MINUTES
OLD LYME INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011
PRESENT WERE: Robb Linde, Dave McCulloch and Evan Griswold.
11-22 – Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts – 77 Lyme Street – Construction of 2
Buildings for multi-family housing, a 1,250 ft. access road, 2 sanitary systems,
parking, access aisles.
Bob Doane was present on behalf of the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. He stated the proposal is to construct two apartment buildings which will be used by the academy, as well as a 1,250 ft. roadway and a 100,000 gallon fire pond. He stated the proposal includes one wetland crossing which may be a man made ditch and also noted there is parking activity located within 100 ft of the review area.
Linde stated the proposal indicates that this a two phase plan. Doane stated that was corrected and pointed out on the plan the two additional buildings to be constructed as part of the second phase. Linde stated he just wanted to be sure that the proposed roadway would provide access to Phase II as well as any additional proposals. Linde asked if it was stipulated on the plan that the roadway will be used for all activity on the site. Doane indicated he had not done that but noted it was not a problem to do so. Linde stated he really wanted to avoid any additional wetland crossings in the future.
Brown asked Doane what the development would do if the school did not grant the emergency access. Doane stated they would then have to discuss the safety of a dead end street. Brown asked how far it was to the first phase of the project. Doane stated it was 1,250 ft. Brown asked if the parking that was established on the site was shown on the plan and if the applicant intended to complete the landscaping that was previously approved. Doane stated it was there intent to do the landscaping and it would be shown on the plan submitted to the Zoning Commission as well as the existing parking.
McCulloch asked if the septage would be piped into the school system. Doane stated that after meeting with the DEP this was not an option.
The commission set a site walk for Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.
Page 2 – Minutes
IWWC – 09-08-11
11-23 – Talcott Farm – Removal of Fallen Tree & Branches – Modification of Permit 11-14.
Stanley Kolber was present on behalf of the Talcott Farm Association and noted it was his third visit to the commission. He stated at the last meeting the application was hung up on a procedural issue and presently there is not a quorum for the commission to act.
Kolber reviewed the new photographs of the areas with the commission which were submitted as part of the modified application. The commission viewed Photographs 1 through 4 while Mr. Kolber explained each photograph and oriented the commission to the individual areas.
Kolber stated he attended the last IWWC meeting when Attorney Mark Branse was present to discuss wetland procedures and answer questions from the commission. Kolber noted he also reviewed the handout and noted he felt it seemed pretty clear that they are removing a fraction of what is there and that is one of the key tests. He stated how much material is being removed and is there an impact on the wetland itself. He stated taking out the pile of sticks that are shown in Area 3 he did not feel would have an impact and noted also that Penny Sharp concurred with that as well.
Kolber stated he felt it was pretty clear and asked if this could be acted on without his attendance at another meeting. Linde stated it was his understanding that the commission could not change their previous action on this application unless a new application was submitted or new evidence was provided. Linde stated therefore, new photos have been submitted as well a modification to the previous application was submitted. Linde asked if the application has changed that would allow the commission to make a different decision. Kolber stated they have submitted an application to modify the permit and in doing that new evidence has been provided as well as new photographs and text to show a better perspective. He also noted that on the record it has been stated twice that the vernal pool area
will be dry when the work is done even know the activity is not in the vernal pool itself.
David Primo stated that in the previous meeting minutes all conversations were around the belief that the activity was within the vernal pool and it was not and this application clearly establishes that and is a change from what was on the record.
Linde stated he did not feel the need to schedule a site walk but stated if any members felt they wanted to visit the site they could do it on their own.
Page 3 – Minutes
IWWC – 08-23-2011
11-24 – Wilbur & King, LLC – 107 Boston Post Road – Proposed Gardens, patios, & eating walls within the upland area.
Rick Roise, Landscape Designer with Wilbur & King was present to discuss the proposal. He stated what they are proposing for their clients consists of installing new bluestone patios, seating walls, fountains and ornamental plantings on the West Side of the existing residence. Mr. Rosie reviewed the site plan with the commission and oriented them to both existing and proposed structures. He also discussed the fountain pool that is proposed at the main patio near the house. This pool is intended to be between 18” and 24” deep and may contain fish and water plantings. He stated there will also be an overlook patio with seating walls around a portion of the patio. He stated the seating area is also intended as a retaining wall to avoid extending grading any closer to the
wetland areas.
The commission set a site walk for Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 5:45 p.m.
11-25 – Michael Desnoyers, 9 Mill Pond Lane – Repair and replace stone retaining
wall.
Mr. Desnoyer stated there is a retaining wall on the site that is approximately 3ft tall and has deteriorated over the years. Therefore the proposal is to rebuild the wall and the three steps and in doing so he felt it would prevent further washing down into the area. The commission reviewed the plan submitted with the application. He also noted the oil tank would also be removed from the site.
Linde asked the applicant why the propane tank was being moved closer to the wetland. Desnoyer noted because of the ledge on the site and it provided better access into the house. Linde asked the applicant to provide a written narrative with the application.
The commission set a site walk for Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 6:15 p.m.
Commission Member Linda Krulikowski arrive at 8:15 p.m. so the commission now had a quorum present.
11-26 – Babasuli – 20 Grassy Hill Road – Septic System Replacement
The commission reviewed the plans submitted with the application. The commission agreed to walk the site individually and asked Mr. Wren to stake out the location of the proposed system. The commission also agreed to send the plans to Tom Metcalf for his review.
Minutes of Regular Meeting dated July 26, 2011
Dave McCulloch made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Evan Griswold seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Page 4 – Minutes
IWWC – 08-23-2011
Minutes of Site Walk Meeting dated May 5, 2011
Evan Griswold made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Linda Krulikowski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Minutes of Site Walk Meeting dated August 4, 2011
Robb Linde made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Linda Krulikowski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
11- 21 – Town of Old Lyme – Grind and Repave Library Lane, Elm Street, and Dunns Lane.
Evan Griswold stated they are going to basically replace the road surface by grinding the pavement down to the subsurface layer. He stated they will not go out of the roadway. He stated the only real change in the roadway is up at the junction where Elm Street and Library Lane intersect they will raise the area and improve the drainage to eliminate the puddles that usually collect in that location. He also noted they were going to scrape down the berm in the location of the new house to allow sheet flow and crown the road properly.
Linde asked about the silt fence locations. Evan Griswold discussed the locations with the commissions as well as the rip-rap. Linde suggested that a silt fence be installed south of Library Lane and west of Elm Street. Griswold asked if this would be instead of hay bales or in addition. Brown stated she felt hay bales do a better job.
Evan Griswold made a motion to approve the application as submitted. Dave McCulloch seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
TOWN PERMITS
Chairman Linde stated he felt it would be beneficial for the Zoning Enforcement Officer to have quarterly meetings with the Director of Public Works so the commission can be informed of any of the proposed projects and proximity to any wetlands.
MOTION FORM
Brown presented the commission with copies of a proposed motion form that the commission could use as a tool when actions are taken on applications.
Page 5 – Minutes
IWWC – 08-23-2011
LYME ACADEMY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
Linde stated he felt the commission should consider holding a public hearing because there is the potential for significant impact. Brown stated she felt with a wetlands crossing there is definitely potential for significant impact.
Linde made a motion to hold a public hearing at the September meeting because of the potential for significant impact as a result of the wetlands crossing. Evan Griswold seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Groves
Land Use Administrator
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