Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED 2/17/10 1:17 pm MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday February 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: Art Sharron called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission Members Present: Arthur Sharron, John Mathieu, Les King and P. Michael Lahan Absent: Jeremy Booty, Frank Manfredi. Ralph Page, Chairman Also Present: Michael Schaefer-City Planner, and Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary A quorum was present. D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Les King and second by John Mathieu, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the 01/19/2010 Regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SP#10-01 – 94-114 Crescent Street – Application of NFA under Sec. 8.1.2 (b) expansion of educational use. Site is located in an R-40 zoning district and owned by the applicant. Mike Schaefer read in Exhibits A through O. No questions on exhibits. Mike Schaefer summarized the Fire Marshals comments: being sure the sidewalks would withstand the loading of fire apparatus and the addition location of a fire hydrant to the plans. Richard Rand CFO of NFA summarized the project as an accessibility project. It will enable NFA to bring 4 buildings into compliance with ADA regulations. Construction consists of an Atrium to connect Slater, Converse, Norton & the Alumni House. A new reception area will be constructed along with an elevator and a series of ramps to allow access to all 4 buildings and levels, which will bring the buildings to code compliance. All levels will have bathrooms and will be available to all sectors of the community for various uses. 1 LAST REVISED 2/17/10 1:17 pm Tom Cummings from CLA Engineers showed the highlighted location of the in-fill structure on the plans and stated that the project is in harmony with the present use. He also stated there would no effect on traffic since this is pedestrian access only. Three new handicapped parking spaces will be added. Mr. Cummings also stated that the paved area in front of NFA would be eliminated upon completion of the project. He also stated that there is an underground drainage system that would collect and subsequently infiltrate the roof water into the ground. Mr. Cummings addressed the Fire Marshal’s concerns stating there is a major waterline under the existing sidewalk anticipating the proposed construction. There is the ability to put in a hydrant in front of Norton Gym. He also stated that there will be 4-inches of asphalt and brick pavers on top of the asphalt which would accommodate a fire engine. Mike Schaefer stated that the Zoning Board of Appeals had granted a variance to increase the lot coverage from 10% to 15% lot coverage and it is currently at 13.5%. Tom Cummings explained that with the City’s last zone change, all of NFA is now out of compliance and the variance brings it back into compliance. Art Sharon 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. Michael Lahan made a motion to close the hearing, seconded by John Mathieu. The commission voted unanimously to close the public hearing. Hearing closed at 7:20 pm. G. OLD BUSINESS: NONE H: NEW BUSINESS: 1. SP#10-01 – 94-114 Crescent Street – Application of NFA for Sec. 8.1.2 (b) expansion of educational use. Site is located in a R-40 zoning district and owned by the applicant. Michael Lahan made a motion to approve SP #10-01, Les King seconded, unanimously APPROVED. 2. SDP#1006 – 94-114 Crescent Street – Application of NFA for the construction of a 7,000 SF in-fill structure connecting various halls. Site is located in an R-40 zoning district and owned by the applicant. Les King made a motion to approve SDP #1006, Michael Lahan seconded, unanimously APPROVED. I: EXTENSIONS: 1. SDP#1004 – 135-139 Yantic Rd – Request of Donald Cormier/DC Sheetmetal LLC for 1st extension of time to post bond and file mylars. 2 LAST REVISED 2/17/10 1:17 pm Upon motion by Michael Lahan and second by Les King, the Commission voted unanimously to GRANT the request for the 1st extension to post bond and file mylars. 2. SDP#976A –133 Cedar St - Request of Norwich Preston Development Co., LLC for 3rd and final extension of time to post bond and file mylars. Upon motion by Michael Lahan 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. J: BOND RELEASES: 1. SDP# 984 - Request of ECHO –245 Elizabeth St. Ext. for release of bond in the amount of $22,000. Upon motion by John Mathieu and second by Les King, the Commission voted unanimously to release bond. K. ZONING MATTERS: 1. V#10-01 – Appeal of DJ Norwich Enterprises, LLC for property located at 87- 91 Main Street, located in a Chelsea Central (CC) zoning district. In accordance with Sec.9.4.1(A)(1), permitted uses in a CC zone. Use variance to allow a proposed community center. Mike Schaefer referred to a letter from Peter Davis that stated Community Centers were not listed as a permitted use in the CC. He stated that the request was for a social gathering place for the Asian community and was not sure of the activities that would take place. Mike Lahan questioned the location and was advised it was at 87-91 Main Street in the former Heritage Discovery Center. Mike explained the goal within the CC was to have business opportunities available especially on the first floor of any buildings located within that zoning district. Art Sharron noted that the use variance can be appropriated if no other potential uses exist, and this property is clearly located in an area where there are other varied uses. Michael Lahan made a motion to forward an unfavorable recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Les King seconded. The commission voted unanimously to forward an UNFAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION to the ZBA. L. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Economic Development discussion Les King explained that the Mayor had been meeting on Wednesdays and Saturdays with different organizations including the City Council. He stated that Peter Davis will be 3 LAST REVISED 2/17/10 1:17 pm doing a presentation on the Plan of Conservation on Saturday, February 20,2010 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am to the groups involved, and invited all the Commission members to attend. M. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by John Mathieu, and second by Les King, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 4