Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED10/2/10 3:05 pm MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday October 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 7:03 p.m. Commission Members Present: Ralph Page, Les King, John Mathieu, P Michael Lahan arrived at 8:05. A quorum was present. Absent: Jeremy Booty, Arthur Sharron and Frank Manfredi Also Present: Michael Driscoll, Corporation Counsel, Michael Schaefer, City Planner arrived at 7:55 pm, and Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by John Mathieu and second by Les King the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the 09/21/2010 Regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SUB #421 – 59.7 acres of land comprised of the following three parcels: South side White Plains Road, Map 17, Block 1, Lot 9, Norwichtown Development LLC, owner; 115 Hansen Road, Map 22, Block 1, Lot 10, Norwichtown Development LLC, owner; West side Scotland Road, Map 23, Block 1, Lots 1-3, Norwichtown Development LLC, owner;– Application of Norwichtown Development LLC for 16- lot Re-Subdivision in an R-80 zoning district and owned by the owned by the applicant. Ralph Page read in Exhibits A through EE. Pat Lafayette from Development Solutions stated that item “S” - the drainage report from 2004 had been updated and given directly to the City Engineer. Mr. Lafayette gave a brief history of the project, which originally started in 2003 with a 24-lot subdivision when the property was zoned R-40. After a zone change to R-80 an application for a 185 unit over 55 community was proposed and denied. Mr. Lafayette stated the proposed 16-lot subdivision meets all the City’s requirements and any contamination previously found has been removed or dealt with. He stated Uncas Health wanted a registered environmental specialist to examine the site and prepare a report regarding the contamination from the previous application. He referred to exhibits “Y” & “Z” the reports from the specialists that had been submitted to Uncas Health. He read Uncas Health’s most recent letter – exhibit “EE” - stating the site meets the requirements of the CT Public Health Code. Mr. Lafayette stated the City Engineer requested an access drive to the detention 1 LAST REVISED10/2/10 3:05 pm basin. He stated the City Engineer and Police Department concerns with the sight line would be addressed with the removal of 5 trees and a piece of ledge in the right- of-way of Hansen Road. Mr. Lafayette submitted exhibit “FF” - Sight Line Plan, which will become part of the final plan and shows the certified right-of-way by a licensed land surveyor, which was also given to the City Engineer. As there were no questions from the Commission, Chairman Ralph Page opened the floor to public comment. There were none wishing to speak in favor. Speaking in opposition were:  John Oldfield of 185 Lawler Lane  Barbara Doherty 111 Hansen Rd. Les King questioned whether the trees were in the right-of-way or being taken by eminent domain. Mr. Lafayette stated that the trees where in the right-of-way of Hansen Road and do not require the property owner’s permission to remove. He also stated that blasting was not required to remove the ledge. John Mathieu questioned as to how the middle of the road and the number of feet for the right –of-way is determined. Mr. Lafayette stated the property lines were researched from the original subdivision plan when the neighboring properties were formed. Ralph Page asked for an explanation if eminent domain was being used. Mr. Lafayette stated there is none and that the proposed work is only being done on public property and showed the property lines on the Sight Line Plan. Les questioned whether things were buried on the property. Mr. Lafayette stated 3 holes were dug on every lot and that over 100 test holes had been dug on the property with no negative contaminates found. Les King made a motion to continue the hearing to the next CCP meeting, seconded by John Mathieu – unanimous- APPROVED–HEARING CONTINUED. G. OLD BUSINESS: 1. SUB #421 – 59.7 acres of land comprised of the following three parcels: South side White Plains Road, Map 17, Block 1, Lot 9, Norwichtown Development LLC, owner; 115 Hansen Road, Map 22, Block 1, Lot 10, Norwichtown Development LLC, owner; West side Scotland Road, Map 23, Block 1, Lots 1-3, Norwichtown Development LLC, owner;– Application of Norwichtown Development LLC for 16- lot Re-Subdivision in an R-80 zoning district and owned by the owned by the applicant. Motion to TABLE by Les King – seconded by John Mathieu, unanimous- TABLED. H: NEW BUSINESS: 1. SDP #1009 – 222 Otrobando Ave. – Application of U.S. Foodservice, Inc. for the 2 LAST REVISED10/2/10 3:05 pm construction of a 17,652 sq. ft. dry storage addition to the existing 158,994 square foot facility. The addition is to be constructed on an open gravel surface area within the existing perimeter fencing. Site is located in BP zoning district and owned by USF PROPCO I LLC. Brian Long, from CLA made a brief presentation on the site showing the sewer hookups and the improvements to the parking lot. Mike Schaefer stated the City Engineer had reviewed the drainage plans and the bond amount. He stated there were no drainage issues and recommended bond in the amount of $12,730 and final review by NPU for sewer hookup. Motion by Les King to approve with bond amount of $12,730, and for NPU to concur with final sewer layout, seconded by John Mathieu, - unanimously - APPROVED W/CONDITIONS. I: EXTENSIONS: 1. SDP#1007 – 555 & 575 Norwich Ave. – Request of HRP Associates, Inc. for the 1 st extension of time to post bond and file mylars. Upon motion by Les King and seconded by John Mathieu, the Commission voted unanimously to GRANT the request for the 1st extension to post bond and file mylars. J: BOND RELEASES: 1. SDP#958 – 15 Mopsic Court – Request of Brom Builders for release of remainder of bond in the amount of $70,500.00. Mike Schaefer stated that staff had visited the site and everything was completed. Les King made a motion to release bond, John Mathieu seconded-unanimous-RELEASE BOND. K. ZONING MATTERS: 1. V#10-28 – Appeal of Peter Charron for property located at 520 Boswell Ave. in a Residential R-20 zoning district. In accordance with Sec.8.2.1; Permitted Use to allow conversion of portion of existing single-family residence to retail bake shop. Mike Schaefer recommended forwarding a negative recommendation to the ZBA since it was not consistent with the POCD. There was a brief discussion on how the property is being used currently. Michael Lahan made a motion to forward an unfavorable recommendation to the ZBA, since it is inconsistent with the POCD, but noting that a substantial part of the property is being used for commercial purposes, John Mathieu seconded. The commission voted unanimously to forward an UNFAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION to the ZBA. H. OTHER BUSINESS: C.G.S. 8-24 Council Referral: Relative to the acceptance of Farm View Drive as a public street. 3 LAST REVISED10/2/10 3:05 pm Mike Schaefer reported that staff had inspected public improvements and found that they had been constructed substantially as planned, and both he and the DPW Director recommend a favorable response from the CCP to the Council. Upon motion by Les King and seconded by John Mathieu, the Commission voted unanimously to forward a FAVORABLE recommendation to the Council for acceptance as a public street. Presentation by William Champagne, President of The Norwich Historical Society, “Norwich, Connecticut Neighborhoods”. Mike Schaefer stated he had invited Mr. Champagne but he was not present for the presentation. M. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Les King, and seconded by John Mathieu, Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 4