[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6698461,"mediaKeyId","5664952-deca3db2b47e69b79d3b55ab7709ae04","parentId",5664952,"title","City plan commission approves special permit for Lollar Lane elementary school with engineer conditions","audioSeconds",1514,"startMs",733635,"endMs",2247960,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664952-deca3db2b47e69b79d3b55ab7709ae04&start=733&end=2247","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664952-deca3db2b47e69b79d3b55ab7709ae04/thumbnail_733635.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6698461/Norwich/New-London-County/Connecticut/City-plan-commission-approves-special-permit-for-Lollar-Lane-elementary-school-with-engineer-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698461-02480fbe0976fb1f0b53d59684c98db5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773561113&Signature=hFmJPoNrbeqiv~L1GCmME8Cd4rcISfg2hjk3L-XHFZtUJZKdUGJQ-41srxk1wKcEaySxaysNVJrelyQxQYBpA7V9iU82Nd9deijFA9wK-qX7stiwUsqvN-n~8TpD7aoSGbAUdp9HtuBMlAXDBOZIPizrRpGF8pUMI3a2HXOtmywQ~xqLZRU-Y6fh-uUWmn5X-Qj9s3xoP5OtDAX2udVpc1OtX1rmdcW4C-xHyLK-Hze~WQMqwEsk~IH98ssFwxfprlma6GNONTDZi4YmgqNIzA98l7qNf0cpxhUvjS4jj7i2OhbWkk4ZRkK2kVxLMWqHDCwn3XedQ391dJzltEbeDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Norwich, CT","date","2025-08-22T16:31:05.62Z","article","The Norwich City Plan Commission on Aug. 19 approved Special Permit 25-0420, clearing the way for construction of a new elementary school on Lollar Lane.

Greg Smolley, an architect with DRA Architects, presented the project on behalf of the city and described it as part of a long‑range school consolidation plan that will reduce the district’s elementary buildings from 14 to seven. The presentation covered lot size and zoning compliance, revised drainage plans that include subsurface recharge basins, traffic and level‑of‑service studies, wetland surveys and a staging/phasing approach so the school can be constructed while the existing building remains in use.

Smolley said the proposed site layout separates bus and parent drop‑offs, increases parking from roughly 71 to 146 spaces, and raises student capacity from about the 400s to approximately 548 students with an increase in staff from roughly 72 to an estimated 94. The design includes two floors with pre‑K, kindergarten and first grade on the ground floor (per state code), a larger gym (approximately 6,000 square feet), and a secure main entrance. The plan also proposes subsurface stormwater recharge and other drainage improvements to limit runoff to off‑site wetlands.

City staff reported that the city engineer reviewed the submission and provided comments that must be addressed; staff said the engineer is comfortable with approval so long as his remaining comments are incorporated in post‑approval construction documents. The zoning officer and fire/building officials provided routine comments.

A motion to approve the special permit, finding the proposal consistent with the City’s Plan of Conservation and Development and the identified zoning regulations, passed by voice vote. The approval includes conditions that outstanding city engineer and planning office comments be resolved in subsequent submittals and construction documents.

The commission also recorded the exhibit list and waived reading of full memos and reports submitted for the public record. No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing.

Next steps: The applicant will address the city engineer’s final comments in the construction documents; the planning office will track those responses before issuing any permits.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-08-19 Commission on the City Plan","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved Special Permit 25-0420 for a new elementary school on Lollar Lane, subject to city engineer and planning office comments to be addressed post-approval; motion passed by voice vote.","taxTitle","Norwich, New London County, Connecticut","taxId",4639,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6698466,"Norwich planning panel opposes AT&T monopole proposed at 577 West Main Street",628,66960,695515,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664952-deca3db2b47e69b79d3b55ab7709ae04&start=66&end=695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664952-deca3db2b47e69b79d3b55ab7709ae04/thumbnail_66960.jpg","/articles/6698466/Norwich/New-London-County/Connecticut/Norwich-planning-panel-opposes-ATT-monopole-proposed-at-577-West-Main-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698466-a7b4a9129e8ff9f2e1e85c5fd7ef5178/orig.mp4?Expires=1773561113&Signature=oB0FRlyFsYiaQS5DsbLGfg3mOZB~oyh9GQ74iqgMtp9tjW55ennBlarzb~jcUKqqaOdVLJhtaM6kqLr98rQFmc2b-EDVRhjBJsq3uHK-Ui6a3nh2G-9EVZZkoAHoqX2hrRxyLCkKuJZELNF~ES-8Q5~c402z9vLyMq8XrxLrez-vrcC2g9Tbs1NRnNk5ZXjDUXB8p0GegPVLra6FD00llBw8eMX5Jkao527YfqUaLlBkzgz-b97GZj79FyTi7qGxmhJqOvTKZ-aXiNrklV4E1dM84mySNQB5qdeqcI0S0xJ6AYpf8s90PrlhUmKSlXAm2fAL82~v3ofiq-cZPPUQFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwich City Plan Commission voted Aug. 19 to prepare a formal letter opposing AT&T’s proposal to install a 130-foot monopole at 577 West Main Street, the site of the former car wash.

