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IWA/CC 2-6-02

MEMBERS PRESENT:        Vice Chairperson Philip Forzley, Audrey Delnicki, Carol Heffler, Richard Muller, Jack Phillips, and Audrey Wasik
        
STAFF PRESENT:  Jeffrey H. Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer

Vice Chairperson Forzley chaired the meeting in the absence of Chairperson Warren.

ITEM:  Correspondence and Reports

A letter has been sent to this Commission from the Town of Manchester, informing IWA/CC that Buckland Developers, LLC filed an application with them, which will be within 500' of South Windsor's town line.  The project is proposed to be 120 units of apartments in a gated community on property known as 265 Slater Street, Manchester.  There is activity proposed in the 50' regulated area, but no activity in the wetlands.

The Commission also received a letter from Mark and Kathleen Franklin of 120 Chapel Road voicing their concerns with appl. #01-48P, (Attachment A).

ITEM:  Minutes

It was the general consensus of the Commission to approve the January 23, 2002 minutes.

ITEM:  Conservation Commission

An Eagle Scout has created and mapped out trails at the Podunk Park. Other scout projects may be combined with this project.

ITEM:  Wetland Officer's Report

A violation letter has been sent to Mr. Martone at 2 Gilbert Lane.  No response has been received and another letter will be sent.

ITEM:  New Business

Appl. #02-04P - Town of South Windsor - Pleasant Valley Road, north of Clark Street

Jeff explained that it is being proposed to have widening done near Clark Street and Pleasant Valley Road.  There is an existing stream between Pleasant Valley Road and Chapel Road.  There is a road leak off between Clark Street and Wheeler Road so they are planning on rebuilding that culvert as well.  Both proposed projects will be occurring in the regulated area.

Motion to:      set a public hearing on March 20, 2002 due to potential significant impact to the wetland and public interest on appl. #02-042P - Town of South Windsor
Was made by Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion:  carried
The vote was as follows:  unanimous

Appl. #0205P - Town of South Windsor, Miller Road, west of Ellington Road, Foster road Extension, south of Miller Road and Miller Road east of Abbe Road.

Motion to:      set a public hearing on March 20, 2002 due to potential significant impact to the wetland and public interest on appl. #02-05P - Town of South Windsor - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for drainage improvements to replace road culverts at stream crossings on Miller Road, west of Ellington Road, Foster Road Extension, south of Miller Road, and Miller Road east of Abbe Road.

Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Wasik
The motion:  carried
The vote was as follows:  unanimous

Appl. #01-45P - Mannarino Subdivision

Attorney Mike Ziska came before the Commission to represent this application.  Attorney Ziska explained that at tonight's meeting there would be an overview of the changes that have been made on this project.  These changes can be looked at as alternatives that have been considered for this project.

Mr. Skip Alford from Alford Associates came before the Commission to give an overview of changes that have occurred on this site.  He explained that the property would be accessed through Cornerstone Road.  The changes are as follows:

Phase I

The road near lot #5 has been shifted, therefore the rear of lot #5 is now out of the upland review area.
The storm drainage is discharged into a plunge pool and biofilter before being discharged into the wetlands.
The sanitary sewer goes back into the previous subdivision.
On Avery Street, there is no longer a sidewalk.
Sidewalk locations have been changed throughout the entire project.
The catch basin was put into the plan on the Town's request.

Phase II

A single road with a cul-de-sac has replaced the boulevard design.
Considerable amount of plantings have been placed in the conservation easement to the rear of lot #10.
The stonewall in the rear of lot #'s 9, 10 and 11 will stay where it is presently located.
The road has been shifted northeast.
A permanent detention basin will be constructed.
There will be a siltation basin outlet to back the water up and allow the finer cleaner water to go out.

The net effect of the whole watershed is a net reduction of about 20% of the peak flow off of the property because of the detention basins that have been installed.  Invasive species have been found in the mitigation area.  The invasive species will be cut, herbicides will be sprayed and other plants will be placed in that area.  There have been erosion and sedimentation control measures put in place in this area which are silt fencing and construction entrance pads.

Mr. George Logan came before the Commission and explained there is a management plan for the invasive species in the mitigation area.  The plan involves removal of the invasive species and aggressive seed planting with good seed mix.  There should be a net enhancement.

On lot #5 the drainage channel was moved and the tree line is being preserved.  Lot #24 has not changed.

