TOWN OF EAST WINDSOR
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
INLAND/WETLANDS WATERCOURSE AGENCY
Regular Meeting
August 1, 2007
***** Draft Document - Subject to Commission Approval *****
Vice Chairman Ceppetelli called the Meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room, 11 Rye Street, Broad Brook, CT.
ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM:
Present: Regular Members Michael Ceppetelli (Vice Chairman), Michael Koczera, Richard Osborn, Rene Thibodeau (arrived at 7:33 p.m.) and Alternate Member Jan Warren.
Unable to Attend: Regular Members Linda Kehoe, John Malin, and Michael Sawka, and Alternate Member Tina McCarter.
Vice Chairman Ceppetelli noted that Commissioners present would be voting this evening.
ADDED AGENDA ITEMS: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES/July 5, 2007:
MOTION: To APPROVE the Minutes of Regular Meeting dated July 5, 2007 as written.
Koczera moved/Osborn seconded/VOTE: In Favor: Unanimous
PUBLIC HEARINGS (on Inland Wetlands applications): None.
CONTINUED APPLICATIONS OR BUSINESS/A. 1 Corporate Road (Metro North Complex) - Continued application of White Diamond to conduct regulated activities associated with parking lot expansion. Total parcel in East Windsor is 2.2 acres. 65-day application period ends 9/8/07):
Vice Chairman Ceppetelli read the description of this Item of Business. Appearing to discuss this Application was Mark Friend, engineer and soil scientist, of Megson & Hyppa; and Frank Dibicco and Mark Fontaine representing the Applicant, White Diamond.
Mr. Friend reported this is an Application for a parking lot expansion of an existing site which currently contains 395 parking spaces; another 149 parking spaces are being proposed under this Application. A portion of the expansion lies within the 150’ upland review area of wetlands, which is a narrow band of wetlands along Bowelyns Brook. Mr. Friend gave a description of the property location, noting no expansion of the building is proposed. There will be no wetlands disturbance as all activity will occur within the 150’ upland review area.
Mr. Friend noted the total parcel contains 9.30 acres with 7.07 acres located in Enfield and 2.22 acres located in East Windsor. The original project, containing this building and 395 parking spaces, was approved in 1985+/-; the plans reflected this area as future expansion of the parking area as it wasn’t known how much parking would actually be needed. In approximately 1990 the owner came before Enfield and East Windsor for the parking expansion but the lease with the potential tenant at that time fell through and the additional parking expansion was approved, but never built. Mr. Friend noted the owners presently have a tenant who would occupy the majority of the building and would need all of the original parking plus more. The expansion area was filled somewhat over the years; they
are now proposing expansion in an area which is presently manicured lawn.
Mr. Friend indicated the wetlands, which is a narrow corridor along Bowelyns Brook, is heavily vegetated; there is also a 100 year flood zone which follows the edge of the wetlands along the brook. To create the additional 149 parking spaces it will require some grading and additional filling of the existing lawn; they will not be clearing any trees but the topsoil must be stripped off for filling. Currently the storm drainage system discharges into Bowleyns Brook on the north side of the south end of the existing building; no additional drainage will be required due to this proposal as the original system was sized to anticipate this expansion. Some additional landscaping, including at least one additional island, will be installed to match the existing landscaping.
Commissioner Warren questioned how Town Engineer Norton’s comments had been address; his memo dated 7/23/2007 cited 6 notations. Mr. Friend noted this proposal is the same layout that was proposed in 1990; the Town Engineer for East Windsor at that time was Rick Lombardi of Lombardi Engineering. They did a comprehensive drainage report; Mr. Lombardi concurred this proposal didn’t impact the watershed of Bowleyns Brook. Mr. Friend reported he spoke with Town Engineer Norton today; he is looking for documentation of that opinion. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli requested submission of drainage calculations as this Commission has no documentation of those numbers.
With regard to Town Engineer Norton’s comments submission of the drainage calculations would address comment #1. Comment #2 questioned the 86 contour as reflected on the plans. Mr. Friend felt it was fine but would review the 86 contour. Comment #3 addresses use of temporary sedimentation basins; Mr. Friend suggested are shown on Sheet 4 of 8 of this plan set. Comment #4 recommended inclusion of 4’ sump pumps in all catch basins; Mr. Friend will reflect catch basins with 4’ sumps on Sheet 3 of 8 and include detailed sketches on sheet 5 of 8. Comment #5 refers to standard plan notes requiring notification to the Town Engineer’s Office 24 hours in advance of work; Mr. Friend will include East Windsor Town Engineer Norton’s name and phone number.
