Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED 1/15/13 2:35 PM MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, January 15, 2013 – 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: Ralph Page called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Commission Members Present: Arthur Sharron, Frank Manfredi, John Mathieu and Les King. A quorum was present. Absent: P. Michael Lahan 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 12/12/12 Special Meeting and the 12/18/12 Regular Meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: NONE F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SP#12-06 – 90 Sachem St. – Application of Norwich Free Academy under Sec. 9.1.5 addition of 3,386 sq. ft. gymnasium for previously approved education facility and 1,200 sq. ft. addition to existing 5 bay garage. Site is located in NC zone and owned by Norwich Free Peter Davis read in exhibits “A-M”. He showed the site plan explaining the special permit was needed due to the expansion of the proposed use. Richard Rand CFO of Norwich Free Academy explained that the building would house the “al ternative program students” from the closed Thames River Academy. Mr. Rand stated extensive renovation had been completed at the site with classroom and multi-purpose rooms but needed to add the gym for physical/health instruction. He stated there is currently a paved outdoor area with a basketball hoop but the weather affects the use and this addition would allow the students to release/burn off energy which is a big help to both the students and staff. Art Sharron asked if the parking was sufficient. Mr. Davis stated that the City requires 70 spaces and the applicant would be providing 75 spaces. Les King asked if the gym would be used after hours. Mr. Rand stated that most activities would take place on the main campus but they may use the gym for a mini graduation. 1 LAST REVISED 1/15/13 2:35 PM Tom Cummings from CLA Engineers, Inc. stated that the students and staff are currently at Bishop School and 32 parking spaces are being used there. He also stated the traffic and character of the neighborhood would remain the same and there is no more vacant land in the neighborhood. The addition would be in the back of the building, handicapped accessible and the elevation would be lower than the existing building. Ralph Page asked if anyone else 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. G: OLD BUSINESS: NONE H: NEW BUSINESS: 1. SP#12-06 – 90 Sachem St. – Application of Norwich Free Academy under Sec. 9.1.5 addition of 3,386 sq. ft. gymnasium for previously approved education facility and 1,200 sq. ft. addition to existing 5 bay garage. Site is located in NC zone and owned by Norwich Free Academy. Motion by Les King to approve SP #12-06 as presented, second by Art Sharron – unanimously – APPROVED 2. SDP#1019 – 90 Sachem St. – Application of Norwich Free Academy under Sec. 9.1.5 addition of 3,386 sq. ft. gymnasium for previously approved education facility and 1,200 sq. ft. addition to existing 5 bay garage. Site is located in NC zone and owned by Norwich Free Academy. Peter Davis showed the site plan pointing out the landscaping and proposed parking lot. He stated the new building was well within the setbacks and lot coverage requirements. He explained the drainage and infiltration system and stated the City Engineer had an issue with the storage basins which had been resolved. Mr. Davis stated he had received no comments from the Police Department. Gary Schnip, from G. Schnip Construction explained the construction materials that would be used stating the building would consist of metal panels with brick veneer and a green metal roof. Peter Davis said the Fire Marshalls comments did not require a sprinkler system. Mr. Davis recommended bond in the amount of $38,440. Motion by Les King to approve SDP #1019 with bond in the amount of $38,440 seconded by Art Sharron – unanimously – APPROVED I: EXTENSIONS: NONE J: BOND RELEASES: 1. SDP 897C - Hills at Riverview - 285 Taftville-Occum Road. – Request of Hills 2 LAST REVISED 1/15/13 2:35 PM at River View (Phase 1) for full release of remaining bond in the amount of $10,000. Frank Manfredi made a motion to release bond in the amount of $10,000 seconded by Les King-unanimous- BOND RELEASED. K: ZONING MATTERS: NONE L. OTHER BUSINESS: Peter Davis invited CCP members to a Draft POCD workshop that will held on January 22, 2013 at 6 pm in room 335. M. ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion by Frank Manfredi, and second by Art Sharron, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jacquie Barbarossa, Recording Secretary 3