Forum today on historic district zone
Norwich — A proposal to create a village district overlay zone in the Norwichtown area will be discussed today at an informational forum at Otis Library.
The informal session will be held at 6 p.m. in the Otis Library community room. Regan Miner, historical consultant to the city, will give a presentation with a map of the proposed district, which she worked on as part of her college master's project. The audience will be able to ask questions.
The Commission on the City Plan will discuss the proposal during a special meeting June 5 to make a recommendation to the City Council, which will hold a public hearing at its 7:30 p.m. meeting June 18.
In the proposed overlay district, existing buildings, businesses and property uses would not be affected. Any new construction, proposed renovations or major landscaping changes would be reviewed under the nonbinding guidelines for suitability with the surrounding historic area. Design
reviews could include proposed architecture, landscaping, lighting and signs.
“Essentially, the intention is to enhance the aesthetics of the area by providing that proposed buildings or modifications to existing buildings be harmoniously related to their surroundings, the terrain and to the use, scale and architecture of existing buildings in the vicinity,” Miner said.
The definition in the proposal states that: “Village Districts encourage the conversion, conservation and preservation of existing buildings and sites in a manner that maintains the historic or distinctive character of the specific district.”
The proposed Norwichtown Village Overlay District would run along Town Street from the Route 2 entrance ramp to the Norwichtown Green, would include parts of New London Turnpike and portions of small side streets, Old Cemetery Lane and Butts Lane. Specific properties would include the Norwichtown Commons, Gorin’s Furniture and the former Benny’s store, the public school central office and the Johnson Home, a residence for elderly women.
The area also would include three houses on Town Street purchased by a developer for a proposed Burger King along Town Street abutting the historic Norwichtown Cemetery to the rear.
City Planner Deanna Rhodes said the concept of village district overlay zones is included in the 2013 Plan of Conservation and Development, which predates the announcement for the proposed Burger King. The city does not yet have a planning application for the restaurant.
Rhodes said the village district regulations would allow for the creation of village district overlay zones in various locations in the city but currently only the proposed Norwichtown district is being considered.
“The intention if it passes is for the city consider the additional locations throughout the city in the identified locations” in the Plan of Conservation and Development, she said.
The plan lists Greeneville, Taftville and Occum as possible future sites for village district overlay zones. Similar overlay districts are in place in other towns, including Preston, Ledyard, Waterford and Old Lyme.
“It’s really a positive thing,” Rhodes said. “We want people to know we’re providing assistance to people considering developing in areas that have interesting character, and become part of that setting.”