Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED 4/23/10 12:20 pm MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday April 20, 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 7:03 p.m. Commission Members Present: Ralph Page, Jeremy Booty, P. Michael Lahan, Frank Manfredi, and John Mathieu A quorum was present. Michael Lahan recused himself. Absent: Arthur Sharron, Les King Also Present: Michael Schaefer, City Planner, and Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Frank Manfredi and second by John Mathieu the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the 03/16/2010 Regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: Mike Schaefer received a letter from Bill Champagne of the Norwich Historical Society requesting to be on a future agenda to make a brief presentation and answer any questions the Commission may have regarding their report on “Historic Neighborhoods”. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SP#10-02 – 268-272 Franklin Street – Application of Stephen Stefano under Sec. 9.4.1 (A) (2) (a) MF residential in the Chelsea Central Zoning District. Site is located in CC zoning district and owned by Anthony Heft & Roseanna Heft. Mike Schaefer stated the rules of the public hearing and read in Exhibits A-P. He read exhibit “N” request for Waiver of Site Plan Review. Mike Schaefer showed a copy of the plan with depiction of 2nd floor addition and current property line which runs through the middle of the properties. He stated staff was concerned about use of the stairs for ingress and egress and the lots should be combined or a property line adjustment be made to include the stairs on the same property as the residence. Staff felt that the plan presented was sufficient for review. The Commission discussed ownership of the current properties and the property line through the middle. The Assessors Street card with picture of the properties was entered as Exhibit “Q” for the Commission to review. 1 LAST REVISED 4/23/10 12:20 pm Mike Schaefer stated that there was enough room to swap square footage between both properties to keep the lots conforming. He also stated that the plan would have to meet current building and fire code requirements, but stressed that code issues had no bearing on the issue at hand. Richard Heft stated that the existing stairway would continued to be used by both properties. There was discussion of an easement for the stairs. Jeremy Booty suggested getting opinion from Corporation Counsel before the next meeting regarding the property line or easement. Richard Heft stated he thought that everything had been settled regarding an easement in previous discussions with Peter Davis. Mike Schaefer stated there was a miscommunication since the easement had only been discussed for the first time today in lieu of combining the properties. Mr. Heft stated he had no intention to combine the properties and that his son Anthony could not since he had a mortgage on the property. Frank Manfredi suggested getting a legal opinion regarding how the property line effects the application and whether there needs to be a boundary line adjustment or if an easement would suffice. Ralph Page asked if any one 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. Frank Manfredi made a motion to continue the Public Hearing to the next regular scheduled meeting with receipt of Corporation Counsel’s opinion. Jeremy Booty seconded – unanimous APPROVED - HEARING CONTINUED. Frank Manfredi made a motion to grant waiver of Site Plan Review, seconded by John Mathieu - unanimously GRANTED. G. OLD BUSINESS: NONE H: NEW BUSINESS: 1. SP#10-02 – 268-272 Franklin Street – Application of Stephen Stefano under Sec. 9.4.1 (A) (2) (a) MF residential in Chelsea Central. Site is located in CC zoning district and owned by Anthony Heft & Roseanna Heft. Includes waiver of site plan review under Sec. 17.1.11 Frank Manfredi made a motion to table SP#-10-02 to next regular scheduled CCP meeting, John Mathieu seconded, unanimously approved to TABLE. Mike stated that the waiver of Site Plan Review has been GRANTED. I: EXTENSIONS: 1. SDP#1005 – 70 (a.k.a. 66-78) Town Street – Request of Gas 2 LAST REVISED 4/23/10 12:20 pm Development, LLC for 1st extension of time to post bond and file mylars. Mike Schaefer said that Staff had no reason to deny extension. Frank Manfredi made motion to approve extension, Jeremy Booty seconded – unanimously APPROVED. J: BOND RELEASES: 1. SDP#880 – 15 Cedar Street – Request of Harbor View Estates, LLC for release of remainder of bond in the amount of $5,000.00. Mike Schaefer explained minor modifications to site plan and said staff was not averse to releasing the last $5,000. Jeremy Booty made a motion to release bond, Frank Manfredi seconded - unanimous RELEASE BOND K. ZONING MATTERS: NONE H. OTHER BUSINESS: Mike Schafer read a referral from City Council regarding the closure of Burton Ave. that had been received the morning of April 20, 2010. He stated that Staff recommended to TABLE to next Regular scheduled meeting until the Commission could review reports that City Council had received. There was a brief informal discussion with Sylvia Laudette and Kenneth Maury, residents in the subject area, stating their concerns for safety and the reasons for the requested closure. Jeremy Booty explained that the CCP could not act without reviewing the reports that the City Council had received or were to receive (i.e.: Police Dept. Fire Dept. & Dept. of Public Works) and that the Commission had just gotten notice that morning. M. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Frank Manfredi, and second by John Mathieu, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7.45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 3