Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED 3/21/13 9:31 AM MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, March 19, 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: Acting Chairman 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 and John Mathieu Also Present: Peter Davis, Director and Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Michael Lahan and second by Les King, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the February 19, 2013 Regular Meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Letter from SCCOG regarding POCD Peter Davis stated he would include it for discussion with the other POCD item on the agenda. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE G: OLD BUSINESS: NONE H: NEW BUSINESS: NONE I: EXTENSIONS: 1. SDP #1018 – Soulor Boswell, LLC – 553, 557, 565 Boswell Ave – for the 1 st extension of time to post bond and file mylars. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi and second by Michael Lahan, the Commission voted unanimously to GRANT the request for the 1st extension of time to post bond and file mylars. J: BOND RELEASES: 1. SDP #1015 – Soulor Boswell, LLC – 553, 557, 565 Boswell Ave – Requ est of Soulor Boswell, LLC – for full release of bond in the amount of $114,925 1 LAST REVISED 3/21/13 9:31 AM Peter Davis stated he had received a letter from the City Engineer stating that some work still needed to be done for Phase I. He had recommended retaining $25,000 for landscaping and paving. Frank Manfredi made a motion for partial release of bond in the amount of $89,925 and to retain $25,000 for completion of landscaping and paving, seconded by Les King – unanimous – PARTIAL RELEASE OF BOND. K: ZONING MATTERS: ZBA Referral: Use variance 1. V#13-03 – Appeal of St. Vincent de Paul Place for property located at Clairmont Ave a.k.a Map 102/Block 5/Lot 74 in a Multifamily (MF) zoning district. In accordance with Sec.8.3 et seq.; Permitted Use to permit the operation of a food pantry and soup kitchen. Peter Davis stated this was a referral from the Zoning Board of Appeals for an advisory opinion. Public comment would not be permitted. He provided and read a staff report to the Commission. Frank Manfredi made a motion for a negative recommendation to the ZBA on the application for variance for the reasons stated in the staff letter. Particularly the lack of a hardship, other uses available to the applicant, and the use would be in conflict with the POCD. Seconded by Les King. Motion carried unanimously. L. OTHER BUSINESS: City Council referral; Text amendment to Chelsea District 1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWICH BY AMENDING SECTION 9.4.1(a)(1) PERTAINING TO PERMITTED USES WITHIN THE CHELSEA CENTRAL DISTRICT BY ADDING THE FOLLOWING SUBSECTION (q) PERMITTING ADDITIONAL USES: BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWICH: That section 9.4.1(A)(1) be amended by addition thereto the following subsection to be identified as subsection (q) (q) Gyms, Gymnasiums, fitness and work-out centers and community recreation facilities Peter Davis stated that he and Jason Vincent had discussed the text amendment. Mr. Vincent had forwarded it to Corporation Counsel for review. In the Chelsea Central (CC) zone private clubs are permitted. Staff is recommending the commission forward a positive report. The proposed amendment is not contrary to the Plan of Conversation and Development and is not injurious to the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Davis didn’t foresee any negative impact associated with the additional proposed uses. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi, seconded by Les King, the Commission voted unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council relative to the proposed text amendment. It is consistent with the current POCD and not contrary to the 2 LAST REVISED 3/21/13 9:31 AM Comprehensive Plan. UNANIMOUS. 2. Request of John Gjini for parking waiver; Proposed boxing gym at 206 Main Street located within the Chelsea Central (CC) zoning district Peter Davis stated John Gjini was requesting a parking waiver; and because the historic property is listed in the Historic Buildings Inventory as # 2 value, a 100% waiver is possible. Staff is of the opinion that there shouldn’t be any impact on parking in light of his hours of operation and the proposed use. There are city parking facilities within walking distance. Staff recommended the waiver be granted. Upon motion by Michael Lahan, and second by Frank Manfredi, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the parking waiver. 3. Election of Officers Upon motion by Les King, second by Frank Manfredi to table the Election of Officers until a larger majority of members are in attendance. 4. Finalization of POCD Public Hearing Date on Adoption Peter Davis stated he had a letter from the Council of Governments and they have reviewed the draft and in their opinion it’s in general conformance with the both the regions and the State Plan of Conservation and Development. Upon a motion by Frank Manfredi, second by Michael Lahan, the Commission voted unanimously to set June 18, 2013 as the public hearing date for the potential adoption of the draft POCD. Location will be Council Chambers. M. ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion by Les King, and second by Frank Manfredi, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary 3