City Council

AGENDA – MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH *Updated Location* 100 Broadway in Council Chambers January 17, 2023 7:30 PM The meeting of the Council will seek to comply with the directives of Executive Order 7B-1 issued by Governor Ned Lamont on March 14, 2020, together with any Executive orders and statutes subsequently issued which pertain to such meetings. The Mayor, members of the City Council, the City Manager, City Clerk, Comptroller and Corporation Counsel shall be present in person or participate remotely by conference call, video conference or other technology. The meeting shall be televised on the Public Access Channel and posted on the city website, www.norwichct.org, in real time consistent with the Executive orders and statutes and the usual practices of the City of Norwich. PRAYER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE “STATE OF THE CITY” ADDRESS: Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom CITIZEN COMMENT GENERAL (30 Minutes) SECOND READING AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE BELOW ORDINANCE PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED 1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF NORWICH/ CREATING BUSINESS MASTER PLAN DISTRICT A. Business Master Plan Complete Documents B. List of Exhibits PUBLIC HEARING 1. AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ABATEMENT OF REAL ESTATE TAXES ON REAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE HISTORIC REDEVELOPMENT AND/OR REUSE OF THE PONEMAH SOUTH MILL, PONEMAH MILL BUILDING #2, CONSISTING OF TWO SEPARATE STRUCTURES IDENTIFIED AS 555 NORWICH AVENUE AND 575 NORWICH AVENUE SECOND READING AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE ABOVE ORDINANCE PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED PETITION AND COMMUNICATION 1. Report from the Commission on the City Plan of the City of Norwich, pursuant to Section 8-24 of the General Statutes and Chapter XV, Section 4 of the Norwich City Charter regarding AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ABATEMENT OF REAL ESTATE TAXES ON REAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE HISTORIC REDEVELOPMENT AND/OR REUSE OF THE PONEMAH SOUTH MILL, PONEMAH MILL BUILDING #2, CONSISTING OF TWO SEPARATE STRUCTURES IDENTIFIED AS 555 NORWICH AVENUE AND 575 NORWICH AVENUE CITY MANAGER’S REPORT CITIZENS COMMENT ON RESOLUTIONS 1. Relative to an appointment to the Youth Service Advisory Board. 2. Relative to a reappoint as an alternate member of the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission. 3. Relative to approval of new American Rescue Plan Act allocations. 4. Relative to amendment of existing American Rescue Plan Act allocations. Assistant City Clerk  SECOND READING & POSSIBLE ACTION #1 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF NORWICH AND CREATING A BUSINESS MASTER PLAN DISTRICT An ordinance amending the zoning map of the City of Norwich. by creating a Business Master Plan District by changing the zoning district of those tracts or parcels of land list below to the Business Master Plan District under Section 3.11 of the Norwich Zoning Ordinances: PROPERTY ADDRESS MAP BLOCK LOT Bromley Lane 024 001 054 Lawler Lane 023 001 009 180 Lawler Lane 023 001 007 207 Lawler Lane 023 001 008 253 Lawler Lane 023 001 006 300 Canterbury Turnpike Rear 030 001 015 432 Canterbury Turnpike 024 001 001 527 Scotland Road 017 001 002 16 School Ave 019 002 016 83 Taftville-Occum Road 019 002 055 97 Taftville-Occum Road 019 002 049 105 Taftville-Occum Road 019 002 046 111 Taftville-Occum Road 019 002 043 431 Canterbury Turnpike 024 001 013 431 Canterbury Turnpike Rear 024 001 012 439 Canterbury Turnpike 025 001 001 461 Canterbury Turnpike 024 001 006 Said properties are shown on a certain map entitled “Zoning Location Survey “Zoning Map Amendment” Prepared for Norwich Community Development Corporation, Taftville-Occum Road, Canterbury Turnpike, Old Canterbury Turnpike, Lawler Lane & Interstate 395, Norwich, Connecticut, Boundaries, LLC, Date September, 2022, revised September 23, 2022, Scale 1”=200’, Sheets 1 of 3 thru 3 of 3. All of the properties on the Zoning Location Survey to be changed from PDD or GC, as the case may be, to the Business Master Plan District (BMPD). That the zoning map of the City of Norwich be and the same is hereby amended so that the tracts or parcels of land showing on the above stated map be changed from GC or PDD as the case may be to BMPD. That the Business Master