Commission on the City Plan

MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN MARCH 21, 2017 -7:00 P.M. 23 UNION STREET NORWICH CONNECTICUT LOWER LEVEL MEETING ROOM REGULAR MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER: Art Sharron, Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M. B. ROLL CALL AND SEATING OF ALTERNATES: Present: Art Sharron, Michael Lahan, Les King, Swarnjit Singh Bhatia and Kathy Warzecha A quorum was present. Absent: Frank Manfredi & Jason Arndt Others Present: Deanna Rhodes, City Planner and Debra Delaporta, recording secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Michael Lahan to approve the minutes from February 21st, 2017. The motion was seconded by Swarnjit Singh Bhatia. The motion was unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS: Letter to Mayor requesting establishment of Plan of Conservation and Development-Plan Implementation Committee Deanna stated a letter was sent to the Mayor, but she had not yet received a response. Art Sharron stated that he had also received a letter from the Council of Governments. A public hearing is being held on April 3rd, 2017, 7:30 pm at their Connecticut Avenue Office in the Business Park regarding their regional plan of conservation and development. The public is invited to attend. E. 8-7 REFERRALS FROM ADJACENT MUNICIPALITIES: Two from the town of Franklin Ms. Rhodes stated the town of Franklin sent two referrals to CCP. One was in regards to text amendments for hotel sanitation and water systems, and the other was for multiple zoning text amendments to the current regulations. Both would be discussed at a Public Hearing to be held April 18, 2017. Deanna said the City of Norwich is being notified because we are an adjoining town within 500 ft and that notification is required by Connecticut State Statutes. At this time, Art Sharron made a motion to suspend the order of business so that the City Council Referrals could be discussed before Planning Priorities. Les King made the motion, seconded by Michael Lahan to change the order of business, with all members in favor. F. NEW BUSINESS: City Council Referrals: 1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SUBSECTION 2.7.2 OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES, WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, WD., ZONING PERMIT REQUIRED, TO ADD CUSTOMER SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS AS A USE PERMITTED IN THE WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR WHICH A ZONING PERMIT IS REQUIRED Deanna Rhodes explained that the waterfront development district does not allow customer service uses there, such as hair salons, nail salons etc. Ms. Rhodes stated a hair salon had expressed interest in opening a salon down by the marina due to being displaced by a fire, but they were unable to do so as it was not a permitted use. After a brief discussion, Les King made a motion to forward a FAVORABLE recommendation to the City Council, seconded by Kathy Warzecha, with all members in favor. The change would be consistent with both the Plan of Conservation and Development and the Coastal Management Act.  2. AN ORDINANCE REPEALING SECTION 3.4 FLOODPLAIN/FLOODWAY OVERLAY OF THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES IN ITS ENTIRETY AND ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 3.4 LOODPLAIN/FLOODWAY OVERLAY 3. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE NORWICH CODE OF ORDINANCES BY REPEALING THE SECTION ENTITLED FLOOD RELATED TERMS IN ITS ENTIRETY AND ADOPTING A NEW SECTION – FLOOD RELATED TERMS For both the second and third Ordinances, Deanna explained the ordinances were being revised to bring the Zoning Regulations into compliance as they currently don’t meet the DEEP’s minimum standards. Ms. Rhodes stated it was easier to eliminate and replace entire sections of the regulations, rather than parts of them. Kathy Warzecha made a motion to send a FAVORABLE recommendation to the City Council to repeal and replace section 3.4 FLOODPLAIN/FLOODWAY OVERLAY, seconded by Swarnjit Singh Bhatia, with all members in favor. The reasons stated were to bring Norwich into compliance with FEMA and State DEEP requirements to ensure that residents are still be able to purchase flood insurance; and that it is consistent with the City’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Deanna explained this ordinance addresses definitions/flood related terms. She spoke with the DEEP coordinator, Pat McLaughlin and the City Attorney and they decided that a two year period for substantial improvements would work best for Norwich in the hopes that problematic or blighted properties to be renovated in the floodway and floodplain will be brought up to code according to the new flood improvement regulation and not left in their current condition. Kathy Warzecha made a motion to send a FAVORABLE recommendation to repeal and replace this section, seconded by Michael Lahan, with all members in favor. The reasons stated were to bring Norwich into compliance with FEMA and State DEEP requirements to ensure residents are still be able to purchase flood insurance; and that it is consistent with the City’s Plan of Conservation and Development. G. OLD BUSINESS: Discuss Planning Priorities Deanna stated she had compiled a list of the priorities she received from several CCP members and she explained that she felt the Commission should choose two or three priorities to focus on over the next year. A discussion ensued about which priorities the members were interested in starting with, and Ms. Rhodes informed the Commission members that some of the items on the list were already being addressed by other departments, boards and commissions, including the elimination of some of the downtown one-way streets and making the area more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Kathy Warzecha made a suggestion that all available grants be applied for to help revitalize the downtown. It was decided by the members that Deanna would focus on assisting the City to request grant money for a master plan that would create better standards for signs, particularly in the downtown area, and better design standards for buildings located in or near historic districts. Creation of distinct village districts in the Norwichtown and Bean Hill areas was discussed, as well as façade grant money still available, parking issues and diversity within the City. The idea of establishing an information center or toll free phone number would be forwarded to the Mayor. It was decided further discussion would continue at the next scheduled meeting, and Ms. Rhodes stated she would inform Commission members of her progress. H. EXTENSION REQUESTS: None I. BOND RELEASES: None J. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Michael Lahan to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. The motion was seconded by Les King. The motion was passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Debra Delaporta