MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Audrey Delnicki, Philip Forzley, William Grace, Barbara Kelly, Richard Muller, and Audrey Wasik
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Donald Gates sitting for Carol Heffler
STAFF PRESENT: Debbie Reid, Recording Secretary
ITEM: Correspondence and Reports
A memo from Michele Lipe was received by the Commission. The following item has been added to the applications to be officially received by the Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation Commission on December 17, 2003: Application #03-94P, South Windsor Technologies, request for a modification to the existing IWA/CC approval to allow for the installation of sanitary sewer lines on property located on the easterly side of Route 5, south of Sullivan Avenue. Assessors Map 109, Parcel 9, I zone.
ITEM: Minutes
The November 19, 2003 minutes were approved by general consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: New Business
Appl. #03-92P – Mill on the River
Ms. Karen Isherwood came before the Commission to represent this application. She explained that this 75 space parking lot was originally approved in 1998. It is located on a 10 acre parcel directly across the street from the Mill on the River. Since the original approval, the upland review area has changed. Within the 80 good buffer there are several parking spaces, landscaping and the bio-filtration swale. The bio-filtration swale is approximately 100 feet in length, ½ foot deep and roughly 10 feet wide. There is a stone berm downslope of it, which will allow runoff for the larger storm events to filter through and continue to the Podunk River. Improvements on the site include the access drives, 75 parking spaces, a series of catch basins to collect the runoff which will discharge to the
sedimentation structure into the bio-filtration swale. The barn was removed and filling has begun. There are no direct wetland impacts, but there will be approximately .4 acres of disturbance in the upland review area. The proposed erosion and sedimentation control measures consist of an anti tracking construction
entrance pad onto Route 30, silt fencing located downgrade of all disturbed areas and hay bales around all catch basin structures.
Answering questions from the Commission, Ms. Isherwood explained that the parking area will be paved and has curbing around it. Drainage enters each catch basin, goes to a sedimentation structure, which is the last structure to receive runoff and will discharge to a bio-filtration swale. The runoff will settle, treat the first flush and filter through the stone gravel berm. Once everything is constructed, Town Staff would like a survey crew to go out, take shots and make sure that there is the appropriate volume that is necessary to treat the first flush. In the upland review area, there will be approximately 1/3 of impervious coverage, and all paved runoff will be treated. An operations and maintenance schedule has been provided in the detail section for construction. The present cross walk will be
relocated to an area which provides the best sight line for all vehicles traveling north and south bound. There will be a pedestrian signalized sign with flashing lights to notify motorists there are pedestrians crossing.
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #03-92P – Mill on the River – 989 Ellington Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to create an auxiliary parking lot across the street from the restaurant. A-20, 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 two years and shall expire on December 17, 2005. 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.
We recommend a bond in the amount of $10,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Measures.
Mr. Peter DeMallie from Design Professionals came before the Commission to ask for permission to allow use of the auxiliary parking lot through the holiday season. There will be no parking in this area unless it is frozen. Cars are presently parking on Rte. 30, creating a hazardous situation. If the Commission authorizes the use of this parking area, authorization from Marcia Banach, Director of Planning and Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer is still required.
Ms. Karen Isherwood from Design Professionals stated that the staff would use this area for parking, leaving customers to park on the paved parking lot near the restaurant. Mr. Helmar Wolf, one of the owners of Mill on the River, told the Commission that there are sixty-five employees.
Commission members discussed this and made the decision that the auxiliary parking area could be used until January 1, 2004. Plowing and sanding would be permitted, but no salt is to be used.
ITEM: Old Business
Appl. #03-83P – Berry Farm Senior Development
Ms. Karen Isherwood a Project Manager and Professional Engineer with Design Professionals came before the Commission to represent this application. She explained that there are two properties for this site. The first one is the Katten property, which is approximately 14 acres and the Calvary Church property has no wetlands on it. The Katten property has considerable wetlands as well as the Farm brook that goes through the middle of the property. It is proposed to have three buildings, 18 units per building, 54 units, and a series of roadways.
