MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Audrey Delnicki, Phillip Forzley, William Grace, Carol Heffler, Barbara Kelly, Richard Muller, Jack Phillips and Audrey Wasik
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Donald Gates
STAFF PRESENT: Jeffrey H. Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer
Debbie Reid, Recording Secretary
ITEM: Public Participation
Attorney James Connor from Updike, Kelly & Spellacy came before the Commission representing Pavilions at Buckland Hills, LLC. He stated that there is an item on the agenda that does not appear to be a formal application. It is for a general site plan discussion for the Evergreen Walk project. Attorney Connor stated that it is the Pavilions at Buckland Hills belief that under the provisions of 22a-19 this is considered other proceedings which intervenors can participate.
Town Attorney Guliano stated that this issue should be raised under public participation.
Attorney Connor stated that the statute allows broad public participation by intervenors seeking to present evidence in regards to environmental effects. This agenda item is a proceeding and intervention should be allowed during this process.
Town Attorney Guliano recommended to the Commission to deny the petition to intervene because the general site plan discussion is not an administrative proceeding. If an application is filed for development at this site, parties may intervene at that time.
Motion to: deny petition to intervene, submitted by Pavilions at Buckland Hills, LLC by General Growth Management, Inc., it’s authorized agent.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commission Forzley
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: Correspondence and Reports
Chairperson Warren stated that the Fine Ordinance has been established and all Commission members should have received a copy of it.
2003 Inland Wetland Commission Training Program
There are three workshops that will be held. Anyone interested should call Jeff Folger.
ITEM: Minutes
The December 18, 2002 and February 5, 2003 minutes were approved with amendments by general consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
Eight hundred Witch Hazel seedlings are on order. They should be delivered the first week of April. Planting date is scheduled for April 5, 2003 at Nevers Road Park.
Jeff stated that he attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Ryan Reitsma. Ryan is the Eagle Scout who did trail improvements and wetland crossing bridges at the Podunk River.
ITEM: Wetland Officer’s Report
There was a problem with a residents’ well on Ident Road. The well had frozen up and while it was being investigated, it was found that the well casing was exposed and sticking about 8’ in the air. Stoughtons Brook flows behind her property and there is a 30” culvert in Stoughtons Brook that had become clogged. A pond developed behind the property and when it reached a certain level it spilled out about 60’ further to the west where the culvert is and gouged out an 8’ deep gully were the well casing is. The repairs to this area were complete in about four hours with no real impacts to the stream. Approvals were based on Section 4.2A, Conservation of soil, emergency repairs.
ITEM: Public Hearing
Appl. #03-08P – Podunk Ridge
Mr. Galen Semprebon from Design Professionals came before the commission to represent this application. He explained that the plans have been revised to address outstanding comments by staff and this Commission. Mr. Semprebon reviewed the revisions:
The location of the outlet pipe. This will be revised again to come out near wetland flag #30. By relocating the outlet to the proposed location, there should be no direct wetland impacts.
Stabilization measures have been included in the plans for the pipe in the trench. The trench will be stabilized with a mat material on the surface. This will protect the surface so there is no erosion when it gets back filled.
Runoff will come down a hill to a manhole right before the outlet. At that point, the last pipe is going to be very flat. It may be flatter than what is shown on the plans.
A conservation easement is proposed along the top of the slope.
4’ sumps have been incorporated into the catch basins prior to the sediment chamber.
Turf reinforcement matting will be placed on the slopes.
All infiltration areas have a location to drain away from the slope.
There will be an earthen berm, silt fencing and grading away from the top of the slope as part of erosion and sedimentation control measures during construction.
Areas proposed as rain gardens will be maintained as lawn areas.
No disposal of grass clippings or other debris along the slopes.
Jeff stated that after reviewing the outfall location that has been proposed to be relocated near flag #30, he concurs that this location would be a much more stable outlet location and would eliminate wetland impacts. The Town Engineer looked at the velocity of the water and felt it would be appropriate to regrade the slopes and increase the size of the pipes. The Commission discussed items 1, 2 and 3 from the Town Engineers memo.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Semprebon explained where the conservation easement is proposed to be located.
Two letters from residents were submitted into the record. (Attachments A & B). Mr. Semprebon told Commissioners that one resident is concerned about work on the opposite side of the road, there is no work proposed for the opposite side of the road.
The existing house and outbuildings, except the northern most outbuilding, is proposed to be removed. All debris from this site will be removed. The total acreage of this site is 12.54 acres. The conservation easement is a bout 50% of the site. The area of disturbance is less than 5 acres.
Motion to: close the public hearing on appl. #03-08P – Podunk Ridge.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Wasik
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #03-08P – Podunk Ridge – Ellington Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a 21-unit Senior Residence development, community center, stormwater structures, parking and related improvements on property located westerly of Ellington Road and northerly of Ordway Drive, 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.
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 March 19, 2008. 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.
6. A conservation easement is incorporated along the top of the slope as shown in the revised plans submitted March 17, 2003.
Yard waste and leaves or grass clippings are not to be deposited on the adjacent slopes.
Relocation of the storm drainage and walking path behind units 4, 5 and 6 per Town Engineer’s memo dated March 19, 2003.
Include deeper drop inlet manholes to reduce the slopes of the storm drainage pipes down the hill and adjust pipe sizes per Town Engineer’s memo dated March 19, 2003.
We recommend a bond in the amount of $10,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the erosion and sediment control measures and the maintenance program.
We recommend a bond in the amount of $10,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure installation of stormwater structures.
ITEM: Old Business
Appl. #02-13P – Lynnwood Estate Subdivision
Mr. Galen Semprebon from Design Professionals came before the Commission to represent this application. He explained that the site is located along Barber Hill Road. Across the street there is a fairly significant wetland area which is offsite. Due to the proximity of the wetland, 30 feet along the front of the subject site is upland review area. There is an existing house and garage on this site. The proposal consists of subdividing the site in order to create three lots. There is storm drainage discharging to the wetlands. During construction there will be sedimentation areas established. A permanent measure to be established is a small settling area within the grassed area. Runoff from the driveways will go into the settling area prior to going to the catch basins. Erosion and
sedimentation measures to be taken are silt fencing along the site, construction entrance pads, and stockpile locations.
Chairperson Warren stated she would like erosion and sedimentation measures put into place prior to anything else being done on the site.
Jeff explained that there will be a lot of attention paid to maintenance of the driveways during construction and after construction because there is a potential for impacts. It has been recommended that swales be installed on either side of the driveways.
Answering questions from the Commission, Jeff explained that it is not anticipated that there will be runoff problems after construction. Both lots presently drain towards the street. After houses are established, there may be more control over the runoff then there is presently.
Commission members discussed the necessity for the subbase for the driveways being fully installed prior to anything else being done. It was also felt that the grading and stabilization of the swales be done at the same time.
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #03-13P – Lynnwood Estates subdivision – Barber Hill Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application approval for a three-lot subdivision, and two residential house site plans on property located easterly of Barber Hill Road, RR Residential zone.
Was made by Commissioner Forzley
Seconded by Commissioner Wasik
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.
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 March 19, 2008. 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.
6. Gravel base for the driveway and formation of the swales to be done after rough grading has been complete for the driveway prior to any further construction or grading on the site.
Erosion and sedimentation control measures to be put in place and stabilization of the site to be done immediately.
Erosion and sedimentation control measures to be in place prior to clearing or grubbing go the property.
We recommend a bond in the amount of $5,000 for each lot be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the erosion and sediment control measures. Bond to be posted at time of building permit application.
General Site Plan Discussion – Evergreen Walk Project, Buckland Road
Mr. Alan Lamson came before the Commission to review the overall 229-acre site. He explained there would be an overview of the wetland impacts and stormwater calculations. Mr. Lamson pointed out each wetland area to the Commission.
Ms. Michelle Carlson from Fuss & O’Neil came before the Commission and explained the drainage on the entire site. She explained the estimated quality of each wetland and reviewed where mitigation areas would be most effective, according to their consultants. There could be as many as eight detention basins proposed for this site, which could change and 60% impervious coverage is assumed for this site.
Jeff stated that the wetlands are accurately represented. He also was pleased with co-locating the detention basins and mitigation areas because it would create a dual purpose.
Commissioner Forzley said he would like to see the hydrology study done for the overall drainage area.
Answering questions from the Commission, Ms. Carlson explained that there is about 3 acres that is proposed to be used for mitigation. Thirty percent of the site is wetlands and rain gardens will be implemented throughout the plan. The Commission requested that maps be created of the site that will show the wetland areas. These maps can be used for site walks.
Respectfully submitted
_________________________________ ___________________
Deborah W. Reid Date Approved
Recording Secretary
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