Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED11/19/10 10:05 am MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday November 16, 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 7:05 p.m. Commission Members Present: Arthur Sharron, Frank Manfredi, P Michael Lahan, Les King, and John Mathieu. A quorum was present. Absent: Ralph Page and Jeremy Booty Also Present: Peter Davis, Director, Michael Schaefer, City Planner and Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 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 10/19/2010 Regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE Motion by Frank Manfredi to suspend rules to take items out of order, second by Les King – unanimous– RULES SUSPENDED. 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. Arthur Sharron opened the hearing. Frank Manfredi and Michael Lahan recused themselves. Peter Davis entered exhibits “GG” – certified, highlighted sightline plan showing all ledge and tree removal will be in the City right-of-way and item “HH” an email from the City Engineer stating he had reviewed the plan and an adequate sightline can be achieved within the right of way. Les King asked if the City Engineer had reviewed the drainage report and access drive to retention basin. Mr. Davis confirmed that he had. As there were no questions from the Commission, Art Sharron opened the floor to public comment. 1 LAST REVISED11/19/10 10:05 am Speaking in favor was:  Patrick Lafayette from Development Solutions Mr. Lafayette stated the biggest outstanding item was the Sight Line Plan that has been certified to A-2 standards and that the City Engineer has accepted. He stated they found existing pins in the field from the old subdivision and it coincides with what had been previously presented. Mr. Lafayette asked for a waiver of sidewalks making the road wider and adding a pedestrian/bike path instead. Peter Davis stated he would prefer the sidewalks remain on one side since there was no way of knowing how many school children would be in the neighborhood and where the bus stops would be. Speaking in opposition was:  Barbara Doherty 111 Hansen Rd. Ms. Doherty read a letter to the Commission, which was entered as exhibit “II”. John Mathieu made a motion to close the hearing, seconded by Les King. Frank Manfredi and Michael Lahan were recused – HEARING CLOSED. 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. Art Sharron recommended postponing a vote to the next CCP scheduled meeting since only 2 members had reviewed the entire record. Motion by Les King to TABLE – seconded by John Mathieu, Frank Manfredi and Michael Lahan were recused - approved - TABLED. H: NEW BUSINESS: 1. SUB#422 – 24 Hammond Ave. – Application of Hammond Ledge, LLC for a 4-lot Subdivision located in an R-40 zoning district and owned by the applicant. Normand Thibeault, from Killingly Engineering gave a brief presentation on the site. He stated the site consists of 14 acres and is steeply sloped. He stated that 109,000 cubic yards of material will be removed and that no building permits will be issued until the excavation is completed. The road will be roughed out and there will be temporary sedimentation basins with benching of the hill and the existing drainage patterns will remain intact. The sites will have City water and sewer service. He explained that each house would have individual grinder pumps in place and how they worked. A waiver of sidewalks on the eastern side of the street was requested, since there will be no homes on that side. Mr. Thibeault stated that 65% 2 LAST REVISED11/19/10 10:05 am of the property would remain wooded. He stated that staff’s questions and concerns had been addressed and reflected on the plans. He requested phasing of the bond with $205,050 being posted initially with a request of partial release when excavation is complete. Mike Schaefer stated he had discussed with the City Engineer and he had no objections to handling the bond in that manner. Les King questioned the timing of the excavation, the condition of the existing road and stabilizing of the hill. Mike Schaefer stated that monthly reports during excavation would be required. Mr. Schaefer also stated that NPU would need to approve the final sewer/water connections. He also stated that the subdivision had received IWWCC approval In October. Motion by Frank Manfredi to approve with sidewalk waiver on east side, phased bond in the amount of $205,050 and NPU approval of water/sewer connections. Seconded by John Mathieu – unanimous – APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS. 2. SDP#897C - Modification - 285 Taftville-Occum Road- Hills at Riverview LLC for construction of residential units located in an MF zoning district and owned by the applicant. Mike Schafer stated that several items were outstanding and suggested tabling. Motion by Les King to TABLE – seconded by John Mathieu, approved - TABLED. 3. Appointment of two CCP members to the Plan of Conversation & Development Update subcommittee Peter Davis stated the Chairman had requested a postponement until December since he wanted to participate in the discussion and was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. Motion by Les King to TABLE – seconded by John Mathieu, approved - TABLED. I: EXTENSIONS: NONE J: BOND RELEASES: 1. SUB #414 – 180 Plain Hill Rd – Request of Roy Fleming for partial release of bond in the amount of $50,000.00 leaving a balance of $5,350 Mike Schaefer and Barry Ellison had visited the site and the majority of the work had been completed satisfactorily. However, an as-built survey, monumentation and signage/painting of stop bar need to be completed. Les King made a motion for a partial release of bond in the amount of $50,000, John Mathieu seconded-unanimous- PARTIAL RELEASE OF BOND. K. ZONING MATTERS: NONE H. OTHER BUSINESS: 3 LAST REVISED11/19/10 10:05 am Presentation by William Champagne, President of The Norwich Historical Society, “Norwich, Connecticut Neighborhoods”. Bill Champagne handed out copies of Norwich, Connecticut Historic Neighborhoods prepared by Rachel Carley, Historic Preservation Consultant. He gave a brief summary of the highlights and asked the Commission for their support. M. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Michael Lahan, and seconded by Les King, Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 4