Approval by Planning Commission.

Approval by Zoning Board of Appeals.

That all buildings, structures, uses, equipment or material are readily accessible for fire and police protection.

That adequate off-street parking and loading spaces are provided to prevent on-street and off-traffic congestion; that all parking spaces and maneuvering areas are suitably identified; that entrances and exits are suitably identified and designed to specific use radii; that the interior circulation system is adequately designed to provide safe and convenient access to all structures, uses and/or parking spaces; that parking areas are provided with suitable bumper guards, guardrails, islands, crosswalks, speed bumps and similar safety devices when deemed necessary by the Commission/Board to adequately protect life and property; and that provision is made for safe pedestrian movement within and adjacent to the property by the installation of sidewalks.

That all proposed traffic and pedestrian accessways do not create traffic hazards and are adequate in width, grade, alignment and visibility; adequate in distance from street corners, places of public assembly and other accessways; and adequate in design for other similar safety considerations.

That the general landscaping of the site complies with the purpose and intent of this chapter; that existing trees are preserved and specimen trees of thirty-six-inch diameter or greater as measured 4.5 feet above ground are actively preserved to the maximum extent possible; and that parking, storage, refuse and service areas are suitably screened during all seasons from the view of adjacent residential zones and public rights-of-way.

That lighting of the site shall be adequate at ground level for the protection and safety of the public in regard to pedestrian and vehicular circulation and that glare from the installation of outdoor lights and illuminated signs is properly shielded from the view of adjacent property and public rights-of-way, as well as from the view of any residential units located on the subject site.

That all utility systems are suitably located, adequately designed, suitably screened during all seasons from the view of adjacent residential zones and public rights-of-way, and properly installed to serve the proposed uses and to protect the property from adverse air, water or land pollution.

That the development of the site will preserve sensitive environmental land features, such as 25% or steeper slopes, wetlands and large rock outcroppings, and will preserve public scenic views or historically significant features to the greatest extent possible.

That soil erosion and sediment controls are designed, installed and maintained to prevent soil erosion and sedimentation resulting from development.

Adequate provision has been made for the sustained maintenance of the proposed development (structures, streets, landscaping and other improvements). This may include landscaping management plan, litter removal plan and similar documents.

Application. Application for site plan approval shall be made in writing and shall be accompanied by plans, elevations and any other data necessary to show the detail of the proposed use of land or buildings, as outlined in § 213-72J. Each application shall require a fee as indicated in the Land Use Fee Schedule.

Bonding requirements. Before a permit is granted under this section, the applicant may be required to post a bond in accordance with § 8-3 of CGS, as amended. The estimated cost of measures required to control soil erosion and sedimentation, as specified in the approved plan, that are a condition of approval of any site plan may be required to be covered in a performance bond or other assurance in accordance with this provision.

Approval. Approval or rejection of a site plan shall be made in a time manner prescribed under § 8-7d of CGS, as amended.

General information.

Location map. An accurate scale map at a scale of one inch equals 1,000 feet shall be submitted showing the subject property and all property and streets within 1,000 feet of any part of the subject property.

Easement(s). Location, width and purpose of all existing and proposed easements and rights-of-way on the property.

Buildings and uses.

Parking, loading and circulation.

Signs and lighting.

Utilities. Location and design of all existing and proposed sanitary sewer, storm drainage, water supply facilities and refuse collection areas, as well as other underground and aboveground utilities. All public utilities shall be placed underground. The Commission may waive this requirement if engineering data substantiates that such underground placement of utilities is impractical.

Topographic map. The topographic map shall illustrate the existing and proposed conditions of the property, including existing and proposed contours with intervals of five feet, referred to the City of Meriden datum, and location of all existing wooded areas, watercourses, wetlands, rock outcrops and other significant physical features and, where appropriate, the wetlands boundary and the flood hazard area.

A soil erosion and sediment control map and narrative shall be submitted for all development activities in which the cumulative disturbed area will be more than 1/2 acre. The plan shall conform with § 213-57 of this chapter.

Open space and landscaping plan. The open space and landscaping plan shall illustrate the existing and proposed landscape development of the property, including location, general layout, type and size of buffer or landscape areas, plant material (including a listing of genus, species, variety, common name, and size), fencing, screening devices, decorative paving or other materials proposed.