The house on lot #10 is now proposed to be 30' deep instead of 50' deep.

The wetlands in this area are not sensitive and Mr. Logan also felt that the integrity of the corridor would be fine.

Attorney Mike Ziska explained to the Commission that with all the different plans that have been submitted, he feels that all feasible and prudent alternatives have been addressed.

Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Alford explained that the percentage of upland review on lot #10 is 45% (20,000-sq. ft.).  The amount of conservation easement on this lot is 4500 square feet (1/2 of the lot).  The deck on the rear of the house will be in the upland review area.

Commissioner Wasik stated that she still has a great deal of trouble with lot #10.  There has been too many problems in other areas where people either disregard or do not know there is a conservation easement in the area.  This creates impacts to the wetlands.  She explained she does not want this to happen in this area and feels like the elimination of this lot would elevate this problem.

Jeff Folger stated the items that he would like changed on this application which would not be a revision, but rather a clean up.  They will be on are as follows:

The foundation drain on lot #5 should be daylighted at the top of the slope or brought to the north into the storm drainpipe itself.
12" of topsoil amended with a 30% composted organic material by volume should be placed as a planting medium in the bottom of the basins.
Installation of silt fencing should be placed at the toe of the cut near Cornerstone and Stone Crossing
4' sumps to be installed in all catch basins and shown on the plans.

Motion to:      close the public hearing on appl. #01-45P - Mannarino Subdivision - Avery Street - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to construct a 24-lot open space residential subdivision, stormwater structures, and associated improvements on property located northerly of Cornerstone Drive, southerly of Talcott Ridge Road, and easterly of Avery Street (Assessor's map #93, parcel # 5 & 6) RR - residential zone.

Was made by Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion:  carried
The vote was as follows:  unanimous

Motion to:      approve with conditions, appl. #01-45P - Mannariono Subdivision - Avery Street - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to construct a 24-lot open space residential subdivision, stormwater structures, and associated improvements on property located northerly of Cornerstone Drive, southerly of Talcott Ridge Road, and easterly of Avery Street (Assessor's map #93, parcel # 5 & 6) RR - residential zone.

Was made by Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Delnicki
The motion:  carried
The vote was as follows:        6 to 1 with Commissioners Delnicki, Forzley, Heffler, Kelly, Muller and Phillips voting in favor of approval of this application and Commissioner Wasik voting in opposition of approval of this application.

Commissioner Wasik explained that she has voted against approval of this application because the rear of lot #10 is upland review and she feels there is a prudent and feasible alternative in this area that should be used.

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 February 6, 2007.  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.

The foundation drain on lot #5 should be daylighted at the top of the slope or brought to the north into the storm drainpipe itself.

12" of topsoil amended with a 30% composted organic material by volume should be placed as a planting medium in the bottom of the basins.

Installation of silt fencing should be placed at the toe of the cut near Cornerstone and Stone Crossing

4' sumps to be installed in all catch basins and shown on the plans.

A note to be placed on the plans regarding the encroachment on lot #10 to be no further than what is described on the plans.

We recommend a bond in the amount of $20,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Measures for three growing seasons.

We recommend a bond in the amount of $25,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure the establishment of the stormwater biofilters and plantings.

Appl. #01-47P - Technologies Center LLC - Patria Road

Mr. Peter DeMallie came before the Commission to represent this application.  He explained that the site consists of 80 acres.  The amount of wetlands is 27.3 acres, or 34% of the property.  The proposal is for a disturbance in the amount

of .53 acres.  The disturbance will be .38 acres to accommodate the extension of Patria Road, and .14 acres to accommodate the extension of Schwier Road.  The amount of upland review are being disturbed is 1.53 acres.  Mitigation proposed will consists of 2 ½ acres of wetland creation.  The individual lots have been created to the smallest amount of land allowed.  It is expected when a prospective buyer comes forward, they will buy a few lots in order to extend their business in the future.  A handout was provided showing the acreage on each parcel, the amount of wetlands on each parcel and the amount of upland review area on each parcel (Attachment B).

After speaking to Town staff, it was decided that both curb cuts into the industrial subdivision are necessary in order to accommodate for emergency vehicles.  Cape Cod curbing is proposed particularly in the areas of wetland crossings.  There will be a note added to the plans encouraging roof run off to flow back to the wetlands.

