Planning, Zoning & Wetlands Division
Office of Development & Planning
111 Union Street, 2nd Floor
New London, CT 06320
Phone 860-437-6379
Fax 860-437-4467
Harry A. Smith, AICP
City Planner
hsmith@ci.new-london.ct.us
Michelle A. Johnson, CAZEO
Zoning/ Wetlands Enforcement Officer
mjohnson@ci.new-london.ct.us
Shelly Briscoe
Land Use Assistant
sbriscoe@ci.new-london.ct.us
GENERAL-
The Planning and Zoning Division is responsible for an increasingly broad range of regulatory functions, project management and planning projects. Staff are specifically responsible for administering and enforcing the City's Zoning Regulations, Subdivision Regulations and the coastal management program.
Division staff presently provide administrative and technical assistance to the Planning & Zoning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW-
This Division is responsible for reviews (including production of written reports) regarding compliance of every application made to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and the Conservation Commission (Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency) with all of the applicable land use regulations (Zoning, Subdivision, and Inland Wetlands Regulations). Other related responsibilities include the timely maintenance and processing of all administrative paperwork related to the processing and review of applications (legal ads. agendas, minutes, documentation regarding Commissions/Board actions).
INFORMATION-
Other responsibilities include researching and providing information to City staff and officials, real estate and mortgage brokers, lawyers, potential applicants/developers, media, and the general public regarding the applicability of the land use regulations to particular properties and the land use regulation application process in general as well as demographic statistics and development activity.
REGULATION REVIEW-
Staff is also responsible for working with the Planning and Zoning Commission on revisions to the land use regulations, including the preparation of Commission initiated amendments. In the past year revisions to the Zoning Regulations regarding the C-1 and C-2 Commercial Districts (which include property along Bank, Broad, Truman and Colman Streets) were prepared, reviewed, modified and enacted. The Inland Wetlands Regulations were also rewritten based on the State of Connecticut's current model regulations.
PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT (MASTER PLAN)-
This division is also responsible for working with the Planning & Zoning Commission and members of the community in the preparation of the City's Plan of Conservation and Development which is required by State Law to be updated every ten years.
SPECIAL PROJECTS-
Recently, staff has assumed responsibility for applying for and administering a variety of grants and special projects.
These special projects have included:
A study of the feasibility of creating a stormwater management utility (funded largely by a special grant created by the State Legislature) Stormwater Authority Pilot Program Report.
A completely state funded study of the development of special Incentive Housing Zones (IHZ)'s, that resulted in a Zoning Regulation Amendment application to create an IHZ Section and IHZ Design Standards to encourage additional residential development in the downtown which were both adopted by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
A Neighborhood Revitalization and Visioning Study funded entirely by a grant from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. This effort looked at the Bank Street area of downtown and the adjoining residential area between the Eugene O'Neil Drive and Pearl, Reed, and Washington/Coit Streets. Based on the input from the Public Workshop sessions held, recommendations include changing Bank Street and Eugene O'Neill Drive to two-way traffic flow, and strengthening pedestrian connections, how to promote investments in key properties and locations, alternatives for improvements to Bank Street between Tilley and Howard Streets.
Staff have also been involved in informing affected residents of the implications of pending changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maintained Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM's) "Floodplain maps" including appearances on local television, mailings to affected residents and the organization of a Public Workshop.
Another effort included participation in the recently completed Regional Intermodal Transportation Center Study (RITC Study) undertaken by Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) with a grant from the CT DOT and analyzed which of the immediately recommended improvements could be feasibly address.
Beyond the above activities, time is spent on several other less intensive efforts such as monitoring the I-95 Old Lyme to New London Long Range Improvement Environmental Impact Statement development to insure that New London's concerns are addressed as well as reviewing and commenting on State and regional plans (for example-the Regional Transportation Plan which is instrumental in allocation of State transportation funding) with respect to New London's interests.
Regulations and Guidelines:
• Zoning Regulations
• Excerpt from the Zoning Regulations regarding Signs
• Excerpt from the Zoning Regulations regarding Lot & Bulk Requirements
• Sign Design Guidelines
• Incentive Housing Design Guidelines
• Design Guidelines (CBD1 and CBD2 Zones)
• Subdivision Regulations
• Inland Wetland Regulations
Application Packages:
• Inland Wetlands Permit (to the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency)
• Special Permit, Site Plan, etc. (to the Planning & Zoning Commission)
• Subdivision/Resubdivision (to the Planning & Zoning Commission)
• Zone Map & Zoning Regulation Amendment (to the Planning & Zoning Commission)
• Variance/Appeal of the Zoning Enforcement Officer's decision (to the Zoning Board of Appeals)
Administrative Applications (to the Zoning Enforcement Officer):
• Home Based Business
• Sign Permit
• Zoning Permit (Modification/Addition/Change of Use)
• Zoning Permit (Structures, Sheds)
• Driveway Permit
• Fence Permit
• Zoning Permit (New Business)
• Certificate of Zoning Compliance
• Complaint (Zoning)
Plans:
• 2007 Plan of Conservation & Development
• Map 1, Existing Land Use
• Map, 2, Community Facilities
• Map 3, Properties Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Map 4, Environmental Features
• Map 5, Land Use Plan
• Regional Intermodal Transportation Center Study by Southeastern Council of Governments (SCCOG)
• Stormwater Authority Pilot Program Report
• CT Trust for Historic Preservation/Neighborhood Revitalization & Visioning Study
Miscellaneous:
• Public Act 06-08 (Public Notice Registry)
Links to Land Use Commissions and Agencies :
• Planning & Zoning Commission
• Conservation Commission/IWWA
• Zoning Board of Appeals
Resource Links:
• New London Code of Ordinances
• Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG)
• Economic Development Data Information (EDDI)
• University of Connecticut Map Room
• FEMA Flood Map Resource Center
• CT Department of Environmental Protection
• CT Chapter of American Planning Association
• American Planning Association
• U.S. Census Bureau
• New London Land Records
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