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) Alan Cunningham (’27) Emily McEvoy (’26) Ex- Ex- Officio Officio Mayor InterimBen Florsheim Mayor Gene Nocera Marek Kozikowski, AICP, Director of Land Use REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, August 27, 2025 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: 7:51 PM 1. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was made. 2. Roll Call Present: Commissioner Thom Pattavina Commissioner Sebastian Giuliano Commissioner Shanay Fulton Commissioner Rogers Pylant (Remote) Commissioner Elizabeth Emery (Remote) Commissioner Nathaniel Spencer Commissioner Tyler Eckstrom Commissioner Alan Cunningham (Remote) Commissioner Emily McEvoy (Seated for Commissioner Monarca) Absent: Commissioner Morgan Monarca Staff: Marek Kozikwoski, Director of Land Use Public: Eleven members of the public in person. Zero members of the public on WebEx. 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 Director Kozikowski confirmed that all public hearing signs have been posted. 6. Public Hearings 6.1 Request for a special exception and site plan approval for a 3,689 SF addition to the existing pavilion located at 999 Randolph Road in the R-15 zone. Applicant/Agent: Ben Shaw/W.B. Shaw & Associates, LLC. SE2025-11. William Shaw, W.B. Shaw and Associates, LLC presented the application. Mr. Shaw began by addressing department and staff comments. Mr. Shaw stated that he doesn’t have an A-2 survey of the property. If the commission needs that survey, he can provide that at a later time. Commissioner Giuliano commented that he doesn’t think they would require an A-2 survey unless the actual meets and bounds are at issue. Director Kozikowski added that the zoning code requires an A-2 survey with a site plan application. The commission can waive that requirement, if needed. However, an A-2 survey would be recommended to show the improvements around the proposed addition, grading issues, erosion and sedimentation controls, drainage, and runoff. Ed Piantek, 57 Victoria Heights, spoke in opposition to this project. Mr. Piantek also expressed his concerns over the lighting on the property that is shining into the windows of the neighboring properties. Commissioner Fulton asked Mr. Shaw if this space is currently accommodating receptions or family gatherings. Mr. Shaw responded this doesn’t hold services. This is for functions outside of the church. This would be for ice cream socials, birthdays, and other events. Commissioner Fulton asked if they ever had complaints about the noise. Mr. Shaw responded not to his knowledge. Mr. Shaw also stated that if the lighting is a problem, they are willing to require fixing that issue as a condition of approval. Commissioner Eckstrom commented that the applicant should reach out to the neighbors to listen to their concerns and clarify the project. Commissioner Giuliano asked who will use this event space and to clarify the square footage of the addition. Mr. Shaw responded only the church congregates will use the space. Not the public. The addition will have 2,424 square feet of occupied space. The rest is all storage. The upper level will only be used for storage space. Commissioner Giuliano commented that he’s having a hard time understanding why they need 3,000 square feet of storage space.. Mr. Shaw responded tables, chairs, and books. Commissioner Spencer asked what are the hours that events usually occur. Mr. Shaw responded most of the functions will occur on Sunday’s. Since this pavilion will only be accessible to congregates so no additional parking is needed. Page 2 of 4 Commissioner McEvoy asked if Mr. Shaw can share any discussions the church has made with the neighbors in regards to this project. Mr. Shaw responded that he will look into it. Commissioner Emery asked Mr. Shaw to clarify the use of the pavilion. Wouldn’t non-congregates also be in attendance for events like a wedding? Mr. Shaw responded if there is a wedding, then yes, there will be family members and members of the public present, but it would have to be limited to the number of people allowed in the pavilion. Debra Gullitti, 36 Wildwood Lane, asked how many people are allowed in the pavilion. Mr. Shaw responded approximately 180 people. Mr. Shaw stated for the record that he is more than willing to speak to the church in regards to the lighting issues. Commissioner Giuliano commented that he is less concerned with the use of the pavilion than putting a 5,000 square foot building on that site. Commissioner Giuliano suggested that the applicant talk to the neighbors about what this is going to be and how it’s going to affect them. Commissioner Giuliano suggested continuing the public hearing. Mr. Shaw stated for the record that he will talk to the church and set something up with the neighbors. Motion to continue the public hearing to the next regular meeting. Moved by Commissioner Giuliano, seconded by Commissioner Spencer. Passed unanimously: 7-0. 7. Old Business None. 8. New Business 8.1. Request for a site plan approval to operate an event space at 124 Court Street in the B-1 zone. Applicant/Agent: Joseph Koontz. SPR2025-167. Joseph Koontz, Meriden, CT, presented the application. This event space will be open to the public for events such as baby showers and birthday parties. Commissioner Spencer asked what the maximum occupancy of the space is and what are the hours of operation. Mr. Koontz responded that he should get approval from the commission for this project first and then the Mr. Koontz will work with the Building department and the Fire department to determine that number. For the hours of operation, it depends on the event. Some events that run at night, the clients will need to be out by midnight. This venue will also have a business executive meeting room for local businesses in the area. These types of events will occur in the morning. There are four parking spaces that are shared with other businesses. Nine of them are open. Street parking, public lots, and the parking garage will serve as extra parking. Motion to approve the site plan. 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. Page 3 of 4 10. Minutes, Staff Reports and Commission Affairs 10.1. Minutes Motion to approve the August 13, 2025 regular meeting. Moved by Commissioner Spencer, seconded by Commissioner Giuliano. Passed: 5-0-2 (Commissioner Pattavina and Commissioner Emery abstained). 10.2. RiverCOG Report None. 10.3. Staff Report Director Kozikowski notified the commission in regards to a scam going on with Planning and Zoning Commissions across the State in which fake invoices are being sent to applicants stating that they owe additional fees. Also, a draft Transit Oriented Development Plan email that was sent to the commission that was prepared by RiverCOG in cooperation with municipalities that are impacted, are seeking an endorsement from the City. Director Kozikowski would like to add this to a future meeting. It can be a full presentation or a quick discussion. Commissioner Giuliano would like to see a presentation from the people who created this plan. Commissioner McEvoy asked if they can make suggestions on changes, revisions or additions to the plan. Director Kozikowski responded yes. They are still taking comments. Director Kozikowski will aim for the September 24th meeting for the presentation. 10.4. Commission Affairs Commissioner Giuliano stated that a statement should be put on the City’s website warning the public in regards to the invoice scam. Director Kozikowski agreed that is a good idea. 11. Adjournment 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