TOWN OF OLD SAYBROOK
Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission
302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
Telephone (860) 395-3131 FAX (860) 395-1216
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – “THE PRESERVE”
Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 7:30 P.M.
FIRST FLOOR CONERENCE ROOM
TOWN HALL – 302 MAIN STREET
I. CALL TO ORDER
At 7:40 p.m., Chairman Paul Smith called to order a special meeting of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) for the purpose of deliberating Application #05-016.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members Absent Members
Paul Smith, Chairman Kevin Zawoy, Regular Member
Charles Sohl, Vice Chairman, Zoning Rep.
William Pollock, Secretary
Frank Reichart, Economic Development Rep.
Robert McIntyre, Planning Rep.
Judy Preston, Conservation Rep.
Town Staff and Consultants
Damon Hearne, Wetlands Enforcement Officer
Whitney McKendree Moore, Recording Clerk
Michael Cronin, Esq., Consulting Legal Counsel
Kati Drzewianowski, Consulting Civil Engineer
Geoffrey Jacobsen, Consulting Civil Engineer
Brian Curtis, PE, Nathan L. Jacobsen & Associates
Wade M. Thomas, CPESC, CPSWQ, Nathan L. Jacobsen & Associates
R. Richard Snarski, Consulting Soil and Wetlands Scientist
Chairman Smith called the meeting to order with all seven Commissioners present. He reviewed the timeframe for deliberations, stating that March 16th is the target date for reaching a decision. The next meetings will be devoted to roadways, housing, and ancillary facilities, with this night devoted to the three holes ringing Pequot Swamp (Holes 16, 17, and 18).
III. DELIBERATION
05-016 “The Preserve” – River Sound Development, LLC
Application to construct an open-space subdivision country club, golf course community (934 acres total) and open space (542.2 acres) within 100 feet of wetlands (114.5 acres total wetlands).
Residence Conservation C District, Aquifer Protection District
Applicant: River Sound Development, LLC Agent: Attorney David Royston
Wastewater Collection, Treatment, and Disposal
Commissioners reviewed the “community septic system” which would have a tertiary treatment plant capable of producing effluent the quality of drinking water. They did not question the level of treatment so much as its dispersion. The western system (near Pequot Swamp) will only be used ten percent of the time, so impacts from it should be minimal. Town consultants said that the condition to which the applicant has agreed is a very high standard (two milligrams per liter) and that it may be pushing the limits of best available treatment technology. Brian Curtis said that the DEP will be evaluating whether that standard is realistic. There was some exploration of scenarios for what would happen if the requirement failed to be met and concern about what happens if they cannot meet it.
Again, several members felt the need to rely on Town consultants and to avoid projections that assume system failures. Others felt the scope of that detail might be untenable and that there are many unknowns.
Maintenance Facility
The maintenance facility will be located next to the facility for wastewater treatment, well beyond the 100-foot regulated area. Town consultants had made only minor recommendations, and Commissioners felt satisfied that this activity would pose no significant impacts, either to wetlands or to the watercourses.
Residences and Recreational Facilities
There was concern about home sites that intrude into the 100-foot setback, but Town consultants saw very little of concern in these sites. The Homeowner’s Association will ensure that clearing does not occur inside the 100-foot line. Commissioners requested that the owners of cluster housing units be restricted in the same way as those owning estate lots.
Other Concerns
Chairman Smith then asked if there were any other areas of concern for either the Commissioners or the Town Consultants. Damon Hearne mentioned that the driving range on the golf course had never been discussed, and Charles Sohl raised a concern about how the 25-foot buffer was established. Geoff Jacobsen commented that, if the buffer were defined as 50 feet instead of 25 feet, it would not be possible to have a golf course.
Judith Preston raised concerns regarding Roadway A, which is right at the wetland border and from which, she believes, there would be many wetland impacts. “This application worries me, she said. “This is not a good defense of our wetlands.” Polling of the members resulted in five who felt the road would have significant impact, but that that they cannot do anything about the roads. Except for Commissioner Preston, all the members felt they had gone as far as they could with roadways.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
At this point, the Chairman requested a motion for adjournment until the next special meeting, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 in the library of the Old Saybrook Middle School, 60 Sheffield Street.
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 11:20 p.m. MADE by P. Smith. SECONDED by
F. Reichart. VOTED IN FAVOR: W. Pollock, P. Smith, J. Preston, F. Reichart,
R. McIntyre, C. Sohl; OPPOSED: none; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 6-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Whitney McKendree Moore
Recording Clerk
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