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Norwich commission approves resubdivision that reduces roadway and enlarges conserved open space
Summary
The Norwich Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission approved a modification to a previously permitted subdivision that shortens a planned municipal roadway, reduces wetland impacts and increases dedicated open space from 25 to 38 acres. The commission reset the permit expiration to July 10, 2030 and kept original conditions in effect.
The Norwich Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission on July 10 approved a modification to previously permitted subdivision IWWCC application 2205 M for property associated with the Norwich Community Development Corporation, shortening a planned municipal roadway and increasing open space on the site.
The approved revision shortens the previously approved 7,400 linear-foot roadway to about 4,900 linear feet, eliminating roughly 2,500 linear feet of planned city roadway and converting the former connection to Lawler Lane into a cul-de-sac and turnaround. The applicant said the change merged three lots at the end of the road into a single larger Lot 10 and increased the dedicated open space area from 25 acres to 38 acres.
The modification reduces disturbance to wetland and upland review areas, the applicant’s civil engineer said. He told the commission the design shift removed a full wetland crossing and will save about 3.2–3.3 acres of upland review area that would otherwise have been affected. The applicant team said individual commercial lots will return to the city later for site-specific designs, stormwater reports and permitting.
City staff and the applicant said stormwater and erosion-and-sediment control designs submitted for the revised subdivision follow the 2024 Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual and the 2024 Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines, and that additional infiltration testing and E&S details will be addressed before construction.
City engineering staff recommended that, because a large portion of the original approval changed, the commission reset the permit expiration date. The commission set the new expiration date to July 10, 2030 and stated that all original approval conditions remain in effect. The commission approved the modification by unanimous vote.
The record shows the commission approved the subdivision modification as its report to the city planning commission for the underlying subdivision application; the commission also noted that each future lot will require separate site review and permitting.
Questions during the hearing included whether a nearby mobile home park is on city water or a private system; commissioners were told some parks in the northern area have private systems and the applicant said it would confirm utility arrangements as parts of later site work. The applicant also said a former cul-de-sac location was reconfigured to include on-site parking with potential future public access, but said public access was "to be determined."