The commission said the tower, proposed as part of AT&T’s effort to improve local wireless coverage, would sit immediately behind a row of homes and would be highly visible along Route 82 at a location the commission is simultaneously seeking to improve with street and landscaping work. Commission members also raised safety concerns about the site’s small footprint and a nearby suspicious fire on the property.

The commission’s discussion, led during the communications portion of the meeting, described months of back-and-forth with AT&T’s design team and attorney. Commissioners said they had recommended municipal properties and alternative placements that might be less visible to nearby residents; AT&T responded that those sites would not meet their technical coverage requirements. The company then performed a balloon test that commission members said was flown for a limited period (about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) to demonstrate visibility and coverage.

Commission members questioned whether the site’s lease area is large enough to contain a fall zone if the monopole were to collapse. \"They said they make it so that it’s going to fall on its own property,\" one commissioner said during the discussion, but others said the leased portion appears small and could put neighboring homes at risk if the tower failed. Members also criticized the applicant’s plan to surround the tower with chain‑link fencing and said AT&T representatives did not offer landscaping or other visual mitigation measures during presentations to the city council.

Commissioners said residents called about the balloon test and that images in the presentation showed the monopole would be visible from back yards of adjacent houses and along Route 82 even with foliage on trees.

At the meeting, the commission approved a motion directing planning staff to draft a negative comment letter to the Connecticut Siting Council and to share a draft with commission members for review before submission. The motion passed by voice vote.

The planning office said the AT&T submission starts a 90‑day consultation window before a formal application is filed with the state agency; local comments will be forwarded to the Connecticut Siting Council when the application is submitted.

Commissioners who raised specific concerns included Stacy Gould and Sheila Hayes, who asked questions about safety, fall zones and fencing. Deanna (staff member) offered to draft the letter and circulate it to commissioners for edits.

The commission indicated it could also submit the minutes and public comment from the council presentation when the matter goes before the Connecticut Siting Council.

Next steps: planning staff will prepare the draft letter and circulate it to commissioners for approval; the state consultation period will proceed on AT&T’s timeline.","Members of the Norwich City Plan Commission voted to draft a formal letter opposing AT&T’s proposed 130-foot monopole at the former car wash at 577 West Main Street, citing proximity to homes, fall‑zone concerns and aesthetics along Route 82.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":44,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":50,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6698452,"City Plan Commission actions Aug. 19: special permits approved, bond released, letter ordered on cell tower",2521,3255020,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664952-deca3db2b47e69b79d3b55ab7709ae04&start=733&end=3255","/articles/6698452/Norwich/New-London-County/Connecticut/City-Plan-Commission-actions-Aug-19-special-permits-approved-bond-released-letter-ordered-on-cell-tower","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698452-160638dc3a89d43dc886dabd5449330a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773561113&Signature=jQe1nkMu6eaUidqftQt2UVeCo-C9BKcH52IOmhJuivo~BUyhHPr8y5AO5XOQ-6z9t9UWJkvUk1AnqvfILMHQVibg7IUmoP~XtWCTCuXyR3DzLgv~l9vf8GG8YDGq1cYq~YzRB9VqTB8Y5SgvKi2Nk1k-EOfqBJq8MXI2aBZrGcrZkF2b68C401X6PFGP0vN6kmmBwFlyJJrrB9wejTLFt~Ltf4XPbXA7Jo2CR3IWC~~eN1ooD2Sy5uaWSROTbepfjcwGEYg06AOy7v4~YMHYSbjoGbNbqvF0~lLaGhXOz~o3ze-fvd-I8GSGvI-5eFdGM3VSeE0TT~4fCPYCNfmtaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Aug. 19 meeting the Norwich City Plan Commission took several formal actions summarized below.

• Special Permit 25‑0420 (Lollar Lane): Approved. Motion to approve the special permit for a new elementary school on Lollar Lane passed by voice vote. Approval is conditioned on addressing city engineer and planning office comments in subsequent construction documents.

• Special Permit 2505280 (Elizabeth Street Extension): Approved. Motion to approve the special permit for a school at Elizabeth Street Extension passed by voice vote; approval includes conditions that outstanding city engineer comments be addressed in post‑approval construction documents.

