Commission on the City Plan

COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 7:00 PM Hybrid Meeting / Public Hearing 23 Union Street - Lower Level Conference Room - NORWICH, CT 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Frank Manfredi called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. 2. ROLL CALL AND SEATING OF ALTERNATES: Present: Frank Manfredi, Chairman, Ella Myles (Online), Deane Nason, Tracy Burto (Alternate) (Online) Absent: Kathy Warzecha, James Quarto, and Jason Courter (Alternate) Staff Present: Director of Planning and Neighborhood Services Deanna Rhodes and City Planner Dan Daniska Due to absence of Commission Members, Tracy Burto was seated as a Regular Member. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ella Myles made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 23, 2024 Meeting and Public Hearing. Deane Nason seconded the motion. Tracy Burto abstained from voting. The minutes were approved as amended. 4. COMMUNICATIONS: None. 5. NEW BUSINESS: a. Site Development Plan Proposal: SDP #1051: 3 North C Street. Site Plan Review for a proposed residential multi-family apartment development consisting of two buildings with 33 units each, for a total of 66 units. The unit mix will consist of 24 2-bedroom and 42 1-bedroom units. Application/Property of The Hills at River View, LLC Alex Gebbie, Principal. Assessor’s Map 39, Block 1, Lot 93, Zone MF. (Tabled 1-23-24) Chairman Manfredi opened the floor to representatives speaking on behalf of the project owner. Brandon Handfield, P.E. from Yantic River Consulting reviewed the project plan and explained the changes from the 2020 proposed plan. He addressed plans for water drainage, lighting and landscaping. Kathy LaCombe from KML Architects detailed the interior and exterior designs of the buildings. In response to Deanna Rhodes inquiry concerning accessibility, Ms. LaCombe informed the Commission that there were no elevators planned for either building in the project. Dan Daniska acknowledged that prior questions and concerns made by various City Departments had been addressed by the project team. Questions then brought up by the Commission included the inclusion of electric vehicle parking, location of fire hydrants, and the timing for construction between the two phases of the project. Mr. Handfield responded that there were four spaces designated for electric vehicles, with infrastructure available for an additional three spaces if needed. He also explained where the location of two fire hydrants would be installed and stated that the two phases would be constructed in close proximity, however Phase I is planned to be completed first. Hearing no further questions, Chairman Manfredi called for a vote. Ella Myles made a motion to approve SDP#1051: 3 North C Street Site Plan with the following conditions: • That final revised plans be submitted and reviewed by City Staff. • That this approval will expire on 02/27/2029 unless an extension has been granted by the Commission. • That all comments from various departments be addressed in the final plan set to be reviewed by staff. • That the photometric plan for the lighting be provided to the ZEO for review and approval prior to the filing of the mylars. • That plans be revised to include #3, #4, and #5 of the Planner’s memo dated 02/06/2024. • That the City’s required signature block and letter of approval be placed on the final revised plan set, and that all plan sheets include the stamped seal and signature of the licensed professional. • 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 the endorsed mylar set shall be filed on the Land Records by the applicant. • That after the filing of the mylars, a zoning permit shall be issued prior to any land disturbance activities commencing in the site. • 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. This includes changes to number of units or size of units. • That the applicant submit the required $89,300 for Phase 1 and $69,700 for Phase 2 erosion and sediment control bond, as deemed sufficient by the City Engineer prior to requesting a zoning permit, 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 a pre-construction meeting be held with the Planning, Public Works Departments and NPU prior to the start of the project. • That all E&S controls be installed by the applicant and inspected by the ZEO and Wetland Agent prior to initiating any land disturbance activities. • That no certificate of occupancy shall be issued until the approved recreational amenities (i.e. the trail up to and into the wooded passive recreation area, dog-park, playground) have been provided and developed as to be available for the use of the occupants of the dwelling units. • 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. Dean Nason seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Reason for Approval: The proposal conforms to Chapter 5, Section 6.4 and Section 7.5 the Zoning Regulations. REGARDING: SDP #1044: 3 North C Street. Site Plan Review for a Multi-Family Development consisting of 52 units (all 2 bedroom units within 7 buildings) and installation of associated site improvements and amenities. Application and property of The Hills at Riverview LLC, Assessor’s Map 39, Block 1, Lot 93, Zone MF.  Ella Myles made a motion to expire SDP #1044 as it has been superseded by approval of SDP #1051. Deane Nason seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 6. OLD BUSINESS: None. 7. EXTENSION REQUESTS: None 8. BOND REDUCTION/RELEASE REQUESTS: None 9. OTHER BUSINESS: a. Election of Officers. Tabled to the March 19, 2024 meeting. b. Regional Planning Commission (RPC) Volunteer. Deana Rhodes informed the Commission that Jason Courter had volunteered to represent the Norwich CCP on the Regional Planning Commission. Dan Daniska informed the Commission that a volunteer will be required to sit on the Norwich Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission. Tabled to the March 19, 2024 meeting. 10. STAFF REPORT: Deanna Rhodes reported on the following: • They are working on resubmitting a Brownfield grant application for the Capehart Mill. They were unofficially notified by DEEP of a small grant award that should be forthcoming to assist them with this project. • There is a Downtown Norwich mobility study meeting next week. • The newly hired City of Norwich Community Development Director, Craig Kleman, has started which has eliminated the need for Deanna to perform the duties as Acting Interim Director of that department. 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Commission did not enter into Executive Session. 12. ADJOURNMENT: Deane Nason made a motion to adjourn. Tracy Burto seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously ending the meeting at 7:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Jeanne Kurasz – CCP Recording Secretary