Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED 8/10/2011 11:05 AM MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday August 9, 2011 – 12:00 P.M. 23 UNION STREET NORWICH CONNECTICUT LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS A, B & C – CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, DETERMINATION OF QUORUM: Ralph Page called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm. Commission Members Present: Ralph Page, Art Sharron, Frank Manfredi, John Mathieu and Les King. A quorum was present. Absent: Jeremy Booty and P. Michael Lahan Also Present: Peter Davis, Director; and Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Peter Davis asked for the item to be tabled to next regular scheduled meeting. Motion made by Art Sharron to table item, seconded by Les King – UNANIMOUS -TABLED. E. COMMUNICATIONS: Peter Davis stated there was a Council referral dated August 3, 2011. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE G. OLD BUSINESS: NONE H: NEW BUSINESS: NONE I: EXTENSIONS: NONE J: BOND RELEASES: NONE K: ZONING MATTERS: NONE L: OTHER BUSINESS: 1. C.G.S. 8-24 Council Referral: AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $5,000,000 FOR THE CITY OF NORWICH 2011 HARBOR AREA IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUE OF $5,000,000 BONDS OF THE CITY TO MEET SAID APPROPRIATION AND PENDING THE ISSUANCE THEREOF THE MAKING OF TEMPORARY BORROWINGS FOR SUCH PURPOSE 1 LAST REVISED 8/10/2011 11:05 AM Peter Davis stated this was a referral from the City Council to the CCP for an advisory opinion relative to a proposed bond ordinance for infrastructure improvement projects within the harbor area. Mr. Davis explained the purview of the CCP was to determine whether the proposed bond ordinance for future infrastructure improvements in the harbor area was consistent with the current POCD. He referred to several sections of the POCD regarding economic development, infrastructure, future land use, capital expenditures, developing business sites, improvements to the harbor area including cleanup, the conversion of Shipping St. to a mixed use area, and planning and upgrade of sewer infrastructure that were consistent with the POCD. He stated there are several sections in the POCD regarding sewer separation projects and one of the largest remaining areas that needs sewer separation is Shipping St. Mr. Davis stated this was an example of the potential use of the funds for infrastructure improvements, which would satisfy DEP requirements and also prepare the land for future economic development to expand the tax base. There was a brief discussion that no specific projects were listed on the bond and that the CCP would be approving a line of credit for an undefined project. Motion by Frank Manfred to send an UNFAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION to the City Council regarding the proposed bond ordinance, seconded by Art Sharron - UNANIMOUS. The Commission determined that there was not enough information provided in the bond ordinance relative to the project(s) in order for them to determine consistency with the current 2002 Plan of Conservation and Development. M. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Art Sharron, and second by Frank Manfredi, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 12:25 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 2