MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Timothy Appleton, Audrey Delnicki, Barbara Kelly, Richard Muller and Jack Phillips
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff H. Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer
Debbie Reid, Recording Secretary
ITEM: Correspondence and Reports
The 2006 meeting schedule was approved by general consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: Minutes
The October 5, 2005, October 19, 2005 and November 2, 2005 minutes were approved by general consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
A scout will be doing work on the trails at the Major Michael Donnelly property. The scout has a deadline of January 20, 2006 to complete work.
ITEM: Wetland Officer’s Report
Mr. Coine has called in response to the letter that was sent to him regarding the dumping of debris on the slope near the trailer park. The dumping of material has stopped but conversation with Mr. Coine will need to continue to determine the best course of action.
Wildlife Sanctuary
Chairperson Warren stated that she has received complaints regarding dogs running freely in the Wildlife Sanctuary. A new sign will be erected explaining the rules and regulations of the Sanctuary. Chairperson Warren also suggested that an article be published in South Windsor Life. Jeff stated that a temporary sign was erected at the Wildlife Sanctuary and he will work on the history of the Sanctuary.
ITEM: New Business
Appl. #05-66P – Imperial Oil
Mr. Frank Berowski, PDS Engineering and Construction representing Imperial Oil came before the Commission to present this application. Mr. Berowski explained that Imperial Oil has constructed a new maintenance facility for their operation. This project entails work inside of the buffer zone as delineated on the plan. A water quality plan has been developed through conversations with Town staff. Revisions to the plan that have been made is a detention basin which has been placed at the front of the property, Jeff Folger and Jeff Doolittle’s comments have been addressed and the manhole will be placed in the right of way.
Jeff stated that John Ianni substantiated that standing water where the northern end of the limit of clearing will be developed does not have characteristics to support wetland vegetation and therefore is not a regulated area. Commissioner Kelly asked that a confirmation be sent to the file.
Jeff felt that the erosion and sedimentation measures are adequate, as well as the stormwater management plan. He recommended that as a condition of approval, the seed mix for the basin be reviewed and approved by Town staff.
Answering questions from the Commission Jeff explained that during the wet spring, the basin will be in a saturated condition on the bottom, probably not standing water. A wet seed mix will be used on the bottom of the basin which will support dry and wet situations.
The fuel trucks will be parked indoors at all times, this will alleviate Homeland Security concerns. There are a series of floor drains inside of the building so there should not be any problems with leakage from the trucks into the stormwater system.
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #05-66P – Imperial Oil – Conservation request for a site plan to construct an office building and truck storage garage on property at 648 Sullivan Avenue, I zone.
Was made by Commissioner Kelly
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
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 21, 2010. 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.
We recommend a bond in the amount of $2,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the erosion and sediment control measures.
A planting plan for the detention basin to be approved by Town staff.
The Soil Scientist report to be submitted to the application file.
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Appl. #05-72P – Fraize House Site
Ms. Becky Meyer, a Project Engineer with Design Professionals, Inc. came before the Commission. She explained the application she is presenting is for a subdivision special exception because it is currently not a lot of record. The property has a 50’ right of way on Ellington Road and a 50’ access on Clark Street. The property is 6.61 acres and is an interior lot. The applicant is proposing a single family house, an additional garage and a farm shed. The
utilities will access through the right of way on Ellington Road. Overall disturbance to this area is approximately 9,861 square feet of upland review area and 326 square feet of wetlands. All disturbed areas, excluding a 50’ section adjacent to the ditch which will be meadow like grass, will be seeded. Additional seeding is proposed within the base of the slope of the brook. The slopes of the brook will be stabilized and maintained as a farm brook which will have a maintenance control plan. Sedimentation and erosion control measures being taken are anti-track pads at both of the road entrances, silt fence down gradient of all disturbed areas, silt fence around stock pile material, and seeding and mulching as shown on the seeding schedule.
Jeff stated that he would recommend that stone check dams be placed before and after the culvert in order to provide another measure of protection to the swale during installation.
Answering questions from the Commission, Ms. Meyer stated that an even slope will be maintained throughout the site without disturbing existing trees. Commissioner Kelly stated she would like accurate elevations reflected on the plan.
Jeff acknowledged that by improving the flow and stabilizing the slopes to the swale, there will be protection to the natural wetlands further west.
Mr. Richard Boston added that this will be creating a better wildlife corridor along the stream.
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #05-72P – Fraize House Site – IWA/CC application for a residential house site and associated utilities at 861 Clark Street, RR Rural Residential zone.
Was made by Commissioner Kelly
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
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 21, 2010. 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. We recommend a bond in the amount of $2,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure compliance with the erosion and sediment control measures.
7. Stone check dams must be placed before and after the existing culvert.
8. The plan should reflect the proposed grading and topography that will remain undisturbed.
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: Old Business
East Hartford Sand and Gravel mitigation plan
Ms. Sigrun Gadwa came before the Commission to give an overview of what is happening at this site. She described briefly the species of interest found on the site, the endangered species found on site, the restoration planned, and the importance of a construction sequence. Ms. Gadwa told the Commission that a conservation easement is being proposed. One issue that has occurred is a driveway that was constructed. It is recommended that the driveway be discontinued as a travel route, but not be eliminated.
Answering questions from the Commission, Ms. Gadwa explained that the restoration to this area is to begin in the Spring of 2006. There will be a monitoring period where the consultants will be involved, if there are any changes that are felt to be necessary, Ken Metzler from DEP will be notified. Mr. Metzler has suggested that smaller numbers of species be scattered throughout the site and let them spread on their own. This would allow the site to develop naturally with the introduction of additional species.
Jeff stated the Commission should communicate to the regulatory agencies, State and Federal, that the Commission would appreciate this to move forward. Also should voice concern about the invasive plants and the woody’s colonizing. Presently there is no water control structure on the site, so that should be installed. The best time to install would be just before the growing season. The last thing that remains to be worked out is who will maintain this site long term. Ms. Gadwa explained to the Commission that presently there is a grid on site that is used to log any activity that occurs.
Motion to: endorse the wetland mitigation plan as shown in part I and part II of the East Hartford Sand & Gravel mitigation plan dated September 2, 2005 on property located east of John Fitch Boulevard and north of Strong Road, I & RR zones.
The Commission recognizes that the documents received supersede the mitigation plan originally proposed in the year 2000 and recommends rapid implementation
Was made by Commissioner Kelly
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
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 21, 2010. 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. The Commission shall receive an annual monitoring report on the progress of this property for five years. After the initial five years of receiving monitoring reports, the Commission shall receive a memo updating them on the progress of this property for an additional three years.
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Delnicki
Seconded by Commissioner Kelly
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
_________________________________
Debbie Reid, Recording Secretary
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