Commission on the City Plan

MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, May 26, 2015 – 7:00 PM 23 UNION STREET NORWICH CONNECTICUT LOWER LEVEL MEETING ROOM SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS A, B & C-CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, DETERMINATION OF QUORUM: Ralph Page, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Commission Members Present: Ralph Page, Michael Lahan, Frank Manfredi, Les King, John Mathieu and Daniel Daniska. A quorum was present. Absent: Art Sharron Also Present: Peter Davis, Director and Deb Delaporta, recording secretary D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Frank Manfredi and second by Michael Lahan, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the April 21, 2015 Regular Meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: The request from Wawecus 105 Associates LLC for full release of bond for SDP #1024 was tabled. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: SUB #425-180 Harland Rd-Re-Subdivision Application of Stephen Majeski and Richard Vendola to create 1 additional lot. Ralph Page opened the Public Hearing for Subdivision Plan #425. Peter Davis stated that it had been tabled last month, and after reading the exhibit list explained the proposal to re-subdivide the parcel at 180 Harland Rd. The original parcel was about 4 acres and subdividing would create a building lot of 1.47 acres, leaving 2.5 acres with the existing house. Peter stated that this was reviewed and approved by IWWCC last month and that the site has city water and city sewer and meets subdivision and zoning regulations. The Public Utilities Department submitted comments that it meets the utility standards, and that a separate bond must be posted for the utilities. Uncas Health had no comment because the house would be hooked up to City water and City sewer. There were no other concerns or comments. Ralph Page asked if there was anyone there to speak in favor of this project. Glenn Gordon, the applicants’ attorney, stated that sight lines indicated on the map showed 600 feet in both directions and that this was part of the original subdivision in 2008 of Anne Sharpe. No one spoke in opposition, so Ralph Page closed the public hearing. Peter asked if the Commission would consider suspending the rules so that a vote could be taken on the subdivision. Frank Manfredi made a motion to suspend the rules, second by Les King. All members were in favor, none opposed. Upon a motion made by Frank Manfredi and second by Michael Lahan, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the Re-Subdivision. SP#15-01-132 Taftville-Occum Rd-GTO Realty LLC-Construction of 2390 sq ft restaurant w/ drive-thru, within a designated flood plain of the Shetucket River. Peter Davis read the exhibit list A-K and added exhibit L which was a revised site plan brought in by Brian Long, the applicant’s engineer. Peter stated that this application was heard before the IWWCC last month and since no regulated activities were going to be occurring, only a commercial buffer permit was needed and that this Special Permit application was dealing strictly with the flood plain. He explained that the site is located north of Highway 395 and two existing gas stations there. At the present time, it is covered with scrub brush and small trees and the entire lot is within the flood plain. The applicant is proposing to construct a 2300 sq ft building with a parking area and drive thru. Mr. Davis stated that in order to meet compensatory storage, anything not paved would be excavated out. Peter pointed out the drainage system on the plan and then asked Brian Long to address the Commission and explain the engineering and revisions that were proposed. Mr. Long explained the retaining wall change, and the landscaping buffer to be replaced with additional plantings to supplement what is being removed. Brian then explained the drainage system. He then referred to the flood impact statement to explain the excavation and drainage. He stated that the site where the building is will be built up to street level, and the rest of the lot excavated with a retaining wall. The rest of the lot would be left to grow back to what it was, which Peter Davis stated was what the IWWCCpreferred. Brian explained that the building would be a built on a slab on grade, with no basement and that the building would be flood proofed. He also said Public Utilities asked for modifications to have rip rap swale for when they flush their hydrants. Mr. Davis stated that the flood impact statement finds that the compensatory storage has been met, and there is no impact to the resource. At this point, Ralph Page asked if there was anyone there to speak in favor of, or in opposition to this application, and since there was not, he closed the public hearing. SDP#1030-132 Taftville-Occum Rd-GTO Realty LLC-Construction of 2390 sq ft restaurant w/ drive-thru. Peter Davis explained the Site Development Plan application. He stated that during the preliminary review, test pits were asked for because the site was so close to the Shetucket River. They were completed and presented no problems. There was a bond estimate submitted in the amount of $158,335 and half of that would have to be posted if the application was approved. Pat McLaughlin had a few comments. He asked that the bottom of the basin be cleaned out to make it water tight. He did have an issue with people having to cross in front of the drive-thru to enter the store. Mr. Davis stated that due to the setup of the lot, that was the only way it could be configured. Mr. McLaughlin was also concerned about the effect of the salt used in the winter time on the retaining wall, but Brian Long explained that the materials used to construct the wall had been changed, along with the design. Uncas Health and the City Engineer both had comments about an old well located on the property that needed to be closed out, and that issue was being addressed by the engineering company. According to zoning regulations, the 50 ft buffer required along the river could be met. The land would be allowed to grow back to its natural vegetation to re-establish the buffer. The building would be connected to City water and City sewer. Ralph Page asked about lighting, which Mr. Long pointed out on the plan. He also asked about sign requirements, but nothing had been proposed yet. Peter Davis said that would be handled administratively through the zoning department. Michael Lahan inquired if this would be a 24hr facility, but Brian was not sure. Mr. Long stated that the DOT had asked for a slight widening of the road in front of the restaurant for a bypass lane, and that issued was addressed on the plan. G. OLD BUSINESS: None H. NEW BUSINESS: SP#15-01-132 Taftville-Occum Rd-GTO Realty LLC-Construction of 2390 sq ft restaurant w/ drive-thru, within a designated flood plain of the Shetucket River. Michael Lahan made a motion to approve SP#15-01, with a second from John Mathieu for a unanimous decision SDP#1030-132 Taftville-Occum Rd-GTO Realty LLC-Construction of 2390 sq ft restaurant w/ drive- thru. Michael Lahan made a motion to approve SDP #1030 with the condition that 50% of the bond be posted prior to signatures on the mylars. Frank Manfredi seconded the motion, with all in favor for a unanimous decision. I. EXTENSIONS: None J: BOND RELEASES: SDP #1024-79 Wawecus St-Request from Wawecus 105 Associates, LLC for full release of bond. Upon discussion, a motion was made by Les King to table request, seconded by Frank Manfredi. The Commission voted unanimously to table the request. K. ZONING MATTERS: None L. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Relative to proposal to create public park on 28 Hammond Ave in honor of Ellis Walter Ruley- Frank Manfredi spoke about this project and gave the history about Mr. Ruley, a self-taught artist, his life and how the City came to own this property. Mr. Manfredi has been in contact with Glenn Smith who has written a book and is writing a documentary about him. He has been working closely with Lottie Scott and Sheila Hayes to help create a public park and bring tourists to Norwich. Les King made a motion for a favorable recommendation, seconded by John Mathieu, with a unanimous decision. 2. Relative to Eagle Scout Taylor Stevens building a gazebo at Fontaine Field- Peter Davis explained that Attorney Driscoll asked that the Commission review the project because it is an improvement to a public facility. Mr. Davis informed the Commission that all zoning and building procedures would have to be adhered to. After discussion, Frank Manfredi made a motion, seconded by Michael Lahan to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council. Improvements to public park facilities are consistent with the 2013 POCD. The CCP however, did voice some concerns about the final appearance of the gazebo. No drawings were available for review. M. ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion by John Mathieu, second by Frank Manfredi, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:49 PM.