Commission waives new site-plan requirement, approves one-owner apartment at Ponemah Mills

The Norwich Commission on the City Plan on Sept. 16 voted to waive the requirement for a new site plan and approved a site-plan modification to construct a two-floor, one-bedroom owner-occupied apartment in the South Tower of the North Mill at Ponemah Mills (assessor’s map 39 Block 1) with conditions set by city planning staff.

Phil Biondo, representing Ponemah Riverbank Unit A South LLC, said the change would restore the previously approved total of 314 units by adding a single owner-occupied apartment; the project previously built 313 of the approved 314 units. Planning staff recommended waiving a new site plan because the change is interior, does not increase parking demand and does not alter the site footprint.

Deanna (planning staff) told the commission the building official and fire marshal had technical comments that could be addressed at the permit stage, and that required mechanical, electrical and structural permits would be submitted in the normal course. “We fully understand that we'd have to come in and comply with all the building code requirements as stipulated,” Biondo said.

Commissioners voted to waive the new site-plan requirement and approve the modification, subject to the conditions and recommendations contained in the planning staff memo dated Aug. 11 and any outstanding departmental comments to be resolved before building permit issuance.

Staff noted the approval is for the schematic architectural floor plans as presented; any future exterior or site changes could require further review by the zoning enforcement officer or return to the commission. The approval carries standard five-year expiration language and may be subject to extension procedures.