Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED 12/20/12 3:00 PM MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, December 18, 2012 – 7:00 P.M. 100 BROADWAY, NORWICH CONNECTICUT COUNCIL CHAMBERS REGULAR MEETING AGENDA ITEMS A, B & C – CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, DETERMINATION OF QUORUM: Ralph Page called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Commission Members Present: Ralph Page, Arthur Sharron, P. Michael Lahan, Frank Manfredi, Les King & John Mathieu. A quorum was present. Absent: None Also Present: Peter Davis, Director and Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by John Mathieu and second by Art Sharron, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the November 8, 2012 Special Meeting & November 20, 2012 Regular Meeting. COMMUNICATIONS: None Mr. Davis asked for a suspension of rules to take items out of order. He stated since there were two public hearings on the agenda he requested to take old business first, and then take a five minute recess to clear the room so the hearings could take place. Motion by Art Sharron to suspend rules, second by John Mathieu - unanimous. Les King recused himself from vote since he was absent from the previous testimonies. F: OLD BUSINESS: 1. SP #12-03 - Clairmont Ave. – Assessor’s Map 102, Block 5, Lot 74. Appli cation of Jillian Corbin for St. Joseph’s Polish Roman Catholic Congregation– under Sec. 8.1.2 (b) religious and eleemosynary use by non-profit. Site is located in MF Zone and owned by St. Joseph’s Polish Roman Catholic Congregation. Includes waiver of site plan review under Sec. 17.1.11 Ralph Page asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commission. Frank Manfredi referred to Attorney Zizka’s letter and the case of the Cambodian Buddhist Society which was similar to the Soup Kitchen and stated that the 1 LAST REVISED 12/20/12 3:00 PM Commission has the right to act on the request one way or the other. Motion by Michael Lahan to deny SP #12-03, second by Art Sharron. Mr. Lahan stated that he was sympathetic to the Diocese’s request but the change of use from a school to a soup kitchen is not in harmony with the residential district and the neighbors have been affected due to the number of complaints received. He stated that Beth Saida and Katie Blair House are examples of social services that have not affected the neighborhood in a negative way. He felt that vehicular traffic was not an issue but foot traffic has increased. He stated the current use as a soup kitchen has caused disruption in the neighborhood, reduced the value of surrounding properties and is not harmonious to the residential character of the neighborhood. Frank Manfredi agreed that it was a much needed service but the location was inappropriate and a much different use than the school. The school was for children and the soup kitchen is used primarily by adults. He stated the Commission does not have to guess what will happen in the neighborhood due to the temporary permit that was granted and the neighbors testimony of what has been happening over the past months. Neighbors have testified their opinions regarding the negative character and impacts on value of their properties. Art Sharron agreed stating that there was a negative impact on the neighborhood and that property values effects the entire city and it could get worse due to expansion. John Mathieu agreed with the necessity but the current location would bring down the value of neighborhood homes where there is pride in ownership. Ralph Page was concerned about an increase in traffic with the addition of the Food Pantry which leans towards commercial use. Unanimous - DENIED E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SP#12-04 –200 West Main St. – Assessor’s Map 101, Block 1, Lot 46- Application of Gary Gross for modification of Certificate of Location under Sec. 6.2 and repair and sale of autos under Sec. 9.2. Site is located in GC zone and owned by West Main St. Inc. Includes waiver of site plan review under Sec. 17.1.11 Peter Davis read in exhibits A-M explaining this was a request for a Certificate of Location. He stated there was a permit granted in December 1985 from ZBA for repair but no auto sales and that this current request was under CCP jurisdiction. Attorney Mark Block from Block, Janney & Pascal spoke on behalf of the applicant. He reiterated what Peter Davis had stated adding that the original permit was on behalf of Aamco whose franchise did not allow the sale of cars. Due to the economy it has become a necessity to bring in additional money to the business. He stated there would be approximately 10 cars on site for sale with ample parking. The applicant, Gary Gross stated that business hours would not be changed at the present time but may add Saturday hours if there was demand. He also stated the corner of the parking lot was a prime location for the sale of used cars. 2 LAST REVISED 12/20/12 3:00 PM Joanne Philbrick spoke in opposition. There being no other speakers and no questions from the Commission, the hearing was closed. 