IWWC MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, June 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park
155 College Street Extension
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Paul Smith called the regular meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. Four commission members were seated to vote.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members
Paul Smith, Chairman
Kimberly Gallagher
William Pollock, Secretary
Brendan McKeown
Absent Members
Joseph Santangelo
Robert McIntyre
Charles Sohl, Vice Chairman
Chuck Wehrly, Alternate
Attendant Staff
Kelly Volansky, IWWC Enforcement Officer
Joanne Rynecki, Recording Clerk
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. 09--005 Ruth-Ann Hockert
A 2 story addition of approximately 676 sq ft (448 sq ft 1st floor, 228 sq ft 2nd floor). Addition will be on the front of the house where driveway is currently located.
48 Old Boston Post Road (Map 29/Lot 92-3)
Residential A District
Action: Review and act
Ruth Ann Hockert passed out a revised site development plan with revisions dated 6/12/09
Chairman Smith reminded the commission members that the entire property is within the regulated 100 ft setback, no additional bedrooms are being added; therefore, the existing septic system is to remain as is. The garage is being added on to for additional storage space and office space on second floor.
Mr. Pollock referred to a note on the plans regarding clearing of trees. Ms,. Hockert said there are no plans to cut trees. The notes must be from an earlier plan and are not part of this plan. Mr. Smith asked if any trees will be cut as part of the construction and Ms. Hockert responded, no.
Brendan McKeown asked if there would be stockpiles on the property during construction. Ms. Hockert said that all excavated material will be removed from the site. The driveway is currently crushed stone and new stone will be brought in to complete the new driveway.
MOTION to approve application #09-005 for the construction of a 676 sq ft addition to the existing home as stated on revised plans dated 6/12/09. MADE by Brendan McKeown, SECONDED by William Pollock; NO DISCUSSION; IN FAVOR: Paul Smith, William Pollock, Kimberly Gallagher, Brendan McKeown; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0
IV. NEW BUSINESS
DISCUSSION
Hope Partnership
Preliminary discussion for Hope Partnership
45 Ferry Road (Map 45/Lot 3)
Residential A District
Action: Discussion
Mr. George Smilas of Bennett & Smilas Engineering in Higganum CT came before the Commission to give a brief overview of the affordable housing project proposal and to explain how it may or may not impact the adjacent wetlands.
The state of CT DOT owned the land and used it as a staging area when the latest bridge was built. Later the site was part of a remediation plan where the state excavated material from the site and replaced it with clean fill. Currently the ownership of the parcel is in the process of being transferred to Town of Old Saybrook. Once transferred, the town will lease a portion of the property to the Hope Partnership or related entity for affordable housing. The remainder of the parcel will be used for sports fields run by the Town Parks and Recreation Department...
Wetlands have been flagged by James Siperly. There are 2 areas identified as inland wetlands located on either side of the property.
This application would be only for the eastern side of the property for 5 residential buildings with a total of 14 units with 2–3 bedrooms in each unit most likely built on a slab foundation.
There will be no activity in the wetlands, only within the 100 ft regulated area. The Commission would like the total area of wetlands both on and adjacent to the property indicated on the plans.
The proposed driveway and parking areas are within the 100 ft regulated area. Approx.22 acres of the regulated upland area will be disturbed by proposed construction for the driveway and parking lot.
A new water quality basin will be created in accordance with State DEP requirements which will collect runoff water from the parking and driveway areas prior to being discharged to the wetlands. Dry wells will be installed for each building to collect runoff water from the roofs.
There will be on site septic systems for each building and public water is available.
Mr. McKeown asked about the flood zone indicated on the plans where a parking lot is proposed Mr. Smilas explained that it was a Zone X, 500 year flood plain area, he did further research and in fact the area is no longer in Zone X. All building locations are above the 500 year flood elevation of 11.4 feet.
Kim Gallagher asked about the location of all 5 septic systems and how repairs and maintenance will be done to them in the future. Mr. Smilas pointed out the septic locations and he needs to look into how the systems will be accessed in the future. Ms. Gallagher also stated that the refuse and recycling containers are too close to the wetlands. Mr. Smilas said where they are proposed is 50 ft from the wetlands. Chairman Smith added that if the driveway and parking lot was reconfigured it may allow the refuse and recycling containers to be 20 feet further from the wetlands.
Mr. Pollock asked for further explanation of the water quality basin. Mr. Smilas said that the pavement runoff will be directed into the fore-bay areas then to the water quality basin. The first inch of runoff will be retained in the basin and additional water will flow out. The first inch of water is what you want to capture and treat, stated Mr. Smilas.
