Planning & Zoning May Updates

Middletown Planning, Conservation & Development Newsletter- May 18, 2012

 

 

MEETINGS OF THE WEEK

 

Citizens’ Advisory Committee

Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 6:00 PM, Room 111

- 2012 CDBG Application Funding Allocations- Council Update

- Draft 2012 Annual Action Plan

 

Planning and Zoning Commission

Wednesday, May 23, 2012, 7:00 PM, Council Chamber

PUBLIC HEARINGS (when scheduled)  

- Proposed Special Exception to construct a three-family townhouse at 764 South Main Street in the

Multi-Family (M) Zone.  Applicant/agent Ted Charton  SE2012-5

OLD BUSINESS

- Modification of a previously approved Special Exception to construct thirty-eight (38) multi-family

dwellings units to be known as Jackson Commons located at 51 Jackson Street.  Applicant/agent

Steven Rocco SE2008-2

NEW BUSINESS 

- Proposed Special Exception for a Child Day Care for 9 – 12 years of age on Autism Spectrum located

at 100 Riverview Center.  Applicant/Agent Ryan Woods Autism Foundation Inc.  SE2012-7  P.H.

TO BE SCHEDULED

- Proposed Zoning Code text amendment to add Section 13.03.07 sheds, playscapes and other detached

accessory  structures. A  copy  of  the  proposed  text  is  on  file  in  the Office  of  the  Town Clerk. 

Applicant/agent  City  of  Middletown/Planning  and  Zoning  Dept.    Z2012-6    P.H.  TO  BE

SCHEDULED

 

 

RECENT COMMISSION ACTIONS (Unofficial results)

 

Planning and Zoning Commission

Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 7:00 PM, Council Chamber

DENIED- Special Exception for construction of a three (3) family dwelling located in the Multi-Family (M) zone on 939 Saybrook Road.  Applicant/agent Sebastian Caminito  SE2012-3

NEGATIVE REPORT- G.S. 8-24 Review for a proposed dog park and hiking trail improvement project at the Tynan Memorial Park on Higby Road.  Applicant/agent City of Middletown

 

 

Zoning Board of Appeals

Wednesday, May 3, 2012, 7:00 PM, Council Chamber

DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE- An appeal of a Cease & Desist Order issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer for violation of Sections 10.00, 10.01, 10.02, 10.03.01, 32 & 60 located at 14 Frazier Avenue.  Applicant/agent Atty. Edward Czaczkes & Middlesex Housing Limited Partnership. ZBA2012-3

 

 

Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency

Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 7:00 PM, Council Chamber

APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS- An application for excavation, filling, paving grading & building an industrial / warehouse within regulated area located at Anderson and Brush Hill Roads.Applicant/agent GHQ, Inc.   12-04

 

 

Planning and Zoning Commission

Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 7:00 PM, Council Chamber

PUBLIC HEARINGS            

APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS- Proposed Special Exception to construct a Bus Garage and Maintenance Facility in an IRA zone located at 80 Pease Avenue.  Applicant/agent Middletown Area Transit/Andy Chiaravallo    SE2012-2

APPROVED- Proposed Zoning Code text amendment to modify Section 32.02, to increase the minimum height in the (B-1) Central Business Zone to 35 feet.    A copy of the existing and proposed text is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.   Applicant/agent City of Middletown.  Z2012-1   

APPROVED- Proposed Zoning Code text amendment to add Section 32.05 for New Construction Requirements in the (B-1) Central Business Zone.    A copy of the existing and proposed text is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.  Applicant/agent City of Middletown.  Z2012-2   

APPROVED- Proposed Zoning Code text amendment to add Sections 33.06, 33.06.01, 33.06.02, 33.06.03, 33.06.04 and 33.07,Landscaping and Pedestrian Amenities in the (B-2) General Business Zone.    A copy of the existing and proposed text is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.   Applicant/agent City of Middletown.  Z2012-3.

APPROVED- Proposed Zoning Code  text amendment  to modify Sections 40.04.04, 40.04.15 and 40.04.19 by deleting parking  footnote.   A  copy of  the  existing  and proposed  text  is on  file  in  the Office of  the Town Clerk.   Applicant/agent City of Middletown. Z2012-4.

