Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED 1/27/10 12:04 am MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday January 19, 2010 - 7:00 P.M. 23 UNION STREET NORWICH CONNECTICUT LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM REGULAR MEETING AGENDA ITEMS A, B & C – CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, DETERMINATION OF QUORUM: Chairman Ralph Page called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission Members Present: Ralph Page, Arthur Sharron, John Mathieu and Les King. Absent: Jeremy Booty, P. Michael Lahan, Frank Manfredi Also Present: Michael Schaefer-City Planner, Peter Davis-Director, Tianne Phoenix Curtis, Recording Secretary and Jacquie Barbarossa A quorum was present. D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Les King and second by Art Sharron, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the 12/15/2009 Regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: SP#09-06 – 70 (a.k.a. 66-78) Town Street – Application of Gas Development LLC for Sec.14.6 Construction within a Floodplain for the filling and grading within a floodplain located in a GC zoning district and owned by Thomas E. Cafro Mike Schaefer read in Exhibits A-R. No questions on exhibits. Mike Schaefer read Exhibit M – letter from Uncas Health District in its entirety and the comments from the City Engineer (Exhibit R) regarding the retaining wall and drainage system, operations and maintenance plans, oil-water separator for catch basin and sidewalk along front of property. 1 LAST REVISED 1/27/10 12:04 am Attorney Tim Bates from Robinson Cole made a presentation about the site, which included demolition/elimination of repair shop, and construction of 5 new pumping stations, a sales kiosk, retaining walls, drainage system and landscaping. He agreed with the City Engineer’s comments and is willing to work with CT DOT in regards to the sidewalks and stated that this project would eliminate the non-conformities of the site with the exception of the sign, which they would like to keep as is. Ken Staffier showed before and after renderings of the site which included improving the entrances and exits, new landscaping and stated that the applicants are willing to work with CT DOT regarding the sidewalks since it’s a state road. The impact to the Flood Plain would be favorable due to the increased flood storage on the site and the improved treatment of the runoff. Mike Schaefer stated a favorable opinion was forwarded from the IWWCC regarding the waiver of the Flood Impact Study since the impact was insignificant, and it was also favorable per the City Engineer. Mr. Schaefer stated the applicants are also seeking a permit from DEP regarding the Stream Channel Encroachment Lines on the property. Mike took in Exhibit S –updated Sheet T-1 and Exhibit T – color rendering of new sign. Dave Giel presented a Traffic Report due to the increase from 2 to 5 pumping stations. He stated that the morning increase would be approximately 68 vehicles; the evening increase would be 57 vehicles, and Saturday an increase of 57 vehicles. He stated there would be minimal disruption to traffic to the main road with the proposed amount of cars. Ralph Page asked if anyone wanted to speak in favor or opposition. No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition to the project. There were no comments from the Commission. Hearing closed at 7:28 pm. G. OLD BUSINESS: NONE H: NEW BUSINESS: 1. SP#09-06 – 70 (a.k.a. 66-78) Town Street – Application of Gas Development LLC for Sec.14.6 Construction within a Floodplain for the filling and grading within a floodplain located in a GC zoning district and owned by Thomas E. Cafro. Mike Schaefer suggested a motion to waive the Flood impact Study due to what was presented. Art Sharron made a motion to approve SP #09-06 based on the overall appearance and no negative impact to the site. Les King seconded, unanimously APPROVED. Art Sharron made a motion to approve a waiver of Flood Impact Study, second by Les King, unanimously APPROVED. 2. SDP#1005 – 70 (a.k.a. 66-78) Town Street – Application of Gas Development, LLC for the elimination of existing auto repair/towing 2 LAST REVISED 1/27/10 12:04 am business, convenience store, and 2 fuel pumps along with the construction of a 5-pump fueling station, fuel storage tanks, canopy, kiosk, storm water treatment system and associated site improvements. Site is located in a GC zoning district and owned by Thomas E. Cafro. Mike Schaefer detailed the sheets/information provided for the Commission’s benefit. Lisa Davies stated they would like to start build out in spring 2010 but since they need to get permits from the State it may take a little longer. Mike Schaefer stated that the applicants provided for erosion and sediment control measures to be in place before demolition. Upon motion by Art Sharron and second by Les King the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE with conditions: Bond in the amount of $425,000; the concerns of the City’s Civil Engineer are met and sidewalk issues will be discussed with the CT DOT. I: EXTENSIONS: 1. SDP#981(B) – 23 Thermos Ave – Request of Development Solutions for 3rd and final extension of time to post bond and file mylars. Upon motion by John Mathieu and second by Les King, the Commission voted unanimously to GRANT the request for the 3rd and final extension to post bond and file mylars. 2. SDP#995(A) – 93-99 Chestnut Street – Request of Gerwick-Mereen for 3rd and final extension of time to post bond and file mylars. Upon motion by Art Sharron and second by John Mathieu, the Commission voted unanimously to GRANT the request for the 3rd and final extension to post bond and file mylars. J: BOND RELEASES: Per Peter Davis request, Art Sharron made a motion to suspend the rules and Les King seconded the motion in order to add release of bonds to agenda. APPROVED unanimously. SDP#937 – 385 Laurel Hill Ave (Phase 1) SDP#961 – 120 Thermos Ave (Phase 2) Peter Davis stated that there was a potential buyer for the project and that he and Mike Schaefer had reviewed Phase 1 & 2 of the project with the City Engineer. The bank that foreclosed on the property would like to have part of the bond reduced to make the property more attractive to potential buyers. Due to the current economic conditions, and 3 LAST REVISED 1/27/10 12:04 am the work completed thus far, Peter Davis and Mike Schaefer felt that the bond should be reduced to more readily allow a potential developer to take over the project, and to reflect the progress that has been made at the site. The following amounts were recommended by Staff. SDP #937 - Phase 1 – release $99,210 leaving bond amount at $15,000. SDP#961 - Phase 2 – release $174,735 leaving bond amount at $119,160. Upon motion by Les King and second by John Mathieu, the Commission voted unanimously to hold $15,000 on Phase 1 and to hold $119,160 for phase 2 and to authorize partial bond releases as recommended by Staff. K. ZONING MATTERS: 1. City Council Referral definition of Resort for discussion. Peter Davis stated he had discussed the definition with the City Manager and Corp. Counsel. They felt that some of the language in the new definition was too subjective at best. He suggested the CCP rescind/retract the report that was forwarded to City Council. Motion by Les King to retract previous report forwarded to City Council in order to further review definition with Corp Counsel, second by John Mathieu, APPROVED unanimously. L. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. City of Norwich Capital Improvements Plan review. Peter Davis stated the form and process was amended by the Finance Office for this year to enable the departments to concentrate on priority projects. The Commission discussed that they did not want to substitute its judgment for that of Department Heads. Motion by Les King to forward plans as submitted on behalf of department heads for inclusion in the City Managers budget, second by Art Sharron, APPROVED unanimously. M. OTHER BUSINESS: NONE N. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Art Sharron, and second by John Mathieu, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 4