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