MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Audrey Delnicki, Philip Forzley, Barbara Kelly, Richard Muller, Jack Phillips, and Audrey Wasik
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Donald Gates sitting for Carol Heffler
STAFF PRESENT: Jeffrey H. Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer
Kelli Koehler, Recording Secretary
ITEM: Correspondence and Reports
Jeff stated there is another project being presented to the Commission for the Major Michael Donnelly Preserve. Jacob Troiano who is an Eagle Scout has a presentation requesting jurisdictional ruling from the Commission.
Mr. Jacob Troiano came before the Commission. He explained that he is proposing 200 feet of trail clearing and 80 feet of boardwalk to be constructed. There will be 320 square feet of wetland disturbance. The clearing will be done by hand. The construction of the boardwalk will be almost identical to the previous boardwalks.
Jurisdictional Ruling
Motion to: find that the trail project proposed by Jacob Troiano on the Donnelly property is a non-regulated use pursuant to section 4.2A of the IWA/CC Regulations.
Was made by Commissioner Wasik
Seconded by Commissioner Delnicki
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: Commissioners Delnicki, Kelly, Forzley, Muller, Wasik and Warren voting in favor of approval and Commissioner Phillips abstaining
ITEM: Minutes
The Commission approved the May 19, 2004 minutes with corrections by general consensus.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
Jeff stated that at the Major Michael Donnelly property, construction and clearing would be proceeding. The pond on the property is being stocked with approximately 4,000 minnow for a food source for the fish in the pond. There will be difficulty getting to the pond because the sides slope down abruptly.
ITEM: Public Hearing
Appl. #04-33P – River Walk Senior Residence Development
Mr. Peter DeMallie of Design Professional came before the Commission. He explained that the plans have been revised based on suggestions made by the Commission.
Ms. Karen Isherwood came before the Commission. She explained that she was able to provide a greater than 20 foot separation between the closest wetland flag and the nearest sunroom/deck. The 4,000 square feet of disturbance has been reduced to 1,200 square feet. There will be a gravel drive provided for access to the sanitary sewer manhole. There will be four feet of cover over the sanitary sewer, which will provide proper depths so there will be no freezing in the wintertime and will also allow for traffic to drive over. There are areas where the cover will only be 2 ½ feet, but the pipes will be insulated and in these areas there will be no traffic. The road has been realigned in order to meet the change in the plan from sidewalks on both sides of the street to sidewalks on one side of the
street.
Mr. Richard Boston, a Landscape Architect with Design Professionals came before the Commission. He explained to the Commission the changes that are proposed for all the landscaping on this site.
Answering questions from the Commission, two thousand square feet of mitigation will be created. A two-foot high wall will be constructed in order to keep unwanted mowing out of the mitigation area. There was a discussion regarding the conservation easement. It was decided that it would follow the new wetland line.
Ms. Barbara Barbour came before the Commission. She told Commission members of the different costs associated with this project. She also explained how they came to propose an 18-unit development versus a 20-unit or 16-unit.
Mr. Edward Powlak came before the Commission. He explained that the mitigation would consist of a variety of shrub plantings that have been recommended. This will achieve a no net loss of wetland area. The detention basin will also serve as a water quality basin and will provide a number of wetland functions.
Mr. DeMallie stated that with the revisions made to this plan, there would be only 1,200 square feet of disturbance with a temporary disturbance for the cross-country sewer line. The conservation easement is approximately five acres and will follow the new wetland line as discussed previously. The wording for the conservation easement will be discussed with the Town Attorney, Jeff Folger and the Commission.
Jeff stated that Jeff Doolittle, the Town Engineer, is suggesting incorporating more roof leaders into the storm drainage system in order to not have wet lawns throughout the year. Jeff asked the applicant if there is enough storage in the basin to accommodate 25% more storage. Ms. Karen Isherwood felt this should be discussed further because there has been significant grading done in the rear which do not have any low areas to allow ponding. There has also been three-yard drains added to the plans with the revised grading. There will be a temporary chained link fence erected at the limits of clearing during construction so that there are no encroachments into the wetlands, this will happen in the vacinity of units 14 through 18. The hydrology in the wetland will not be reduced, and will be adequate.