Plan District includes those uses specified in Section 3.11.5.6 plus the following additional uses: Business Corporate and Professional Offices Healthcare Technology Research Industries, Advanced Medical Equipment, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology Facilities Technology Research & Development Government Buildings & Facilities Car wash facilities as part of truck stop Clinical and Medical Offices Public Utility Facilities That the Master Plan shall be as shown on a Plan entitled “Bohler, Overall Master Plan, Sheet Number EX-01, for Norwich Community Development Corporation, date, December 4, 2022”, including approval of the road as shown on the plan, That the Plan is found to be consistent with the Plan of Conservation & Development of the City of Norwich. That approval of the Master Plan is conditioned on the following: a. Architectural design of each building constructed within the Business Master Plan District is subject to approval as per Section 3.11.5.2 b. Street Lighting be consistent with Section 3.11.5.5. c. Minimum front, side and rear yards be as follows: Front Yard - 20’ Side Yard – 20’ Rear Yard – 20’ In the event that any parcel adjoins a residentially zoned property the minimum buffer shall be 50’ d. Maximum building height shall be 80’ except that no building constructed east of Canterbury Turnpike shall exceed 60’ e. Signage shall be designed pursuant to the attached signage standards. f. Parking requirements pursuant to Section 3.11.5.4 shall be subject to approval of the Commission of the City Plan in connection with site plan approval for each parcel within the Business Master Plan District. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom Alderwoman Stacy Gould  AMENDED PUBLIC HEARING #1 BMPD SIGNAGE REGULATIONS BUSINESS MASTER PLAN DISTRICT (BMPD) SECTION NO. 3.11.5.3 SIGNAGE a. Private Traffic Direction Signs Signs directing traffic movement within a site: each sign shall not exceed 1 ½ square feet in area nor 36 inches in length, provided the nature and location of such signs cause no nuisance or hazard. Illumination of these signs shall be permitted. Horizontal directional signs on and flush with paved areas are not regulated by these standards. b. Vehicles Signs on vehicles of any kind shall not be permitted as signage. Vehicles with company signs parked in the ordinary course of business are allowed c. Flags Three flags per lot or per business and/or industrial buildings, may be permitted. Said flag shall not exceed 36 square feet. The pole the flag may be affixed to the building wall of the structure within 10’ of the point of public access for the business or be a free standing pole not greater than 20’ in height, and shall not extend over any State, Town or Private street, road, highway or right of way, nor shall inhibit access to and along areas reserved for pedestrian or vehicular movement onto and within the parcel. DESIGN STANDARDS GENERAL All building mounted and free standing signs shall comply with the following standards. Building Mounted, Marquee, and Awning Sign Standards a. No building mounted sign shall be mounted on a rooftop nor shall any portion a building mounted sign extend above the building roofline. b. Signs shall be located on the same wall containing the main public entrance(s) to the building. For buildings which have additional wall(s) parallel to a public way that do not contain the main entrance, one additional sign shall be allowed on such wall not to exceed 1/3 of the area allowed for the district. For buildings with multiple tenants each having its own access point, such as a flex building, each tenant shall be allowed its own wall mounted business sign. c. No portion of a building mounted sign shall overhang any property line nor be closer than ten feet above areas used for pedestrian access or sidewalks nor closer than 14 feet above areas used for vehicle parking or access. d. Directory signs shall be mounted within 10 feet of the common access door. e. The area calculation shall only apply to length or area of the building wall above finished grade to which the sign is being attached. f. The maximum size listed in the following chart specifies the maximum total combined square footage of all signs which are permitted on any one building wall. WALL MOUNTED SIGNS MAXIMUM SIZE 30% off the area of the wall upon which they are to be placed up to a maximum of 600 square feet total for all signs on any one building wall.  