Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing Public Hearing and Regular Meeting - July 9, 2024

The Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing of the New Britain Common Council held a public hearing and regular meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 6:34 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall. The meeting was called to order with roll call, and the reading of the legal notice was waived by unanimous consent. The public hearing saw no speakers, and the regular meeting addressed two agenda items.

Public Hearing

• Item No. 36521 – Amendment to Fee Schedule for Zoning Permits: No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition.
• Item No. 36526 – Lease Agreement with Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) for the Beeline Multi-Modal Trail: No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition.

Discussion Items

• Item No. 36521 – Amendment to Fee Schedule in Chapter 7 (Zoning Permits): Alderman Hargraves moved to refer the resolution to the full Council with a neutral recommendation, seconded by Alderman Russell. Mr. Jack Benjamin, a city official, explained that the fee schedule had not been updated since 2014 and that the proposed increases were intended to catch up with inflation, increased advertising costs, and align with fees in other municipalities. He noted that fees in New Britain are currently about 50% of those in other municipalities and that the city aimed to keep them low to avoid barriers for homeowners. A question about a graduated fee system for homeowners versus developers was raised, but Mr. Benjamin indicated no such system was known and suggested it might not be legally defensible. No further discussion occurred.
• Item No. 36526 – Lease Agreement with CTDOT for Beeline Multi-Modal Trail: Alderman Malinowski moved to refer the resolution to the full Council with a favorable recommendation, seconded by Alderman McNamara. Alderman Santiago questioned why a lease is needed instead of outright land donation. Mr. Benjamin responded that the trail would run within CTDOT’s Route 72 right-of-way, and where possible, CTDOT has donated parcels, but in this case a lease is necessary because of the length and width of the right-of-way that CTDOT wishes to maintain. The City Plan Commission’s favorable recommendation was read into the record, noting that the project supports goals in the Plan of Conservation and Development, including expanding trail access, enhancing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and connecting to the 81-mile Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. Alderman Hargraves confirmed the lease is at no cost to the city.

Key Outcomes

• Item No. 36521: Motion to refer the fee schedule amendment to the full Council with a neutral recommendation carried unanimously (voice vote).
• Item No. 36526: Motion to refer the lease agreement to the full Council with a favorable recommendation carried unanimously (voice vote).
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:50 PM. No action was taken on the two tabled items listed on the agenda (loitering and panhandling ordinance amendments) as they were not discussed.