Page 1 REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT NOVEMBER 14, 2018 1. Pledge of Allegiance Director Joseph Samolis called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Roll Taking Present: Absent: Staff: Public: Commissioner Stephen Devoto Commissioner Nicholas Fazzino Commissioner Joyce Rossiter Commissioner Richard Pelletier Commissioner Molly Salafia Commissioner Elizabeth Emery Commissioner Tyrell Brown Commissioner Steven Kovach Commissioner Thom Pattavina Commissioner Christopher Sugar Director Joseph Samolis, Director of Planning, Conservation and Development The Director will be chairing the meeting until a new Chairman is elected. 1a. ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Election of Officers: Election of Chair A motion was made by Commissioner Fazzino to nominate Commissioner Devoto as Chair. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Emery. A motion to close nominations was moved by Commissioner Emery and seconded by Commissioner Fazzino. Director Samolis called for the vote. It was unanimous to close the nominations. Director Samolis stated that since he was the only one nominated, he would be Chaiman. Commissioner Devoto thanks the Commission and asked that he be kept informed if he could do better. Election of Vice-Chair Director Samolis asked if there were any nominations for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Devoto made a motion to nominate Commissioner Fazzino, seconded by Commissioner Emery. There
Page 2 being no more nominations, Commissioner Emery moves to close nominations seconded by Commissioner Devoto. Motion was called and approved unanimously to close nominations. Director Samolis asked for a vote for Commissioner Fazzino as Vice-Chair. Motion passed unanimously. Election of Secretary Commissioner Pelletier moves to nominate Commissioner Rossitter for Secretary. Commissioner Salafia seconds the motion. The Chair calls for the vote. Motion passes unanimously. A motion to close nominations was moved by Commissioner Emery and seconded by Commissioner Fazzino. Director Samolis asked for a vote for Commissioner Rossitter as Secretary. Motion passed unanimously. Citizens Advisory Committee Member Commissioner Fazzino nominates Commissioner Brown, seconded by Commissioner Emery. Commissioner Emery moves to close nominations, seconded by Commissioner Fazzino. All in favor. Director Samolis calls for the vote. Motion passes unanimously for Commissioner Brown as the CAC member for the Planning and Zoning seat. RiverCOG Regional Planning Commission Regular Commissioner Rossitter nominates Commissioner Emery. Commissioner Salafia seconds the motion. Seeing no other nominations Commissioner Salafia moves to close nominations, seconded by Commissioner Brown. All in favor. Director Samolis calls for the vote. Motion passes unanimously for Commissioner Emery as a Regular Member for the Planning and Zoning seat. RiverCOG Regional Planning Commission Alternate Commissioner Salafia nominates Commissioner Sugar as Alternate. Commissioner Devoto seconds the motion. Seeing no other nominations Commissioner Emery moves to close nominations. All in favor. Director Samolis calls for the vote. Motion passes unanimously for Commissioner Sugar as an Alternate for the Planning and Zoning seat. Director Samolis relinquishes the meeting to the newly elected Chair, Stephen Devoto. 3. Items removed from the agenda and why None 4. Public comment on items on agenda which are not currently scheduled for a public hearing
Page 3 None 5. ZEO Certification that all public hearing signs have been properly noticed (when scheduled) Director Samolis stated that all public hearing signs have been properly noticed. 6. Public Hearings (when scheduled) 1) Proposed Special Exception to Section 46.03.04 for an Inventory Storage Lot in a non-residential development in a Flood Zone at Map 9, Lot 12 Newfield Street which requires P&Z approval. Applicant/agent Middletown Nissan SE2018-7 Paul Battaliano, Engineer with VHB introduced the application. He explained that the applicant is proposing inventory parking in the adjacent empty lot which is in a flood zone. He pointed out the wetlands and the flood zone on the map. After many designs, they came up with the plan that was submitted. They are doing wetland plantings and improved storm water quality for 12,000 square feet. After doing calculations, they came up with a stone reservoir that would mimic the runoff value of the existing soil. He continued with his presentation Commissioner Emery asked if the public would be on site. Mr. Battaliano explained that it would only be staff that would basically get the car and bring it out to the customer. There would be no fencing. J.R. Marino, Contractor for the project reiterated that it would only be a storage lot for the employees only. He said duplicate vehicles would probably already be on the other lot for the public to see. These vehicles on the storage lot are the extra cars as car sales are at an all-time high and they need the inventory. Commissioner Salafia questioned the lighting plan. Mr. Battaliano said there would be standard LED lighting. Commissioner