Commission on the City Plan

COMMISSION ON THE CITY PLAN Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 12:00 PM Hybrid Meeting 23 Union Street - Lower Level Conference Room - NORWICH, CT 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Frank Manfredi called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL AND SEATING OF ALTERNATES: Present: Frank Manfredi, Chairman, Ella Myles, James Quarto, Jason Courter (Alternate), and Nicholas Fortson (Alternate) Absent: Deane Nason, Kathy Warzecha, Tracy Burto (Alternate) Staff Present: Director of Planning and Neighborhood Services Deanna Rhodes and City Planner Dan Daniska Due to absence of Commission Members, Jason Courter and Nick Fortson were seated as Regular Members. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Nick Forston made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2024 Regular Meeting. Jason Courter seconded the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously. Nick Forston made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 25, 2024 Special Meeting/Site Walkthrough. Jason Courter seconded the motion. Voted in favor: Frank Manfredi, James Quarto, Nick Fortson, Jason Courter. Abstained: Ella Myles. The motion passed. 4. COMMUNICATIONS: Deanna Rhodes read a letter from First Light/New Leaf Energy sent to the Commission regarding installation of a battery energy storage project to be located at 72 Roosevelt Avenue Extension in Preston. A copy of the letter is included as Attachment A. 5. NEW BUSINESS: a. Referral from City Council: Resolution to begin the process of closing a portion of Lawler Lane. Chairman Manfredi read a copy of the Resolution regarding the proposed closure of a portion of Lawler Lane (Attachment B). Deanna Rhodes informed the Commission that the original Resolution had an incorrect date for the Public Hearing, which is scheduled for September 16, 2024. She also explained the request to close the road was made by the Norwich Community Development Corporation who owns the two properties directly abutting the section of the road to be closed, and that the proposal had been reviewed by the fire departments, the Norwich Police Department and Norwich Public Works. In response to questions by the Commission concerning the fire departments’ response to this proposal, Ms. Rhodes stated that she believes an emergency access road would be included on the site plan when submitted. She further explained that the project conforms to the City’s Plan of Conservation and Development: Goal #3 “Grow Norwich” theme. In response to Mr. Quarto’s question about input from the public, Ms. Rhodes explained that the public will have a chance to provide feedback to the City Council at the Public Hearing scheduled for September 16th. Chairman Manfredi then called for a motion. Ella Myles Made a motion to forward a FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION to the City Council as the road closure is consistent with Goal #3 of the “Grow Norwich” theme of the POCD promoting economic development and expanding the City’s  Tax base relative to Business Park North. The motion was seconded by Jason Courter. In Favor: Frank Manfredi, Jason Courter, Ella Myles, Nicholas Fortson. Against: None. Abstained: James Quarto 6. OLD BUSINESS: None. 7. EXTENSION REQUESTS: None. 8. BOND REDUCTION/RELEASE REQUESTS: None 9. OTHER BUSINESS & STAFF REPORT: Deanna Rhodes informed the Commission that she will be bringing projects forward at the next several meetings for expiration. In response to Chairman Manfredi’s inquiring about the Hale Mill project, Dan Daniska stated that the project is progressing and mylars with changes should be filed soon. Mr. Daniska also addressed questions concerning apartments at 85 Main Street, stating that some units have received COs while other units still have issues to address, and that the garbage issue has been resolved by the installation of a trash compactor on site. Work is progressing on the Reid & Hughes building, and in response to Mr. Courter’s question about These Guys, the production facility on Church Street is operational, but they are looking for a permanent location for their restaurant. 10. EXECUTIVE SESSION: James Quarto made a motion to enter into Executive Session at 12:17 PM. Nick Fortson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Deanna Rhodes and Dan Daniska were invited to stay for Executive Session. Ella Myles made a motion to exit Execution Session at 12:30 PM. Nick Forston seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 11. ADJOURNMENT: James Quarto made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jason Courter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously ending the meeting at 12:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeanne Kurasz – CCP Recording Secretary ATTACHMENT A ATTACHMENT B August 8, 2024 (Revised corrected a typo changed the word “Ordinance” to Resolution in paragraphs #1 & 2) TO: Commission on the City Plan FROM: City Clerk SUBJECT: City Council Referral on Resolution to begin the process of closing a portion of Lawler Lane The Council will be referring to you the following Resolution for your review and comments: The below listed resolution was introduced with first reading Monday, August 5, 2024 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers, and setting of public hearing date for *September 16, 2024 Council Meeting at 7:30 pm for second reading and action. *Please note the actual resolution asks for a response for September 17,2024. This was an oversight by me the resolution will be brought back for amendment on August 19, 2024 to correct the date to September 16, 2024. Any questions please contact me for further explanation. Thank you in advance for your understanding. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich proposes to discontinue the use as a highway of a portion of Lawler Lane from the Northwest corner of 185 Lawler Lane to the Southeast corner of 256 Lawler Lane, a distance of approximately 1,500 feet; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Connecticut General Statute §13a-49, the City Council may discontinue any portion of a road; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Connecticut General Statute §13a-49, due notice will be given to all landowners abutting the proposed portion of Lawler Lane area to be discontinued; said notice to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Norwich and a sign will be posted at the location of the discontinued portion; and WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Norwich will refer the matter to the Commission on the City Plan for appropriate review and report. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Norwich, authorizes and directs City Manager, John Salomone, to provide it necessary assistance as it undertakes the process to discontinue a portion of Lawler Lane from the Northwest corner of 185 Lawler Lane to the Southeast corner of 256 Lawler Lane, a distance of approximately 1,500 feet to be shown on a survey map to be prepared by Boundaries, LLC, reserving to the City of Norwich and to the Norwich Department of Public Utilities all rights to enter upon the same to maintain and install drainage and to maintain and install other public utilities, said process to be in accordance with the procedure as set forth in Conn. Gen. Stat, Section 13a-49, et. Seq; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Norwich that this resolution be referred to the Commission on the City Plan for appropriate review and report, and the date for action by the Council of the City of Norwich be established as September 17, 2024. Mayor Peter Albert Nystrom President Pro Tempore Joseph A. DeLucia Alderman Mark Bettencourt Alderwoman Stacy Gould Alderman William Nash Respectfully submitted, City Clerk