Changes that have occurred since the last meeting is that a detention basin has been relocated on the property. The discharge from one of the catch basins has been re-routed to a more southerly elevation and will go to another catch basin which will have a four bay spilling over to a 5 foot deep detention area. The discharge has been piped from the basin as far down as possible to eliminate any erosion problems. There is an increase to 0.06 acres of direct impact to the wetlands due to different requests made by Town staff. There will also be an increase to 2.6 acres of disturbance to the upland review area. A larger basin is being proposed to further reduce the peak runoffs. The plans have been changed in order to address Jeff Folgers comments, concerns and questions. Jeff Doolittle has reviewed
the drainage and is satisfied with the plan.
Answering questions from the Commission, Ms. Isherwood explained that there will be a temporary disturbance in order to install the sanitary sewer. The current plan shows an anti-tracking pad at the entrance of Berry Patch I which will be used for construction purposes. The walkway proposed on the site will be made of stone dust and will be maintained by the property owner. Approximately 7 acres of the Katten property is proposed to be a conservation easement. There will be a gated emergency entrance/exit near the back of the Village at Buckland Court. The only disturbance in the tree line will be from placing monumentation where the easement is located. The Town Engineer has requested a stone spill way for emergency overflow. The detention basin is piped to a drainage manhole, continues to a
plunge pool and will go to the excavated area that has been excavated for flood storage.
Mr. Ray Jefferson, a Landscape Architect came before the Commission to present changes that have been made to the landscaping plans. The focus was on the landscaping that is related to the wetland and the activities within the regulated area adjacent to the wetlands. The pavement within the regulated area is 40 feet from the wetlands. There is a corner of one of the structures that is within the regulated area. Natural landscaping will be used throughout the site. Mr. Jefferson described the plantings that will be introduced to various areas of the site, these plans have been discussed with Jeff Folger.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Jefferson explained that the upper portion of the site is primarily wet meadow, meadow grasses and wildflowers.
Mr. George Logan, a Soil Scientist with REMA Ecological Services came before the Commission. He stated that his task since the last meeting was to review the new stormwater management system from a water quality perspective. A vegetative management plan and a conservation easement on the Katten
property were developed. The existing wet meadow vegetation will be maintained by mowing. The mowing can only take place when the ground is frozen or during a dry period. Only half of the mowing will take place each time, this will allow growing season for the winter, migration of wildlife, and a plant diversity. The second goal is to control the growth of invasive species. A procedure will take place for at least three years. Multi Flora Rose will be cut and treated with herbicides which will be applied by a licensed individual. Mr. Logan explained that the permanent disturbance is minimal. After the completion of this project, there will be close to ¾ of an acre of additional wetlands.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Logan explained that standard erosion and sedimentation controls will be provided. The final stabilization of a wet meadow mix would be discussed and a decision would be made due mostly to the time of year. The second year the seed mix is down there tends to be more growth. Once things are stabilized and construction is almost complete, Jeff Folger will go out and review the area. If help is necessary, Jeff will call the appropriate person for a consultation.
Ms. Karen Isherwood explained to the Commission that the stormwater management system near the Calvary site is set up in such a way that it will relieve the wetness situation on the site and help reduce erosion that may be occurring.
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #03-83P – Berry Farm Senior Development – 205 Oakland Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a94 unit senior apartment complex on 33 acres, stormwater structures, parking lots, and associated improvements on property located easterly of Buckland Road, northerly of Deming Street. AA-30 Residential zones & GD Gateway Development 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 December 17, 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.
A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
6. We recommend a bond in the amount of $25,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan.
We recommend a bond in the amount of $20,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure the installation and the establishment of the stormwater structures.
The operation and maintenance plan that was adopted for Berry Patch I should be extended to include the additional phases.
Town staff to review and approve the modified planting plan as submitted. The applicant should modify the plan to Town staff’s satisfaction.
Proposed vegetation management plan will be implemented without a time limit.
Town staff to review and approve the location and surface material being used for the pathway.
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Kelly
Seconded by Commissioner Wasik
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
_________________________________ ___________________
Deborah W. Reid Date Approved
Recording Secretary
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