Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, October 25, 2017 5:00 PM Committee members present: Alderman H. Tucker Braddock Jr., James Heist, Sofee Noblick James Quarto, Darryl Wickham and Building Official James Troeger Committee members absent: Gary Schnip Others Present: Alderwoman Stacy Gould Citizens Present: None 1. Call to Order: Sofee Noblick called the meeting to order at 5:14 PM. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes: On a motion by Alderman Braddock, seconded by Jim Heist, the minutes of September 27, 2017 were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Public Comment: None 5. Communications: None 6. Blight updates/concerns: On a motion by Jim Quarto, seconded by Jim Heist, the committee unanimously voted to suspend the agenda to discuss 751 North Main Street. Alderwoman Gould reported a developer had created a plan for the property. She presented the plans to City Planner Deanna Rhodes. Deanna research the property and determined the property is in a flood way. Therefore, the planned development cannot be constructed. Alderwoman Gould reported that Deanna will speak to the potential developer about utilizing a different property within the city. Jim Quarto left the meeting at 5:23 pm. A quorum was maintained. a) 62 North Main Street: Jim T reported no progress. Citations have been issued and fines are accumulating. b) 554-556 East Main Street: Jim T reported the judge that heard this case is retiring. The city is awaiting judgement. c) 337-341 Main Street (YMCA): Alderwoman Gould reported the Department of Public Works (DPW) has secured the property. There are no further updates. d) 26 Elijah Street: Jim T reported it has been boarded up. Alderwoman Gould will check into the status. e) 109 Baltic Street: Jim T reported he spoke with Mel Weiss today. He has plans to demolish the building.  f) Jordan’s Retaining Wall: Sofee reported she spoke with Barbara. Jim T reported they came in to get a permit for a handicapped ramp at one of their properties. They are aware of the city’s concern. 6. Watch List: a) 24 River Avenue: Jim T reported that it is vacant and often open. b) 50 Freeman Avenue (fire damage): Jim T reported it has been demolished however the site was left as a slope. Erosion is a concern. The owners are planning to pave the lot. c) 160 West Thames Street (fire damage): Jim T reported all of the permits are issued. 7. Foreclosure in Progress: a) 61 Lincoln Avenue: Alderwoman Gould reported the foreclosure is in process. b) 29 Boswell Avenue: Alderwoman Gould reported the foreclosure is in process 8. City Owned Properties a) Reid and Hughes: Jim T reported a window fell out and shattered into the street. The 90 day deadline for shoring up is in November. Alderwoman Gould has not heard of progress. b) 270 West Thames Street: Jim H reported the Redevelopment Agency has approved environmental studies be done on the property through the Shipping Street grant. c) 13 Baltic Street: Alderwoman Gould reported the property still does not have clear title. d) 196 Yantic Street (The Artform Building): The site cleanup is complete. e) 11 Lake Street: Jim T reported the City Manager’s office has heard from interested parties. Alderman Braddock will contact the city manager’s office. Alderwoman Gould will pass the information on to Realtor Fred Allen. f) 31-33 Cliff Street (behind Chelsea Groton Bank): Alderwoman Gould will check on the status of the property with Attorney Driscoll’s office. It is currently not owned by the city. g) 17/19 Stonington Road: Alderwoman Gould will discuss this with Attorney Driscoll’s office. 9. Other: a) Public Works Committee (PWC) Report: Alderman Braddock reported the committee discussed the responsibilities of DPW in relation to city owned properties. b) 130 Prospect Street: Alderman Braddock reported he met with two abutters. He will follow-up with Attorney Driscoll on disposition. c) 29 7th Street (alleyway): Darryl reported the cars have been removed.  d) Norwich Hospital Site: Jim T reported this can go onto the Watch List. Alderwoman Gould will follow up with Deanna. e) 158 Prospect Street: Jim T reported that the house has been rewired. f) 458-468 Norwich Avenue (fire damage): This has been cleaned up. g) 209 Boswell Avenue: This property is a continuing blight concern. h) Norwich Harbor: Stacy reported the abandoned boats are on the Marina Towers property. Jim T will ask Dan Coley, Assistant Building Official, to issue a blight letter. i) 751 North Main Street: Discussed earlier in the meeting. j) 482-492 Norwich Avenue (fire damage): Jim T reported this is vacant and a blight concern. He will ask Dan to follow up. k) 347 Central Avenue: Sofee reported on the walk-though done on October 3, 2017. The Board of Review agreed to recommend to the Public Works Committee to form a Committee of Sale. Alderwoman Gould will see that this is on the city council agenda on December 4th. l) 4 Stonecliff Lane: Jim T reported the external oil tank was removed. There is no ordinance about the amount of wood that can be on a property. This property will be watched by the committee. 10. Public Comment: None 11. Next meeting: The next regular meeting is Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at 5 PM. 12. Adjournment: On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Alderwoman Gould, the Board of Review unanimously adjourned at 6:43 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary