Dangerous Buildings, Board of Review

BOARD OF REVIEW - DANGEROUS BUILDINGS MINUTES Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 5:00 PM 23 Union Street, Norwich CT Committee members present: Chair Gary Schnip, Alderwoman Stacy Gould, Tucker Braddock and James Heist Committee members absent: James Quarto and Darryl Wickham Others Present: Building Official James Troeger, Building Official Dan Coley and Blight Officer/Code Enforcement Official Brittany Williams 1. Call to Order: Chair Gary Schnip called the meeting to order at 5:05 PM. 2. Determination of a Quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present. 3. Acceptance of Minutes: On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Tucker Braddock, the minutes of the December 4, 2019 meeting of the Board of Review (BOR) were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Public Comment: None 5. Communications: None presented. 6. Dangerous Buildings and Blight Concerns: Alderwoman Stacy Gould asked the Board of Review to consider two city-owned properties, 21 Fairmount Street and 36 Huntington Ave, for Committees of Sale. The Huntington Avenue property is historical. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) did not want the building demolished. She noted that the Redevelopment Agency could consider funding Phase 1 environmental studies on the properties with the city’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assessment grant. The property on Fairmount Street is the former Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (MLK Center) which only has on-street parking. The building is over 6,000 square feet. Discussion ensued on the recent Connecticut Land Bank and Receivership legislation. Blight Officer Brittany Williams answered several questions for the committee members. Discussion ensued on the Board of Review’s priorities as a city committee. Gary Schnip motioned to invite Corporate Counsel Michael Driscoll to next month’s meeting. Alderwoman Gould seconded. Discussion ensued. Gary withdrew his motion. It was decided to ask for a meeting with City Manager John Salomone. Alderwoman Gould reported that the city’s website does not indicate that transfer of ownership for 60 6th Street has occurred. The property at 19 North Cliff Street has been updated with the developer as the owner. The BOR monthly agenda was reviewed. A new format was decided upon. Procedures were reviewed. Gary or BOR members will contact the recording secretary each month as to whether additional agenda items need to be added. A draft agenda will be reviewed by Gary prior to posting each month. Gary will also review draft minutes prior to posting. After further discussion it was decided that Alderwoman Gould would discuss 36 Huntington Avenue with City Planner Deanna Rhodes. The BOR will do a walkthrough of 21 Fairmount Street. 7. Foreclosures: Not addressed. 8. Other: a) Public Works Committee (PWC) Report: No report b) 21 Fairmount Street (MLK Center): Discussed earlier in the meeting. c) Other: None 9. Next meeting: The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 5 PM. 10. Adjournment: On a motion by Jim Heist, seconded by Tucker Braddock, the Board of Review unanimously adjourned at 7:08 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Melinda Wilson Recording Secretary