Emery would like the approval to include the number of cars that are allowed and this land use would always have to be the permeable pavers. Commissioner Devoto requested that they find a way to put buffer plantings in. Mr. Battaliano said that the lot is 6 to 7 feet lower than the road so the public will not be able to see all the cars there. Commissioner Salafia moves to close the public hearing for the Special Exception to Section 46.03.04 for an Inventory Storage Lot in a non-residential development in a Flood Zone at Map 9, Lot 12 Newfield Street. Commissioner Brown seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. Commissioner Nicholas Fazzino moves for approval for the Special Exception to Section 46.03.04 for an Inventory Storage Lot in a non-residential development in a Flood Zone at Map 9, Lot 12 Newfield Street with the following conditions: 1) that a lighting plan is developed; 2) that the lots be merged; 3) that the development proceeds as described to the Commission. Commissioner Pelletier seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. It is 6 aye votes and 1 nay vote by Commissioner Rossitter. The Chair states the matter carried with 6 affirmative votes. 7. Old Business
Page 4 1) Proposed modification of an approved site plan to add an additional 36 unit, residential building at 472-494 and Map 19, Lot 0114 Newfield Street Applicant/agent Landmark Investment Group LLC SE2016-13 & SPR2018-172 Director Samolis updated some of his comments since they were sent to the Commission. Water & Sewer did approve the amended plans and the Police Dept. has no concerns at this time. Attorney David Sherwood is representing the applicant Landmark Investment. Ron Domingen, Professional Engineer with Fuss and O Neal gave a presentation of the project using maps. He said that the new building will connect to the main entry drive on Newfield Street which was previously approved. All utilities are done internal and no new services are needed. Commissioner Devoto asked if the rest of the project has been done. Mr. Domingen stated that nothing has been built yet. Commissioner Devoto stated that any project with 25 or more parking spaces needs to install charging stations. Mr. Domingen said that they would certainly comply with that regulation. Director Samolis said that the approval for all the previous buildings were approved before that regulation took effect so this new development would be the only one that will require the charging stations. He asked if the developer could possibly add them to the other buildings as well. Attorney Sherwood said that they will certainly install them for this development but are not prepared to change the previous ones. There were no further questions. Commissioner Pelletier moves for approval for the modification of an approved site plan to add an additional 36 unit, residential building at 472-494 and Map 19, Lot 0114 Newfield Street with the provision that they will install two charging stations. Commissioner Emery is concerned about the traffic control on Newfield Street. Attorney Sherwood stated that a traffic study was done a number of years ago and they will have to get another amended certificate. This project also includes significant improvements to Newfield Street. Nicholas Fazzino seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The Chair states the matter carried with 6 affirmative votes and 1 opposed. 8. New Business 1) Request for a Special Exception regarding 60.02.41 and 60.02.13 for a mixed use building approximately 4,200 square feet in the MX zone within the floodplain at 387 South Main Street. Applicant/agent John S. Sutton SE2018-6 Director Samolis said that since they don t have a second meeting in November, staff recommends having the public hearing at the December 12 th meeting. Commissioner Salafia moves to schedule a public hearing for a Special Exception regarding 60.02.41 and 60.02.13 for a mixed use building approximately 4,200 square feet in the MX zone within the floodplain at 387 South Main Street. Commissioner Pelletier seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes.
Page 5 (No sounds) 9. Public comment on topics which are not or have not been the subject of a public hearing 10. Minutes of the Regular Meeting, Transcripts, Staff Reports and Commission Affairs 10.1 Minutes of October 24, 2018 Commissioner Rossiter moves for approval of the minutes of October 24, 2018 with amendment to delete the word revised. Commissioner Pelletier seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The Chair states the matter carried with 5 affirmative votes and 2 abstentions. 10.2 Other Commission Affairs a. River-Cog Report Commissioner Emery said that at the meeting, it was only a referral from Durham in regards to Planning and Zoning changes regarding agricultural events. Director Samolis introduced the new ZEO, Ron Baia to the Commission. Ron gave a brief report of his job history. 11. Adjournment Commissioner Fazzino moves for adjournment. Commissioner Brown seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. Respectfully Submitted, Joseph Samolis Director of Planning, Conservation and Development