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PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
For copies
of the previous minutes please contact Sally Johnson at
Phone: 203-854-7810 x 6778 or Email sjohnson@norwalkct.org
CITY OF NORWALK
PLANNING COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 6, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Rev. Phyllis Bolden, Chair; Douglas Hempstead; Carvin Hilliard; William Krummel; Kelly Straniti; Andrew Conroy (7:35 p.m.); Laurel Lindstrom (7:45 p.m.); Amanda Brown (7:50 p.m.)
STAFF: Timothy Sheehan, Executive Director; Jack Burritt (Assistant Executive Director; Michael Moore, Senior Community Development Project Manager
Rev. Bolden called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the Planning Committee.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public who wished to speak this evening.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 17, 2007 – Special Meeting
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES
Mr. Krummel requested that the minutes be labeled either regular or special.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
October 1, 2007 – Special Meeting
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES
Mr. Burritt’s name was moved to “staff”.
Page 8 – correct spelling of Gault
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
October 4, 2007 – Regular Meeting
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
October 24, 2007 – Special Meeting
** MS. STRANITI MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Mr. Krummel complemented Ms. Schroeder for providing such detailed minutes.
Mr. Conroy joined the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
BUSINESS
A. Norwalk Brownfields Initiative
License agreement for Subsurface Investigation – Webster Block Parking Area (55 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. ) and the South Norwalk Train Station Parking Area (30 Monroe Street)
Mr. Moore reviewed the background information that was provided to all Committee members in their packets. He said that the assessment would help them understand how to remediate the site. Mr. Hempstead pointed out that the old railroad stations are very problematic.
Mr. Krummel asked if there were any concerns that there is anything hazardous to people using the lot. Mr. Moore said that they do not know; the site is currently covered by a parking lot. Mr. Krummel asked if they have to go through a competitive bid process to select the consultant. Mr. Moore said that they already did that. They had responses from 12 firms.
Mr. Burritt said that there was a comprehensive planning study undertaken four years ago for the Webster Street block analyzing the parking needs. The process went through so many projects that the decision was made to temporarily put the study on hold. Mr. Hempstead said that his impression was that there was a lot of opposition to the plan.
Ms. Lindstrom joined the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Mr. Burritt said that by going forward with the testing they would be able to identify issues. Before they do more on the planning phase, they need to develop intelligence about the site for future development.
** MR. HEMPSTEAD MOVED TO APPROVE THE ITEM
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Community Development Block Grant Program
Program Year 34 – Preparations for Annual Allocation Process
Mr. Moore read his written report. He reviewed the accomplishments for program year 32. They are in the process of drafting a work agreement between HUD and the City of Norwalk. Mr. Brown requested an explanation of the relationship between the City and HUD.
Mr. Hempstead and Mr. Hilliard both said that they would once again be interested in serving on the Review Committee.
Mr. Moore described the homeownership assistance program.
C. Master Plan of Conservation & Development
Review and Discussion
Mr. Sheehan asked the Committee members to “red line” any areas of concern in the Master Plan of Conservation and Development and provide those to him. He will then bring those items to the Committee for a vote so that they can issue a finalized document.
Mr. Krummel said that the old Committee voted unanimously to accept the plan. Mr. Hempstead said that he had to understand that the term of those Committee members ended. This is a new Committee and they are at square one. Mr. Hilliard said that he agreed with Mr. Hempstead; this is a new Committee and it would not be fair for the new Committee members to not have any input.
Ms. Brown said that if the minutes were approved, then the deeds were approved. She said that she did not believe they should be scratching the hard work that was done by the former Committee. Ms. Brown said that the charter specifics a process and as long as it is followed it is ok. Ms. Brown said that it would be intelligent to review old notes.
Rev. Bolden suggested that Committee members read the minutes from July to this point because they would bring them up to speed. She said that taking this new approach will be beneficial and will bring about faster changes.
** MR. KRUMMEL MOVED THAT THE WORK OF THE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE IN IDENTIFYING AND SUGGESTING CHANGES BE KEPT BEFORE THIS COMMITTEE AS THEY GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
Mr. Hempstead suggested that the staff provide copies of the motions to the Committee members. He added that they could not go forward with a motion without suspending the rules. He said that Rev. Bolden is going about this process in a very organized fashion.
** MR. KRUMMEL WITHDREW HIS MOTION
Mr. Al Raymond, President Spring Hill Neighborhood Association said that he wanted to be sure that the concerns that were brought up in the past would be addressed. Mr. Hilliard stressed that the Common Councilmembers can address any issues or concerns and individual may have.
Mr. Hempstead requested that the Staff provide the new members of the Committee with an explanation about affordable housing. Ms. Brown asked if the Agency had a beginners packet. Rev. Bolden said that this staff is very accommodating. Mr. Hempstead suggested doing a Saturday morning bus tour so that the staff could provide updates to everyone.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS
Rev. Bolden welcomed all of the new members to the Committee and thanked the staff.
The Committee members wished Rev. Bolden a happy birthday and sang to her.
ADJOURNMENT
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemarie Lombardi
Telesco Secretarial Services
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