This Commission received a letter from Hartford County Soil & Water Conservation Districts as a reminder to budget $1,700.00 in the Town
The Board and Commission Recognition Night will be held on Friday, April 5, 2002.
ITEM: Minutes
It was the general consensus of the Commission to approve the December 19, 2001 minutes (with amendments) and January 9, 2002 minutes.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
Attachment A
ITEM: Wetland Officer's Report
Attachment B
ITEM: Public Hearing
Appl. #01-48P - 420 John Fitch Blvd., LLC
A letter was submitted from the applicant requesting that this application be continued until February 20, 2002.
Appl. #01-45P - Mannarino Subdivision
Mr. Skip Alford came before the Commission to give an overview of changes that have occurred on this application. The changes are as follows:
Phase I - moved road, therefore no grading in the upland review area in the rear of lot #5.
Phase II - In the rear of lot #'s 9, 10 and 11, a planted buffer will be installed, and 15-20' from the stonewall the area will become a conservation easement and open space.
The road configuration of a boulevard was converted to a single road and was moved further to the north and east extending the distance of lots 12-14 from the wetland area.
Mr. Alford also informed Commission members that the radius of the road in Phase II will remain at 250' from the center line as previously presented. The applicant had requested a reduction in the radius, but the Town responded that this would not be a viable option (Attachment C).
Mr. George Logan came before the Commission. He explained that after digging test pits, it was found that the soils on the site are a fine sandy loam and therefore it was felt that the proposed erosion controls are adequate. There were three invasive species found on site. The applicant is proposing to remove the invasive species, place a wild flower mix down, and plant a cluster of berry shrubs and evergreens in the open space away from the houses.
Answering questions from the Commission, it was explained that both phases will be combined as one project. The open space and conservation easement will have markers placed up and mere stones which are required on conservation easements.
Public
Mr. Claude Mercier came before the Commission. He expressed his concerns along with alternative he felt should be considered. (Attachment D).
The application was continued to the February 6, 2002 meeting.
Application #01-47P - Technologies Center
Mr. Peter DeMallie from Design Professionals came before the Commission to represent this application. He explained that this Industrial zone encompasses 80 acres. Being proposed is 40 building lots. There would be full utility service including gas. A two thousand linear feet extension of Patria Road and 15,050 linear feet extension of Schweir Road are being proposed. There are 27 acres (34%) of wetlands on this site with 0.53 acres of direct disturbance being proposed. The disturbance will be at the end of both cul-de-sacs in order to construct the road extensions. There is also 1.53 acres of upland review area that is being proposed to be disturbed due to the development of this site.
Mitigation being proposed:
1 ¼ acres of wetland creation.
1 ¼ acres of wetland banking.
Two stormwater detention basins.
Mr. Galen Semprebon came before the Commission and talked about the engineering aspects of this plan and the water quality. He explained that there will be all underground utilities. The site will drain in two directions to the two proposed basins on the site, both are designed for a 100 year storm. All runoff from the site, except lot #1 will be using the stormwater system. Also being proposed is a swale along the road with a culvert, which will be constructed.
Mr. Biff Heckinger a Landscape Architect came before the Commission to review the plantings that are being proposed for this site. They are as follows:
112 street tree plantings.
8,000 plants in mitigation area.
Detention basin A - 70 low understory plantings.
Mr. DeMallie added to the presentation that the site is proposed to have cape cod curbing, if approved by the Town Engineer.
Commissioner Muller requested that the applicant bring back to the next meeting the size of each lot, the amount of wetlands in acres on each lot, and the amount of upland review area in acreage on each lot.
Mr. DeMallie told Commission members that if there are concerns regarding the size of any lot, the lots can be combined with each other. The lots were split into forty individual lots because it was felt each lot could stand alone as proposed, and if any individual wanted to combine lots to make a larger project that could also be accomplished.
Chairperson Warren felt a prudent and feasible alternative for this proposal would be to limit this plan to one entrance. Mr. DeMallie felt the two entrances into this Industrial area would be safer for emergency vehicles. He also thought the length of streets could be an issue.
Commission members discussed at length the possibility of runoff breaking though the stream bank and creating a large problem. Galen Semprebon felt this would be controlled in the detention basins but informed members he would study the site on a lot by lot basis and give a report to the Commission at the next scheduled meeting.
Public
Mr. Dave Godowin, 1425 Main Street came before the Commission to express his concerns about the detention basins being able to hold the amount of water being proposed. There is other development proposed in the area, if water runoff will go down to the brook, how much can the brook accept without creating problems in that area.
Louise Godowin, 1425 Main Street came before the Commission. She explained that although her house is not in the flood zone, her property is. She is concerned that all the development being constructed in this area will have an even greater impact on her property than what already exists.
Motion to: extend the meeting past 10:30 p.m. in order to finish agenda items.
Was made by Commissioner Wasik
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Mr. Semprebon told Commission members that he would report at the next meeting the integrity of the wildlife habitat after construction is complete.
The application was continued until the February 6, 2002 meeting.
ITEM: New Business
Appl. #02-02W
Motion to: set a public hearing on March 6, 2002 due to significant impact and public interest on appl. #02-02W - Clark Realty - Gilbert Lane - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to allow an earthen berm to remain on lots #90 and 91 of Deming Hill Estates subdivision (Assessor's map #28, lot #90 and 91) AA-30 residential zone.
Was made by Commissioner Wasik
Seconded by Commissioner Delnicki
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Muller
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
________________________________ ___________________
Deborah W. Reid, Recording Secretary Date Approved
