MINUTES
OLD LYME INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014
PRESENT WERE: Skip DiCamillo, Janet Bechtel, Dave McCulloch, Stanley Kolber, Tim Rollins, Evan Griswold, and Christian Tompkins.
MINUTES
MINUTES OF SITE WALK MEETING DATED OCTOBER 2, 2013
Janet Bechtel made a motion to approve the Site Walk Meeting Minutes dated October 2, 2013. Christian Tompkins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING DATED DECEMBER 3, 2013
Evan Griswold made a motion to approve the Special Meeting Minutes dated December 3, 2013.
Tim Rollins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES OF SITE WALK MEETING DATED JANUARY 18, 2014
Janet Bechtel made a motion to approve the Site Walk Meeting Minutes dated January 18, 2014. Skip DiCamillo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
13-34 - KEITH CZARNECKI – 2 PARSONS FARM LANE – CONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING AND GARAGE.
Joe Wren, P.E. of Indigo Land Design, LLC was present to discuss the application on behalf of the applicant. Wren noted that some of the members visited the site. He noted the plan has been revised since the site walk. He noted that he had Richard Snarski, Soil Scientist evaluate the site. Snarski reviewed the proposed house location and the conservation easement area, as well as the overall site. Snarski noted there was a fairly dense buffer between the house and conservation easement. He noted in the area that is currently similar to an open meadow he recommended additional plantings which included 4 wetlands shrubs and 21 trees. He felt over time as the trees mature it would prevent that area from being mowed at all and would bring it back to a wooded buffer as it once
was. Wren noted at the closest point the house is 57 feet from the wetlands.
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January 28, 2014
Griswold asked Mr. Wren about the stakes located in proximity to Parsons Farm Road. Wren stated he did not know what the stakes indicated. Griswold stated he did see the house stakes. Wren clarified that there is nothing proposed in the area of the two unidentified stakes on the site.
Bechtel asked Wren to point out the limits of clearing around the house. Wren reviewed the limits with the commission. Griswold asked about the conservation easement language. Wren indicated that language was put into place back at the time of subdivision approval.
McCulloch asked what the reason was for building the house in the regulated zone. Wren stated either the house or the septic system would be located in the regulated zone. He further stated due to zoning restrictions the house has been placed as far forward as possible. DiCamillo asked if the septic system could be moved closer to the road. Wren indicated it would still be in the regulated area.
Bechtel also noted that if the septic and house locations were swapped the house would be directly in the back yard of the existing house and garage and that would not be desirable for either the potential or existing property owner. She further stated the lot starts to narrow as you go around the corner.
Bechtel asked if the well was protected within the limits of clearing. Wren pointed out the location on the plan.
Evan Griswold made a motion to approve the application as submitted with the stipulation that the limits of clearing be strictly adhered to as presented on the plan. Christian Tompkins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
13-33 – EDWIN WOOD – 54 GRASSY HILL – EXTENSION TO AN EXISTING DECK ON REAR SIDE OF THE HOUSE.
Mr. Wood was present to discuss the application with the commission. The commission reviewed the drawings and photographs submitted with the application. The commission noted they had visited the site. DiCamillo explained the whole structure would move forward. Bechtel further clarified that it is not an overhanging deck it will sit on top of a porch down below. She noted the entire addition will be extended four feet. DiCamillo asked if a silt fence was shown on the plan. Mr. Wood drew the silt fence location on the plan and initialed it. Bechtel asked how the floor of the addition would be constructed. Wood stated it would be brick underneath. Bechtel clarified that the posts would be on sonotubes and the floor will be extended on the ground in brick. Wood
stated that was correct and the brick would be set in stone dust.
Bechtel stated she felt the proposal statement on the application was confusing. Bechtel revised the application to state it is a 4 foot extension to the existing structure and proposed addition. Mr. Wood initialed the modification to the proposed wording on the application.
Janet Bechtel made to motion to approve the application. Dave McCulloch seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Page 3 – Minutes
January 28, 2014
SOUTHWICK COMMONS – 77 LYME STREET – LYME ACADEMY APARTMENTS – REQUEST FOR BOND RELEASE. (NO ACTION AT THIS TIME)
No discussion or action was taken on this item.
13-35 – KENNETH C. STONE – 17 SILL LANE – MOVING A NUMBER OF ROCKS AND BOULDERS. SUBSOIL AND TOPSOIL ALSO TO BE MOVED ONTO THE ROCK BASE.
DiCamillo noted that he and Janet Bechtel visited the site. He noted it was determined, at a prior site visit for a shed permit, that the property owner had done additional work without a permit. Therefore Mr. Stone has now submitted an application to extend a gravel walkway out beyond his driveway through the wetland area.
Kim Groves noted that Mr. Stone had submitted an application and fee for the stone work. She further stated that Mr. Stone also submitted an Annual Report which was requested as one of the conditions of approval for that property.
Bechtel stated the report submitted by Mr. Stone responds to the list of requirements that were put into the original permit. She further noted the report states he has plans for work in the future in 2014 and 2015. Bechtel stated on the site walk “we indicated to Mr. Stone that we were looking at the stone and the rocks that had been moved to stabilize the crossover area and that any future work would require an additional application to the commission”.
Bechtel stated when she and DiCamillo visited the site they felt that the work that Mr. Stone had done stabilized the site. Bechtel also noted for the record the commission now has as part of its file a map of the work that was done and verbiage explaining the project, as well as an annual report.
