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2002/11/04 TOWN OF BERLIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF MONDAY NOVEMBER 4 2002 MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Thomas Stregowskl Chairman Edward Egazanan Ronald Stack Jim Mahoney Economic Development Director Juhet Benjamin Secretary Lawrence Slembab MEMBERS EXCUSED Richard Hans Mitchell Unghlre John Garoyan GUESTS Mr Dennis Bltzaya Developer James Ripper Esq Julle Welsberg Berhn Citizen Chairman Stregowskl called the meeting to order at 7 00 P M 1 AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS Attorney Ripper discussed a submitted text change proposed to the Berhn Zoning Regulations regarding a change in density to the CCD 1 Zone The proposed change to the Zoning Regulations would change the maximum allowable density with respect to adult housing (55 & over) within the CCD 1 Zone There are approximately five areas in town that are zoned CCD 1 Attorney Ripper noted that the requested change would be consistent with the housing density found at Kensington Woods and Prentice Place Condominiums The maximum density of ten units of adult housing per acre is proposed for the CCD 1 Zone He also felt that an over 55 condominium development would be a tax advantage to the town because of the lesser strain to pubhc services such as schools and police 2 MINUTES OF MONDAY~ OCTOBER 7~ 2002 Commissioner Stack MOVED to accept the Minutes of Monday October 7 2002 as written SECONDED by Commissioner Slembab & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 3 FINANCIAL REPORT 2 Economic Development Commission 11/4/2002 Dlr Mahoney noted that the submitted budget is current and everything seems to be on track After review Commmsloner Egazanan MOVED to accept the budget as presented SECONDED by Commmsloner Slembab & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 4 PROMOTION New Brochure - Dlr Mahoney noted that he needs only one photo release and the brochure will be ready for production Chamber of Commerce publication advertisement - Dlr Mahoney stated that the Chamber seems to be dmng well with 1ts campaign for advertmement space in the Member Directory/Town Grade Seasonal Party with Chamber of Commerce - Dlr Mahoney noted that a Hohday Party sponsored by the Economic Development Commmslon and the Chamber of Commerce m planned for Dec 12 at the Hawthorne Inn After dmcusslon Commmsloner Stack MOVED to approve the funding of $600 for the Hohday Party SECONDED by Commmsloner Slembab & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 5 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANt PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT UPDATE 6 Status of Plan - Dlr Mahoney stated that the Plan of Conservation and Development Committee would meet this Wednesday Nov 61 to discuss the Implementation Plan of the POC&D Copies of the draft plan will be sent to concerned parties i e Town Council Conservation Commission Park & Recreation Commission etc for review before adoption Zoning Recommendations - An reformation session will be held this Thursday Nov 71 at 7 00 P M and notices have been sent to concerned individuals There are approximately thirty eight areas containing about three hundred parcels recommended for change Dlr Mahoney noted that regulations on slgnage need to be clarified and a public hearing will be scheduled on signage regulations Dlr Mahoney expects that a second informational meeting will be held on the zoning changes in January with a Pubhc Hearing in February or March INCENTIVE PROGRAMS Berlin Steel Application Dlr Mahoney noted that the Town Council has approved the Berhn Steel apphcatlon 93 Deming Road Dlr Mahoney reviewed the apphcatlon from the owners of 93 Demlng Road for tax abatement A letter from Charles R Parsons principal of Clarion Construction Management LLC states that Clarion and Vanguard Flooring LLC will occupy 4 820 SF of the 9 220 SF building and the remaining 4 400 SF will be leased to a future tenant 93 Demlng Rd LLC plans $325 000 in renovations to the building which is estimated to result in an increase of $162 500 in assessed value or one half of the cost of renovation Dlr Mahoney is proposing a three year 3 Economic Development Commission 11/4/2002 7 tax abatement of 50 / of the real property taxes in year 1 40 / in year 2 and 30 / in year 3 After discussion Commissioner Stack MOVED to approve the requested tax abatement and forward the request to Town Council for their approval SECONDED by Commissioner Slembab & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED FARMINGTON AVENUE GHBDC Contract Extension Dlr Mahoney noted that the contract for extension of the Greater Hartford Business & Loan Assoc for servicing accounts for the Farmmgton Ave Loan Program is in process Underpass Project - Dlr Mahoney noted the informational session was held on Oct 301 and was attended by approximately thirty people He stated that the road will be lowered and the tracks raised There will be three lanes with walkways on each side and increased drainage provided He understands that the road will be kept open throughout the project which should take about two and a half years to complete 8 EPA BROWNFIELDS REVOLVING LOAN FUND GRANT AND SITE ASSESSMENT - An apphcatlon for assistance with environmental assessments has been fried for the town owned property on Massirio Dr and Farmmgton Ave Dlr Mahoney expects to hear something regarding this request by the end of November 9 CONTRACT SERVICES Dlr Mahoney noted that he had nothing new to report on this item 10 BERLIN TURNPIKE NAME CHANGE SIGNS Commissioner Egazarlan stated that some signs along the turnpike have been changed 11 SMALL TOWN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM {STEAP} - HERITAGE CROSSING SENIOR APARTMENT PROJECT (/ FORMER KENSINGTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL & TOWN CENTER Dlr Mahoney stated that the Town has received approval of funding from the State of Connecticut for the Town Center project The grant for the Heritage Crossing Senior Apartment Assisted Living ProJect is still in place and will be going to the contract stage soon 12 BUSINESS VISITS Dlr Mahoney stated that he had nothing to report of this item 13 LEGISLATION Dlr Mahoney had nothing new to report on this item 14 DIRECTOR S REPORT 4 Economic Development Commission 11/4/2002 Dir Mahoney noted that most of the items in his report were discussed during the meeting 15 OTHER MATTERS Referral of zoning matter from the Planning and Zoning Commission Dlr Mahoney noted that the Commission is being asked by the Planning & Zoning Commission to render an opinion regarding the proposed changes to the zoning regulations Dlr Mahoney stated that the proposed change would create the potential for increased adult housing in the CCD 1 zones These projects would have a positive fiscal impact on the Town After discussion Commissioner Egazarlan made a MOTION to support the proposed change to the CCD 1 Zone for Planning & Zoning Commission approval SECONDED by Commissioner Stack & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED Consideration of the activation of the Sportsman s Well A proposal for professional services for preparation of a Level A Aquifer map for the Woodlawn Road Well site was enclosed in the agenda packet for the Commissioners review Dlr Mahoney noted that the Town Council will be considering the proposal for mapping of the well site and he would recommend the Commission s support for the mapping work After discussion Commissioner Stack MOVED to support the preparation of Level A Aquifer mapping as presented SECONDED by Commissioner Egazarlan Commissioner Slembab abstained from the vote MOTION CARRIED Schedule of Meetings for 2003 - Commissioners reviewed the proposed schedule of meeting dates for next year After review Commissioner Egazarlan MOVED to approve the proposed schedule of meetings for 2003 as presented SECONDED by Commissioner Stack & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED 16 ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Egazarlan MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8 10 P M SECONDED by Commissioner Stack & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED Respectfully submitted Juhet K Benjamin Secretary