A statement on the plan indicating the presence of endangered, threatened, and special concern species as shown on the Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) Maps produced by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP). If subject species are indicated, a NDDB review of the proposed development by the CT DEEP shall be required and guidelines for the protection of subject species shall be followed.

Staging plan map. In cases where the applicant wishes to develop in stages, an overall site and staging plan indicating ultimate development for the entire property shall be submitted at the same scale as the site plan.

Other information. The applicant shall submit any other information deemed by the Commission/Board to be necessary to determine conformity with the intent of this chapter.

The site plan submitted as part of the application shall satisfy the requirements for site development plan approval as detailed in § 213-72 of this chapter.

The location and size of the proposed use and the nature and intensity of use in relation to the size of the lot will be in harmony with the orderly development of the area, compatible with other existing uses, and, if applicable, further the goals and objectives of the Plan of Conservation and Development.

The design, size, mass, scale, height, and location of the structure and the nature and extent of landscaping on the lot are appropriate for the use and will not hinder or discourage the appropriate use of adjoining property or diminish the value thereof.

The design elements of the proposed development are suitable in relation to the site characteristics and style of other buildings in the immediate area. The Commission may request advice and recommendations from the Design Review Board for issues related to the exterior of structures only.

The intensity of the proposed use will not alter the essential characteristics of the area or adversely affect property values in the neighborhood.

The parking and loading facilities are adequate and properly located, and the entrance and exit driveways are laid out to achieve reasonable safety.

Streets providing access to the proposed use are adequate in width, grade, alignment, and visibility, and have adequate capacity for the additional traffic generated by the proposed use, and the proposed use will not create a traffic hazard and will not block or hamper the City circulation pattern.

The proposed use or site shall have proper accessibility for fire apparatus and police protection and is laid out and equipped to further the provision of emergency services.

The water supply, the sewage disposal, and the stormwater drainage shall conform with accepted engineering criteria, comply with all standards of the appropriate regulatory authority, and that such utilities have, or can be improved by the developer to have, adequate capacity for the proposed use.

The proposed plans have provided for the reasonable conservation of natural features to include the active preservation of specimen trees of thirty-six-inch diameter or greater as measured 4.5 feet aboveground and the utilization of best management practices to minimize degradation of stormwater run-off, and the utilization of landscape and/or buffer areas to protect environmentally sensitive portions of the site.

Where two or more special exception uses apply to the same premises, the minimum requirements shall be the minimum requirements for each use as specified in this chapter or, in cases of two or more special exception uses in the same building, whichever requirements are more restrictive.

Public hearing and notice.

A report from the Director of Planning, Development and Enforcement or their designee attesting to whether the above-described sign was erected and maintained as required shall be made part of the record at the public hearing. Failure of a petitioner to comply with this requirement may be grounds for automatic denial of the proposed special exception with consideration being given to cases where weather conditions or acts of vandalism have destroyed a properly posted sign.

The Planning Commission or the Zoning Board of Appeals shall reject or issue a special exception permit according to § 8-7d of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.

Construction of any of the proposed improvements, including but not limited to roads, sewer lines, landscaping, recreational facilities, etc., shall have commenced within five years from the effective date of the special exception and certificate of approval (site plan) approvals.

Construction of the improvements are diligently pursued and prosecuted to substantial completion within the original time constraints set forth at the time of approval or within five years following the effective date of such amendment in the zoning regulations or boundaries of zoning districts.

If the applicant and/or owner does not adhere to these conditions, the special exception permit shall be reconsidered by the Planning Commission or the Zoning Board of Appeals and declared void. Notification thereof shall be filed with the City Clerk.

A statement describing the existing and proposed use or uses.

A site plan in accordance with § 213-72, if applicable.

A list of all property owners required to be notified in § 213-79B, together with addresses.

All applications shall be accompanied by a fee, as provided in the Fee Schedule of the City of Meriden,[1] to cover the cost of administration. Said fee shall be paid at the time of filing the application.

Application for provisional special exception. Applications shall be filed with the Planning Commission in accordance with requirements of § 213-73I. In addition, the applicant shall submit the following documents:

Application for final special exception. Applications will be filed with the Planning Department and may be granted only upon verification of the applicant's status as an approved provisional licensee by the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). Administrative final special exception certification will be provided in the following manner.