Development Review Board

3/21/2024 - Minutes I. Call to Order Members Present: Matt Bacewicz, Chair; Elsie Goodrich, Secretary; Aaron Guyette; David Weissberger; Jordan Matte; Emily Morse City Staff Present: Eric Vorwald Guests Present: Jason Ruwet, Alain Brunet, Martin Courcelle, Chris Savard, Meredith Bushey, Matt Parisi Call to Order by: Matt Bacewicz Meeting Start Time: 6:30 PM Minutes Recorded by: Eric Vorwald II. Changes to the Agenda None III. Public Comment None IV. Approve Previous Meeting Minutes Decision: 3 – 0 – 2 Motion by: Mr. Weissberger Second: Mr. Matte Mr. Vorwald indicated that the minutes from the previous meeting were included with the agenda. Mr. Weissberger made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Mr. Matte seconded. Three were in favor with two abstentions, therefore the motion passed. V. Public Hearing on Conditional Use Request – 165 East Spring Street A motion was made by Mr. Guyette that was seconded by Ms. Goodrich to open a public hearing to discuss the conditional use request for 165 East Spring Street. All were in favor and a hearing was opened at 6:37pm. With the hearing opened, Mr. Vorwald provided a general overview of the project and indicated that it was coming forward for conditional use approval. He indicated that information related to the standards of conditional use were included with the agenda. Mr. Bacewicz asked the applicants to come forward and present the project and swore them in before providing testimony. Mr. Courcelle presented information on the request indicating specific details about the project. He stated that there was an existing garage on the property that would be removed to accommodate the new cottage. He highlighted information related to locations of parking for the existing two-unit dwelling and the new cottage. He also provided information the measures that were being taken to address stormwater.  Mr. Courcelle presented information on the request indicating specific details about the project. He stated that there was an existing garage on the property that would be removed to accommodate the new cottage. He highlighted information related to locations of parking for the existing two-unit dwelling and the new cottage. He also provided information the measures that were being taken to address stormwater. Next, Mr. Brunet provided an overview of the specific design of the cottage. He provided more details on parking for all three units, including spaces under the cottage. He also provided information on access from Normand Court to the proposed cottage and to the existing two-unit dwelling. This also included discussions on snow storage; refuse and recycling; and more detailed discussion on the treatment of the stairs to access the existing two unit dwelling. After Mr. Burnet’s overview, Mr. Ruwet provided information on the rights for 165 East Spring Street to access Normand Court. He reviewed deed and property information dating back to the 1930s that described the access. There was a discussion about the type of improvements that could be made to access Normand Court. Mr. Ruwet did not provide any specific guidance on this, but was acknowledged that access was permitted based on the legal review of the City’s land records. Following this presentation, Mr. Bacewicz invited members of the public to provide testimony. Ms. Bushey provided information related to erosion that has been identified at the rear of her property. She also commented on the location of the stairs and the need to remove trees to accommodate the staircase. She indicated this may compound the issues related to erosion. Following Ms. Bushey’s testimony, Mr. Parisi provided comments indicating he recently constructed a detached cottage on the adjoining property at 159 East Spring Street. He stated that this is needed housing and he supported the project. He also noted that he and the owner of the property where Normand Court is located have entered into a road maintenance agreement for upkeep of Normand Court. He suggested that Mr. Brunet should consider joining on to this agreement. Finally, Mr. Savard provided testimony regarding springs and seeps in the area. He stated that a spring was located near his western property boundary that was perennially wet. He also indicated another seep was located at the intersection of Normand Court and Hood Street and this area was consistency wet for the majority of the year. After public testimony, Mr. Bacewicz invited the applicant back to provide follow-up information. Messrs. Courcelle, Brunet, and Ruwet all provided additional information regarding the comments or questions that were asked. After this follow-up, no additional testimony was provided. Mr. Weissberger made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Guyette to close the hearing. All were in favor and the hearing on the conditional use request for 165 East Spring Street was closed at 8:12 PM. VI. City Updates Mr. Vorwald provided updates on the litigation related to the variance request for Lot 9 and St. Stephens. VII. Other Business Eric noted that the deadline for the next meeting is March 22 nd . If no applications are submitted the April meeting will be canceled. VIII. Adjourn Motion by: Mr. Guyette Second: Ms. Goodrich VIII. Adjourn Motion by: Mr. Guyette Second: Ms. Goodrich Meeting End Time: 8:17 PM