Commission on the City Plan

LAST REVISED11/22/13 2:00 PM MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, October 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: Chairman Ralph Page called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Commission Members Present: Arthur Sharron, P. Michael Lahan, Frank Manfredi, John Mathieu and Les King, and Daniel Daniska. A quorum was present. 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 September 17, 2013 Regular Meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: Peter Davis stated he had received two communications, and requested a suspension of the rules to add the City Council 824 referral on a proposed donation of land, and a bond request release for Starbucks. Upon motion by Les King and second by Michael Lahan, the Commission voted unanimously to suspend the rules and add the two items. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SP #13-06 – 386 New London Tpke. – Application of Norwich Public Schools – under Sec. 14.6 work within floodplain – addition of 2,050 sq. ft. portable classroom at Stanton School – includes waiver of site plan under Sec. 17.1.11. Site is located in R20 zone and owned by City of Norwich Peter Davis entered into the record Exhibits “A-S”. Peter Davis stated most of the comments received from City departments were relative to site plan issues and requesting a waiver of the site plan. Mr. Davis stated the application meets the provisions for waiver of site plan. Mr. Davis stated the flood plain application entails the proposed work including the installation of a sanitary sewer on Will Rd. The work occurring is all within the 100 year flood plain would include activities for the sewer line extension as well as the 2,000 sq. ft portable classroom. Peter Davis stated with regards to the Flood Impact Statement the work proposed includes 10 cu yds of fill, piers for the classrooms, excavation of 90 yds of fill material, and re-grading under the classrooms. There will be a net gain of 80 cu yds of flood storage capacity. The only 1 LAST REVISED11/22/13 2:00 PM other disturbance proposed is the installation of the sewer line with no increase in elevation. Mr. Davis stated the work involved would be minor trenching, installation of utilities and backfilling. Mr. Davis stated the DPW staff reviewed the findings of the Flood Impact Study and agreed with the applicant’s engineer’s findings. Tom Cummings, CLA Engineer gave an overview of the project. Mr. Cummings stated the building was put 1½’ above the flood plain. Mr. Cummings stated the classroom would be sitting on piers, with the grading it meets the compensatory storage requirement. Mr. Cummings stated they were asking for the waiver for the site plan because the classroom is a 2,000 sq. ft. addition which would be less than 5,000 sq. ft with no additional parking. There being no other speakers, the public hearing was closed. Peter Davis stated the Commission was under suspension of the rules and to move to the SP #13-06 decision. Upon motion by Les King, second by Art Sharron, motion carried unanimously to proceed to the decision on SP #13-06. Upon motion by Art Sharron second by John Mathieu, motion carried unanimously to APPROVE to waive the site plan requirements because it meets the provisions for a waiver. Upon motion by Art Sharron, second by Les King, motion carried unanimously to APPROVE SP #13-06. There will be a net gain of 80 cubic yards of compensatory flood storage. G: OLD BUSINESS: 1. SUB #374A – Modification of Alice St. – Application of Alice St. LLC for modification to remove sidewalks for approved 23-lot subdivision on 9.61 acres under Subdivision Sec. 19-27.2(9) Site is in an R-20 zoning district. Peter Davis stated the Commission had asked the applicant to discuss with the developer if the sidewalks could remain as opposed to removing them and installing concrete curbs. Mr. Davis also stated if the project was to move forward the Commission should consider bonding the new proposed work which Corporation Counsel and DPW Director had agreed to. Mr. Davis stated he had a bond estimate but had not forwarded it to DPW. Pat Lafayette, Development Solutions, represented the applicant. The last meeting the Commission discussed the installation of pre-cast vs. poured in place concrete curbing instead of removing the sidewalks. It was the Commission's opinion they didn’t want to remove the sidewalks. After much discussion, Mr. Lafayette stated if the contractor poured a curb it would float up underneath the sidewalk filling the voids and DPW agreed. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi second by John Mathieu, motion to APPROVE SUB#374A with bond in the amount of $40,500 carried unanimously. John Mathieu stated with the provision that the sidewalks were not to be removed, just the curb, and for a new poured concrete curbing, and the bond to be set by staff. 