved from the one that was approved in July. Director Kozikowski responded that yes this is a new application to be approved however none of the plans have changed since July. Motion to approve the re-subdivision with conditions. Moved by Commissioner Giuliano, seconded by Commissioner Pelletier. Passed unanimously: 7-0. Conditions: 1. All department comments are addressed. 2. Street name is approved by the Public Works Department and the Common Council Prior to the recording of the Mylar: 1. The Mylar map should be submitted for review and signature. Prior to the issuance of any building permits on any new lots: 1. Land Use Staff shall review the development plans for compliance with the subdivision approval and the Middletown Zoning Code. 2. Department comments shall be addressed. 3. Bond amounts shall be determined by City staff and posted by the applicant. Prior to the start of construction or site disturbance and during onsite activity: 1. Sedimentation and Erosion controls shall be installed and inspected by City Staff. Controls shall Page 2 of 4 remain intact and functional during the duration of the site work. An anti-tracking pad shall be installed at the construction entrance. 7. Old Business 7.1. Discussion on Design Guidelines for the Return to the Riverbend – Riverfront Master Plan. Mike Aziz was present via WebEx to answer Commissioners questions on the design guidelines. Commissioner Giuliano requested that Director Kozikowski point out the most significant of the guideline revisions and guidelines that will require Planning and Zoning approval. Director Kozikowski answered that any developer who proposes a plan that deviates from the guidelines will have to get approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mike Aziz explained that there were no real substantive changes to the guidelines. They added dimensional criteria to the goals that were already listed in the guidelines per comments from the Commission. Commissioner Giuliano then asked who will be enforcing the design guidelines for the Riverbend. Director Kozikowski answered that he would create a text amendment that links to the design guidelines to keep that flexibility or the design guidelines can be written into the zoning code. This is a decision the commission would have to make. 8. New Business 8.1. Request for an affirmative GS 8-24 for the rental of City property at 180 Johnson Street by 5 separate tenants. Applicant/Agent: City of Middletown/Economic Community Development Department. GS 8-24 2022-14. Director Kozikowski presented the application on behalf of the Economic Community Development Department. There are applications for five new tenants at 180 Johnson Street including Mid-Town Sound, Kilo Coalition, Recording Studio, Peter Oberc Photography, and Rita Miller Gym. ECD provided comments on the applications stating that there is sufficient parking for the five applicants. Motion to grant an affirmative GS 8-24 report. Moved by Commissioner Pelletier, seconded by Commissioner Atherton. Passed unanimously: 7-0 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 Page 3 of 4  10.1. Minutes Motion to approve the November 9, 2022 meeting minutes. Moved by Commissioner Giuliano, seconded by Commissioner Pelletier. Passed: 6-1 (Commissioner Fazzino abstained) Motion to approve the November 28, 2022 special meeting minutes. Moved by Commissioner Giuliano, seconded by Commissioner Johnson. Passed: 6-1 (Commissioner Fazzino abstained) 10.2. RiverCOG Report The RiverCOG is in the process of drafting a Metropolitan Transportation Plan from 2023 to 2050. It won’t be written until February or March of 2023. Commissioner Johnson suggested that during a P&Z January or February meeting they invite the public to present their ideas for this plan. Commissioner Johnson believes that connecting Middletown to the Greater Hartford area as well as to New Haven will be an important step in providing easier access to Middletown for commuters. Commissioner Fulton asked where transportation comments and questions can be directed to. Commissioner Johnson suggest that the commissioners and the public compile their comments and questions at a meeting early next year and then submit them at the same time. 10.3. Staff Report Director Kozikowski presented the commission with a zoning enforcement report. There is a pending lawsuit for violations on Middlefield Street. There are a number of blight violation including on Sisk Street, Boston Road, Delwood Avenue, Grand Street, Nejako Drive, Camp Street, and Hillside Court. Open cases include feather banner enforcement. A property on Rome Avenue has been cited for unregistered, inoperable vehicles, and several properties are on follow up inspections. 10.4. Commission Affairs None. 11. Adjournment Motion to adjourn Moved by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Giuliano Passed Unanimously: 7-0 Submitted, Marek Kozikowski, AICP Director of Land Use Page 4 of 4