2. SP#12-05 - 71-73 West Main St. – Application of Zachary Tarner under Sec. 9.6.2 sale of firearms and hunting equipment in existing retail site. Site is located in WD zone and owned by Thayer Enterprises LLC. Includes waiver of site plan review under Sec. 17.1.11 Peter Davis read in exhibits A-K stating this was the existing site of Thayer Marine. He explained that water dependent retail is permitted as-of-right in the Waterfront Development Zone. He stated the current retail use at the site is all water dependent. Any retail that is not water dependent in nature, is subject to special permit review. The proposed expansion of retail is not water dependent in nature. Speaking in favor was Richard Thayer III who stated Thayer’s Marine wanted to expand their retail business due to cyclical boat sales and had already applied for State and Federal permits. Joanne Philbrick spoke in opposition. There being no other speakers and no questions from the Commission the hearing was closed. G: NEW BUSINESS: 1. SP#12-04 –200 West Main St. – Assessor’s Map 101, Block 1, Lot 46- Application of Gary Gross for modification of Certificate of Location under Sec. 6.2 and repair and sale of autos under Sec. 9.2. Site is located in GC zone and owned by West Main St. Inc. 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. Motion by Frank Manfredi to approve SP#12-04, second by Art Sharron – unanimously – APPROVED 2. SP#12-05 - 71-73 West Main St.– Application of Zachary Tarner under Sec. 9.6.2 sale of firearms and hunting equipment in existing retail site. Site is located in WD zone and owned by Thayer Enterprises LLC. Includes waiver of site plan review under Sec. 17.1.11 Frank Manfredi made a motion to waive Site Plan, second by Art Sharron – UNANIMOUS - WAIVER GRANTED. Motion by Michael Lahan to approve SP#12-05, second by Les King – unanimously – APPROVED 3. SDP #1018 - Soular Boswell, LLC - 553, 557, 565 Boswell Ave - 3 LAST REVISED 12/20/12 3:00 PM construction of 2 additional buildings on existing site with a total of 16 units and associated site improvements. Site is located in MF zoning district and owned by applicant. Peter Davis gave an overview of the site stating that a similar application for phase 1 had been approved by the Commission and was under construction. This was the 2nd phase which needed IWWCC approval which had been granted on December 6th, 2012. He stated the storm water system had been approved by the City Engineer with minor changes. The site has City water, gas and sewer. Dick Strouse handed out photos of buildings 1 & 2 that were originally approved in March of 2012. The City Engineer had reviewed the bond in the amount of $336,855. There was brief discussion regarding an existing manhole on site and how drainage was handled. Mr. Strouse stated there was a separator with 2 stone filters and that there would be a maintenance schedule on the detention basin. Peter Davis recommended bond in the amount of $168,000. Frank Manfredi made a motion to approve SDP 1018 with bond in the amount of $168,000 seconded by Les King – unanimously APPROVED W/CONDITION. H: EXTENSIONS: 1. SDP 838A – 214 Vergason Ave. Ext. AKA Forestview Dr. – Forest Land Investments LLC – for the 3rd extension of time to post bond and file mylars. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi and second by Art Sharron, the Commission voted unanimously to GRANT the request for the 3rd extension of time to post bond and file mylars. I: BOND RELEASES: 1. SDP 1013 – Norwichtown Commons - 36-40 & 42-44 Town St. – Request of Norwichtown Commons for partial release of bond in the amount of $449,300 Art Sharron made a motion for partial release of bond in the amount of $449,300 and to retain $10,000 for completion of landscaping, seconded by Les King -unanimous- PARTIAL RELEASE OF BOND. J: ZONING MATTERS: NONE K: OTHER BUSINESS: Peter Davis advised Commission members that their terms were expiring in February of 2013 and asked who wished to continue to serve. All the members agreed to another term. L. ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion by Frank Manfredi, and second by Art Sharron, the Commission voted 4 LAST REVISED 12/20/12 3:00 PM unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 5