Town of South Windsor, CT Agendas & Minutes Archive

IWA/CC 11-7-2001


	MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Betty Warren, Audrey Delnicki, Philip Forzley, Carol Heffler, Barbara Kelly, Richard Nicholson, John Phillips and Audrey Wasik STAFF PRESENT: Jeffrey H. Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer ALTERNATES PRESENT: Richard Muller sitting for John O ITEM: Correspondence and Reports On November 29, 2001 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. there will be a Leadership Roundtable for Strategic Planning. Chairperson Warren and Commissioner Forzley will be attending. ITEM: Minutes It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to approve the minutes of October 17, 2001. ITEM: Conservation Commission Attachment A ITEM: Wetland Officers Report Attachment B ITEM: Public Hearing Appl. #01-35W - Clark Realty - Gilbert Lane Mr. Peter DeMallie from Design Professionals came before the Commission to represent this application. Mr. DeMallie explained that a problem arose in the Deming Hill Estates Subdivision when a homeowner requested that a certain berm be extended. Stakes in the field were covered up and maps were not used when the berm was extended and consequently the berm was placed in the wetland area. To mitigate for this impact, the applicant has offered the following: Reduce the number of building lots in Pond Estates from 18 to 17. 1.05 acres added for open space, which would widen the open space corridor. The sanitary sewer line would be altered to hook up to Pond Estates Subdivision; this would avoid wetland disturbance. The total impact to wetlands that has occurred is 10,000 square feet. Mr. DeMallie also informed Commission members that a bond in the amount of $25,000 has been received from the developer. This will allow work to proceed as necessary. Richard Sietz, 112 Gilbert Lane came before the Commission. He explained that he had requested to Clark Realty that the berm be extended for noise reduction and a visual barrier, not realizing the impact that this would result in. He said he was not informed by the developer that there were wetlands on the property. Jean Huppe, Sales Agent for Clark Realty came before the Commission. She explained that when she had received this request, she did not look at the maps, and was trying to please her customer. Chairperson Warren stated that she was very concerned with the disregard the applicant has shown for this Commission. It is the applicants responsibility to know where the limits are at all times. Jeff Folger explained that if there were a good planting process established, the functional value loss of this wetland would exclude species looking for wetlands, but there could be a benefit with this area and maybe even an enhancement. Commissioner Kelly suggested that the Contractor have written background information to let potential buyers know what each lot consists of. After a lengthy discussion, it was the unanimous feeling of the Commission that there should be more caution used in the field and there is no excuse on the applicant's part for what has occurred. Mr. Paul Scmanelli who is a prospective buyer of lot #81 came before the Commission. Mr. Scmanelli stated that although there is mention of a regulated area in the deeds, he feels the berm as it stands is a benefit for the residence in this area. Mr. Chris Bellis , 95 Gilbert Lane came before the Commission. Mr. Bellis felt that the berm looks great and it also is a safety benefit because there are small children in the area. Input form the Town Attorney will be necessary for the following issues: If run off occurs in Manchester, how would this effect South Windsor? See if it would be a good suggestion to have the applicant contribute funds towards the fish ladder project. The public hearing was continued until the December 5, 2001 meeting. Application #01-33P Holcombe Subdivision Mr. Peter DeMallie came before the Commission to represent this application. He explained that Mr. Holcombe would like to create two building lots that are on 2.7 acres of land. Lot #1 would be on 1.62 acres and lot #2 would be on just over 1 acre. The lots would have an 18 Ms. Karen Isherwood came before the Commission to discuss erosion and sedimentation control measures that will take place on these sites. She explained that there would be an anti-tracking pad placed at the end of the driveway and silt fencing will be placed around the site. Lot #1 is proposed to be built on a slab while lot #2 will have a basement. Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. DeMallie explained that there is an interplanted buffer proposed as screening along the driveway. Also being proposed is 0.5 acres to be given to the Town to accommodate existing drainage structures. Mr. Dermot Jones came before the Commission to state that he felt a single curb cut to Avery Street would be a much safer egress for the residents who purchase these sites and also stated that a driveway over the wetlands has been done before. Commission members pointed out that from a wetlands stand point the plan presented would be considered the most prudent and feasible alternative. Mr. Greg Lentz came before the Commission to express his concerns with the proposed project. He explained that there is presently a water runoff problem on Kelly Road and feels with another curb cut, the run off will be even worse. The culverts in this area need to be cleaned out and maintained in order to address this problem. Ms. Karen Isherwood told Commission members and the public that the area has been graded so any runoff from the driveway will sheet flow into the adjacent woods. The only runoff that will go towards Kelly Road is from the driveway apron. Doris Avery from 20 Kelly Road came before the Commission and expressed her concerns to this proposal. Commission members decided a letter to Public Works should be written in order to bring attention to the culverts that need maintenance. Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #01-33P - Holcombe Subdivision - Avery Street - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for a 2-lot subdivision, access drive, and associated improvements on 2.7 acres located easterly of Avery Street, northerly of Kelly Road (Assessor's map #67, parcel #30) A-20 residential zone. Was made by Commissioner Heffler Seconded by Commissioner Phillips The motion: carried The vote was as follows: unanimous Conditions: 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 November 7, 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. 4. All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site. A contact person shall be identified on the plans. All clearing of vegetation to be no closer than 40 Conservation Easement to be placed at the limit of clearing. Allow the adjustment of the conservation easement in order to facilitate future watercourse maintenance and erosion control. Permanent markers placed on the edge of the conservation easement, to be approved by Town staff. 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. Motion to: extend the meeting past 10:30 in order to finish agenda items. Was made by Commissioner Phillips Seconded by Commissioner Kelly The motion: carried The vote was as follows: unanimous Application #01-40W - Chris Fortin, 135 Pierce Road Mr. Peter DeMallie came before the Commission to represent this application. He explained that the only changes to this application from when it was previously presented is as follows: Some topographic information was added in order to show the edge of the brook on the property. Some revisions to the driveway, house and brook. The addition of a conservation easement 5.74 acres in size. There is a direct impact to a small piece of wetlands in the amount of 525 square feet which is on the northwest end of the house in order to accommodate the house, garage and associated grading. Jeff Folger asked the applicant why the conservation easement could not be extended to the western boundary? Mr. DeMallie explained that Mr. Fortin had a conversation with a neighbor who may want to acquire that back portion. Commission members discussed the area in question and could see no reason why the applicant could not extend the conservation easement to the western boundary. The applicant agreed to extend the easement to the western property boundary. Jeff recommended that hay mulch be used on areas that will be left open during the winter months. Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #01-40W - Chris Fortin - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to construct a single family home on 135 Pierce Road, (Assessor's map #63, parcel #5) RR zone. Was made by Commissioner Phillips Seconded by Commissioner Kelly The motion: carried The vote was as follow: unanimous Conditions 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. 2. The application shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of South Windsor against any liability, which might result from the proposed operation or use. 3. The permit is valid for five years and shall expire on November 7, 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. 4. 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. The conservation easement is to be extended to the western (rear) property line. During construction of the driveway and grading for the house lots, hay mulch is to be applied to any open areas immediately upon disturbance. We recommend a bond in the amount of $1,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Measures. ITEM: Adjournment Motion to: Adjourn the meeting at 10:45 p.m. Was made by Commissioner Phillips Seconded by Commissioner Delnicki The motion: carried The vote was as follows: unanimous Respectfully submitted ___________________________ ________________________ Deborah W. Reid, Recording Secretary Date Approved