Planning & Zoning Commission

Chair Thom Pattavina (’27) Middletown Vice-Chair Vice-Chair Secretary Nicholas SebastianFazzino Giuliano(’21) Thom Pattavina (’23) (’25) Secretary Shanay Fulton (’25) Planning and Zoning Members Members ers Richard Pelletier (’23) Rogers Pylant (’25) Catherine Johnson(’27) (’23) Marcus Fazzino (’21) Elizabeth Emery (’27) Vacant (’21)Spencer (’27) Morgan Monarca Nathaniel Commission Alternates Alternates Kellin Atherton (’23) Tyler Eckstrom (’25) Shanay Fulton (’23) James O’Connell (’21) John Carlson (’27) Alan Cunningham (’27) Ex- Ex- Officio Officio Mayor Mayor Ben Ben Florsheim Florsheim Marek Kozikowski, AICP, Director of Land Use SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, October 16, 2024 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: 7:17 PM 1. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was made. 2. Roll Call Present: Commissioner Thomas Pattavina Commissioner Sebastian Giuliano Commissioner Shanay Fulton Commissioner Rogers Pylant (Remotely) Commissioner Morgan Monarca Commissioner Elizabeth Emery Commissioner Nathaniel Spencer (Arrived at 7:02pm) Commissioner John Carlson (Remotely) Commissioner Alan Cunningham (Arrived at 7:02pm) Absent: Commissioner Tyler Eckstrom Staff: Marek Kozikowski, Director of Land Use Public: None. 3. Items removed from the Agenda None. 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 None. 6. Public Hearings None. 7. Old Business 7.1. Recommending an affirmative C.G.S. § 8-24 approval for the sale of real property at Map- Lot 42-0183 and conveyance of a maintenance easement to the State of Connecticut. Applicant/Agent: Christopher Forte/Office of the General Counsel. GS 8-24 2024-20. Director Kozikowski presented the application on behalf of Attorney Christopher Forte. Director Kozikowski explained that the State of Connecticut needs to expand its Veterans Cemetery. The State found ninety-two acres of land close by to the existing Veterans Cemetery that is owned by the City of Middletown. The State is looking to acquire this property from the City of Middletown. This property will be developed in phases. There is a portion of the property that will be retained by the City of Middletown and the city would grant an easement over the property so that the State can perform maintenance on it. Commissioner Giuliano commented that this piece of property has no practical use and therefore has no impact on the development of the City of Middletown. Director Kozikowski added that this property would just be used as open space. The proposed use of the property will actually improve public access to the land for passive recreation. Motion to grant the positive C.G.S. 8-24 report. Moved by Commissioner Spencer, seconded by Commissioner Giuliano. Passed unanimously: 7-0. 8. New Business 8.1. Request for an affirmative GS 8-24 report for an electrical distribution easement to Eversource on city property located at Main Street, Map-Lot: 22-0243. Applicant/Agent: Christopher Forte/Office of the General Counsel. GS 8-24 2024-21. Director Kozikowski presented the application on behalf of Attorney Christopher Forte. Director Kozikowski explained that the owner of 584 Main Street needs more power to the building. The City owns a parcel directly behind 584 Main Street. This proposal is to grant an easement to Eversource to put infrastructure on that property. Commissioner Giuliano asked if the easement will be over the driveway. Director Kozikowski answered that there is an existing easement over the driveway. This easement will not impact anything else. Motion to grant the positive C.G.S. 8-24 report. Page 2 of 4 Moved by Commissioner Spencer, seconded by Commissioner Giuliano. 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 10.1. Minutes Motion to approve the October 9, 2024 regular meeting minutes. Moved by Commissioner Spencer, seconded by Commissioner Giuliano. Passed unanimously: 7-0. 10.2. RiverCOG Report None. 10.3. Staff Report Director Kozikowski informed the commission that an issue has popped up on Main Street. Director Kozikowski shared a photo of the Vape Vault that has a security gate that is pulled down in front of the business when not in operation. It’s raised some concerns from people in the community. There is no zoning approval for this. Director Kozikowski read from the zoning code that exterior gates are prohibited. Director Kozikowski asked the commission if this steal security gate constitutes as an exterior gate. Commissioner Pattavina commented that this exterior gate doesn’t fit the character of the B-1 Zone. Commissioner Fulton agrees with Commissioner Pattavina. Commissioner Giuliano commented this is exactly what the regulation prohibits. Commissioner Pattavina asked the commission if this regulation needs to be amended. Commissioner Emery also asked if this regulation should be further clarified. Commissioner Giuliano doesn’t think the regulation should be further clarified. Commissioner Pattavina agreed with Commissioner Giuliano. 10.4. Commission Affairs None. 11. Adjournment Page 3 of 4 Motion to adjourn Moved by Commissioner Spencer, seconded by Commissioner Giuliano. Passed Unanimously: 7-0. Submitted, Marek Kozikowski, AICP Director of Land Use Page 4 of 4