MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
THURSDAY, April 15, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park
155 College Street Extension
I. CALL TO ORDER
Paul Smith called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Four commission members were seated to vote.
II. ROLL CALL
Attendant Members
Paul Smith, Chairman
William Pollock, Secretary
Charles Sohl, Vice Chairman
Charles Wehrly
Absent Members
Robert McIntyre
Brendan McKeown
Kimberly Gallagher
Mark McGuire
Attendant Staff
Kelly Volansky, EO
Joanne Rynecki, Clerk
III. OLD BUSINESS
Construction of a rain garden bio-retention facility, small business warehouse, parking to accommodate the same and a dumpster pad.
2 & 4 Center Road West, (Map 26, Lots 7 & 8)
Business B-4District
Action: Review and Act
Ralph Gometz was present to give an overview of the plans to construct one warehouse building and a rain garden to accommodate the increased flow of rainwater from the proposed warehouse building, parking area and two possible future warehouse buildings. The warehouse buildings on the plan included bathrooms; however, due to unfavorable soil conditions no new septic systems or bathrooms will be installed.
Staff has received Ordinance 71 fees for the engineering consultant. Kelly Volansky distributed Geoffrey Jacobson’s engineering report which outlined issues to be addressed by the applicant. Mr. Gometz has reviewed the consultant’s report and agreed to comply with all of Mr. Jacobson’s comments. They are as follows:
1.How will roof runoff be handled? The plan did not depict gutters and leaders; and, this could result in surface erosion. Mr. Gometz will install a drainage system for the warehouse building that will carry rainwater runoff from the roof into a six inch pipe to the rain garden.
2. Will floor drains be installed in the warehouse? Mr. Gometz said no floor drains will be installed.
3.The proposed dumpster plan shows the dumpster access will be from the north, it should be the south side. Mr. Gometz will correct the plans to screen the dumpster on the north, east and west sides with 2 gates on the south side.
4. The method for sizing the Rain Garden should be submitted. Mr. Gometz agreed to submit the calculations for review by Mr. Jacobson.
5. The elevation of the overflow spillway should be established, not to exceed 1 foot in depth, with 6 inches being preferable. Mr. Gometz agreed.
6. Perform new test pits in spring season to determine infiltration capacity. Mr. Gometz will be testing next week.
7. If necessary, from information gathered in new test pits, install an under drain below the prepared soil mix. The mix should be a 3 inch depth of shredded hardwood mulch. Mr. Gometz agreed.
8. The size of the stone berm and overflow spillway should be noted, as should the size of and depth of stone. Mr. Gometz agreed.
9. Remove obstruction in the outlet swale. Mr. Gometz agreed.
10. Misc. items within the 100ft upland area. Mr. Gometz said that those items are from his tenants and will be moved from the upland review area or disposed of.
Mr. Jacobson did not comment on the proposed plantings, however, Kelly Volansky feels they are satisfactory.
Mr. Sohl asked where the rainwater flows now. Water flows in 2 directions, one toward Center Road and one toward the existing swale toward the detention pond. The rain garden will take the first inch of rain water from the 1 proposed and 2 future buildings and the parking area. The second smaller rain garden is proposed for the future to collect water from a small area where the water won’t flow to the main rain garden on its own.
Mr. Pollock asked how the additional water flow from the site, which may be routed from overflow of the rain garden to the culvert pipe that goes under the BPR, will affect the beach community. Mr. Gometz does not feel it will be an issue due to the repair and clearing of the culvert in the past year which alleviated much of the problem for the beach community. The rain garden should accommodate up to a 25 year storm before needing to be diverted to the stream. Mr. Pollock would like follow up on the removal of the misc. items and Chuck Wehrly would like to know how the additional test pits will be monitored. Chairman Smith assured the members that staff will follow up on any requirements. Alternatively, the Commission may vote to continue the application until the tests results are received and the debris has
been removed.
Kelly Volansky asked Mr. Gometz where sediment to be removed, as noted in the maintenance notes on the plans, will be deposited. Mr. Gometz said any sediment removed would be used in other areas on the site. Mr. Gometz asked the Commission for permission to construct the berm using woodchips rather than a silt fence. The berm would be 3 to 4 ft wide and 2 feet deep. The Commission agreed.