Access to 49 acres adjacent to his parcel is proposed to be through the Gerber property.  If this can not work, it was suggested that a parcel from the subdivision be combined with the 49 acres.  This would give ample frontage to the 49-acre parcel to meet zoning requirements.  Another option is to cross Bancroft Brook to get to the 49 acres.

Mr. Galen Semprebon came before the Commission and addressed volume impacts of this site to Bancroft Brook.  The stormwater detention basins were sized based on the existing conditions of the site.  The new detention basins were sized to handle the amount of run off presently flowing off of this site.  Mr. Semprebon explained to the Commission how he came up with the different calculations in order to make decisions on the size of the each basin.

Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Semprebon explained that he felt the dynamics of this stream are not being significantly changed.  They are trying to best locate the discharge points and create as stable of an environment in the immediate vaccinity of those discharge points.  Peak flows are being decreased in the hopes that the elevation will be lowered in the stream at particular locations.  This area has been designed based on Town standards.  Thirty five percent of the drainage comes down the ditch and 65% comes to the river.  It can be investigated to place coconut fiber logs along the stream banks due to significant erosion on the stream.  Past practice has shown that it does eleviate problems with bank erosion.

Commission members discussed at length the stub that is near the crossing of Bancroft Brook.  It was decided that on the 49-acre parcel, wetland flags will be located, the maps will be modified  and the parcels will be shown combined.

Jeff stated that another issue he would like addressed is the conservation easement being used as a wildlife corridor.  Mr. Pawlak felt it is reasonable to assume that there is movement of wildlife species from wetland one into the Bancroft Brook.  He explained he did see evidence of a traveled corridor and tracks along the brook.  There is an opportunity to preserve a 100' wide corridor through this area.

The public hearing was continued until the next scheduled meeting.

Appl. #01-52P - Vintage Hill Subdivision

Mr. Peter DeMallie of Design Professionals came before the Commission to represent this application.  He explained that there is a 19-lot subdivision proposed.  The total direct disturbance to wetlands is 10 linear feet (20-sq. ft.) and the total upland review area disturbance is proposed to be 55,760 sq. ft.

Motion to:  extend the meeting past 10:30 in order to complete agenda items.

Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Wasik
The motion:  carried
The vote was as follows:  unanimous

Mr. Barry Ellison who is a Project Engineer with Design Professionals came before the Commission.  He explained that this is a 19-lot subdivision.  A new road will serve seventeen of the lots and the other two will use Barber Hill Road.  It was concluded that the site can support septic systems.  The detention basin is sized to handle a 100-year storm.  The erosion and sedimentation measures that will take place are silt fencing, construction pads at the entrances, seeding & mulching and defined limit of clearing.

Ms. Rosemary Aldrich came before the Commission and explained where different plantings and trees would be located on the site.  She also told the Commission the type of seed mix that is proposed to be used on site.

Jeff suggested that the edge along the west should be kept.  Jeff also stated that the existing culvert under Barber Hill Road should be enhanced from the curb to the pond.

Commissioner Kelly would like to see the wetlands flagged, the elevations of the site and an outline of the roads and lots proposed.

Public

Mr. Joe Mongeon explained that he is an abutting property owner and is concerned about water damage when the berms are taken down.

Mr. John Dzen, Jr. of 95 Foster Street Extension owns 66 acres to the south of this site.  He explained that as a farmer,.it is very important to have a clean water supply and expressed his concerns regarding this situation.

ITEM:  Other Business:

    Election of Officers

Motion to:  nominate Elizabeth Warren as Chairperson

Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Heffler
The motion:  carried
The vote was as follows:  unanimous
Secretary cast one ballet for Warren as Chairperson

Motion to:  nominate Philip Forzley as Vice Chairperson

Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Heffler
The motion:  carried
The vote was as follows:  unanimous
Secretary cast one ballet for Forzley as Vice Chairperson

Motion to:  nominate Carol Heffler as Secretary

Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Wasik
The motion:  carried
The vote was as follows:  unanimous
Secretary cast one ballet for Heffler as Secretary


ITEM:  Adjournment

Motion to       adjourn the meeting at 11:40 p.m.

Was made by Commissioner Delnicki
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion:  carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous

Respectfully submitted


___________________________                ________________________
Deborah W. Reid, Recording Secretary                Date Approved