March 4, 2025 Zoning Subcommittee and Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing Meeting
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March 4, 2025 Zoning Subcommittee and Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing Meeting
The Common Council's Zoning Subcommittee and Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing held a joint meeting on March 4, 2025, starting at 6:46 PM. The Zoning Subcommittee conducted a public hearing and addressed eight zoning text and map amendments, all of which were referred to the full Council with recommendations. The Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing then considered two property agreements, also referred to the Council.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Shira Modernado (375 Farmington Avenue) spoke during the public hearing on Item No. 36714 (rezoning 331–375 Farmington Avenue from T to A-2 district). She expressed opposition to the proposed rezoning, citing concerns about increased traffic, parking congestion, and difficulty entering/exiting the existing 64-unit apartment building at 375 Farmington Avenue. She stated that adding another building would create more chaos on an already busy street.
Zoning Subcommittee Discussion and Votes
Item No. 36707 – Bright White Window Strung Rope Lights
Jeff Cormier, City Planner, presented the amendment to restrict excessively bright LED rope lights in windows (except in the CBD), citing safety concerns for drivers and pedestrians, and noting similar regulations in East Hartford and Bristol. Discussion included enforcement challenges, grandfathering existing lights, and potential adjustments based on business hours. The committee voted unanimously to refer the item to the Council with a favorable recommendation.
Item No. 36708 – Libraries, Art Galleries, Museums in RO District
Presented as a simple text change to allow these uses in the Residential Office district near Walnut Hill Park, where the Museum of American Art already exists. City Plan Commission recommended approval. The committee voted unanimously to refer with a neutral recommendation.
Item No. 36709 – Reduce Lot Coverage from 100% to 90% in I-2 District
Amendment to bring lot coverage into compliance with impervious surface requirements. City Plan recommended approval. Referred to Council with neutral recommendation.
Item No. 36710 – Drive-Through Use Regulations
New regulations establishing standards for vehicle stacking spaces (e.g., 8 spaces for restaurants), screening, and site design to avoid vehicle-pedestrian conflicts. City Plan recommended approval. Alderman Santiago clarified that existing drive-throughs would be grandfathered. Discussion on requiring traffic studies. Referred to Council with favorable recommendation.
Item No. 36711 – New CBD-R District
Creation of a Central Business District Residential zone to allow townhouses, two-family, and three-family uses in areas where residential uses are non-conforming. City Plan recommended approval. Referred to Council with neutral recommendation.
Item No. 36712 – Rezone at Clinton Street and Corbin Avenue
Changing S-2 and T districts to B-3 to conform to existing mixed-use buildings. City Plan recommended approval. Alderman Santiago noted the change made sense for the neighborhood. Referred to Council with neutral recommendation.
Item No. 36713 – Rezone to CBD-R in Three Areas
Changing outer portions of CBD to CBD-R to reduce non-conformities for existing residential properties. City Plan recommended approval. Alderman McNamara clarified this does not affect the tax district. Referred to Council with neutral recommendation.
Item No. 36714 – Rezone Farmington Avenue (331–375) to A-2
Changing the T district to A-2 to bring the 64-unit apartment building at 375 Farmington Avenue into compliance and allow redevelopment of city-owned parcels for senior housing (up to 24 units). City Plan recommended approval. Discussion addressed the need for senior housing, traffic studies, and parking standards (1 space per 3 units for elderly housing). The committee voted unanimously to refer with a neutral recommendation.
Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing Discussion and Votes
Item No. 36699 – Purchase and Sale Agreement for 25 Gilbert Street
Agreement for redevelopment of city-owned property to improve housing stock. City Plan Commission recommended a favorable report. The committee voted unanimously to refer to the full Council with a neutral recommendation.
Item No. 36723 – Conveyance of CT DOT Right-of-Way Parcels
Conveyance of 14 parcels along Route 72 and Route 9 to the city. City Plan Commission recommended a favorable report. The committee voted unanimously to refer to the full Council with a neutral recommendation.
Key Outcomes
- All eight zoning items from the Zoning Subcommittee were voted to be referred to the full Common Council, with recommendations as noted.
- Both items from the Planning, Zoning and Housing Committee were also referred to the full Council with neutral recommendations.
- The Zoning Subcommittee meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM; the Planning Committee meeting adjourned at 7:42 PM.
Note: The meeting agenda and transcript are consistent. No minutes were available.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. I'm gonna call to order the March 4th, 2025 zoning subcommittee public hearing and regular meeting. The time is now 646. Mr. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Alderman Simpson. Present. Alderman McNamara. Excuse. Say that again. Excuse. Alderman McNamara. Here. Alderman Melanowski. Here. Alderman Russell. Alderman Hargreaves. Alderman Barbosa. Alder Woman Savager. Alderman Connors. Alderman Gibson. Alderman Pabone. Orderwoman Sanchez. And Alderman Semely. Nine are present. You have a core. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And will you read uh please read into the record the notice of the public hearing? Mr. Chair. Alderman Santiago. Like to make a motion to waive the notice of the reading of the legal notice. Alrighty. Seconded by Alderman Russell. All in favor of waiving the reading, please say aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Motion carries. The reading is waived. So having been noticed properly, we will begin the public hearing. Please remember to state your name and address for the record and limit your speaking time to three minutes. The items for the public hearing are item number 36707 to amend sections of the zoning ordinances to address bright white window strong rope lights. So the mic is now on. If you could just state your name and address for the record, and your time is right here, three minutes. Okay, thank you. Yes, hi. My name is Shira Modernado. My address, 375 Farmington Avenue, New Britain. And what else do I have to say?
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