MOTION to approve application 10-003 - construction of a rain garden. bio-retention facility, dumpster pad, parking area and small business warehouse building. MADE by Charles Wehrly; SECONDED by William Pollock; DISCUSSION: Mr. Pollock is relying on staff to monitor the completion according to the plans and consultant’s recommendations. MOTION AMENDED to include the completion of all recommendations outlined in the engineering consultant’s letter dated April 15, 2010 and a minimum of 2 signs to be placed on the north side of the existing warehouse building in the existing drainage swale area stating that this is a drainage way and no activity or placement of materials should occur in that area. MADE by William Pollock;
SECONDED by Charles Wehrly; IN FAVOR: Paul Smith, Charles Sohl, Charles Wehrly, William Pollock; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 4-0-0
IV. NEW BUSINESS
- VIOLATION: Atlantic Seafood
Unauthorized activity within inland wetlands and 100’ of inland wetlands.
1400 Boston Post Road, (Map 27/Lot 21)
Business B-4 District
Kelly Volansky reviewed the location of the property and showed photos of the property which were taken in 2006, 2008 and recently. It appears that expansion of the parking lot occurred on the west side of the property into or just up to the edge of the red maple swamp. Wetland delineations were last performed in 2008 when the farm stand was put in place on the west side of the property. The new parking surface created to the south and west of the property appears to be of a loose fine stone material with very large white stones serving as rip-rap on a sloped area near or in the wetlands. Two dumpsters are sitting on the edge of the loose material near the wetlands. Kelly has not been able to determine if the large stones associated with the expanded driveway are encroaching in the wetlands or just at the
edge of the wetlands.
Lisa Fineman, owner of Atlantic Seafood since 2005 explained that she hired a contractor to repair a sink hole in the paved parking lot near the farm stand. The contractor, Dibble Construction, advised against simply filling the hole and that a more extensive job was required. Town permitting was never discussed between Ms. Fineman and Dibble Construction.
Chairman Smith showed Ms. Fineman a copy of the plans from the 2008 farm stand application and an aerial photo of her property and explained to Ms. Fineman that in 2008 the wetlands were flagged for the farm stand placement and indicated that her property is entirely within the 100 foot wetland regulated area. He further explained that in the future any work done outside of her building at this site must be brought before the Wetlands Enforcement Officer for permitting. The issue before this Commission tonight is how to prevent runoff and disturbance to the wetlands from the expanded stone parking area and the dumpsters.
Chairman Smith asked why they placed the large stone at the edge of the wetlands. He suggestaed that if this Commission was consulted, the recommendation might have been to plant a vegetative buffer.
Mr. Pollock asked if there could be a barrier erected from the southwest corner of the building running parallel with the Post Road to prevent cars from entering the area. Ms. Fineman agreed to put up a barrier from the back of the pad where her walk-in cooler is located.
Mr. Wehrly would like to know where the dumpsters can be relocated to on the site, currently they are too close to the wetlands. Mr. Fineman agreed to move them to the back where the barrier fence is proposed, immediately west of the pad for the walk in cooler.
Mr. Wehrly asked Ms. Volansky how much of the wetlands have been encroached upon; and, Chairman Smith asked if the large stones were to be removed and plantings installed would it negatively impact the wetlands.
There are several unresolved questions regarding the site and the activity occurring in the 100 foot upland review area and possibly in the wetlands themselves. Chairman Smith requested that all members visit the site to obtain a better understanding of the site and continue this matter until the May meeting. Chairman Smith asked Ms. Fineman to have the barrier put in place as soon as possible.
MOTION to continue violation Atlantic Seafood until the next regular meeting scheduled for May 20, 2010. MADE by Charles Wehrly, SECONDED by Charles Sohl; NO DISCUSSION. IN FAVOR: Paul Smith, Charles Sohl, Charles Wehrly, William Pollock; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: None; APPROVED: 4-0-0
V. REGULAR BUSINESS
A. Staff Report – none
B. Representative & Subcommittee Reports – none
C. Correspondence – none
- Approval of Minutes – March 18, 2010 – postponed until the next meeting due to a lack of voting members.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m. until the next regular meeting at the Pasbeshauke Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park 155 College Street Extension on May 20, 2010. MADE by William Pollock; SECONDED by Charles Wehrly. IN FAVOR: Paul Smith, William Pollock, Charles Wehrly, Charles Sohl; OPPOSED: None; ABSTAINED: none; APPROVED: 4-0-0
Respectfully Submitted,
Joanne Rynecki, Clerk
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