2 LAST REVISED11/22/13 2:00 PM 2. SUB #423 – 24 Stott Ave. – Application of Dominion Nuclear Connecticut Inc. for a 2-lot subdivision in BP zoning district and owned by Easter Seals Capitol Region & Eastern Connecticut, Inc. Mr. Davis gave a brief explanation of the subdivision of the existing lot which is 12 acres. A 4.2 acre lot would be created. Mr. Davis stated the proposed lot meets the acreage required with the remaining 7.9+/- with the Easter Seals building. Mr. Davis stated the Wetlands Commission it determined there was no regulated or buffer activities. They approved the proposed subdivision. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi second by Art Sharron the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE SUB #423. 3. SDP 1025 – 24 Stott Ave. – Application of Dominion Nuclear Connecticut for 16,320 sq ft office building with associated parking and site improvements. Site is located in BP zoning district and owned by Easter Seals Capitol Region & Eastern Connecticut, Inc. Mr. Davis stated the construction is for 16,320 sq. ft. building with associated parking. The other site work to include utilities, drainage. Parking spaces exceed zoning requirements. The operations office facility requirement is 52 parking spaces and they will supply 75. Mr. Davis stated the lot exceeds the bulk and area requirements. Mr. Davis stated DPW reviewed the drainage reports and concurred that there shouldn’t be any problems with runoff. Mr. Davis stated some portion of the bond would be held to ensure the basins are functioning. Mr. Davis stated the DPW was satisfied with the bond estimate of $308,895. 50% of bond would be $154,448. Mr. Davis asked Mr. Cummings about the small retaining wall proposed. Tom Cummings, CLA gave a brief presentation explaining the drainage system and the retaining wall. Mr. Cummings stated the roof drainage would go back into the ground. The wall would be 2-5’ high and they would be using the materials from the site area. After a brief discussion the Commission requested a fence be installed on top of the wall. Tom Bransfield, Dominion explained the building would be used for an emergency operations center. Mr. Bransfield stated 1-2 people would be there during the week. They would be running quarterly drills. The building could also be used for meetings and training. The building would also be used for light storage. Mr. Davis stated the project was referred to City departments and all comments have been addressed. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi, second by Art Sharron motion carried unanimously to approve SDP #1025 with bond amount of $154,448. Ralph Page asked that the 2’-5’ high retaining wall have a fence on top. Mr. Cummings stated a fence would be installed on the 3 LAST REVISED11/22/13 2:00 PM top of the retaining wall. 4. SDP #1026 – 666 West Main St. – Application of Eastern Savings Bank for additional drive-thru ATM and improvements to parking, draining and landscaping. Site is located in GC zoning district and owned by applicant. Peter Davis gave a brief explanation of the project being proposed. Mr. Davis stated they will be expanding the paved area, adding an additional ATM drive through, drainage, and upgrading the landscape and improving the traffic flow. Mr. Davis stated he referred the project to City agencies with DPW having comments on the location exit and storm water issues. Mr. Davis stated the issues had been addressed with the drainage calculations and the size of the water quality basins. Tom Cummings, CLA gave a brief presentation explaining the project. Mr. Cummings stated not only are they adding an ATM but his updating is for convenience and safety. Mr. Cummings stated it’s an updating of the entire site. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi second by Michael Lahan motion carried unanimously to APPROVE SDP #1026 with a bond amount of $51,300. I: EXTENSIONS: None J: BOND RELEASES: Peter Davis stated SDP #1017 for 88-90 Salem Turnpike is requesting $5,000 remaining bond be released for Starbucks. The bond was being held to make sure the landscaping would become established. Upon motion by Les King, second by John Mathieu motion carried unanimously to release $5,000 bond for SDP #1017 Starbucks, 88-90 Salem Turnpike. K: ZOING MATTERS: L: OTHER BUSINESS: City Council Referral Peter Davis handed out City Council Referral #824 memo dated 10/8/13 from the City Clerk to CCP relative to the acceptance of property located at Prentice Lane Rear. Upon motion by Frank Manfredi second by Art Sharron motion carried unanimously for a favorable report by the Commission for City Council referral 824 as the proposed acceptance of land is consistent with the 2013 POCD. M: ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion by Michael Lahan, and second by Art Sharron, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary 4