Chairman Smith noted that water quality basins usually have standing water in them similar to a retention pond. The plan calls for 2 feet of water in the basin with no formal spillway. Mr. Smilas will put more detail on next plans to show how the overflow of water will be directed and what will be planted for vegetation. The commission would like the plans to show any removal of vegetation, trees and shrubs. Also the wood guard rail and posts should indicate the type of wood and should not be treated with creosote. Also, the water meter shown on Drawing #1 should indicate if it is active or will be abandoned and not used.
Chairman Smith asked who came up with the plan for the recreation area which is shown on the plans. Mr. Smilas said he proposed the plan. Chairman Smith agreed with Ms. Gallagher’s suggestion that the application, when presented, not include anything on the side for the recreation area if it is not part of the application.
Mr. McKeown asked why building 5 has a protrusion on the NE corner of the building. Mr. Smilas indicated that building 5 is one of 2 handicap accessible units which are configured differently. Mr. McKeown suggested having the refuse and recycling containers close to the handicap units and not near the wetlands. Refuse and recycling containers leak and with the grade any liquid will go directly into the wetlands.
Chairman Smith asked if the project has extra parking spaces perhaps reconfiguring them would allow a space for the refuse and recycling containers further from the wetlands.
The commission agreed with using porous pavers to reduce the water running into the basin.
Mr. Pollock asked what drove the location of housing and recreation on the site. Mr. Smilas said it was to allow for the number of buildings and septic and parking required along with the locations of the septic systems and foundations due to the fill that was placed on the property years ago. Special footings and foundations may be required in those areas, but soil tests have not been completed. Also asked was if there would be outside storage sheds. Mr. Smilas said it is being considered. These are rental units owned by the Hope Partnership and will be maintained by a management company. Chairman Smith said that a central management company will allow the commission to control the pesticides applications and mowing of the lawn at the property.
Mr. Pollock stated he would like to see the plan submitted with the application to show some alternative placements of buildings and parking. Chairman Smith agreed that when the partnership comes back before this commission it needs to show what alternatives were considered and why the proposed layout was chosen.
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Staff Report – Ms. Volansky, IWEO, reported a complaint had been filed for the property located at 65 Bokum Road. The property has had an existing construction business on the premises since approximately the 1940’s. The complainant alleges unauthorized digging, dumping, cutting of trees, dumping of cement truck and parked vehicles near property line. Ms. Volansky stated she is reviewing the record to determine what activities were approved by the IWWC in the early 1990’s. A site visit was cancelled today, June 18, due to bad weather. Ms. Volansky is hoping to reschedule in the next week or two. Once the investigation is complete, Ms. Volansky will report back to commission. Chairman Smith asked if it is
possible to bring a certified soil scientist to determine the wetland boundaries and locations.
During a meeting on June 17 with Town staff at Town Hall, the property owner at 65 Bokum Road acknowledged an area of established lawn that he mows contains wetlands soils. The Commission instructed Ms. Volansky to investigate this as well.
A complaint had been received for the property located at 72 Bokum Road. The complaint entailed mowing a portion of established lawn recently determined by the Town to contain wetlands soils. The activities on this property and subsequent letter to the property owner from Ms. Volansky were discussed during the April 2009 IWWC meeting. The complaint is being followed-up by Ms. Volansky.
The IWWC Permit issued to the Four Seasons condo development required a three year monitoring plan. This is the final year of monitoring and the soil scientist, Mr. Snarski, who performed the review, is concerned the association will not pay him for his required services. Chairman Smith directed Ms. Volansky to draft a letter to the homeowners association of the Four Season condos to require funds to be deposited in an escrow account to pay Mr. Snarski or it will be in default under the requirements of the permit and the commission may impose a fine of $1,000 until the funds are collected.
Mr. Joseph Santangelo resigned from Economic Development Commission and therefore will no longer be the EDC representative for this Commission. Chairman Smith anxiously awaits a new replacement delegate to the IWWC from the EDC.
B. Representative & Subcommittee Reports – none
C. Correspondence – none
D. Approval of Minutes – postponed to next meeting due to lack of attendant members available to vote.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. until the next regular meeting on July 15, 2009. MADE by Kimberly Gallagher, SECONDED by William Pollock; NO DISCUSSION; IN FAVOR: Paul Smith, Kimberly Gallagher, William Pollock, Brendan McKeown; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0
Respectfully Submitted,
Joanne Rynecki, Recording Clerk
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