Norwich ― After another nearly 90-minute public hearing session Tuesday on the controversial proposed second business park, the City Council postponed action on a request to create a Business Master Plan District for the 384-acre Occum property.

The Norwich Community Development Corp. last week completed the $3.55 million purchase of the 17 properties, located on Canterbury Turnpike, Scotland Road, Lawler Lane and Route 97. NCDC President Kevin Brown told the City Council Tuesday that the agency has begun marketing the property, called Business Park North, for potential development and has received some interest, although no specific development projects are being proposed at this time.

NCDC will apply for state and federal grants to help fund the $24 million development cost, including a dedicated access road off Interstate 395, Exit 18.

In Norwich, the City Council serves as the zoning board and must vote on the proposed Business Master Plan District. The vote was delayed Tuesday following the third lengthy public hearing session after NCDC submitted an amendment that included several proposed conditions in response to residents’ concerns and complaints about potential disruptions to the quiet residential neighborhoods.

City Corporation Counsel Michael Driscoll said the amended zoning ordinance must be published in a legal notice prior to council action. The council-zoning board is scheduled to discuss and vote on the Business Master Plan District at its 7:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at City Hall.

NCDC attorney Mark Block summarized the amendment, which listed several specific types of businesses that would be allowed in the proposed business park. Block also outlined six added conditions, including imposing a 50-foot buffer zone for construction on parcels that abut residential properties and , limiting building height to a maximum of 60 feet in areas east of Canterbury Turnpike.

During the hearing, residents continued to object to the entire business park plan, expressing skepticism that the park would attract the targeted high-tech wind power manufacturing industry, that construction would not disrupt wildlife and that it would generate lucrative tax and utility revenue, speculating that any interested developer would be given generous tax breaks.

NCDC real estate consultant Henry Resnikoff said of the 384 total acres, 184 acres are considered developable, with 79 acres being wetlands and 121 acres considered “unbuildable” due to slopes, ledge or other obstacles. Resnikoff said those untouched acres would still be habitat for wildlife.

NCDC attorney Block presented the council-zoning board with a letter from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection stating that an eight-month study showed that no protected amphibians or reptiles were located on the property and no additional conservation measures would be required.

A second letter from the state Historic Preservation Office stated no historic properties would be affected by the business park project.

c.bessette@theday.com