New Britain Zoning Subcommittee and Planning Committee Meeting - September 22, 2025
New Britain Zoning Subcommittee and Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing Meeting - September 22, 2025
The meeting convened at 6:34 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall, with a quorum present. The session began with a public hearing for the Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing on item 36913, followed by the Zoning Subcommittee public hearing and special meeting on five zoning text amendments (items 36881–36885). After the Zoning Subcommittee adjourned, the Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing reconvened for a public hearing and special meeting on two additional items (36912 and 36913). All public hearings had no speakers. All items were referred to the full Common Council with a neutral recommendation.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during any of the public hearings.
Discussion Items — Zoning Subcommittee
Item 36881: Zoning Amendment to Allow Day Care Facilities in Certain Districts
- City Planner Jeff Cormier presented the amendment, which updates antiquated regulations to permit daycare facilities (12+ children) in B1, B1R, B2, B3, and TOD districts, aligning with state classifications. The City Plan Commission recommended approval, noting the need for child care and utilization of underused buildings.
- Alderwoman Beloin Savedra moved to refer to the council with a neutral recommendation; seconded by Alderman Pabone. The motion carried unanimously.
Item 36882: Zoning Amendment for Fences in CBD and Historic Districts
- Mr. Cormier explained the amendment clarifies fence height in the I-1 district, adds CBDR district regulations, limits corner lot side-yard fence height to 4 feet for visibility, and prohibits silver/vinyl chain link fences in historic districts and CBD front yards. Vacant lots are now subject to the same standards. The City Plan Commission recommended approval.
- Alderman Santiago moved to refer with a neutral recommendation; seconded by Alderwoman Beloin Savedra. The motion carried unanimously.
Item 36883: Zoning Amendment to Adjust Lot Coverage in A-2, I-3, and TOD Districts
- The amendment increases building coverage ratios to better balance impervious coverage and reduce excessive parking. For example, A-2 lot coverage rises from 30% to 50% (impervious remains 75%). The City Plan Commission recommended approval.
- Discussion clarified that the amendment does not alter previously passed pervious surface requirements. Alderman Pabone asked about enforcement, which is triggered by site plan review or complaints. Alderwoman Barbosa inquired about accessory dwelling unit (ADU) parking; Mr. Cormier confirmed ADUs require a separate parking space via special exception. Alderman Hargraves asked about potential state preemption of parking minimums; the city planner noted any such legislation would supersede local rules.
- Alderwoman Beloin Savedra moved to refer with a neutral recommendation; seconded by Alderman Santiago. The motion carried unanimously.
Item 36884: Zoning Amendment for Mechanical Screening in Industrial Districts
- The amendment exempts the I-1 district (John Downey Drive) from rooftop mechanical screening requirements, but retains screening for I-2 and I-3 districts adjacent to residential uses. The City Plan Commission recommended approval, citing cost savings for industrial businesses while protecting nearby residences.
- Alderman Santiago questioned the exemption given walkability improvements in the area; Mr. Cormier noted the large building scale and burden. Alderman McNamara confirmed flexibility in screening materials.
- Alderman Santiago moved to refer with a neutral recommendation; seconded by Alderwoman Beloin Savedra. The motion carried unanimously.
Item 36885: Zoning Amendment for Off-Street Parking — Maximum Driveway Width and Tandem Parking
- The amendment limits curb cuts to 40% of the lot frontage (max 20 feet in residential districts) and allows tandem parking only within the same residential unit to prevent conflicts. Existing non-conforming parking is grandfathered. The City Plan Commission recommended approval.
- No further discussion; the motion to refer with a neutral recommendation, made by Alderman Santiago and seconded by Alderman Russell, carried unanimously.
Discussion Items — Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing
Item 36912: Acceptance of Permanent Easement for Traffic Signal Equipment — Myrtle Street Complete Street Project
- Mr. Cormier read the City Plan Commission’s positive recommendation, noting the project aligns with the Complete Streets Master Plan.
- Alderwoman Beloin Savedra moved to refer with a neutral recommendation; seconded by Alderman Russell. The motion carried unanimously.
Item 36913: Purchase and Sale Agreement with RMS Companies and Heritage Housing Inc. for 125 Columbus Boulevard ($500,000)
- The City Plan Commission recommended a favorable report, citing the site’s designation for high-density residential redevelopment in the Plan of Conservation and Development.
- Alderwoman McAdam (or designee) moved to accept and refer with a neutral recommendation; seconded by Alderwoman Beloin Savedra. The motion carried unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All seven agenda items were referred to the full Common Council with a neutral recommendation. For each item, the motion passed unanimously with no opposed votes.
- The public hearings for the Committee on Planning, Zoning and Housing (items 36913 and 36912) and the Zoning Subcommittee (items 36881–36885) each had no public speakers.
- The meeting adjourned at 7:28 PM.
Meeting Transcript
We'll begin shortly. The time is now six thirty four p.m. And when he's ready, I'll ask the clerk to call the roll. Good evening. Alderman Simpson present Alderwoman Scott here, Alderwoman McAdam, Alderman McNamara here, Alderman Malinowski, Alderman Russell, here, Alderman Hargreaves, Alderwoman Barbosa, Alderwoman Beloin Savedra, Alderman Connors, Alderman Gibson, Alderman Pabone, Alderwoman Sanchez, Alderman Santiago, Alderman Smedley, 11 present. You have a corn. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Reading of the legal notice. I'll entertain a motion. Mr. Chairman. Alderman Simpson. I'd like to make a motion to wave the reading. The motion wave the reading of the legal notice. Second. Second Hargraves. All in favor? Having been noticed proper having been noticed properly, we'll begin this public hearing. If anybody wishes to speak, or you state your name and address for the record, and your speaking time is three minutes, so I'll call it out. The item uh public comments are being heard tonight on the purchase and sales agreement with RMS companies and heritage housing for 125 Columbus Boulevard for 500,000 dollars. Does anybody wish to speak on this matter? Does anybody wish to speak? Third time, anybody hearing none? Uh do we have remote? Currently, not currently. Okay, thank you. You're trying to get it going. Or you're trying to check it. Yeah. Okay. So I'll wait a minute or so. Anybody calling in, Mr. Clerk? No, member. Hearing none. Um I'm going to uh entertain a motion to adjourn this public hearing. Hello. Alderman Savedra and Alderman Hargraves. All those in favor? Aye. Thank you. The committee meeting will begin shortly. All righty. Good evening, everybody. I call to order the September twenty-second, twenty twenty-five zoning subcommittee public hearing and special meeting to order. The time is now six thirty-eight p.m. Mr. Clerk, whenever you're ready, would you please call the roll? Good evening again.
openpublica.com