OLD BUSINESS

APPROVED- Request for a one (1) year extension of the Site Plan Approval for a construction of two (2) industrial buildings on the west side of Middle Street and south of Timber Ridge Road. Applicant/agent Members Only/Land Resource Consultants  SPR2007-31

NEW BUSINESS       

TABLED- Request for G.S. 8-24 Review for a proposed dog park and hiking trail improvement project at the Tynan Memorial Park on Higby Road.  Applicant/agent City of Middletown

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED MAY 9, 2012- Proposed Special Exception for construction of a three (3) family dwelling located in the Multi-Family (M) zone on 939 Saybrook Road.  Applicant/agent Sebastian Caminito  SE2012-3 

 

 

PERMIT ACTIVITY

 

                        2012 Apps       Review Time     Fees            2011 Apps       Review Time     Fees           

Year-to-Date            75              9 days          $3,726          220             11 days $20,615

--- Approved            52              10 days $2,210                         

------- Public Hearing  10              29 days $2,085

------- Site Plan Review        42              4 days          $125

--- Denied/Other        2               1 days          $0

--- Open                21              NA              $1,331.80

 

December                                                $               12              2 days          $310           

November                                                $               7               4 days          $0

October                                         $               19              9 days          $495   

September                                               $               21              4 days          $100   

August                                                  $               21              4 days          $8,505 

July                                                    $               28              3 days          $785   

June                                                    $               26              12 days $1,795 

May                                                     $               31              7 days          $1,445 

April                   13              2 days          $345            22              18 days $1,045

March                   42              5 days          $1,385          28              18 days $3,260 

February                9               6 days          $1,032          7               8 days          $370

January         11              15 days $805            7               19 days $720

 

 

 

You can find agendas, minutes and legal notices at www.middletownplanning.com

 

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Dog Park Proposal news

At it's March 20th regular meeting, the Conservation Commission heard a presentation from Common Council member Todd Berch about a dog park that Berch proposes for Tynan Park on Higby Road. After much discussion, the Commission ultimately voted not to support the location of the proposed dog park at Tynan. The Commission sent a letter of opinion to the Planning and Zoning Commission which is shown below in it's entirety. The P&Z will be the next group to hear the proposal. The next Planning and Zoning meeting is scheduled for April 11th, but the Agenda is not yet posted online so it is not clear when this will be on the agenda.

More information about Tynan Park and all of the City's open space lands can be found in the Middletown Trail Guide.

March 28, 2012

Richard Pelletier Chair, Planning and Zoning Commission

245 deKoven Drive, Suite 202

Middletown, CT 06457

Dear Mr. Pelletier and Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission,

I am writing concerning Councilman Berch's proposal for a dog park at Tynan Memorial Park, one of the city's conservation areas. Councilman Berch presented his proposal to the Conservation Commission at our meeting on March 20, 2012. Everyone agreed that the proposal was well thought out and researched; however, after careful deliberation the Conservation Commission voted that this location is not appropriate for a dog park. The primary reason for our vote against supporting the proposal is that having a dog park at Tynan would limit and restrict public access and use, as a significant part of the land would become unavailable to members of the public who are not dog owners and do not wish to use it as a dog park. Further, the experience of going to the park for passive recreation, its original intended use, would be changed forever once it is developed for use by dogs and their owners, making the park unsuitable for activities it is currently used for such as hiking and bird-watching.

Conservation Commission members believe that it is inappropriate to use designated Open Space Property for this type of use, and that a favorable decision on this proposal would set a bad precedent. In the past, there have been several occasions when a special use was proposed for part of a conservation area, including a proposal to create a therapeutic equine riding center. These proposals were rejected because they would create a limitation on the use of the land that would change the ability of the general public to enjoy it as open space. The Commission voted on the dog park proposal in a manner that remains consistent with such past decisions.

The Conservation Commission supports development of a dog park in the city, and has explored possible locations in the past. We would be very interested in working with Councilman Berch and others to investigate options and help locate a suitable site for a dog park.

We appreciate very much having the opportunity to hear Councilman Berch's presentation at our

meeting, and to provide comments to the Planning and Zoning Commission. consideration of our concerns.

Sincerely,

Jane L. Brawerman, Chair Middletown Conservation Commission

cc: Mayor Daniel T. Drew Councilman Todd Berch Members of the Common Council William Warner, Director of Planning, Conservation and Development