Multi-Tenant Build 1 S.F. per lineal foot of Store front up to a max. of 50 S.F. per unit. MISCELLANEOUS • Directory signs may be permitted in Multi-tenant structures up to a maximum of 24 S.F. in addition to the maximum permitted sign area for all tenants. • Company logos must be affixed as a wall sign not be greater in height than a wall sign and may use the company’s colors and type face. FREE STANDING SIGN STANDARDS 1. No portion of any free standing sign shall be closer than 10 feet to any property line. 2. No free standing sign shall be placed in any required side or rear yard setbacks. 3. Every free standing sign shall be located within a landscaped area. 4. No free standing sign shall exceed 500 square feet in area. MAXIMUM SIZE PER SIGN Single Occupancy may increase 1 S.F. per 500 S.F. in excess of first 5000 S.F. of building area up to a maximum of 600 S.F. per sign. Multi-tenant and/or multiple buildings may increase 1 S.F. per 1000 S.F. of gross floor area up to a maximum of 1,000 S.F. MAXIMUM HEIGHT Height max 15’. 1 free standing sign per land bay READER BOARD/ELECTRONIC MESSAGE/CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNS Only one (1) Electronic Message Center (EMC) sign is permitted on a land bay. The EMC sign copy shall not change more than once every 16 seconds. The EMC sign shall not exceed 30% of the total allowed sign area under Section 21.7.2 All EMCs shall have automatic dimming capability that adjusts the brightness to the ambient light at all times of the day and night. The brightness level shall not exceed 300 Nits or 0.3 foot candles at a distance of one hundred (100) feet day or night. No single electronic message is permitted to be repeated by flashing. Message changes shall be allowed by fading-in or scrolling no more than once every sixteen seconds. MEASUREMENT OF SIGN AREA Measurements of sign area shall be calculated as: The surface area of a sign is that area which encompasses all lettering, designs, or symbols, including those that are raised and back-lit, as well as any background different from the wall it is mounted on. This area shall not include structural elements outside the limits of the sign which are not an integral part of the display. The support for a sign, whether it be columns, a pylon, or a building or part thereof, shall not be included in the computation of total sign area. For Free Standing signs, if the area of such support exceeds 25% of the total sign area supported, area of such supports shall be included in the total sigh area calculation. When a freestanding sign includes two or more panels separated by more than a 45 degree internal angle, the sign area shall be calculated as the combined total of each of the sign panels. The surface area for a sign that is internally illuminated includes all lettering, designs, symbols and area that is internally illuminated. ILLUMINATION Any sign within the BMPD shall be LED, preferably internally light and not exceeding 1 candle foot. a. A sign may be illuminated only if the illumination is confined to or directed upon the surface of the sign only. The light from or directed upon any illuminated sign shall be shaded, shielded or directed in such a way as to assure that the light intensity or brightness shall not be directed in such a way as to assure that the light intensity or brightness therefrom shall not be directed upon any public thoroughfare, highway, sidewalk or property other than that on which the sign is located. b. No sign shall be illuminated by or contain flashing, fluttering, blinking intermittent, rotating, or moving light or lights, nor shall any sign be illuminated by a light source which does not maintain a constant intensity, brightness or color, except signs indicating time and/or temperature by means of white intermittent lighting or signs as Reader Board/Electronic Message/Changeable Copy Signs. c. No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner so as to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices or marine navigational devices. d. The direct reflected light from primary light sources shall create a traffic hazard to operators of motor vehicles on public thoroughfares. INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, REMOVAL a. Inspection Signs shall be inspected by common interest manager to determine compliance with these regulations. b. Maintenance All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair. Required landscape areas shall be maintained with living plants during the growing season as shown on the approved plans. No dead or decaying organic material shall be permitted in the landscape area. c. Removal of Sign i. All sighs shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the use is no longer conducted on the premises. COLOR, TYPE All signs in the BMPD shall use the type face and color palette as shown in Exhibit A except that any business may use its own logo (Color and Type) as described here-in for its logo only.  