MINUTES
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014
PRESENT WERE: Skip DiCamillo, Janet Bechtel, Dave McCulloch and Tim Rollins.
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING DATED MARCH 25, 2014
Janet Bechtel made a motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes dated March 25, 2014 as submitted. Dave McCulloch seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
MINUTES OF SITE WALK MEETING DATED MARCH 29, 2014
Janet Bechtel made a motion to approve the Site Walk Meeting Minutes dated March 29, 2014 as submitted. Tim Rollins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
14-1 GRAYBILL PROPERTIES – JAMES GRAYBILL – 151 BOSTON POST ROAD – RELOCATION OF EXISTING COMMERCIAL USE TO A NEW BUILDING LOCATED ON SAME PREMISES
Ann Brown reported the applicant has requested the commission open the hearing tonight and not take testimony.
Skip DiCamillo stated that the hearing is opened for Graybill Properties located at 151 Boston Post and will be continued until the May 27th, 2014 meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
14-4 KENNETH STONE – 17 SILL LANE – COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS OF PERMIT 11-20 AND TO REMOVE HAZARDOUS DEAD TREES AND LIMBS. (TO INCLUDE SEEDING, PLANTING SHRUBS, AND REMOVING TRASH).
DiCamillo reported the commission walked the site on March 29, 2014. Brown asked if the commission had any conditions that they wanted placed on the permit. DiCamillo stated that Mr. Stone explained how the trees would be removed and indicated he is still in the process of removing trash to help improve the area.
Page 2 – Minutes
IWWC – April 22, 2104
Janet Bechtel made a motion to approve the application of Kenneth Stone 17 Sill Lane as submitted. Tim Rollins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The commission agreed to consider this application as part of the existing permit therefore no fee is due. It was further noted that most of the work being done at this time was to of been completed as part of the original application at the time of construction.
14-5 DONNA SZYMCZYK – 14 SUNSET DRIVE – ERECT A 21 X 21 CARPORT
Donna Szymczyk was present to discuss her application with the commission. She stated as a result of the site walk she submitted a summary of her comments as a result of the site for the commission to review. She stated she was restricted as to where she could place a carport because of setback restrictions to the adjacent property. She further stated if she moves the carport up away from the water as was suggested by the commission it would restrict her access to the backyard which would be an inconvenience.
Szymczyk stated the fact that there is gravel between the asphalt and water would help with any wash out that came from the driveway. She further noted the Town of Old Lyme installed storm drains on Sunset Drive which empty through a pipe into the brook.
Bechtel stated that she felt the property along the boundary of the waters edge is heavily overused. Bechtel stated there is presently gravel within 20 ft. to the brook line of the proposed carport and therefore she would recommend that it be replanted and left to grow which would trap any runoff. She would also recommend that the logs and woodpile be pulled back 20 ft. from the edge of the brook. Bechtel stated she felt there was way too much activity within 20 ft. of the brook.
DiCamillo stated it is the policy of the commission to require a 20 ft. buffer between the water and any activity. Szymcyzk stated she does not have a lot of area to park cars and her trailer. Bechtel stated within that buffer area there is currently three cars, trailers, mulch pile and a woodpile which is a lot of activity in an area that is truly meant to be a naturalized buffer to protect the water quality of Mill Pond Brook.
Bechtel stated she did not feel the carport had a detrimental impact to the brook but felt the other activities did have an impact on the brook.
Bechtel asked the applicant is she did currently have a one car garage. Szymcysk stated you could call it a garage but it is not useful as a garage presently.
Page 3 – Minutes
IWWC – April 22, 2014
DiCamillo stated the commission recommends a 20 ft. natural buffer along any waterway. Szymcysk asked if the commission wanted grass rather than gravel. DiCamillo stated that was correct they would like the area left in its natural state or a shrub border installed to filter anything from getting into the brook. Szymcysk stated it was her intention to clean up the area and this would provide some motivation to get it done.
Brown clarified that the gravel would be removed and the applicant would prefer to install shrubbery opposed to grass.
DiCamillo stated he would like to see the gravel pulled back away from the brook. Szymcysk stated she would like to plant the shrubbery at the end of the gravel rather than pull it back. She felt this would take away a portion of her driveway. Bechtel stated there is 20ft. from the rear of the carport to the edge of brook. She stated she would prefer that area be shrubbed and the gravel removed. Szymycysk stated she would like to retain some of the gravel area.
Bechtel asked if 6ft would be adequate after the proposed carport. Szymcysk asked if the distance could be split. DiCamillo asked if the additional footage would be used as a pathway through the area. Szymycsk stated the shrubs will grow and also take up a portion of the remaining area. Szymycsk asked if the commission would want the area mulched. Bechtel stated she felt it would be better for the shrubs. She further stated if the gravel is pulled forward within the 6ft area if would provide a good solid base for access behind the carport and allows for a 14ft. wide strip between the gravel and the 6ft edge of the gravel to the fall off edge of the brook and plant whatever shrubs that would do well in that area.
Janet Bechtel made a motion to approve the application of Donna Szymycysk at 14 Sunset Drive to erect a 21 x 21 carport with three conditions:
- All materials be removed from the rear of the asphalt to the edge of the brook
- A 6 ft. wide gravel walkway be allowed from the rear of the carport towards the brook
- The remaining 14ft be maintained as a shrub buffer
Tim Rollins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
14-5 BETSY GRANT – 9 LAKE DRIVE – CONSTRUCTION OF A 2 CAR GARAGE
Joe Wren, P.E. and Mr. and Mrs. Grant were present to discuss the application with the commission. Wren stated the commission discussed the application last month as well as visited the site. He noted no revisions have been made to the plan since that time.
DiCamillo asked if the large tree between the house and garage would remain or be removed.
Page 4 – Minutes
IWWC – April 24, 2014
Tom Grant reported that Jason Wilcox, Tree Arborist stated that the footings would impact the root system of the tree and eventually would cause the tree to fall into the house. Wilcox recommended the tree be removed.
McCulloch stated he spoke to the building department about the possibility of a slab on grade and they indicated that would not be permitted but stated they could possibly install a foundation that is only 20 inches deep which would be half the depth. Mr. Grant stated they loved the tree and would research that information.
Bechtel stated that Commission Member Evan Griswold also stated that the tree roots that would be destroyed would be on the side that would cause the tree to fall towards the house.
Bechtel stated she felt the commission should look at the application as presented which indicates the tree is to be removed.
Bechtel made a motion to approve the application of Betsy P. Grant at 9 Lake Drive for the construction of a two car garage as submitted. Dave McCulloch seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
WETLANDS VIOLATION – 3 WINDWARD LAND
Ann Brown reported that she had visited the site today and it looks the same as when the commission walked it on March 29, 2014. No further action required.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CORRESPONDENCE ITEMS
Dave McCulloch stated that he wished the regulations permitted more flexibility in the field for conversations between the applicant and the commission. He felt that a lot of items could be addressed and worked out prior to the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Janet Bechtel made a motion to adjourn. Tim Rollins seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
Land Use Administrator
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