Commission on the City Plan

MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN APRIL 17TH, 2018 -7:00 P.M. 100 BROADWAY, NORWICH CONNECTICUT RM #335-THIRD FLOOR REGULAR MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER: Art Sharron, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. B. ROLL CALL AND SEATING OF ALTERNATES: Present: Art Sharron, Chairman, Frank Manfredi, Vice Chairman, Michael Lahan, & Daniel Daniska, alternate A quorum was present, with all members seated. Absent: Les King, Kathy Warzecha, alternates Swarnjit Singh Bhatia and Jason Arndt. Others Present: Deanna Rhodes, City Planner, and Debra Delaporta, recording secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Frank Manfredi to approve the minutes from the February 20th, 2018 regular meeting and seconded by Michael Lahan, with all members in favor. D. COMMUNICATIONS: Town of Franklin zoning text amendment notification, Informal referral for illicit discharge & connection storm water ordinance from Public Works Deanna Rhodes stated she had reviewed the zoning text amendment notification from the town of Franklin, and it did not appear to have major changes. Ms. Rhodes explained Public Works was in the process of developing procedures for illicit discharge and storm water connections, so an informal referral was being sent to the Commission to inform them of this. E. PUBLIC HEARING/NEW BUSINESS: SP #18-01/CAM 18-01-17-35 Falls Ave-Special Permit Request to create a loading area, construct 3 ft. concrete stairs, a 10 ft. X 10 ft. boat trailer ramp, 700 ft. crushed stone, 2 new concrete walls, 4 new parking spaces, and a new ADA compliant handicapped ramp within the Special Flood Hazard Area, Floodway and CAM overlay. Application of Mary Anna Holdings LLC/Richard Thayer, Assessor’s Map 101, Block 4, Lot 62-Waterfront Development Zone Art Sharron asked for a motion to open the public hearing, which was made by Frank Manfredi, and seconded by Dan Daniska, with all members in favor. Deanna Rhodes introduced Keith Neilson, of Docko, INC who stated he was there representing Richard Thayer, of Thayer’s Marina. Mr. Neilson presented the Commission with the site plan showing building modifications, and explained over the last four years, permits for a bulkhead and related site improvements had been applied for and issued with both DEEP and the Army Corps of Engineers. He stated that improvements to both the North and South buildings were being proposed, and the plan is to make the existing buildings better. Mr. Neilson explained the center between the buildings would be demolished, adding doors for pedestrian entrances, and overhead doors and a crushed stone pad and ramp leading into the South building for loading boats in and out. The North building would have four new parking spaces, including one handicapped, an ADA accessible ramp, and new lighting. He stated the plan conforms to current zoning regulations, and these improvements would be a great use of a long neglected site. Along with these improvements, because of trees removed near the waterway, new wetland vegetation areas will be created with the help of the science department of Norwich Free Academy. A discussion ensued between Mr. Neilson and the Commission members, with members asking about existing permits, boats on display, and whether this plan included public access or not. Mr. Neilson stated there would be a walkway of crushed stone, benches and trees for public access which had not been depicted on the plan, and they were looking to pull more permits with DEEP for additional docks. Art Sharron asked if there was anyone there to speak in favor of the application. Mr. Thayer, who was in attendance, confirmed one section of one of the buildings was being used to restore sailboats. City Council member Samuel Browning stated he thought the project would be an excellent improvement to the marina. Deanna Rhodes then read into the record her list of recommended conditions from her memo: • That the site plan be revised to include the silt fence detail from the 2002 CT E&S Guidelines (attached). • That a note be added to the site development plan requiring immediate notification of the City Planning Department and State Archaeologist should any archeological resources be uncovered during the development of the project. • That the final plan include the City’s required signature block and letter of approval. • That 6 signed and embossed sealed paper copies and 2 mylars of the final revised set of plans be submitted to the Planning Department for endorsement by an officer of the Commission. The mylars must include the red indelible ink certification which includes the name of producer and process used. • That after the filing of the mylars, a zoning permit shall be issued prior to any land disturbance activities commencing on the site. • That the applicant submit the required erosion and sediment control bond as approved by the City Engineer, in the form of a check or letter of credit, and the associated paperwork to the Planning Department for review and approval by the City’s Attorney. • That any modifications to the approved plan shall be reviewed by the Zoning Enforcement Officer prior to occurring and may require additional review and approval by the Commission. • That all E&S controls be installed by the applicant and inspected by the ZEO prior to initiating any land disturbance activities. • That all proposed improvements associated with this application are to be completed according to the approved plan prior to the issuance of the required Certificate of Zoning Compliance or a performance bond will be required in accordance with Sections 7.5.7.3 and 8.9 of the Zoning Regulations. • That the Commission may require an as-built or certification by a licensed engineer or land surveyor should it be deemed necessary by the City to determine compliance with the approval granted. • That the discharge of storm water and dewatering of any wastewater from construction activities is less than 5 acres and falls under CT DEEP general permit #DEP-PERD-GP-015. • That any modifications to the approved special permit may require additional review and approval by the Commission. Ms. Rhodes then noted additional conditions from the testimony. These were that the signature block be corrected, the gravel walkway and public access areas be depicted on the final plan, and the City Engineer, Pat McLaughlin still needed to approve the Erosion and Sediment control amount of $500, which could be subject to change. With no one in opposition. Art Sharron asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Michael Lahan made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Frank Manfredi, with all members in favor.  The Chairman then asked for a motion to approve the CAM application #18-01. Frank Manfredi made the motion, seconded by Dan Daniska, with all members in favor to APPROVE the application stating the reasons that it is consistent with the State’s coastal area plan and the Plan of Conservation and Development. Michael Lahan made the motion to APPROVE w/conditions recommended by the City Planner SP #18-01, stating that it meets the criteria of 7.7.6 of the Zoning Regulations, is consistent with the City of Norwich Plan of Conservation & Development, and would be extremely helpful to the downtown area and riverfront. Frank Manfredi seconded the motion, with all members in favor of approval. F. OLD BUSINESS: None G. EXTENSION REQUESTS: None H. BOND RELEASES: Deanna Rhodes stated there were no new bond release requests, but now that the weather is better, both she and ZEO Richard Shuck would be doing site visits with the City Engineer to look at the status of the projects for which bonds are being held. I. OTHER BUSINESS: Village District update Ms. Rhodes gave an update of the progress Ms. Miner was making on establishing Village Districts and amendments to the Zoning Regulations pertaining to them. Attorney Michael Driscoll has been reviewing the new regulations, and the Ordinance should be ready to be received by the City Council the first week of May. They would then refer it to the CCP. J. STAFF REPORT: Deanna Rhodes said she is looking to clean up areas of the current Zoning Regulations and hoping to submit amendments to the City Council sometime in June or July. K. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by to adjourn at 7:35 by Frank Manfredi, seconded by Michael Lahan. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Debra Delaporta