MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Audrey Delnicki, William Grace, Carol Heffler, Barbara Kelly, and Richard Muller
ALTERNATES PRESENT Donald Gates sitting for Jack Phillips
STAFF PRESENT: Jeffrey H. Folger, Environmental
Planner/Conservation Officer
Debbie Reid, Recording Secretary
ITEM: Correspondence and Reports
David & Ann Wolf of 19 Welles Lane are concerned about the maples in the hedgerow. Mr. Wolf will mark the trees he would like removed. Jeff stated he will go take a look at the trees and this issue can be discussed further at the next schedule meeting.
Chairperson Warren explained that she had received a letter from Cliff Slicer regarding the Wildlife Sanctuary. He has serious concerns about dogs being walked in the Sanctuary. The sign that is presently erected does not have “no dogs allowed” on it. Jeff said he would change the sign and it will include “no dogs allowed”. Commission members discussed the possibility of creating an ordinance for this issue. Chairperson Warren stated she would contact the Council Liaison to discuss the situation further.
A letter from Mr. Paul Roulier from Strong Road was received. He is concerned about the operations at Mitchell Fuel. Monitoring wells are being placed on the site to take water samples to see if there are any substances that have migrated through the soil.
Jeff sent Commission members the DEP Technical Advisory Report on identifying and mapping of inland wetlands on disturbed areas.
Chairperson Warren explained that a letter was sent from Dr. Wood of the South Windsor Public School. The Board of Education would like to invite the Commission to nominate someone that deserves to be recognized for significantly enhancing the quality of life in South Windsor. It is called the Ugene P. service award. The nominations are due by April 27, 2004.
ITEM: Minutes
The January 7, 2004 minutes were approved by general consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
Jeff informed Commission members that he has submitted a grant proposal for the Major Michael Donnelly trail improvements through the DEP for $15,000. There is an area that has approximately 2 feet of standing water just north of the pond. After lengthy discussions it was decided that a floating dock would work nicely in this area. The dock provides low impact and no excavations.
There will be a scouting project which will entail adding an addition 140 feet of boardwalk to the trail system. There will also be three more scout projects coming within the next couple of months which will be to clear and add to the boardwalk.
ITEM: Wetland Officer’s Report
We will be coming up on the time of the year that is wet. Jeff stated he would be available for site walks.
ITEM: New Business:
Appl. #04-06P Joseph Lane Estate Subdivision
Mr. Skip Alford from Alford Associates came before the Commission to represent this application. The property is approximately 9.4 acres and it is being proposed to locate a 15 lot residential subdivision. The design will be to extend the road up to a temporary cul-de-sac. There will be 12 homes located on Joseph Lane and 3 homes on Nevers Road. The only impact on the property is the storm drainage from the properties will get piped into the detention basin. There is a path for sediment to settle out at first filtration and get piped down to a plunge pool. There is a bio-filter and level spreader that is approximately 20 feet. After discussions with Jeff Doolittle the Town Engineer, he suggested that the bio-filter and level spreader be longer in order to ensure that there is sheet flow down to the
wetlands. The impact will be approximately 65 feet away from the wetlands and will discharge water and let it run overland. This will result in a net reduction of the regular flow off of this property. During construction the erosion and sediment control measures being taken is silt fencing below the home construction, and silt fencing adjacent to the road. Construction entrance
pad going into the subdivision as well as for each driveway. There is a proposal to clean up the channel to allow normal flow in this area.
Jeff stated that based on the Town Engineer’s comments, the proposed disturbance within the upland review area will increase to a total of 660 square feet as opposed to the 300 square feet that was originally estimated. There will also be an additional 4200 square feet of disturbance due to improvements to the pond. All these figures should be added to the application.
Answering questions from the Commission, Jeff explained that a change in the water level resulted in a wet meadow becoming a pond. There is a culvert under Linda Lane which is assumed to be sized appropriately because there has never been any situations where the water has backed up from the Podunk into the pond area.
Chairperson Warren stated that the detention basin will be part of lot #13. She informed the applicant that in the past, there have been difficulties when including a detention basin on a lot. Jeff informed the Commission that Pubic Works and the Planning & Zoning Commission like to have the basins on privately owned property. The Commission along with the applicant had a lengthy discussion. It was decided that a conservation easement would be the best solution, but it would be necessary to include the appropriate language that would prevent alterations to the basin or deposition of debris into the basin. The basin will probably be a moist bottom basin with no standing water.
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #04-06P – Joseph Lane – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a 15-lot residential subdivision on 9.4 acres, road, stormwater structures, and associated improvements on property located westerly of Nevers Road, and southerly of Joseph Lane, A-20 Residential zone.
Was made by Commissioner Wasik
Seconded by Commissioner Heffler
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 3, 2009. 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 $15,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the erosion and sediment control measures.
We recommend a bond in the amount of $5,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure the establishment of the stormwater structures.
Any work performed on the outflow channel is to be approved by the Town Engineer
Language to be included in the easement should prevent alteration of the basin or deposition of debris into the basin.
ITEM: Old Business
By-Laws
The Town Attorney has not responded to the Commission’s question regarding this matter. This will be brought up at the next scheduled meeting.
ITEM: Other Business
The Commission discussed in length what is happening over at the Lawrence Road Park.
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Delnicki
Seconded by Commissioner Heffler
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
_________________________________ ___________________
Deborah W. Reid Date Approved
Recording Secretary
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