PUBLIC HEARING #1 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ABATEMENT OF REAL ESTATE TAXES ON REAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE HISTORIC REDEVELOPMENT AND/OR REUSE OF THE PONEMAH SOUTH MILL, PONEMAH MILL BUILDING #2, CONSISTING OF TWO SEPARATE STRUCTURES IDENTIFIED AS 555 NORWICH AVENUE AND 575 NORWICH AVENUE WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Norwich seeks to encourage development that will contribute to the economic stability of the city, encourage tourism, and improve the quality of life for the residents of Norwich through the adaptive reuse, rehabilitation, and preservation of the historic or architecturally meritorious resources, including certain historic industrial mills, that reflect Norwich’s rich history; and WHEREAS, the Ponemah Mills are contributing structures to the Taftville National Register Historic District and have been designated as an historic mill site in the “Feasibility and Planning Study: The Historic Mills of Norwich, Connecticut” published by the city of Norwich in 1992; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich previously encouraged and supported the adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of the Ponemah Mill Building #1 by an abatement of certain real estate taxes, which abatement assisted and continues to assist in the rehabilitation and restoration of Ponemah Mill Building #1 as a mixed-use redevelopment; and WHEREAS, 555 South Mill LLC and 575 South Mill, LLC are the owners of two (2) separate and definable structures located adjacent to the historic Ponemah Mill Building #1 and known as the South Mill or Ponemah Mill Building #2 (hereinafter “South Mill” and/or “Ponemah Mill Building #2”) which structures are to be restored and renovated during Phases 4 and 5 of the Ponemah Mill Project; and WHEREAS, the structure located at 555 Norwich Avenue with map/block/lot number 47/4/6 is to be renovated and rehabilitated as part of Phase 4 of the Ponemah Mill Project, and that located at 575 Norwich Avenue, with map/block/lot number 47/4/5, to be renovated and rehabilitated as part of Phase 5 of the Ponemah Mill Project; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich finds that the Ponemah Mill Building #2 is historically and architecturally meritorious and that the Council has authority pursuant to Section 12-127a of the Connecticut General Statutes and Sec. 7-121.5 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances to abate real estate taxes in connection with the rehabilitation for reuse of such historic mill structures; and WHEREAS, the Norwich Commission on the City Plan has determined that both the redevelopment of the South Mill (Ponemah Mill Building #2) and the associated abatement of real estate taxes is consistent with the City’s mill enhancement program; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich also has authority pursuant to Section 4-7 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances to reduce the building permit fees in cases involving industrial buildings or structures such as the South Mill when it determines that such building or structure will be a benefit to the city; and WHEREAS, 555 South Mill, LLC and 575 South Mill, LLC have paid and is anticipated to continue to pay the real estate taxes which have been assessed against the South Mill to date and as such may be revalued and assessed following any required future revaluation and seeks an abatement of a portion of the taxes to become due with respect to improvements made to the South Mill during renovations as set forth herein to assist it in obtaining financing for the project NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the real estate taxes on the real property improvements associated with the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of the South Mill performed to maintain its historical and architectural value shall be abated for a period of 15 years upon the conclusion of the renovation (the “Construction Period”). The Construction Period for either of the structures comprising