Monday, January 9, 2012

January Planning & Zoning Update

Middletown Planning, Conservation & Development Newsletter- January 9, 2012
2012 CDBG GRANTS- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLEThe applications for the 2012 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program are available now. The deadline for applications is February 14, 2012. On January 12, 2012 and January 23, 2012, there will be a voluntary informational seminar to explain the application and the process. This funding round is for programs and projects to commence September 1, 2012.
Application materials can be found at: http://www.middletownplanning.com
MIDDLETOWN STATISTICS REPORT- JANUARY 2012
Local Economy-.Unemployment dropped again this time by 0.4% to 7.1%. The lowest unemployment rate Middletown has seen in February 2009. The boom in holiday hiring has pulled back from over 1000 jobs available in November to 800 jobs in December. Trade name registrations ended the year down 6% year-to-date compared to 2010. Available square feet of commercial property inventory shrank 30,000 square feet. This represents a very low vacancy rate of 5.6%, but competition has pushed prices down. The median asking lease is $9.50 per square foot. Patent awards to Middletown business residents increased 64% from same period in 2010. Patents per 10,000 residents is 11.8, more than double the CT and US rates, respectively 4.3 and 4.1 patents per 10,000.
Housing- Foreclosures ended the year with 27% fewer properties in foreclosures than 2010 and possibly the lowest since 2005. Building permits for houses finished the year with 24, a 73% drop from 2010 and less than 10% the number given in 2005. November Single Family remained flat from 2010, but Condo sales for November was 133% high than November 2010.
Web Presence- Middletown’s web presence decreased by 9% on search engine hits.
PREDICT THE FUTURE SURVEY- RESULTS
THANK YOU to all those who participated in the second edition of the predict the future survey. We've asked Middletown to respond to 7 predictions about our City and received valuable insights on the direction where the public believes Middletown is headed. Since 2006, Middletown is more optimistic about achieving progress on reestablishing the waterfront, but far less optimistic about the vitality of our arts community. The big dream for the community is a (1) revitalized waterfront, followed by a tie for second, a (2) walkable and bikeable community, as well as (2) reduced crime. Tied for third is a desire for (3) more retail and (3) improve parks and trails.
MEETINGS OF THE WEEK
Economic Development Committee- CANCELLED
Monday, January 9, 2012, 7:00PM
CANCELLED
Design Review and Preservation Board
Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 6:00PM- Room 208
- Draft Signage Regulations
Planning and Zoning Committee
Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 7:00PM- Council Chambers
PUBLIC HEARING
-Proposed Special Exception for change of use located at 151 Broad Street from a current use as religious/educational use to a new use as Eleemosynary & Philanthropic and a request of a waiver of an A-2 Survey Map. Applicant/agent Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc. SE2011-9
OLD BUSINESS
- Request for final release of $10,000 cash bond for the 2nd Phase, Lots 46 through 67 of the Old Farm Subdivision located off Atkins Street. Applicant/agent Dzialo, Pickett & Allen, P.C., Old
Farms Associates S88-7
NEW BUSINESS
- Proposed Zoning Code text amendment to modify Section 61.01.08 to add the I-2 zone. A copy of the existing and proposed text is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office. Applicant/agent Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studio Z2011-5
- Proposed thirty-two (32) lot resubdivision with a Special Exception for a cluster development and rear lots of the property of Linda D. Wilson and South Main Street Irrevocable Trust located on South Main Street between the Talcott Ridge Subdivision and Royal Oak Park near the Durham town line to be known as Majestic Oak. Applicant/agent Linda D. Wilson and South Main Street Irrevocable Trust S2012-1
MINUTES, TRANSCRIPTS, STAFF REPORTS AND COMMISSION AFFAIRS
- Proposed Amendment to Article V, Election of Officers & Liaisons, Section 1
RECENT COMMISSION ACTIONS (Unofficial results)
Inland Wetland and Watercourses Agency
Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 7:00 PM, Council Chambers
APPROVED - 161 Cross Street - reconstruct an existing track located at Wesleyan University - Wesleyan University
OLD BUSINESS FEB 1, 2012- Freeman Road (rear) and Aircraft Road - remove diseased and lower grade material yielding a better growth rate of healthy trees and remove groups for planting of white pine and apple trees - Perma Treat Corporation
Zoning Board of Appeals Cancelled
Thursday, January 5, 2012
CANCELLED- Application Withdrawn
PERMIT ACTIVITY
2011 Apps Review Time Fees 2010 Apps
Year-to-Date 220 11 days $20,615 261
--- Approved 191 9 days $6,950
------- Public Hearing 20 41 days $5,540
------- Site Plan Review 171 6 days $1,250
--- Denied/Other 16 37 days $13,045
--- Open 12 NA $310
December 12 2 days $310 17
November 7 4 days $0 10
October 19 9 days $495 20
September 21 4 days $100 23
August 21 4 days $8,505 29
July 28 3 days $785 27
June 26 12 days $1,795 38
May 31 7 days $1,445 24
April 22 18 days $1,045 25
March 28 18 days $3,260 25
February 7 8 days $370 12
January 7 19 days $720 11
You can find agendas, minutes and legal notices at www.middletownplanning.com
If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please email your request to michiel.wackers@cityofmiddletown.com

No comments: