MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Carol Heffler, Barbara Kelly, Richard Muller and Jack Phillips
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Donald Gates sitting vacant seat
STAFF PRESENT: Jeffrey H. Folger, Environmental
Planner/Conservation Officer
Kelli Holmes, Recording Secretary
ITEM: Correspondence and Reports
Fine Ordinance
The Town Council has adopted the ordinance for wetland fines.
The 24th annual salute to South Windsor Business Dinner will be held on March 27, 2003 at the Nutmeg Restaurant in East Windsor. Cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres will be served at 5:30 p.m. with dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m. R.S.V.P. to John Collins or Jeff Folger by March 14, 2003. The South Windsor Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this event.
Contribution to the Hartford County Soil Water Conservation District are included in this years budget proposal.
ITEM: Minutes
The February 19, 2003 minutes were approved with an amendment by general consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
Witch Hazel plantings are on order. The date for planting is scheduled for April 5, 2003 at Nevers Road park.
ITEM: Wetland Officers Report
The Fine Ordinance has been approved by Town Council
Site walks are available.
ITEM: Public Hearing
Appl. #03-08P Podunk Ridge
Mr. Peter DeMallie from Design Professionals came before the Commission to represent this application. Comments have been received by town staff and Mr. DeMallie said he was aware that the hearing would be continued to the next meeting.
The proposal consists of twenty one single family units for people over 55 years of age. There will be a 700 foot cul-de-sac with an island. Also proposed is a 1000 square foot community center. A gazebo is proposed to be placed in the upland review area. Suggestions from Jeff Folger will be incorporated into the plans. There will be a total of 4,000 square feet of disturbance to the upland review area.
Mr. Galen Semprebon from Design Professionals came before the Commission. He explained that there is a significant slope along the river, but the site is fairly flat. All building construction activities will be removed within 50’ of the top of the slopes. Mr. Semprebon reviewed the stormwater drainage system proposed for this site and erosion control measures that will be incorporated.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Semprebon explained that the rain gardens will be maintained as a landscaped area in order to allow for infiltration. Overflow locations will be moved. Hay bails and silt fencing will be used to create a berm along the top of the slope during construction. All grading for structures will be done within the bermed area. Jeff would like details of the berm.
Mr. DeMallie told the Commission that open space areas will be used for passive recreation.
Jeff stated that a major reason for slopes to fail would be if leaves and grass clippings were discarded on the slopes. This keeps the slope saturated, creating slippage of the over burden. The clippings should be removed from the site.
Commission members discussed runoff going down the path to the gazebo. Mr. Semprebon stated he would look at that area and respond to the Commission at the next meeting. Mr. Semprebon also explained that no detention basins have been proposed for this site because of the location of the Podunk River, it was felt it made sense to direct runoff directly to the river.
Jeff stated that there could be a potential conflict when grading is done for the infiltration basins. Planning & Zoning Commission buffer requirements do not allow drainage structures within the buffers. Reducing runoff, keeping it on the site will allow less flow to discharge to the river. Mr. Semprebon explained the stormwater within the buffer and the plants that can handle infiltration. He also stated the benefits of the rain gardens.
Public
Ms. Sue Marsh of 891 Ellington Road asked the applicant if the shed and fire hydrant would be remaining on the site? Mr. DeMallie responded by showing them on the plan.
Mr. Roger Anderson asked where the sewers would be hooked up from? Mr. DeMallie explained that there is an existing sewer line on Quarry Brook Drive. That line will be extended to the site.
Mr. Brian Sullivan, 47 Ordway Drive came before the Commission and expressed his concern regarding runoff.
The public hearing was continued to the March 19, 2003 meeting.
ITEM: New Business
Appl. #03-12P – Shady Brook SRD
This application had been previously approved by IWA/CC in 1998, but there has been modifications done to the plans:
20 of the units will be larger than the proposed 1400 square feet.
There is an 80’ upland review area, where there was 40’ previously.
Impervious coverage was increased by 3% for the overall site.
The infiltration area has been reduced.
The Commission discussed if this situation should be handled by a new application or a modification. It was the unanimous decision to handle this as a modification.
Motion to: modify the existing permit, application 98-58P, Shady Brook SRD based on the new plan submitted, appl. 03-12P, Shady Brook SRD.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commission Heffler
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Appl. #03-09P – Catherine & Warren Tomek
After reviewing this application, it was the general concensus of the Commisison that this application does not have to come before the Commission and could be handled at the staff level.
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Heffler
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
_________________________________ ___________________
Deborah W. Reid Date Approved
Recording Secretary
| 
