MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Timothy Appleton, Audrey Delnicki, Carol Heffler, Barbara Kelly, Richard Muller and Jack Phillips
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff H. Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer
Barbara Messino, Recording Secretary
Chairperson Warren called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM: Correspondence
A letter from Michele Lipe, Assistant Director of Planning regarding the town wide survey was read into the record. The letter requests that Commissions help design questions that they feel should be used on the survey. Commission members will e-mail any questions they might have to Jeff Folger and they will be brought to the next meeting.
A memo was distributed regarding the Planning & Zoning Commission’s meeting where they discussed the zoning regulations. The Planning & Zoning Commission will be establishing a sub-committee to review the draft zoning regulations. The Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission should be kept informed of the happenings at these meetings.
ITEM: Minutes
The April 5, 2006 minutes were approved by general consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
Eight hundred witch hazel seedlings were planted on April 8, 2006 and buds are beginning to swell. There were approximately twenty scouts that came out to help.
On May 13, 2006 and May 14, 2006 an Eagle Scout will be restoring a portion of the riparian area of the Podunk near Clark Street. The restoration will include 60 potted plants and 600 seedlings.
There have been signs erected regarding dogs not being allowed at the Wildlife Sanctuary. A tentative date has been scheduled on May 6, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to clear the trails.
ITEM: Wetland Officers Report
The Town has picked up 160 baggies of dog waste discarded at the Nevers Road Park. Signage will be erected and hopefully will be helpful. There will be a request put into the Chief of Police to have the area patrolled. There is concern that the catch basins could be polluted with all of the bags containing dog waste. An article will be placed in the Reminder Press and South Windsor Life regarding this concern.
ITEM: Public Hearing
Appl. #06-14P – Barber Hill Substation
Mr. Jeffrey Towle a Project Manager for the Barber Hill project came before the Commission representing C L & P. Mr. Towle explained what the presentation would consist of. The purpose of the project is reliability that will benefit South Windsor residents as well as surrounding towns; to add capacity at this substation in order to keep up with the growing demand; and maintain compliance with regulations with respect to redundancy factors.
Ms. Marianne Dubuque an Attorney with Carmody & Torrance came before the Commission. She was present to explain the jurisdictional issues that are involved with this project. The Barber Hill Substation modification project is subject to the Connecticut Citing Council and the Connecticut General Statutes spell out a very specific procedure for the Citing Councils review. The substation has co-existed with the community nicely in this location and the applicant is seeking to modify this facility in order to better serve the community.
Mr. Towle returned to explain more details regarding this project to the Commission. He stated that the existing substation is approximately forty years old. Presently there are six 115 kV lines entering and exiting this substation. There will be no change to the number of lines or the right of ways. There is one 345 kV line that is traversing the property and not connected to the substation at this time. This project is proposed to tie into the existing 345 line which will add capacity and reliability. The project will take approximately 18 months and is scheduled to begin in January of 2007 and end in April of 2008. Mr. Towle explained the construction sequence for this project.
Mr. David Guftafson, a Professional Soil Scientist and Senior Wetlands Scientist with VHB came before the Commission. Mr. Guftafson gave the Commission an overview of what could be found at this site and how the site drains. Work within the upland review area will include improvements to an existing stormwater drainage swale that runs along the east side of Barber Hill Road, removal of tree canopy, and pole removal. Changes that have been done on the plans are as follows: showing the limits of the tree canopy removal area for the new lines going through; showing for the stormwater outfall we have added a protection outfall outlet that consists of riprap protection plunge pool and outfall to protect the eroded swale, the stone perimeter surrounding the entire modification area has been reduced to 4 feet, a buffer
enhancement planting along the east side of the proposed modification has been depicted on the plans, and phragmites should be removed in the area of the scrub shrub emergent marsh wetland system. Mitigation being proposed is removal of the phragmites area; buffer enhancement plantings along the east side of the proposed substation modification; in the abandoned area, plants to be selected including low growing woody plants to create a hardy low mast on the site; and autumn-olive in the abandoned line area should be eradicated in order to allow native species to colonize. Mr. Towle stated, in conclusion, CL & P’s commitment is to continue to look for opportunities in this project for improvements and/or upgrades.
Jeff stated that he is in agreement with the wetland limits that have been delineated in the field as well as the descriptions of the wetland types found on the site. There will be a water quality improvement to this area. The applicant has not supplied a plant selection list to the Commission. Jeff recommended that the area be supplemented with some low growing woody species. He also recommended that the autumn-olive that is located between the fence line and the southern property boundary be removed.
