Commission on the City Plan

COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 7:00 PM Hybrid Meeting City Hall Rom 319 and Zoom NORWICH, CT Assistant City Planner Daniel Daniska read information pertaining to virtual meetings and clearly stated that the meeting, including video, would be recorded. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Frank Manfredi called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. ROLL CALL AND SEATING OF ALTERNATES: Present: Chairman Frank Manfredi, Vice Chairman Les King and Michael Lahan Absent: Swarnjit Singh Bhatia and Kathy Warzecha Others Present: Director of Planning and Neighborhood Services Deanna Rhodes, Assistant City Planner Dan Daniska, David McKay of Boundaries LLC and Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commission on the City Plan (CCP) August 17, 2021 and October 12, 2021 Meetings On a motion by Les King, seconded by Michael Lahan, the CCP unanimously approved the minutes of October 12, 2021, as presented. On a motion by Les King, seconded by Michael Lahan, the minutes of August 17, 2021 were unanimously added to the agenda. On a motion by Les King, seconded by Michael Lahan, the CCP unanimously approved the minutes of August 17, 2021, as presented. COMMUNICATIONS: Chair Manfredi reported that Swarnjit Singh Bhatia resigned his position due to his election to the City Council. On a motion by Les King, seconded by Michael Lahan, Swarnjit Singh Bhatia’s resignation was unanimously accepted. NEW BUSINESS: SDP#1046: 165 McKinley Avenue Extension. Site Plan Review for Parking Improvements at Sheltering Arms facility. Application and Property of United Community and Family Services, Inc. Assessor’s Map 85, Block 1, Lot 35, Zone R-40 Davis McKay of Boundaries LLC represented the applicant, United Community and Family Services. Mr. Daniska displayed the site plan on the screen. Mr. McKay spoke to the site plan as he gave an overview of the current situation at the site of the residential care facility. Parking spaces will be increased from 26 spaces to 44 spaces. He explained the new parking areas in relation to the existing parking. He addressed storm water management and light trespass. The landscape features are deciduous trees along the street and along perimeter of two rain gardens. Boxwood hedges will also be added to block headlights yet allow clear site lines. New signage and lighting are included in the plan. Ms. Rhodes reviewed her memo dated 11/1/2021. She requested that the trees be as large as possible. 1 Michael Lahan made a motion to approve the application with the following conditions: 1. That the approval will expire in 5 years unless an extension has been granted by the Commission in accordance with ZR Section 7.5.10.2. 2. That the height of the trees proposed in the landscaping plan average 8 feet tall at planting. 3. That final revised plans be submitted and reviewed by City Staff. 4. That the City’s letter of approval be placed on the final revised plan set (cover page preferred), the required signature block be placed on all plan sheets, and that all plan sheets include the stamped seal and signature of the licensed professional. 5. 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. 6. That the endorsed mylar set shall be filed on the Land Records by the applicant. 7. That submission of the required $10,367.76 erosion and sediment control bond for the two parking areas ($4,505.84 & $5,861.92) be submitted in the form of a check or letter of credit with the required paperwork for review and approval by the City’s Attorney prior to the issuance of the Zoning Permit. 8. That after the filing of the mylars, a zoning permit shall be issued prior to any land disturbance activities associated with this approval. 9. That any modifications to the approved proposal shall be reviewed by the Zoning Enforcement Officer prior to occurring and may require additional review and approval by the Commission. 10. 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. REASON: The proposal conforms to Chapters 1.3, 5, and 7.5 of the Zoning Regulations. Les King seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Receipt of applications (scheduled for December 14th agenda): SP# 21-03 & CAM#21-03 – 44 Falls Avenue. Request for Special Permit and CAM approval for sewer treatment plant modifications requested by CT DEEP to include eliminating 3 existing digester tanks and digester control building to replace with a vehicle and utility storage building. Application and Property of Norwich Public Utilities. Assessor’s Map 101, Block 4, Lot 1-3, Zone ROS. Ms. Rhodes noted that the timing of the application prohibited it from being discussed at the current meeting. She advised the CCP that this item will be on the agenda next month. She added it to this agenda to give the CCP notice of a December meeting. 2. DRAFT - Open Space Fee Language – Subdivision Regulations - Tabled from 07/20/2021 & 08/17/2021 On amotion by Les King, seconded by Michael Lahan, the item was unanimously tabled. Mr. Lahan requested that the proposed verbiage be sent to CCP members prior to the next meeting when this topic will be discussed. Ms. Rhodes agreed. 2 3. Terminate Approval –SP#18-04 – Cumberland Farms Inc. – Approved June 19, 2018 Mr. Daniska displayed the termination order on screen. Ms. Rhodes reported that Cumberland Farms no longer wants to pursue the location. She read the order of the court. The City’s Counsel advises the CCP take formal action. The variance which was approved for the gas station is now moot. Les King made a motion to Terminate SP#18-04 in accordance with the Appellant Court Order on Motion AC212330 as referenced in Notice Issued on October 29, 2021. REASON: Appellant Court Order on Motion AC212330 as referenced in Notice Issued on October 29, 2021 Michael Lahan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. EXTENSION REQUESTS: None presented. BOND REDUCTION/RELEASE REQUESTS: None presented. STAFF REPORT: Ms. Rhodes reported Mr. Daniska passed his AICP exam yesterday. CCP members expressed their congratulations on his achievement. Department staff have applied for several grants. Ms. Rhodes reported that staff resubmitted a grant proposal for the 8th Street walking trails. A previous submission had scored high/middle. With this new round of funding, the criteria for the grant were readjusted. She is hopeful that this will be funded as it will increase livability in the Greeneville section of the city. Ms. Rhodes announced that her staff also applied to the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) for brownfield remediation for and/or demolition of the former YMCA property. The cost for the project is estimated at $800,000. There are hazardous materials inside the structure. Also there was a gas station at the site many years ago. A Request for Proposals has been issued for the former YMCA site. The city is looking for development of the site. Responses are due on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The city is anticipating assisting with remediation of the site. Also for the YMCA site, her staff is working with UConn students to write an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal for $650,000 for remediation. This proposal is due December 1, 2021. She pointed out that the city could potentially get both grants, DECD and EPA, to use together. Ms. Rhodes reported that per Kevin Brown, President of Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC), the Old Majestic Rose redevelopment is moving forward. DECD is offering the Community Challenge Grant. The proposal is due soon. Also the federal infrastructure funding coming out. 3 She expressed gratitude for Mr. Daniska. He will be doing more work on the CCP while she works on the grants. The city got possession of the historic Cassidy House on Washington Street and evicted the resident. They are working with the purchasing department to issue an RFP for the site which falls into Chelsea District. It could be commercial use. She wants to ensure the historical integrity of the house. Uncas Leap consultants are preparing for the final design. The city received America Rescue Plan Act funding for the site. Her department is getting estimates to finish the park for a tourism site. No update was available on Reid & Hughes. Ms. Rhodes noted that the CCP should expect an application for the South Mill at Ponemah within the next two months. Mr. King noted the positive response to the roundabout in Franklin Square. Ms. Rhodes summarized with a description of lots of small projects coming into the Planning & Neighborhood Services department. NCDC is promoting the vanilla boxes downtown with the goal to finish out spaces to make them ready for tenants. The vanilla box project will be citywide. ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Michael Lahan, seconded by Les King, the CCP unanimously adjourned at 7:56 PM. Respectfully submitted, Melinda Wilson, Recording Secretary 4