Commissioner Wasik voiced her concern regarding units 14 and 15. Ms. Isherwood stated that the configurations of the units are in the best location. Mr. Powlak added that the area of units 14 and 15 is a transitional wetland and of low value. In order to try to buffer the wetlands from the lawn area to prevent fertilizers from entering the wetlands, a stone wall will be erected. Mr. Powlak also informed the Commission that he is also offering a turf management plan. There will be one management company contracted to maintain the area. A condition could be placed to require the maintenance plan to be part of the condominium documentation. Commissioner Muller felt that this is a loss in the area of unit 14 and 15 because the Commission usually likes to see an 80 foot regulated area. Mr. Powlak explained that the upland peninsula would be kept in its existing state. The functions that are being provided will remain.
Jeff concurred with Mr. Powlak’s assessment that the wetland system will not suffer from this application. There will be some impacts to the hydrology in selected areas because of the interruption of the flow. The stormwater system meets the minimum requirements set by EPA. There will be substantial diversity of landscaping. Erosion and sedimentation controls should be adequate during construction.
Public
Mr. Marc Fleming from 107 Dart Hill Road came before the Commission. He is concerned that the chemical products could runoff into the wetlands. Jeff said that there is no guarantee, but an approval condition could be placed on the record that would give Town Staff enforcement justification.
The Commission discussed further the management of chemicals used on this site.
Motion to: close the public hearing for appl. #04-33P – River Walk Senior Residence Development.
Was made by Commissioner Forzley
Seconded by Commissioner Grace
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: New Business
Appl. #-4-33P – River Walk Senior Residence Development
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #04-33P – River Walk Senior Residence Development – 1235 Sullivan Avenue – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of an 18-unit Senior Residence Development on 12.2 acres, private drive, stormwater structures, and associated improvements on property located westerly of Sullivan Avenue and northerly of Pierce Road. RR Rural Residential zone.
Was made by Commissioner Forzley
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Appl. #04-38P – LA Fitness – Buckland Road – CD-Corridor Development zone
Motion to: hold a public hearing on July 7, 2004 due to public interest to the wetlands on appl. #04-38P – LA Fitness – Buckland Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a 41,000-sq. ft. commercial building, parking lots, stormwater structures and associated improvements on property located westerly of Buckland Road. CD-Corridor Development zone.
Was made by Commissioner Wasik
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Appl. #04-37P – Visions Salon & Spa 207 Buckland Road – CD-Corridor Development zone
Motion to: hold a public hearing on July 7, 2004 due to public interest to the wetland on appl. #04-37P – Visions Salon & Spa – 207 Buckland Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a 9,000-sq. ft. commercial building, parking lots, stormwater structures and associated improvements on property located westerly of Buckland Road. CD – Corridor Development zone.
Was made by Commissioner Wasik
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Appl. #04042W – Hidden Woods Subdivision – Dart Hill Road – RR-Rural Residential zone
Jeff explained that this application is a conservation application that was previously approved in 1997, but approvals have lapsed. There was a catch basin added to the plan and will be located at the bottom of the upper driveway. The Town Engineer has stated that he would prefer a stone swale along the eastern side of the driveway as opposed to curbing. Jeff stated that the application conforms to the requirements for the E &S guidelines and has been revised to accommodate Commission and Staff’s concerns. This would slow the runoff velocity down and allow it to enter the catch basin.
Public
Mr. Marc Fleming came before the Commission asking if a swale would be placed on the north side of the driveway also? He stated a concern for the nrothern slope of the driveway eroding. Jeff explained that the driveway would be pitched to the south into the stone swale and then head down the driveway to the catch basin. The proposal for the building permit would have to be presented to the Engineering Department for the Town Engineer to review, approve and construct according to the plan.
Motion to: approve with conditions app. #04-42W – Hidden Woods Subdivision – Dart Hill Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the approval of a 2-lot residential subdivision, stormwater structures and associated improvements on property located easterly of Dart Hill Road. RR – Rural Residential zone.
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Forzley
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
_________________________________
Deborah W. Reid
Recording Secretary
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