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Inlands Wetlands Commission Minutes 11/28/2017
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 28, 2017


PRESENT WERE:  Skip DiCamillo, Rachel Gaudio, Tom Machnik, Gary Gregory, Robert DePianta and Evan Griswold and WEO Keith Rosenfeld.   

MINUTES OF MEETING DATED OCTOBER 24, 2017

Tom Machnick made a motion approve the Regular Meeting Minutes dated November 28, 2017.  Rachel Gaudio seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

17-11 – STEPHEN DIAMOND AND MARY WAMBY – 8 MCCURDY ROAD – CREATE A SMALL PERVIOUS PARKING AREA AND DEMOLISH AND RECONSTRUCT AN EXISTING GARAGE WITHIN THE UPLAND REVIEW AREA.

Joe Wren, Professional Engineer with Indigo Land Design was present on behalf of the applicants.  Mr. Wren indicated that most of the members were in attendance on the site walk.  He reviewed the proposal once again with the commission which included the demolishing of the existing garage and the replacement of a new garage with a footprint approximately 2 ft. larger.   He also reviewed the  small pervious parking area to be installed.   Mr. Wren explained that all of the invasive species had been removed from the site and Mrs. Wamby is using the pamphlet published by the CT River Coastal Conservation District as a guide for her replacement plantings.   Mrs. Wamby agreed to provide the commission with a copy of the plantings.

Tom Machnik made a motion to approve the application with the following conditions outlined in Keith Rosenfeld’s memo dated November 1, 2017

  • Limit work to those areas on the plan approved for new development.
  • Allow for a natural buffer between the proposed parking area and adjacent catch basin to develop naturally, mowing should be discouraged in lieu of additional native grass species.
  • Continue to plant appropriate native vegetation in the rear of the property (buffer) including Shadblow, Eastern Red Cedar, Flowering Dogwood and Redosier dogwood.
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  • Do not dump anything in the buffer, including grass clippings and yard waste.
Gary Gregory seconded the motion.   The motion passed unanimously.


17-9 – CAROL MITCHELL – 64 COLUMBUS AVENUE – LIFT THE HOUSE 4’ TO CREATE FEMA COMPLIANT FOUNDATION – RENOVATE EXISTING HOUSE IN SAME LOCATION

The commission noted they had visited the site but that the applicant has not attended any of the meetings.   

The commission reviewed the site plan provided with the application.  Mr. Rosenfeld explained that the proposal was to just simply raise the house in its present form to meet the FEMA guidelines.  He also noted that the application has still not been granted health approval.  He further stated it will also be seeking a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Evan Griswold made a motion to approve the application with the following conditions:

  • Prior to any construction, the limit of disturbance must be identified on plans and field staked in this identified location.
  • Proper soil and erosion controls should be put in place before any construction activity takes place and must remain in place (and functional) for the lifetime of the project and be removed once the project is completed.
  • WEO should be informed prior to when scheduled work shall begin and visit the site during the construction process.
  • Applicant is encouraged to allow for natural regeneration of the area adjacent to Swan Brook to occur through the success of native plants and weeds,, as naturally dispersed by animals, wind, and/or insects.
Tom Machnik seconded the motion.   The motion passed unanimously.


17-10 – ROBERT PFANNER – 224 SHORE ROAD – CONSTRUCT A 40 X 60 GARAGE

Mr. Pfanner was present to discuss the plan.   Skip DiCamillo stated the commission had visited the site and at the last meeting requested some changes be incorporated into the plan.  Mr. Pfanner stated he used Mr. Rosenfeld’s memo dated November 21, 2017 and put most of the conditions on the plan itself with the exception of a few items.    He said two of the items which were included in the number of conditions such as the amount of vehicles on the site and the hours of operation.   He and Mr. Rosenfeld agreed these items would be addressed during the Site Plan review process with the Zoning Commission.  The plantings in the bio swale were
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outlined in the plan as well as the construction sequence which will prevent anything from getting into the stream.  

Gary Gregory asked how they proposed to keep the mud from entering the roadway onto Route 156.   Mr. Pfanner stated a construction entrance has been placed on the plan.

Rachel Gaudio stated the note section on the revised site plan dated 11/24  appears to be copy and pasted from Keith Rosenfeld’s conditions outlined in his memo dated November 21, 2017.  She noted there is a misspelling  in Note #5 which should be “hazardous” not hazarders. She further stated that on the plan Note 3 and 4 and in Keith’s  memo Notes 4 and 5.  She stated that Mr. Rosenfeld’s memo indicates10 vehicles and the plans indicate 13 vehicles.  She further asked for clarification of the note which states “only in locations marked for parking shall be prohibited.”  Rosenfeld stated he was requesting the applicant provide the area where the vehicles are allowed and the other areas would be prohibited.  The plan will be clarified to indicate designated areas for parking.  She also discussed Item 4 on the plan where it states “All repairs and routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire changes and lubrication are strictly prohibited on the property, either within the garage or outside on the yard.  Gaudio stated she felt the whole purpose of the garage was for that use so she did not want to prohibit that or have that note on the plan.   Gaudio stated for the Wetlands Commission she felt the garage was an asset.   Rosenfeld stated this would be a Zoning Commission issue during their review process.   Gaudio suggested that wording be amended to only allow repairs in the garage and be prohibited in any other areas on the property.  

Bob DePianta made a motion to approve the application with plans revised through 11/24 with the following corrections:

  •  Prior to commencement of any work, the applicant, the site contractor and the WEO will meet to discuss the anticipated scope of work, the expected work schedule and required erosion and sedimentation control inspections.
  • Applicant shall amend the site development plan for a temporary construction entrance.
  • Applicant shall amend the site development plan to account for the following construction sequence.
  • Limit of construction shall be field staked and inspected by the WEO prior to any excavation work.
  • Prior to the commencement of work on the property, all erosion and soil controls will be installed in the field.
  • After all erosion and soil controls are installed in the field and prior to the commencement of any work on the property, a Bio-swale will be constructed per its approved specifications with verification submitted to the Town’s Consulting Engineer for final approval.

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  • Applicant is required to provide on the first day of each month reports to the WEO to assure that the Bio swale is being properly maintained and is functioning in the manner intended.  
  • After all erosion and soil controls are installed in the field and the bio-swale has been constructed per its approved specifications.  (and approved by the Town’s Consulting Engineer and prior to the commencement of any work on the property, 150 linear feet of 8’ cedar stockade fence will be installed.
  • Overnight parking shall be limited to designated areas shown on the plan and prohibited in any other areas.
  • All repairs and routine maintains such as oil changes, tire changes and lubrication are strictly prohibited on the property and limited only to the garage.
  • No waste materials are allowed to be stored on the property and must be removed from the property on a daily basis.
  • In order to limit potential negative impacts to the adjacent regulated areas, hours of operation shall be solely from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday, April 1st through December 1st.
Evan Griswold seconded the motion.   The motion passed unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS

Robert DePianta made a motion to nominate Rachel Gaudio as the new Chairperson of the inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.  Evan Griswold seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  

Robert DePianta made a motion to nominate Tom Machnik as the new Vice Chairman of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission.  Evan Griswold seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

Bob DePianta made a motion to adjourn.  Evan Griswold seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  

Respectfully submitted,