Technical Review Committee
Project updates on 26 Friend St. (conceptual 3-story addition and storefront changes) and 5 & 9 School St. (removal of 1980 additions, potential 4-unit reuse of the Ordway, disposition of portions of the lots); Rocky Hill development zoning amendment awaiting state sign-off; TRC set the outdoor dining application schedule and agreed to accept electronic submissions via OpenGov.
The Technical Review Committee heard conceptual updates on multiple downtown projects and set the outdoor dining application schedule. For 26 Friend St., the applicant is developing conceptual designs for a 3-story addition adding three residential units above existing first-floor commercial space, substantial storefront and exterior alterations, and potential improvements to an adjacent pocket park that could include outdoor dining; the team is considering CPA funding and plans to provide three on-site parking spaces. The 5 and 9 School St. presentation proposed removing 1980 additions and restoring or replacing 5 School St. as a single-family home with a possible ADU; the Ordway building could be configured for four units (the team is leaning toward four to avoid triggering affordable-unit requirements at five units), and roughly 3,000 sq ft of one lot will remain with the city. Fire and public-safety concerns were discussed, including removal of salvageable items, sensitivity to radio repeaters and generators, and the age/condition of a city generator on site. A member of the public noted long-term exterior maintenance responsibilities and expressed concern that a building foundation is collapsing and that people should avoid walking around the perimeter.
On process items, the Committee agreed to accept outdoor dining applications at both April TRC meetings and use the interval after review to issue approvals, collect fees, and coordinate DPW for jersey-barrier installation ahead of the May 1 season; electronic submittal via OpenGov was confirmed as acceptable. The TRC received an informational update on the Rocky Hill development: the project is awaiting final state sign-off on a zoning amendment, has a GIS mapping issue to resolve, and is preparing a one-stop application for sewer, water, and traffic to support planned filing and traffic mitigation. The only recorded formal votes were approval of prior meeting minutes (passed unanimously) and adjournment; no substantive project approvals or ordinance votes were taken at this meeting.