Answering questions from the Commission Mr. Towle explained that there will be no new structures erected in the wetlands. Low pressure ground equipment will be used to bring the wires to the necessary locations and mats could be used to minimize impacts. There is very low traffic at the substation and also low maintenance.
Mr. Steve Klimkoski a Project Engineer with VHB came before the Commission. He explained that there are two points of discharge. Half of the site will flow to the north end of the wetlands and the southern half of the site will flow through the existing storm system. Mr. Klimkoski explained how the drainage is proposed to be taken off site with the new plan.
Public
Mr. Futtner who resides in the house to the north of the proposed location came before the Commission. Mr. Futtner asked how high the structures are proposed to be? Mr. Footner was told that the structures will be between 85 to 125 feet and the 345 structure will be approximately 90 feet.
Motion to: close the public hearing on appl. #06-14P – Barber Hill Substation – Barber Hill Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of an addition to the existing substation, stormwater structures, and associated improvements on property located northerly of Barber Hill Road. RR, Rural Residential zone.
Was made by Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #06-14P – Barber Hill Substation – Barber Hill Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of an addition to the existing substation, stormwater structures, and associated improvements on property located northerly of Barber Hill Road. RR, Rural 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 April 19, 2011. 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 applicant and town staff to draft a list of plant selections including low growing woody plants that produce hard mast.
7. Autumn-olive in the abandoned line area shall be eradicated in order to allow native species to colonize.
Appl. #06-13P – DePietro Estates
Mr. Galen Semprebon, Director of Engineering with Design Professionals, Inc. came before the Commission to represent Mr. Scott Kelley. He explained that the site is located on Pleasant Valley Road and the applicant is proposing seven residential lots, two of which are existing. The subdivision will be on public water and public sewer. There will be no direct impact to the wetlands nor any work within the upland review area. Based on discussions with town staff, there will be riprap work done within the wetlands as a measure to help stabilize the watercourse and prevent erosion within a portion of the watercourse. Jeff has also requested that the applicant install some coconut logs. The applicant would like to look at the feasibility of removing some of the accumulated sediment within the pond. The
other watercourse on the site is the stream channel. The eastern side of the stream has some unstable banks and vertical banks that would benefit from the soft armoring stabilization like coconut logs. On the western side of the stream, this area should remain undisturbed. Some over story trees will be removed to accommodate the construction of a house. Jeff asked Mr. Kelley if he would be amenable to placing a conservation easement with routine maintenance on the house lot closest to the stream? The goal is to heighten the awareness of the person who will eventually own this property. The Commission discussed the removal of trees in order to create more light in the area so grass could eventually grow. Jeff stated that he felt it would depend on the expectation of the individual who purchases this property.
Prior to the motion, Commissioner Heffler stated that there is an amendment to this application where the applicant wishes to dredge out sediment that has accumulated in the ponding area on the north portion of the site. The impacts have been altered to be 21,000 square feet, plus 100 linear feet for the stream area restoration.
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #06-13P – DePietro Estates – 428 & 450 Pleasant Valley Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a seven lot residential subdivision, stormwater structures, and associated improvements on property located northerly of Pleasant Valley Road, and westerly of Hilton 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 April 19, 2011. 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 limited access easement to be developed with town staff and shall appear on the future deed for the lot adjacent to the stream.
7. We recommend a bond in the amount of $2,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure protection of the watercourse.
Jeff stated that the pond on the site, at some point could get overwhelmed with sediment and transfer to the watercourse entering the Podunk.
ITEM: Applications Received
Motion to: hold a public hearing due to public interest on May 3, 2006 for appl. #06-21W – Victory Outreach Ministries – 329 Scantic Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission – application for regulated activities in connection with the relocation of a stormwater system for a 44 unit Senior Residence Development (SRD), on property located southerly of Scantic Road. Rural Residential zone.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Heffler
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Motion to: hold a public hearing due to public interest on May 3, 2006 for appl. #06-22P – Evergreen Walk Phase III – 35 Buckland Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to construct a commercial retail building complex, parking lots, stormwater structures, and associated improvement on property located approximately southerly of Tamarack Drive and northerly of Smith Street on land owned by Evergreen Walk LLC, Gateway Development zone.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Kelly
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Heffler
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted
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Deborah W. Reid. Recording Secretary
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