Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED 6/23/2011 3:45 PM MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday June 21, 2011 – 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: Acting Chair Arthur Sharron called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Commission Members Present: Arthur Sharron, P. Michael Lahan, Frank Manfredi, and Les King. A quorum was present. Absent: Ralph Page, Jeremy Booty and John Mathieu Also Present: Peter Davis, Director; Michael Schaefer, City Planner; and Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Frank Manfredi and second by Art Sharron the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the 5/17/2011 regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Waterfront Vision documents The Commission accepted the communications and no action was required. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SP #11-01 – 212 Taftville-Occum Rd – Application of Chris and Lisa O’Hara under Sec. 14.5(c) & 14.6(c) to repair and replace failed retaining wall in floodplain. Site is located in R40 zone and owned by the applicants. Mike Schaefer read in exhibits A-N. Mr. Schafer stated that the IWWCC granted a permit at their May 5th meeting. He explained the project and showed plans from May Engineering. Mr. Schaefer explained the use of gabion baskets that would be filled with stone and placed in earth to rebuild the wall. He stated that the City Engineer had concerns over the size of the stones that would be used in the baskets. Mr. Schaefer also stated that the IWWCC favored a waiver of flood impact study and that the applicant had requested a waiver of Site Plan. Chris O’Hara stated that a portion of the wall had fallen into disrepair and he would like to fix it. He presented pictures which were entered as exhibit “O”. 1 LAST REVISED 6/23/2011 3:45 PM Mr. Schaefer explained that the applicant had supplied documentation in accordance with Section 17.2 verifying that no deleterious effects with respect to character, traffic and future development would result. Tim May of May Engineering stated the reason he selected the size of stone was so that the stones could be moved easily in a wheelbarrow versus having to use machinery. He also stated that the smaller stone would create a denser basket. No one spoke in favor or opposition. Hearing closed. G. OLD BUSINESS: NONE H: NEW BUSINESS: 1. SP #11-01 – 212 Taftville-Occum Rd – Application of Chris and Lisa O’Hara under Sec. 14.5(c) & 14.6(c) to repair and replace failed retaining wall in floodplain. Site is located in R40 zone and owned by the applicants. Includes waiver of site plan review under Sec. 17.1.11 Frank Manfredi made a motion to waive Site Plan, second by Michael Lahan - unanimous –- waiver GRANTED. Michael Lahan made a motion to waive Flood Impact Study, second by Les King - unanimous – waiver GRANTED. Frank Manfredi made a motion to approve SP #11-01 finding all requirements and zoning regulations have been met. Les King seconded, unanimously APPROVED. 2. SDP #907 – 296 Hamilton Ave. – Modification request from Drew Price on behalf of Victoria Landing Condominium Association to remove bus shelter and relocate fire hydrant from previously approved plan. Site is located in MF zoning district and owned by Victoria Landing LLC. Mr. Schaefer showed the location of the fire hydrant (existing and proposed) on the plans and explained that 2 buildings had been completed by the developer and were now in control of the Association. The future buildings cannot be started until the walking trails are in place per the DEP. Jennifer Williams, VP of the Association stated that the hydrant is in a temporary location in the middle of a parking lot and has been hit several times by cars and it takes two weeks for NPU to replace. Mr. Schaefer stated that the Fire Marshall had no concerns regarding the relocation of the hydrant. Jennifer Williams also stated the homeowners wanted to do away with the bus shelter since there was no need by the association and there is an existing public bus shelter across the street. She stated she had the only children in the complex and they are not allowed to cross the street to get the bus. The developer has agreed to take the money from the cost of the shelter and pay for the expense to move the hydrant. 2 LAST REVISED 6/23/2011 3:45 PM Frank Manfredi made a motion to approve the modification for the relocation of the fire hydrant and removal of the bus shelter, second by Michael Lahan –unanimous- MODIFICATION REQUEST APPROVED. I: EXTENSIONS: 1. SUB #421 –Block 1, Lots 1-3, Norwichtown Development LLC, owner – Request of Norwichtown Development LLC for the 2nd extension of time to post bond and file mylars Upon motion by Michael Lahan and second by Les King, Frank Manfredi recused, the Commission voted to GRANT the request for the 2nd extension to post bond and file mylars. 2. SDP #1010 – 285 Taftville-Occum Rd. (RT 97) - Request of Hills at Riverview LLC- for the 1st 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 1st extension to post bond and file mylars. J: BOND RELEASES: Michael Schaefer asked for a suspension of rules to discuss SDP #846-Norwich Woods. Motion by Frank Manfredi to suspend rules, seconded by Les King – unanimous – RULES SUSPENDED Mr. Schaefer stated that the Commission had approved a replacement cash bond of $75,000 back in December 2010. He recommended release of the original bond of $348,735 and requested a partial release of the cash bond in the amount of $40,000 and to retain $35,000. Frank Manfredi made a motion to release $40,000 and retain $35,000, second by Les King. Unanimously - APPROVED-PARTIAL RELEASE OF REPLACEMENT BOND. Frank Manfredi made a motion to release the original bond, second by Michael Lahan –– RELEASE ORIGINAL BOND. 1. SDP#1005 – 70 (a.k.a. 66-78) Town Street – Request of Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC for release of bond in the amount of $425,000.00. Frank Manfredi made a motion to release bond, Les King seconded -unanimous-RELEASE BOND. 2. SUB #396 – 64 White Plains Road – Cold Brook Estates Request for release of remaining bond in the amount of $10,000.00. Les King made a motion to release bond, Frank Manfredi seconded-unanimous-RELEASE BOND. 3 LAST REVISED 6/23/2011 3:45 PM 3. SDP #953 - 300 Rear, 431 Rear, 435, 439 Canterbury Tpke, 527 Scotland Rd Off, 165 Rear, 180, 207, 253 Lawler Lane – Request of Byron Brook Country Club LLC for release of bond in the amount of $341,950 due to withdrawal of site plan. Michael Lahan made a motion to release bond, Frank Manfredi seconded-unanimous- RELEASE BOND. 4. SDP #942 –Bromley Lane extension from Canterbury Tpke to School Avenue Request of M & A Holdings for release of bond in the amount of $1,129,550 due to withdrawal of site plan. There was discussion on whether the bond release voids the site plan or if the site plan stays with the land. Peter Davis will get opinion from Corporation Council. Michael Lahan made a motion to release bond, Frank Manfredi seconded-unanimous- RELEASE BOND. K: ZONING MATTERS: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 12, MOBILE HOMES AND MOBILE HOME PARKS, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF NORWICH, CONNECTICUT TO MEET NEW FEDERAL AND STATE STANDARDS FOR FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS 1 AND 14 OF APPENDIX A, ZONING, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF NORWICH, CONNECTICUT TO MEET NEW FEDERAL AND STATE STANDARDS FOR FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT. Peter Davis stated this was an advisory referral and the City would be out of compliance with the new Federal Flood Plain Program effective July 18th if not adopted by Council. Motion by Michael Lahan to send a FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION to the City Council regarding the proposed ordinances seconded by Frank Manfredi - unanimous. L: OTHER BUSINESS: M. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Michael Lahan, and seconded by Frank Manfredi, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 4