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2014-04-14 Page 1 TOWN OF BERLIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 BERLIN TOWN HALL ROOM 7 7:00 P.M. APPROVED MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: David Cyr, Chairman Ed Egazarian, Vice- Chairman Robert Sisti, Treasurer Michael Baczewski Steven McLarty Peter Campanelli Others: Sean Taylor STAFF: James Mahoney, Economic Development Director Chairman Cyr called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. 1.AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS 2.APPROVAL OF MARCH 10 REGULAR MEETING AND MARCH 20 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Motion by Mr. Egazarian, seconded by Mr. McLarty to approve the minutes of the March 10 Regular Meeting. The minutes were approved unanimously. Motion by Mr. Egazarian, seconded by Mr. Campanelli to approve the minutes of the March 20 Special Meeting. The minutes were approved unanimously. 3.FINANCIAL REPORT The finances for the fiscal year are on track except the promotion funds are depleted. 4.FY 2014 BUDGET The budget referendum is April 29. 5.POCD- DISCUSSION OF ZONING AMENDMENTS  The Commission discussed the proposed zoning text and map amendments including the added changes that were made by Mr. Mahoney in concert with Mr. Chalder. The Commission endorsed moving Page 2 forward to propose the proposed zoning map and text changes with the following modifications: i.Section 1 – Make the requirements more flexible for smaller projects; keep the proposed standards for new construction. We don’t want to discourage incremental improvements to existing buildings. ii.Section 2 - In the Village Core Areas 1 & 2 of the Kensington Overlay Zone, require a minimum lot area of .5 aces (excluding wetlands and flood plain) for multi-family above first floor commercial. Provide that the allowed multi-family density will be prorated by rounding down to the nearest 0.1 acre. Eliminate the affordable housing requirement in the Kensington Overlay Zone. iii.Sections 3, 4, 5 – Agree with sections as amended. iv.TEDS sections - Agree with sections as amended. 6.HOUSING INCENTIVE ZONE STUDY/ TRAIN STATION AREA The new proposal for Core Area 1 may qualify as a housing incentive zone, if approved. 7.PROMOTION The awards event was held on April 2 at the Baltic. About 90 people attended. The Governor cam and received an award. All went well. Work is proceeding on the brochure update. 8.INCENTIVE PROGRAMS The tax abatement application from Sirois Tool was approved. 9.GRANTS  The plan is that the State will take over administration of the Train station renovation project and incorporate it into their up and over and parking lot expansion project. We have expanded the Michael Baker contract to prepare bid documents for spring bidding. The paperwork is in process for the second STEAP grant. We developed a plan for underground wiring at the station with one pole at the rear of the site. The wiring will initially be overhead and then will be put underground when the Town constructs the boulevard to the Train Station.  Loureiro Engineering Group has completed the revised Remedial Action Plan and Engineered Control Variance application. These are being reviewed by staff before they are submitted to DEEP. We engaged Jacunski Humes to prepare the 889 demo specifications. Eagle Environmental performed additional soil testing related to the hazardous materials abatement portion of the demo project and provided the hazardous materials portion of the demo spec.  The Town Council approved the concept plan for phase II of Berlin Veterans Memorial Park on October 29. We receive the borings report and this is under staff review. The sign was installed by Sign Lite. Page 3  Façade Program – We are continuing to meet with prospective applicants. The application for the Subway building at 1224 Farmington Avenue was approved by P&Z and the Town Council and the grant agreement is executed. Colvest’s site plan revision and facade improvements for 1073 Farmington Avenue were approved by P&Z. We used architectural design services from the Façade Program to assist this project but the property owner is not applying for a façade grant.  Streetscape – We have received a revised concept plan from Luchs and we have been meeting with property owners and businesses on the block. A public information meeting for this project is scheduled for April 29 at 7 PM at the Library.  Train Station Boulevard – The State awarded a $500,000 grant to fund this project.  The Commission decided to propose that staff apply for another Main Street Grant to fund additional streetscape improvements on the Main Street block between New Britain Road and Farmington Avenue, and immediately adjacent areas. 10.DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION  Work has started on the Depot Crossing project.  CCRPA will be doing a survey of businesses and property owners in the Farmington Avenue area.  The Gateway Sign bid was awarded to Creative Sign Designs. Contract paperwork is in process. There are details that we will discuss with the Commission before moving forward. 11.DISCUSSION OF OLD SAYBROOK DESIGN MANUAL 12.LEGISLATION 13.PUBLIC RELATIONS 14.DISCUSSION OF RESTARTING BERLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Commission decided to take no action concerning the New Britain/Berlin Chamber and Restarting the Berlin Chamber. 15.POCD ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE 16.DIRECTOR’S REPORT 17.OTHER MATTERS 18.ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Campanelli, seconded by Mr. McLarty at 9:30 PM. The motion passed by unanimous vote.