WORKSHOP SESSION MINUTES
A Workshop Session Meeting of the EAST HARTFORD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION was held in the Town Council Chambers, Town Hall, 740 Main Street, East Hartford, Connecticut on September 26, 2007.
The meeting was called to order at 5:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Anthony F. Kayser; Chairman;
Kathleen Salemi; Secretary;
John Grottole;
Paul J. Roczynski;
Thomas Fitzgerald;
John Ryan;
Travis Simpson; (Alternate)
Absent:
Elaine Carey; Vice-Chairman;
Peter Bonzani; Alternate
Also Present:
Michael Dayton, Town Planner
Jeanne Webb, Development Director
Lt. Todd Hanlon, East Hartford Police Department
Sandy Fry, Transportation Planner, CRCOG
Chris Ferrero, Principal, Ferrero Hixon Associates
Chairman Anthony Kayser declared a quorum present. Chairman Kayser stated that the Commission would be voting with six members.
* * *
Review of Correspondence from Attorney Leone regarding 700-710 Silver Lane
Commission agreed to discuss this item under Miscellaneous.
NEW BUSINESS
Panel Discussion Regarding Silver Lane Corridor Study and Long Range Plan of Development Goals and Objectives.
A. Michael Dayton, Town Planner, gave a presentation which focused on:
· Current zoning along Silver Lane
· Current approved development projects
· Potential development sites
· Land use recommendations from 2003 Plan of Conservation and Development
A discussion followed regarding inconsistent zoning along Silver Lane, specifically the I-2 and I-3 zones. Staff made recommendations to the Commission to consider consolidating curb cuts, rezoning the stadium from I-3 to DDD-1, and consolidating the B-1A and B-1 Zones.
It was the consensus of the Commission to move forward to address the conflicts in zoning as discussed above.
B. Lt. Todd Hanlon, East Hartford Police Department, gave a presentation which focused on:
· Traffic Accidents along Silver Lane:
o Lt. Hanlon focused his study of traffic accidents on the area from Mercer Avenue to Forbes Street. He stated that during the period from 8/1/05 to 8/9/07, 46% of the accidents on Silver Lane occurred between Mercer Avenue and Roberts Street.
· Traffic Access Management Plans
o Lt. Hanlon outlined the following areas of concern:
i. Increase in pedestrian traffic during Stadium events – for example, when exiting the Stadium area to Willow Street, he stated that, due to the lack of sidewalks, pedestrians must walk on the roadway, thereby hindering the flow of automobile traffic.
ii. With the opening of Cabela’s, increased development of Rentschler Field and additional events at the stadium, he expressed concern for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, which will also increase.
iii. Need to improve pedestrian safety by repairing, improving and installing sidewalks east from the Mobil station to Forbes Street.
iv. More shared parking lots to reduce the number of curb cuts along Silver Lane.
v. Improve street lighting along Silver Lane from Route 15 exit ramp to Forbes Street intersection.
vi. Signage improvements.
Sidewalk improvements along Silver Lane were discussed, in addition to the responsibility and costs for repairs and installation of them.
B. Sandy Fry, Transportation Planner, Capitol Region Council Of Governments gave her comments and recommendations to the Commission, which focused on:
· Current lack of pedestrian “walk-ability” on Silver Lane – recommended sidewalks on both sides of Silver Lane.
· “Walk-ability” is enhanced with a grid street system. People have to go out of their way on a non-grid system.
· Intersection of Silver Lane and Roberts Street is not good for bicyclists – recommended wider turn radii at intersections, bike lanes/shoulder lanes or pathways.
· Low traffic volumes or low speed supports bicyclists on the street.
· The existing bike trail from Manchester is scheduled to be connected from Forbes (parallel to I-84) to Simmons Road, then pass through and around the Stadium property, onto Willow Street, then to Main Street, passing alongside Route 2 to the Riverfront Trail.
· She suggested that the Town consider preserving space for bicyclists during the development of the Silver Lane Corridor.
D. Chris Ferrero, Principal, Ferrero Hixon Associates, gave an overview of landscaping options for Silver Lane:
· Currently, Silver Lane is similar to Silas Deane Highway and Berlin Turnpike.
· Need to closely analyze the study data provided by Harrell Michelowski.
· Town needs to decide what they would like the final Silver Lane to look like.
· Need to have a guide book with a master plan tied to Zoning Regulations and Plan of Development and Conservation including short term and long term goals.
· Access Management – Silver Lane has too many driveways – recommended rear lot connections between businesses with one curb cut per lot.
· Need to de-centralize traffic patterns.
E. Jeanne Webb, Development Director, Presentation Summary
· Vacant Sites – long process – 15 year.
· Try to deal with development issues now.
· Need direction as to what we want, i.e., cluster/village oriented development, big box retail.
· Town needs to look at traffic calming and pedestrian/bicyclist safety issues.
· Expressed gratitude to the panelists for their efforts in assisting us in the study of the Silver Lane Corridor.
* * *
MISCELLANEOUS
A. Review of Correspondence from Attorney Leone regarding 700-710 Silver Lane
It was the consensus of the Commission not to provide direction on a text amendment to the Zoning Regulations to allow automobile-oriented restaurants in a B-1-A Zone.
B. Review of a request for a workshop from Attorney Williams regarding the possibility of text amendment to the distance requirements from schools to gasoline stations.
It was the consensus of the Commission not to hold a workshop or provide direction on a text amendment to Section 223 of the Zoning Regulations to reduce the distance requirements from schools to gasoline stations.
* * *
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kathleen Salemi, Secretary
Town Planning & Zoning Commission
KS/mc
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