Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED 8/20/2011 9:45 AM MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday August 16, 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: Chairman Ralph Page called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Commission Members Present: Ralph Page, Arthur Sharron, P. Michael Lahan, Frank Manfredi, John Mathieu and Les King. A quorum was present. Absent: Jeremy Booty Also Present: Peter Davis, Director; and Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Frank Manfredi and second by Les King, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the 6/21/11 Regular Meeting. Upon motion by Les King and second by Michael Lahan, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the 7/18/11 Special Meeting. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi and second by John Mathieu, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the 8/9/11 Special Meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Advisory Opinion from IWWCC – SP#11-02–36-40 & 42-44 Town St. (aka Norwichtown Mall) Peter Davis stated that he had an advisory opinion and he would read into the record for the public hearing. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SP#11-02 – 36-40 & 42-44 Town St. (aka Norwichtown Mall) – Application of Norwichtown Commons LLC under Sec.14.6 Construction within a floodplain and floodway. Site is located in PC and GC zones and owned by the applicants. Peter Davis read in exhibits A-O and read the Flood Plain Referral stating that the IWWCC had issued a favorable opinion. Mr. Davis showed the plan stating that the property was located in the 100-year flood plain of the Yantic River. The demolition of 107,000 sq. feet of building will increase the compensatory storage by 135,000 1 LAST REVISED 8/20/2011 9:45 AM cubic feet. Mr. Davis stated that the City Engineer had no issues with the erosion and sediment control plan. Frank Manfredi asked if there would be a reconfiguration to the entrance. Attorney James Joseph of Levy & Broney P.C. spoke on behalf of the applicant stating that there would be no change to the entrance at this time since the anchor tenant (Stop & Shop) had asked for it to remain as is. Russ Johnston, engineer from Meehan & Goodin stated that the entire site is located in the FEMA flood zone and channel encroachment lines. The 100-year flood elevation is 87 feet and the finished floor of the new buildings will be at 85 feet. The new buildings will be flood proofed 2 feet above the base elevation. Adam Winstanley from Winstanley Enterprises LLC stated that the applicants are waiting for permits from STC and DEP and are in the process of renewing lease with Stop and Shop which should be received within 60-90 days. He described the project as a “de-malling” and conversion to an open shopping center with a courtyard. The project is a 7.5 million-façade/building renovation. There are no new tenants at this time but the project has generated high interest. Ralph Page asked if anyone 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. Hearing closed. Peter Davis asked for a suspension of rules to take items out of order. Frank Manfredi made a motion to take items out of order, seconded by Art Sharron – Unanimous – ITEMS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER. G. OLD BUSINESS: NONE H: NEW BUSINESS: 1. SDP #1011 – 217 Otrobando Ave. – Application of Muller Real Estate, LLC for the construction of 10,040 sq. ft. self-storage units. Site is located in BP zoning district and owned by Muller Real Estate LLC Peter Davis showed the site plan with proposed storage units using the existing Agway drive for access and expanding on existing storm water basin. He stated the City Engineer had some issues with grading, which had been addressed. He also stated that a revised bond estimate had been received. Mr. Davis stated this was a permitted use in the zone. Janet Blanchette of J & D Engineers showed the plan with the lighting, security fencing and stated there would be remote card access. . Peter Davis recommended bond in the amount $47,612. Frank Manfredi made a motion to approve SDP #1011 with bond in the amount of $47,612. Art Sharron seconded, unanimously APPROVED W/CONDITIONS. 2 LAST REVISED 8/20/2011 9:45 AM 2. SDP #1012/CAM#11-01 – 689 West Thames St. – Application of Hunter Development Company for redevelopment of existing gas station & associated site improvements with a 2,812 sq ft convenience store and drive thru located within the Coastal Area Management Boundary. Site is in General Commercial (GC) zoning district and owned by K Brothers LLC. Mr. Davis showed the site plan with the proposed drive thru and new canopy over 3 pump stations. He stated the bus shelter will be relocated due to a site line issue and a new sidewalk will be installed in front of the property. There is sufficient parking and the drainage will be tied into the States system. Mr. Davis stated the City Engineer had an issue with the original bond and needed to approve a revised amount. He also stated that he had spoken to DEP regarding the CAM application and they had no issues with it since it was the same use. Art Sharron made a motion to approve SDP #1012 with bond in an amount to be approved by the City Engineer, Frank Manfredi seconded, unanimously APPROVED W/CONDITIONS. Art Sharron made a motion to approve CAM #11-01 based on the redevelopment of an existing site for same use, Frank Manfredi seconded, unanimously APPROVED. 3. SP#11-02 – 36-40 & 42-44 Town St. (aka Norwichtown Mall) –Application of Norwichtown Commons LLC under Sec.14.6 Construction within a floodplain and floodway. Site is located in PC and GC zones and owned by the applicants. Frank Manfredi made a motion to approve SP #11-02 based on the flood impact statement and no negative impact to the site. Michael Lahan seconded, unanimously APPROVED. 4. SDP #1013 – 36-40 & 42-44 Town St. (aka Norwichtown Mall) –Application of Norwichtown Commons LLC for the renovation of existing mall consisting of removal of approx. 107,000 sq. ft of building resulting in renovated space of 165,500 sq ft. Parking will be reduced from 891 to 834 spaces. Site is located in PC and GC zones and owned by the applicants. Peter Davis showed the plan and stated the parking satisfies current regulations and some of the existing spaces will be converted to green spaces. He showed the Phasing line on the plan that had been reviewed by the City Engineer and stated the line will be moved as the demolition occurs. There were no changes to drainage and all the concerns of the City Engineer had been met. Matt Whitmore showed colored rendering of the site with new colored awnings and outdoor seating that may entice a restaurant. Russell Johnston, Engineer from Meehan & Goodin showed the landscape plan stating no existing plants would be removed. There would be no changes to the existing lighting and any new lighting will mimic the existing. Peter Davis recommended bond in the amount $459,300. 3 LAST REVISED 8/20/2011 9:45 AM Michael Lahan made a motion to approve SDP #1013 with bond in the amount of $459,300. Les King seconded, unanimously APPROVED W/CONDITIONS. I: EXTENSIONS: NONE J: BOND RELEASES: 1. SDP #897-C – 285 Taftville Occum Rd. – Request of Hills at Riverview, LLC for release of bond in amount recommended by City Engineer Jacquie Barbarossa explained that a substitution bond had been received and the City Engineer needed to review the site again to determine how much work had been completed for bond release. Michael Lahan made a motion to TABLE, Frank Manfredi seconded-unanimous-TABLED 2. SDP #1003 – 222 Otrobando Ave - Request of US Food Services Inc. for release of bond in the amount of $21,455. Peter Davis stated all work had been completed at 222 Otrobando Ave. Art Sharron made a motion to release bond, Frank Manfredi seconded -unanimous- RELEASE BOND. 3. SDP #1009 – 222 Otrobando Ave - Request of US Food Services Inc. for release of bond in the amount of $12,730. Art Sharron made a motion to release bond, Frank Manfredi seconded -unanimous- RELEASE BOND. K: ZONING MATTERS: NONE L: OTHER BUSINESS: Peter Davis handed out a tentative POCD task schedule and requested the Commission have combined meetings with the POCD subcommittee prior to the CCP regular meetings to keep them updated. M. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Michael Lahan, and seconded by Frank Manfredi, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 4