MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Betty Warren, Carol Heffler, Philip Forzley, Barbara Kelly, Audrey Wasik and John Phillips
STAFF PRESENT: Jeffrey H. Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Richard Muller sitting for John O’Connell
ITEM: Public Participation
Mr. John Samsel came before the Commission to discuss the Buckland Road and Deming Street areas. He warned the Commission that if anyone were to build up there, there is a lot of wetlands and hopes the Commission will look carefully at each individual situation as development is proposed.
ITEM: Correspondence and Reports
On May 30, 2001 there will be a joint meeting of EDC and IWA/CC. An agenda has been handed out.
There will be an invasive species workshop on Thursday, May 31, 2001 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Valley Falls. The Friends of Valley Falls Inc. will be sponsoring this workshop. The cost is $15.00 per person, and will include lunch. There is a limit of 20 people for this workshop.
ITEM: Minutes
It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to approve the minutes of May 2, 2001.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
See attached
ITEM: Wetland Officer’s Report
See attached
ITEM: Public Hearing
Appl. #01-12P, Deming Hill Estates, southerly of Deming Street and northerly of Northern Hill Drive, Residential AA-30 zone
Mr. Peter DeMallie from Design Professionals came before the Commission to represent this application. He explained that the whole project consists of 97-lots and are split into six sections. Sections 1-5 have all been approved and are under construction. Section six consists of 28 acres with 24-lots. The impacts to the wetland are approximately 3,000 square feet. There is also approximately 22,000 square feet of disturbance to the 80’ upland review area. The disturbance to the upland review area consists of 1) sanitary sewer line; 2) construction of a driveway; and 3) utilities on lot #55. All comments by Town staff have been responded to, and plans have been resubmitted.
Ms. Karen Isherwood, a Project Engineer with Design Professionals came before the Commission to address the engineering aspects of the plans. Ms. Isherwood explained that this proposal would be the final phase of Deming Hill Estates subdivision. Section 6A involves the creation of 14 building lots and section 6B consists of 10. There will be an increase in impervious coverage, as required by the Town. The grading has been kept to a minimum in order to reduce any impacts. The landscaping plan has been changed and the seeding schedule within the sedimentation basins, have been revised. Details to the catch basin structures have been revised in order to provide a minimum of 4’ deep sumps. All 24-lots will be served by public water and public sanitary sewers.
The existing sedimentation basin was analyzed to see if it could detain the increase of this site. With minor improvements it was found capable of handling the increase. The sedimentation basin is going to receive run-off from the proposed 19 catch basins. The shape has been redesigned and includes three earthen berms to channel the flow through the bottom of the basin which will increase travel time in the basin and therefore enhance the water quality. The detention basin is designed to be a wet bottom basin. As the water level increases over six inches, it is designed to discharge at the end of the basin and disburse overland into the detention area within the wetlands. The only permanent disturbance within the wetlands, are the two manhole structures and associated pipe.
A cross-country sanitary sewer is proposed to be installed under the existing cart path in order to minimize wetlands impact. Improvements to the detention basin and the installation of the sewer line will be done at the same time in order to limit wetlands disturbance.
Mr. Ed Pawlak a Soil Scientist with Connecticut Ecosystems came before the Commission and spoke of the different habitat he had found on site. Mr. Pawlak also told Commission members that he felt the existing basin should be classified as an enhancement of the wetland conditions and the proposed basin would be classified as a creation of wetlands. The recommended plantings would be classified as a restoration of the disturbed wetlands.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Pawlak explained that plantings will be planted in the existing basin, as well as the proposed basin. The applicant has agreed to donate land for open space to the Town, which will have posted markers.
Commission members discussed the existing basin, feeling that some type of screening (shrubs) should be planted to ensure isolation.
It was suggested that roof runoff from the houses be placed back into the wetlands.
Motion to: close the public hearing on application #01-12p, Deming Hill Estates.
Was made by Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by Commission Forzley
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. 01-12P, Deming Hill Estates Section #6, Deming Street. Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for a 24-lot residential subdivision, roads, sanitary and stormwater structures, and associated improvements located southerly of Deming Street and northerly of Northern Hill Drive. (Assessor’s Map #28, Parcel #2) Residential AA-30 zone.
Was made by Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Conditions placed on this application are as follows:
1. One blueprint copy of the entire set of plans and this letter reproduced thereon, must be submitted to this Commission. This must be completed within 65 days of approval prior to any construction activity on the site. Plans submitted to Planning & Zoning Commission shall be considered having met this requirement.
The application shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of South Windsor against any liability, which might result from the proposed operation or use.
The permit is valid for five years and shall expire on May 16, 2006. It is the landowner(s)/applicant(s) responsibility to track expiration dates and notify the Commission of a renewal request at least 65 days prior to expiration.
All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
5. A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
6. We recommend a bond in the amount of $5,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Measures.
7. We recommend a bond in the amount of $20,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure property construction and establishment of the biolfilter basin.
8. A conservation easement be placed on lot #’s 55, 56, 58 and 59. Details to be worked out with Town staff, and notation of the easements to be placed on the deeds.
9. Habitat shrub plantings similar to those proposed on basin #2 should be planted on the north side of basin #1. The revised planting plan will be reviewed and approved by Town staff.
10. Explore the possibility of foundation runoff from lot #55 being drained to the wetlands.
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: Adjourn the meeting at 9: 15 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Kelly
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
_______________________________ _____________
Deborah W. Reid, Recording Secretary Date Approved
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