Conservation Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2007
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room - Town Hall
1 – Vice Chairman Craig Wagner called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M. Present: Chairman Peter Zawisza, [arrived @ 7:37] Jean Moran, Peter Bergen, Frank Junga, Duncan McNeill, Michael Gaynor Brogan, Craig Wagner, David Dodes Others: Members of the Public; Denise Wojick, Recording Clerk
2 – Review; Salmon Run Estates, Rechovos Corporation, 7 Waterhole Road
Attorney Timothy Furey represented Rechovos Corporation sharing the development plans of a 57 lot conservation subdivision. This land is located on Waterhole Road and Comstock Trail. Property of the subdivision abuts the state forest. This development is planned on 201 acres of land. Open space is 107.29 acres which abuts the state forest and another 9 acres of land within the development that has a vernal pool as well to be left as open space. This is 58% of the land which will be offered to the state of CT. There are conservation easements to border the property. The conversation easements are 75 feet along the border and 100 feet in the front of the property which totals about 8% of the land to be left as conversation easements. The rear of the property is wooded and is intended to stay wooded. The frontage of the
property is meadow land. The environmental consultant for the community has noted that there is no direct impact of the wetlands. The wetland resources have been properly characterized, detailed storm water management that exceeds the state of CT criteria. This plan has been reviewed and approved by the Wetlands Commission. Individual septic and wells for each house to be put in place. Developers are planning on the town to maintain the catch basins. Lot 16 brings concern to the commission for the driveway would be going through the conservation easement. This is being looked at by the developers. Lots 9, 10 and 11 will have a shared driveway. Most drainage will go towards the west and a small area near Waterhole Rd. The developers are planning on re working the catch basins along Waterhole Rd. There is at least 3 miles of an existing stone wall that will be preserved. Maintenance and testing of the watercourse will take place to make sure treatment drains meet criteria. There is a
permit working with the wetland commission for water treatment plans to be test 4 times a year by a third party inspector. On March 7, 2007 this application goes to the P & Z board.
On February 17, 2207 at 11 am Timothy Furey along with P & Z and other commissions will walk the site meeting south of Stone Ridge Rd.
A motion made by Jean Moran to accept favorable commentary and seconded by Duncan McNeill. Peter Zawisza recommends that motion be withdrawn and comments be discussed during next meeting. Jean does not withdraw motion. Vote: Motion denied for accepting favorable commentary. Motion voided A discussion took place on the vernal pool land and open space land that has been discussed to leave to the state. Motion made by Michael Gaynor Brogan and seconded by Frank Junga for the best and highest suggested us for the conversation easement be taken by the state and maintained by the state in reference to the vernal pool area and the 107.29 acres of open space. Vote: All in favor Attorney Timothy Furey will proceed with proper procedure to move forward with donating the open space land to the state.
3. Communications and Committee Reports/ Public Commentary; No reports.
Communication: A brief discussion took place covering future plans for development in the town. There are seven priority items that the planning commission will working on over the course of the next year. The number one priority item is to rewrite of the conversation sub division regulations. Followed by a lengthy discussion about what is best for the Town of East Hampton.
The P & Z commission is having a workshop on February 15, 2007 at the town library @ 6:30 pm. This workshop is open to the public.
Jean Moran exited meeting at 9:02 pm.
Policies and procedures are also be put in place for the commission. This conversation recommended that better ways for the commission to communicate prints and plans for the public to view during public hearings. Members of the commission requested to be notified of applications when they are applied for. David will make a note to notify members when applications are received that he will notify members. They will have also asked to have the minutes emailed to members once approved to be posted. David Dodes will discuss with Melanie Jump on communications of applications being sent to the members. These ideas will help with communication of the board members and better preparation of future meetings. The board discussed the cost of new equipment for presentations and meetings and then was notified of the improvements
that need to be made to the town hall property and police department.
4 – Acceptance of minutes from December 12, 2006 A motion by Frank Junga and seconded by Peter Zawisza to approve minutes of the January 11, 2007. Vote: all in favor.
5 – Old Business. A) Review of fee letter in regards of open space Discussion took place on open space and a letter will sent to P & Z with the support and recommendations of the open space fee.
6 – New Business
Copies of the development review checklist were handed out. Copies of the recommended proposed changes to the Conversation Commission By-Laws that were discussed in June of 2005 will be copied and sent to commission members by Denise.
Peter Zawisza shared comments on the Skyline Phase II project. He believes recommendations need to made to P & Z in regards to the 2.5 acres of wetlands and that this request was given enough time to decide on what would be best for open space. He wants to request different open space dedications and will send a letter to P & Z with his recommendations.
A motion by Peter Zawisza and seconded by Duncan McNeill to adjourn. Meeting adjourned 9:33 pm
Respectfully submitted, Recording Clerk Denise Wojick February 11, 2007
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