New Britain Zoning Subcommittee & Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing Meeting – October 22, 2024

The New Britain Common Council held a combined Zoning Subcommittee public hearing and special meeting followed by a Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing public hearing and special meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meetings addressed four zoning text amendments and one zoning map amendment, as well as a proposed ordinance establishing a naming procedure for city-owned buildings. All items were ultimately referred to the full Common Council with neutral or unfavorable recommendations.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Zoning Subcommittee (Items 36582–36585): No members of the public spoke during the public hearing. The hearing was closed after no speakers were identified.
• Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing (Item 36594): One speaker, Gail Connolly (2200 Stanley Street), spoke against the proposed ordinance to establish a procedure for naming city-owned or controlled buildings. She argued that the Board of Education already has a clear policy (3515.10) for naming school buildings and that the council should not interfere. She also questioned the timing of the proposal following the renaming of the Butler building and suggested the council instead provide oversight of the School Building Committee’s multi‑million dollar projects.

Discussion Items

1. Item 36582 – Amendment to Zoning Ordinances: Municipal Parking District

• Presentation: Jack Benjamin, Director of Planning and Development, and Jeff Cormier, City Planner, explained that the amendment would expand the municipal parking district to allow shared parking arrangements and waive off‑street parking requirements for commercial uses in the district. The change is intended to promote development and utilize underutilized parking lots. The City Plan Commission recommended approval.
• Discussion: Alderman Smedley moved to add a textual amendment requiring that a subsequent user who changes or extends the use must provide off‑street parking per the new standards. The amendment passed unanimously. Alderman McNamara and Alderwoman Beloin Savedra clarified that the amendment does not impose new obligations on homeowners or add parking meters. Alderwoman Barbosa asked about enforcement; Mr. Benjamin noted shared parking agreements must be recorded on land records. Alderwoman Scott questioned why parking minimums were reduced to 0.75 spaces per unit (previously 1.0); Mr. Cormier explained this was a correction from a change made two years ago.
• Key Outcome: Motion to refer Item 36582 back to the full Common Council with a neutral recommendation as amended passed unanimously.

2. Item 36583 – Amendment to Zoning Ordinances: Grading and Excavation Requirements

• Presentation: Jeff Cormier presented new regulations for grading and excavation. Currently, no standalone regulations exist; the state threshold is half an acre. The amendment would require a zoning permit for any grading exceeding 25 cubic yards, with an erosion and sedimentation control plan. Over 50 cubic yards would require City Plan Commission approval. Exemptions include routine gardening and construction erosion control plans. The City Plan Commission recommended approval.
• Discussion: Alderman McNamara noted that the ordinance fills a gap in addressing drainage and flooding issues. Alderwoman Scott expressed appreciation for efforts to mitigate flooding.
• Key Outcome: Motion to refer Item 36583 back to the full Common Council with a neutral recommendation passed unanimously.

3. Item 36584 – Amendment to Zoning Ordinances: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

• Presentation: Jack Benjamin explained that the amendment simply relocates existing safeguards for ADUs from Section 230 (Supplemental Regulations) to Section 270 (Special Exception Uses) to place them in the correct location. The City Plan Commission recommended approval. He defined ADUs as “in‑law apartments” attached to single‑family homes.
• Discussion: Alderwoman Beloin Savedra confirmed the change does not alter language. Alderwoman Scott asked if it helps create more housing; Mr. Benjamin affirmed it does, noting the city adopted its own ADU ordinance 18 months ago to avoid the state’s broader default rules.
• Key Outcome: Motion to refer Item 36584 back to the full Common Council with a neutral recommendation passed unanimously.

4. Item 36585 – Amendment to Official Zoning Map: Expand Municipal Parking District

• Presentation: Jack Benjamin presented the map amendment to expand the municipal parking district north of Broad Street and North Street, and south of Whiting Street. The expansion captures existing municipal parking areas and underutilized lots for shared parking. The City Plan Commission recommended approval.
• Discussion: Alderman McNamara asked how the expansion area was determined; Mr. Benjamin explained it was based on structures built to lot lines and locations with underutilized parking opportunities.
• Key Outcome: Motion to refer Item 36585 back to the full Common Council with a neutral recommendation passed unanimously.

5. Motions to Remove Tabled Items (36538, 36540, 36551) – Zoning Subcommittee

• Procedural Motions: Alderman Malinowski moved to remove items 36538, 36540, and 36551 from the table. Corporation Counsel advised that these items were tabled at a previous meeting and could be removed by a majority vote, though a two‑thirds vote might be needed to amend the agenda. After debate, roll‑call votes were held on each item.
• Key Outcome: All three motions to remove items from the table failed on roll‑call votes (7 no, 6 yes).

6. Item 36594 – Amendment to Code of Ordinances: Procedure for Naming City‑Owned Buildings – Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing

• Presentation: The resolution would establish a procedure for naming or renaming any city‑owned or controlled building or facility.
• Discussion: Alderman McNamara spoke against, arguing it interferes with the Board of Education’s autonomy. Alderwoman Barbosa provided historical context concerning the 2012 closure of the dual language program at DiLoreto School, which she said was supported by Alderwoman Beloin Savedra, and questioned the motives behind the naming ordinance. Alderwoman Sanchez shared a personal anecdote about her son being affected by that program change. Alderwoman Scott stated the Board of Ed is fully capable and that the timing is suspect.
• Key Outcome: A motion to refer Item 36594 to the full Common Council with an unfavorable recommendation (made by Alderman McNamara, seconded by Alderman Connors) failed on a voice vote. The item remains on the agenda as unfinished business. The meeting then adjourned.

Key Outcomes

• Items 36582, 36583, 36584, and 36585 were each referred to the full Common Council with neutral recommendations. The first item was amended by adding language about subsequent users providing off‑street parking.
• Three attempts to remove previously tabled items (36538, 36540, 36551) from the table failed by a 7‑6 roll‑call vote.
• Item 36594 (naming procedure) received a motion to refer with an unfavorable recommendation, which failed. No action was taken, and the item remains on the agenda.
• The Zoning Subcommittee meeting adjourned at 7:01 PM. The Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM.