DRB says “highly unlikely” that Norwich sign regulations are valid under First Amendment

In April, the Norwich Development Review Board (DRB) denied an appeal from the determination by the Zoning Administrator regarding the Black Lives Banner on Main Street. The ZA had concluded that the BLM banner is exempt from the Town’s sign regulations.* However, perhaps a more far-reaching aspect of this decision is the conclusion by the DRB that it is “highly unlikely” that the content-based aspects of the Norwich sign regulations are constitutional under the freedom of speech provisions of the Continue reading DRB says “highly unlikely” that Norwich sign regulations are valid under First Amendment

DRB denies application for kindergarten/daycare facility on Route 5 North

The Norwich Development Review Board recently denied the application of Tiny Seeds Village LLC to repurpose a residence and pool house into kindergarten and daycare facility. The property is located at 251 Route 5 North, with secondary access from Goodrich Four Corners Road. The parcel’s size is approximately 23 acres. My layman’s reading of the DRB decision is that the Board’s denial was primarily based on shortcomings in the proposal with respect to parking and traffic circulation. The Board also Continue reading DRB denies application for kindergarten/daycare facility on Route 5 North