Commission on the City Plan

MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN JUNE 5TH, 2018 -6:00 P.M. 23 UNION ST, LOWER LEVEL, NORWICH SPECIAL MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER: Art Sharron, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. B. ROLL CALL AND SEATING OF ALTERNATES: Present: Art Sharron, Chairman, Frank Manfredi, Vice Chairman, Michael Lahan, Kathy Warzecha & Daniel Daniska, alternate. A quorum was present, with all members seated. Absent: Alternates Swarnjit Singh Bhatia and Jason Arndt. Others Present: Deanna Rhodes, City Planner, and Debra Delaporta, recording secretary CITY COUNCIL REFERRALS: Deanna Rhodes stated that the three referrals before the Commission were separate items and that each needed to be addressed separately. • AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, CONTAINED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY ADDING REGULATIONS FOR A VILLAGE DISTRICT OVERLAY AS SECTION 3.10 OF THE ZONING REGULATIONS The Commission members reviewed the Ordinance. Frank Manfredi had a question about Section 3.10.5.3 relative to public utility lines, stations and buildings. A discussion ensued and it was decided that this would be removed. Michael Lahan asked about the 3 tiers reviews in Sections 3.10.7 and 3.10.8. Ms. Rhodes explained the difference in the tiers and reasoning relative to reviews. Commission members discussed these sections, including the review process, any applicable fees and who would be doing the final approval of the application before it comes before the Commission. Ms. Rhodes mentioned a yellow highlighted amendment relative to adding a few words and asked that they include that revisions in any recommendation. With no further discussion, Art Sharron asked for a motion. Kathy Warzecha made a motion to forward a FAVORABLE recommendation to the City Council with the following suggested revisions to Section 3.10.5: • Add the words “uses within the” where shown in yellow highlight • Eliminate the comma and make a period after Norwichtown Village District as depicted with red strike-through font. • Eliminate the words “with the exception of” as depicted with red strike-through font. • Capitalize the word “the” as depicted in red underlined font • Eliminate #3 (public utility lines, stations, and buildings) as depicted with red strike- through font. • Renumber items 4 through 12 as 3 through 11 (in blue font) Reason: It is consistent with the sections in the Plan of Conservation and Development to reinforce community structure and enhance the physical character and appearance of Norwich through consideration of the adoption of village districts in specified node areas including Norwichtown. The motion was seconded by Michael Lahan. The motion passed unanimously. • AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF NORWICH, ACCOMPANYING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORWICH BY DEFINING THE LIMITS OF THE NORWICHTOWN VILLAGE DISTRICT Deanna Rhodes described the boundaries of the Norwichtown Village District overlay on the map. She stated that the houses surrounding the Norwichtown green area are within both a local and national Historic District and not included in the overlay. She clarify that there are other historic structures in the proposed Village District and that it is a gateway to the Norwichtown Green. A brief discussion ensued about whether to include the Norwichtown Green area, but Ms. Rhodes explained that most of these buildings are residential and would be exempt due to their use. Dan Daniska asked why the overlay area did not go further down New London Turnpike and Otrobando Avenue in the commercial area. Ms. Rhodes explained that they considered the line of sight from New London Turnpike as a gateway to the Norwichtown Historic District and that it seemed logical not to extend it further down Otrobando or past the highway bridge. Kathy Warzecha made a motion to forward a FAVORABLE recommendation to the Council with the reason being that it is consistent with the sections in the Plan of Conservation and Development to reinforce community structure and enhance the physical character and appearance of Norwich through consideration of the adoption of village districts in specified node areas which include Norwichtown. The motion was seconded by Michael Lahan. The Commission voted 4-1 in favor, with Frank Manfredi voting in opposition. • RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO ESTABLISHING VILLAGE DISTRICT GUIDELINES Deanna Rhodes went over the proposed guidelines. She pointed out that she had a few recommended amendments for their consideration that would make the guidelines less restrictive. She noted that these changes were highlighted with yellow and pink, and others shown in red font. She also said one picture of an example monument sign is to be swapped out with a Glastonbury Chili’s sign. Michael Lahan expressed his concerns about the historic looking design standards for new commercial construction. Kathy Warzecha stated that she supported these type of design standards and referenced other communities where new buildings fit into the context of the area. Kathy Warzecha made a motion to forward a FAVORABLE recommendation to the Council with the following suggested amendments: • Change the word “prohibited” to discouraged where shown in yellow highlight • Change the word “required” to “encouraged” where shown in pink highlight • Change words shown in red font as follows: On Page -7 change “prohibited freestanding pole” to “non-compatible” On Page 11 – change “required” to “needed” On Page 15 – change “prohibited” to “not recommended” • Replace the picture of the monument sign on Page 7 with Glastonbury, CT Chili’s sign • Add more pictures & graphics She stated the reasons as it is consistent with the sections in the Plan of Conservation and Development to reinforce community structure and enhance the physical character and appearance of Norwich through consideration of the adoption of village districts in specified node areas to which Norwichtown is named; continues to support development and redevelopment of the nodes; improves the quality of commercial development, and will encourages positive economic development.  The motion was seconded by Michael Lahan. The vote was 4-1 in favor, with Frank Manfredi voting in opposition. C. REQUEST FOR BOND REDUCTIONS/RELEASES: Ms. Rhodes stated that although she had received two bond release requests, she was still waiting to hear back from the City Engineer, Pat McLaughlin regarding his recommendation or release. The requests would be addressed at the next CCP meeting on June 19th, 2018. D. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made to adjourn at 7:09 by Michael Lahan, seconded by Dan Daniska. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Debra Delaporta