Stanley Kolber made a motion to approve the application. Dave McCulloch seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
13-27 – MARK FADER – 6 ROSE LANE – CONSTRUCT A GARAGE AND BREEZEWAY.
Mark Fader presented the commission with a Landscape Plan. He noted as part of his conditional approval at the December meeting he was required to present a site plan that would demonstrate how the construction would proceed as well as the location of the silt fence, stockpile location and drainage. The commission reviewed the plan.
No action was required. The site plan is now part of Mr. Fader’s file to ensure the project is completed as presented.
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January 28, 2014
NEW BUSINESS
14-1 GRAYBILL PROPERTIES – JAMES GRAYBILL – 151 BOSTON POST ROAD –
RELOCATION OF EXISTING COMMERCIAL USE TO A NEW BUILDING LOCATED ON SAME PREMISES.
Tony Hendrik’s was present to discuss the proposed changes at 151 Boston Post Road.
Hendriks noted he had submitted an application to this commission but has not yet submitted one to the Zoning Commission.
Mr. Hendriks presented a plan for the commission to view. He noted the orange on the plan represents what currently exists at the site. He noted the site consists of an existing restaurant, retail shops, a bituminous parking area, as well as an overgrown gravel parking area. Mr. Hendriks stated the proposal is to take down the existing building and relocate it to where the existing house is presently. He noted a new parking area will be developed on the front and in the back.
Hendriks stated the new proposed building and existing pavement and new pavement will go towards the wetland and that water will be picked up and put back into the ground. Hendriks stated there will be an underwater dispersion system with an overflow with a plunge pool. He stated the idea is to catch any of the bad particles before they enter into the wetland. He stated no water will go directly into the wetlands it will all go through the system. He noted they have been monitoring what is happening in the back of the old system and very seldom have they seen any trace of water in the overflow.
Hendriks stated the restaurant will have an outside patio area that will sit down approximately 2’ lower than the parking area creating a terrace. He noted all of the soil will be taken off site with the exception of what will be used on the site. He noted the stockpiles will be temporarily located towards the front outside of the review zone. Hendriks stated the first floor will be a restaurant and retail and the second floor will have offices. Hendriks noted the shed shown on the site plan will be removed.
Griswold asked if the gravel access would remain gravel. Hendriks stated it will be paved to minimize maintenance, dust and the storm water runoff. Hendriks noted they tried to locate the dumpster in a different location but he stated this was the best spot for the restaurant. He further stated any gray water that may fall into that area will be captured in the stormceptor. He noted the area will also have curbing.
Hendriks stated they hoped to have architectural plans available for the Public Hearing. Groves requested Hendriks provide additional copies of the plan for the various agencies to review. Bechtel asked if this commission was going to hold a public hearing.
Bechtel stated there is a lot of impervious surface on the site. Bechtel asked if there was anything green on the site. Hendriks stated the pavement would be pulled back away from Route 1 and that area would become green. He noted there is a green island in the middle and the front patio areas would contain planters.
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January 28, 2014
Bechtel stated she would like to see the plan finalized prior to submitting to Tom Metcalf. Hendriks stated he would provide the commission with a colored version showing the green spaces and remove the shed.
Bechtel stated she felt there was way too much parking. She stated it was created to accommodate the flow which she doesn’t understand. She further stated that she felt the flow requires an explanation as to why. Hendriks stated he would have the applicant provide an explanation as to the flow of the traffic and parking.
The commission also stated they did not want to ever see anything parked in the rear other than employee vehicles. They do not want any vehicles in need of repair parked in that area. Bechtel stated this was made very clear when the original All Pro application was approved.
Hendriks explained that currently the parking is congested and that is why a new traffic flow has been created. It also eliminates cars pulling out onto Route 1 to get from one site to the other.
DiCamillo asked how many parking spaces are proposed for the site. Hendriks stated 63. DiCamillo asked if there is a suggested number for the occupants of the buildings. Hendriks stated they are required to have 58. Rollins asked how many spaces are there currently. Hendriks was not sure of the exact number but pointed out the existing spaces on the plan.
Moran asked if the berm in front of the existing building would be removed from the site. Hendriks stated it would be cut back 2 to 3’ in order to have the width required for the traffic flow.
Kolber stated he felt the issue of why the traffic flow is being created needs to be addressed. Hendriks stated he will get the commission some answers and noted zoning would also be reviewing the traffic flow.
Bechtel stated the building could move out of the 100’ review zone towards the street so its sheet flow would move more towards Boston Post Road but noted it would impede upon the traffic flow currently proposed. She stated it is important the commission know why that particular traffic flow was designed. Hendriks stated the flow is to handle the cars coming out of an area. Bechtel stated she would be happier if the current All Pro driveway was left as is and the proposed building was pulled back out of the review zone. Griswold stated there is an awful lot of activity being relocated to the review zone and this is something the commission tries to avoid.
Mike Moran asked how many spaces were required for offices. Hendriks stated medical use requires 5 spaces for every 1000 sq.ft. and plain office is 3 spaces for every 1000 sq.ft. Hendriks stated the size of the leaching systems also depends on the use at the site. Bechtel asked if this plan was designed for maximum possible use. Hendriks stated he used the straight forward office calculation for parking but the medical use for septic.
Evan Griswold stated he felt the proposal has a significant impact on the wetland review zone. He stated he felt it was a very intensive use of an area.
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January 28, 2014
Bechtel made a motion to hold a public hearing on the Graybill application at the March 25th, 2014 meeting. Griswold seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
Land Use Administrator
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