Discussion returned to Town Engineer Norton’s comment #1, regarding impact to Bowelyns Brook or existing 60” RCP outlet pipe, and comment #2, regarding the 86 contour. Mr. Friend suggested the original plans as approved showed a riprap channel that is currently in place and the flared end is stable. The original drainage system was sized to take flow for the 60” pipe. Commissioner Warren suggested it’s been 17 years since the 1990 submission and today; things have changed with regard to how to deal with water coming off impervious surfaces. She requested the calculations be submitted in writing before this Commission passes this plan on to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Mr. Friend indicated they are showing an oil and grit separator as the last structure on the drainage system; sheet 3 of 8 shows the system is sized for the additional parking. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli questioned if there would be maintenance involved with this system, and if so, had a maintenance schedule been included in the plans? Mr. Friend replied affirmatively with regard to the need for maintenance, but reported the plans lacked the inclusion of a maintenance schedule. He suggested maintenance would be similar to the catch basins. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli indicated the Commission wants to see a maintenance schedule for all catch basins and separation units included on the prints/plans.
Commissioners Warren and Osborn both indicated they would like to see more details on the plans, and the submission of calculations. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli concurred, noting the Commission is looking for written documentation of all hydraulic calculations associated with the entire parcel as this Commission doesn’t know what was presented in 1990.
Commissioner Thibeault questioned the distance of the closest corner of the parking lot to the wetlands? Mr. Friend estimated the distance to be 37’+/-. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli questioned that they would be able to grade within 37’ without any disturbance to the wetlands? Mr. Friend replied affirmatively. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli questioned that they could go in with a bulldozer? Mr. Friend suggested they have to. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli questioned the ability to actually do that. Speaking from the audience Mr. Dibicco questioned what if they marked the wetlands line? Vice Chairman Ceppetelli indicated the Commission would like the existing wetlands marked with hay bales; Commissioner Warren requested the addition of construction fencing.
Discussion returned to the 86 contour. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli questioned what was there now? Mr. Friend suggested there is curbing along the parking lot and the drainage goes to the catch basins in the corner of the 86 contour. Mr. Friend reiterated he felt the 86 contour as shown on the plans is fine. The grading is proposed to be 3:1, and the area will be seeded. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli questioned if 4 parking spaces (as referenced on the plans by the Commissioners) were eliminated could the corners be pulled back 10’ of so? Mr. Friend suggested 2 spaces would be 18’. Commissioner Thibeault questioned if some of the islands were eliminated could they gain some of the area they would be losing by eliminating the parking spaces? Mr.
Friend suggested they need some turning radius, and the islands are a safety feature for traffic circulation. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli queried the Commissioners for a numeric separation distance from the parking lot to the wetlands? Commissioner Osborn indicated he had been on the Commission when these plans were originally approved; he felt there was concern with Bowelyns Brook flooding people’s lawns. He questioned if that may have been the reason this expansion wasn’t done? Mr. Friend objected; he suggested the expansion wasn’t done as the tenant backed out of the lease and there was then no need for the expansion. Mark Fontaine, speaking from the audience, indicated the potential tenant was Edwards Supermarkets who had intended this location for their corporate headquarters; they were purchased by Stop & Shop and no longer needed this office space.
The Commission considered various distances from the wetlands, ranging from 40’ to 75’. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli questioned if 50’ would be unreasonable? Mr. Friend replied it would not. Vice Chairman Ceppetelli summarized the Commission’s requirements:
1) 50’ of buffer between the wetlands and the impervious coverage.
2) detail of existing riprap area.
3) address Town Engineer Norton’s comments, including any differences regarding contour 86 relative to the changes requested at this meeting.
4) add detailed drawings of the 4’ sump pumps on appropriate plan pages (3 & 5 of 8).
5) provide the correct phone number for Town Engineer Norton and identify him as the Town Engineer for East Windsor.
6) provide a maintenance schedule for all catch basins and all separators.
7) positioning of hay bales along critical areas of wetlands, and install construction fencing.
8) provide written documentation of hydraulic calculations for total impervious area.
9) anything that refers to the 1990 plans should also be shown on the current plans.
MOTION: To CONTINUE the Application of White Diamond to conduct regulated activities associated with parking lot expansion at 1 Corporate Road (Metro North Complex). Total parcel in East Windsor is 2.2 acres. The Application is continued to the Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting on September 5, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room, 11 Rye Street, Broad Brook, CT.
Osborn moved/Thibeault seconded/VOTE: In Favor: Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS: None.
NEW APPLICATIONS TO BE RECEIVED: None.
MISCELLANEOUS/A. Board Development - Training/Topics Schedule: No discussion this evening.
MISCELLANEOUS/B. Wetland Fee Schedule: Tabled until the next meeting.
AGENT DECISIONS: None.
VIOLATIONS (for action or show-cause hearing):/A. 244 South Main Street (Rear) {Map 38, Block 5, Lot 87}- Filling and grading:
Vice Chairman Ceppetelli noted he understands Mr. Balch is working with J. R. Russo & Associates regarding development of a plan, which the Commission expects to see at the next meeting.
STATUS REPORTS/A. Planning and Zoning Review: Nothing to review.
CONFERENCES/SEMINARS/TRAINING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Comissioner Thibeault was presented with a copy of the new Code of Ethics; he noted receipt of same by his signature. Commissioner McCarter was not present to accept her copy of the Code of Ethics.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: To ADJOURN this Meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Osborn moved/Thibeault seconded/VOTE: In Favor: Unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________________________________________________
Peg Hoffman, Recording Secretary, East Windsor Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency
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