the South Mill (whether scheduled to be done in Phase 4 or Phase 5) shall commence on the date of the issuance of the first building permit for new construction in the applicable Phase after the date of approval of this ordinance, Phase 4 for 555 Norwich Avenue, and Phase 5 for 575 Norwich Avenue, but not later than three (3) years from the issuance of the first building permit for new construction in each Phase and continue until the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for that Phase or three (3) years whichever occurs first; and BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that the Construction Period for Phases 4 and 5 for the structures at 555 Norwich Avenue or 575 Norwich Avenue respectively shall be calculated and run independently of each other for purposes of this ordinance; and BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that real estate taxes on real property improvements associated with the historic redevelopment and adaptive reuse of the South Mill (Ponemah Mill Building #2) made up of 555 Norwich Avenue and 575 Norwich Avenue shall be abated for a period of fifteen (15) years in accordance with the following schedule, the abatement scheduled to start at the conclusion of the Construction Period applicable to each Phase. Year Percentage of Abatement on Real Percentage of Taxation on the Real Property Improvements made during Property and Improvements to the Phase 4 to 555 Norwich Avenue and same existing as of the date of the Phase 5 to 575 Norwich Avenue to adoption of this ordinance and as commence upon the conclusion of the such assessments may be revalued Construction Period applicable to during any subsequent revaluation or each Phase as otherwise legally required 1 75% 100% 2 75% 100% 3 75% 100% 4 75% 100% 5 75% 100% 6 50% 100% 7 50% 100% 8 50% 100% 9 50% 100% 10 50% 100% 11 25% 100% 12 25% 100% 13 25% 100% 14 25% 100% 15 25% 100% AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that pursuant to Connecticut General Statute § 12-127a and Sec. 7-121.5 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances, should any portion of Ponemah Mill Building #2, the South Mill, be demolished or remodeled in a way which destroys its architectural or historic value after taxes on it have been abated, the owner at that time shall pay the city an amount equal to the total amount of taxes equal which had been abated under this ordinance; and AND BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH that building permit fees associated with the historic redevelopment and adaptive reuse for residential purposes of that portion of the South Mill located at 555 Norwich Avenue in Taftville shall be $100,000, but excluding and excepting from this reduction and limitation any cost related to state fees, building permit or other fees required for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, fees for the issuance of any certificates of occupancy, costs for any necessary third party plan review of construction documents and special inspections and any redevelopment of that portion of the South Mill located at 575 Norwich Avenue. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Joseph A. DeLucia Alderwoman Stacy Gould PETITION & COMMUNICATION #1  RESOLUTION #1 WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone has appointed with Councils approval as a regular member to the Youth Service Advisory Board for a term to expire on 2/01/25 or until a successor is appointed; Gerald Dillenbeck (U) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the appointment of the above named to the Youth Service Advisory Board. City Manager John L. Salomone  RESOLUTION #2 WHEREAS, the City Manager John L. Salomone, with Council approval shall reappoint as an alternate member of the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission for a term to expire on February 28, 2024 or until a successor is appointed: P. Michael Lahan (D) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich hereby acknowledges the appointment of the above named to the Inland Wetlands, Water Courses and Conservation Commission. City Manager John L. Salomone  RESOLUTION #3 Relative to approval of new American Rescue Plan Act allocations. RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the following ARPA allocations be approved: Existing Project # and Requested City Manager ARPA Exp. Code Brief Description Dept/ Amount, if No. Amount recommendation Entity applicable Security Camera Systems 1.7 Public Health- Overhaul