• Special Permit (100 West Bain Street, SP 25‑02): Postponed. The applicant requested tabling to the Sept. 16 meeting and the commission voted to postpone the public hearing.

• Bond release (233 Rogers Road, Right‑of‑Way bond): Approved. The commission voted to release a $5,000 right‑of‑way bond tied to an older subdivision; public works staff indicated a future developer will be required to post replacement security when the property is developed.

• AT&T monopole (577 West Main Street): Action to prepare letter. The commission directed planning staff to draft and circulate a negative comment letter to the Connecticut Siting Council opposing the proposed 130‑foot monopole at the former car‑wash site. The letter will be circulated to commissioners for review before submission.

• Executive session: The commission scheduled an executive session at the end of the meeting and moved into closed session after staff reports.

Vote tallies were recorded as voice votes in the meeting record; individual roll-call votes were not read into the public record during the meeting for the items above.

The planning office will track implementation tasks: applicants for approved permits must resolve city engineer comments in construction documents and the planning office will verify compliance before issuing permits. The bond release will be processed by public works.","The commission approved two school special permits, released a $5,000 road bond and authorized staff to draft a negative comment letter on an AT&T cell tower proposal; one hearing was postponed to Sept. 16.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6698457,"Commission approves Special Permit 2505280 for Elizabeth Street Extension school; city engineer conditions attached",859,2264155,3123300,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5664952-deca3db2b47e69b79d3b55ab7709ae04&start=2264&end=3123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5664952-deca3db2b47e69b79d3b55ab7709ae04/thumbnail_2264155.jpg","/articles/6698457/Norwich/New-London-County/Connecticut/Commission-approves-Special-Permit-2505280-for-Elizabeth-Street-Extension-school-city-engineer-conditions-attached","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6698457-90ca15fd30a311c3189f952bb0794784/orig.mp4?Expires=1773561113&Signature=DkU24cuOcmGWZUkAwJHRamzA2b1wdRT0hXSaO-yV2VMRrWMNCPqxljLScV1okRfSeJZa28l6WYiueNaI5J~jZEjQSzelHsf0BWGZ9l8FJ~ZpdBg85agX~8hOLhvF3sGVFbDhmBA2h9Gh-bnt9YVaQKuwx3LesBzTCQNg6hRg5WKo9ndiPE~5RwqQtizGhXKyaQGeWGE3exX89YXwW2frz0SoC100pEonslaByWvwteSuJ5ibWk6yErCCHaHlS9DvrabtQ3KYYckq9OFlko95sJyw5~ow6Qjywy1jgskfqn9thlQWdkMzPa8AHdwQAO5CMOtSGcKdspRLJtdMVdVbqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwich City Plan Commission on Aug. 19 approved Special Permit 2505280 to build a new school on the Elizabeth Street Extension site, subject to conditions set by the planning office and city engineer.

Greg Smolley of DRA Architects presented the project, describing the site’s constraints and the team’s approach to drainage, wetlands mitigation and phased construction so the existing school can remain operational during building. The proposal includes underground recharge basins, a relocated driveway alignment, separate bus and parent drop‑offs and multiple play areas sized by age group.

Smolley said wetlands and an intermittent stream were identified during fieldwork; the design includes a mitigation area and engineered recharge features to address runoff. Traffic analysis identified a single turning lane that could reach level‑of‑service D in one location but, overall, staff said no off‑site road improvements were required.

Project figures presented included a projected increase in students from about 242 to about 548 and an increase in staff from about 49 to about 90; parking would increase from 58 to roughly 140 spaces. The design includes elevators and full ADA accessibility throughout the building.

City staff noted the city engineer has outstanding comments but is generally comfortable with approval provided those items are addressed in the post‑approval construction documents. Routine comments were also recorded from the building official and fire marshal; no substantive zoning officer objections were recorded.

A motion to approve the special permit with the planning office and city engineer’s conditions passed by voice vote; the commission waived the reading of an exhibit list and accepted staff’s recommended findings.

Next steps: Applicant to submit revised construction documents addressing city engineer comments; planning staff to confirm resolution before issuing permits.","The commission approved Special Permit 2505280 for a new school on Elizabeth Street Extension with conditions to address city engineer comments; the proposal includes wetlands mitigation, recharge basins and phased construction.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City plan commission approves special permit for Lollar Lane elementary school with engineer conditions

Norwich planning panel opposes AT&T monopole proposed at 577 West Main Street

City Plan Commission actions Aug. 19: special permits approved, bond released, letter ordered on cell tower

Commission approves Special Permit 2505280 for Elizabeth Street Extension school; city engineer conditions attached