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.

The entire report can be found at: http://www.middletownplanning.com/documents/MStat_Report_Jan2012.pdf

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.

The entire report can be found at: http://www.middletownplanning.com/documents/2011_FutureofMiddletown_Results.pdf

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

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