for the City IT $150,000 $0 1 other expenses Buildings Department N/A 2.37- Negative Slater Roof replacement- Economic Impacts: $120,000 $0 2 project overruns NFA-Slater ARP52 Other Economic Museum $200,000 Assistance 2.22-Negative Economic Impacts- Transportation assistance $30,000 $30,000 Strong healthy for Seniors Human ARP42 3 communities Services $20,000 2.34- Negative 1. Replace self-check unit Economic Impacts- $10K $18,000 $18,000 Assistance to Non- ARP17 4 2. Fund Citizen classes $8K. Otis Library profits $50,000 2.34- Negative Economic Impacts- Katie Blair House: replace $38,000 $38,000 Assistance to Non- windows & program supplies Safe N/A 5 profits Futures, Inc 1.11- Public Armored Rescue Vehicle- Health-Community Rescues due to Police $350,000 $0 6 Violence gunfire/natural disasters. Department N/A Interventions  Existing Project # and Requested City Manager No. ARPA Exp. Code Brief Description Dept/Entity Amount, if Amount Recommendation applicable 1.11- Public Firearms Health-Community replacement/transition to Police $150,000 $150,000 Violence 7 9mm with optical sights Department N/A Interventions 2.37- Negative Little Plains Park Fence Economic Impacts- Public $50,000 $50,000 8 repairs N/A Other Works 2.34-Negative Economic Impacts- Remodel of bathrooms and St. Vincent $250,000 $80,000 9 Assistance to Non- showers dePaul N/A Profits 2.37- Negative PR, Outreach & Marketing $100,000 10 Economic Impacts- $0 Specialist for one year NCDC N/A (Est) Other 2.23- Negative Repurposing of funds Economic Impacts: Habitat for ARP16 11 already allocated and add $200,000 $0 Demo & Rehab of Humanity $1,200,000 purchasing of land plus fees Properties Total Amount in Dollars $1,456,000 $366,000 City Manager John L. Salomone  RESOLUTION #4 Relative to amendment of existing American Rescue Plan Act allocations. RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, that the American Rescue Plan Act allocations adopted previously, be amended as follows: ARPA Exp. Brief Dollar City Manager Item Project Dept/ Details of requested change Code Description Change recommendation # Entity Move amount to ARP08-Human Mental Health Services Staffing for third Case Services 1.12-Public Worker. In ARP08 there are two $192,000 to 1 provided $192,000 ARP06 Health: Mental Human persons already covered, however ARP08 through outside Health Services Services plan is to keep all their ARPA agencies. payroll together in one project. 2.37- Negative This project will not be moving Economic forward. Request to move to $150,000 to 2 Impacts: Other Splash Pad ARP09-Armstrong Tennis Courts $150,000 ARP09 ARP12 Economic Public Works to be used for construction of the Assistance Parking Lot. This project includes both new construction and rehabs: 2.23-Negative Affordable - New homes $360K Economic $400,000 to 3 ARP16 Housing - Rehab $840K $400,000 Impacts: Demo Habitat for available funds Projects Rehab housing funds may not get & Rehab of Humanity fully spent. Move $400,000 to Properties available funds. 2.37- Negative This project is completed. Move Economic Mohegan Park this balance to ARP21-Mohegan $ 4,319 to 4 $ 4,319 ARP22 Impacts: Other Fitness Course Public Works Park Playground to assist in ARP21 Economic project completion. Assistance 2.37- Negative This project is completed. Move Economic Jennings Field $ 16,352 to 5 this remaining balance to available $ 16,352 ARP26 Impacts: Other Lighting Public Works available funds funds to close it out. Economic Assistance Balance of funds after fully reimbursing company for building fees. NCDC request transfer of 2.31-Negative funds to either of the following: Hale Mill $50,485 to 6 Economic NCDC/Mill • ARP48-Yale Urban $ 50,485 Renovation available funds Impacts: Development Study ARP32 Assistance to LLC • ARP14-Norwich Small Bus Revitalization Program This project is completed. Move 1.14-Public 7 x Lucas $71 to available 7 Fire this remaining balance to available $ 71 ARP44 Health: Other Devices funds Department funds to close it out. Services Total Dollar amount of De-obligated funds back to Available $466,908  Project ARPA Exp. Brief City Manager Item Dept/Entity Details of requested change Request # Code Description Recommendation 3.1-Public Health & Change description/title to Negative Human “Adult & Family Services Economic Change 8 Services Manager”. Change Title ARP56 Impact: Pay & Human Title Manager Person has been hired for this Benefits for Services position. Human Services Workers City Manager John L. Salomone