Norwich - Members of the incoming City Council got a crash course Wednesday in economic development and city demographics and learned the role the Norwich Community Development Corp. plays in handling those issues.

The council includes three new members, but all have extensive experience in city government. Republican Sofee Noblick, who could not attend Wednesday's meeting, and Democrat Mark Bettencourt served on the council in the past. Democrat Charles Jaskiewicz served as Board of Education chairman for eight years.

They will join Republican Mayor Peter Nystrom and Democratic incumbents Deberey Hinchey, Francois "Pete" Desaulniers and H. Tucker Braddock.

NCDC officials and city planners will also be asking the new council - to be sworn in Tuesday - for some help.

In Norwich, the council serves as the zoning board. In a slide show presentation of demographic data by NCDC Executive Director Robert Mills and city planning director Peter Davis, the heavy tax burden on residential property owners jumped out. Citywide, 81 percent of all land is zoned for residential use and only 19 percent for business use, with half of that downtown.

Norwich residential taxpayers carry 63 percent of the property tax burden. Davis said rezoning will be part of the new 10-year Plan of Conservation and Development once that plan is written in 12 to 18 months. The council would have to approve any proposed zone changes.

Mills showed another slide of the eight different economic and planning studies now under way. He held up a binder listing the city's numerous boards and commissions and asked the council to consider trimming the number of agencies.

NCDC will be undergoing its own transition at the start of the new year, Mills told the aldermen. A term-limit rule of three consecutive three-year terms will take effect next month, and three longtime board members will be resigning, including James Sullivan, who has been on the board since 1980.

Nystrom and City Manager Alan Bergren are voting members on the NCDC board. The NCDC Executive Committee makes recommendations to the full board, which approves new appointments.

NCDC is overseeing the $3.38 million downtown revitalization bonds approved by voters in a referendum a year ago. So far, 21 people have inquired about the three revitalization programs, and three applications are under review. Additionally, one has been returned to the developer for more information, and two more have withdrawn their applications. Yet another application is a construction project in the design phase.

Mills admitted the City Council's work in terms of economic development won't be high-profile, but rather, will set visions and create the support needed for businesses to come to the city.

"We need you to tell us what you want to do," Mills told the council. "It's hard work, but it's very rewarding."

c.bessette@theday.com