MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Timothy Appleton, Audrey Delnicki, Richard Muller and Jack Phillips
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Mario Marrero sitting for Carol Heffler
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer
Deborah W. Reid, Recording Secretary
Chairperson Warren called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
ITEM: Public Participation
Ms. Kim McDonald of 660 Strong Road came before the Commission to discuss the construction of a pool on her property. She explained that the property is approximately 3 ¼ acres with a conservation easement that starts approximately fifteen feet behind the house. The construction of the pool will encroach on the conservation easement. She would like to see if the Commission would support an application to entertain turning 12,000 square foot portion of her property into a conservation area in return for 1,500 square feet of the existing conservation for the installation the pool.
Answering questions from the Board, Ms. McDonald explained that the side yard would not be a good location for the pool because it would look like the pool is in the front yard. This would not be desirable to the neighborhood. Fill will be necessary in order to construct the pool.
Jeff Folger explained that a couple of house lots were built on Strong Road which occurred after illegal filling. The fill was allowed to stay, but a conservation easement was given which is restrictive in relation to the usable area of the yard. Jeff then explained that most of the conservation easement is wetlands. Placing a pool in a portion of this conservation easement will not have any effects on the wetlands, either ecologically or hydrologically.
The Commission discussed this proposal further and stated that they felt this activity has mitigating circumstances and would be acceptable because it is not creating precedence. If this gets passed by Town Council, IWA/CC will hear this as an application for a wetlands permit.
ITEM: Correspondence and Reports
The Commission received correspondence from the Connecticut Council of Municipalities regarding Zoning and Inland-Wetlands Agency decisions: Municipal Interventions.
621 Strong Road
Jeff explained that he sent out a notice of violation to the property owner at 621 Strong Road. Jeff will be meeting with the property owner to discuss remedies for the clearing of the wetland area that has occurred. There is disturbance to the wetland and regulated areas.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
Jeff thanked all volunteers for their help with the loop trail at the Major Michael Donnelly property. He then told Commission members that a wildlife viewing blind will be constructed by an Eagle Scout on the property.
Chairperson Warren told the Commission that she spoke with Tom Delnicki who is the Commissions Liaison. It is hopeful that a proclamation will be presented in January by Town Council to Parksite Plunkett Webster expressing our gratitude for their donation of trek for the Major Michael Donnelly loop trial.
ITEM: Public Hearing
Ms. Karen Isherwood, a Project Engineer with Design Professionals, Inc. came before the Commission to present revised plans for Deming Plaza. She explained that the following are changes made on the plan since the last meeting:
· The locations of the temporary stock piles have been changed.
· A construction sequence has been incorporated on the plan.
· A type I sedimentation structure will be used which will include two additional manholes and set off with a 6 ½’ x 15’ long concrete vault.
· The entrance and parking area have been reconfigured.
· The building for the restaurant has been rotated.
· Flock logs to be placed at the base of the berm and to be incorporated onto the plans.
· The maintenance schedule to be changed as requested by town staff and incorporated onto the plans.
Ms. Isherwood presented plans that had been designed for this property. She explained that the plan before the Commission is felt to be the most prudent and feasible alternative because there is no disturbance to the wetlands.
Answering questions from the Commission, Ms. Isherwood explained that although the parking area has been reconfigured, the impervious coverage has remained at 59%. A dewatering plan will be placed on the plan, but will only be used when necessary.
Public
Ms. Annamae Davis of 9 Ridge Road came before the Commission to voice her concerns regarding this project.
Appl. #06-54P – Deming Plaza, 400 Buckland Road, Buckland Corridor zone
Motion to: close the public hearing on appl. #06-54P, Deming Plaza – 400 Buckland Road- IWA/CC application for the construction of a retail plaza, grading, parking, stormwater utilities, and associated improvements on property locate north of Deming Street, and east of Buckland Road. Buckland Corridor zone (BC).
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Muller
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: New Business
Appl. #06-54P – Deming Plaza – 400 Buckland Road, Buckland Corridor zone
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. #06-54P, Deming Plaza – 400 Buckland Road – IWA/CC application for the construction of a retail plaza, grading, parking, stormwater utilities, and associated improvements on property located north of Deming Street, and east of Buckland Road. Buckland Corridor zone (BC).
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Delnicki
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 20, 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. Establishment of a dewatering plan that is acceptable to town staff and to be added to the plans.
7. The flock logs to be realigned on the erosion and sedimentation control plan and to be approved by town staff.
8. 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 measures.
9. We recommend a bond in the amount of $25,000 be submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission to ensure establishment of the stormwater structure.
Appl. #06-60P – Aldi Distribution Center – 295 Rye Street, Industrial zone
Jeff explained that the scope of this project involves the construction of a 500,000 square foot building, parking for 80+ bays, and loading docks for tractor trailers. This will be a regional distribution center for a supermarket chain. The development of this project will encompass 2/3 of the site and will include a very large detention and extended retention basin. Direct impacts to wetlands include the construction of the outlet structure. Impacts to the upland review area include piping from the outlet structure and an area to the west of the building along the ravine.
Commission members discussed this project and felt that there would be a potential for impact to the wetlands and also felt there would be public interest on this project.
Motion to: hold a public hearing due to potential for significant impact to wetlands or watercourses and public interest on January 3, 2007 on appl. #06-60P, Aldi Distribution Center – 295 Rye Street – Inland Wetland Commission/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a 500,000 square foot distribution facility, including parking lot, grading, stormwater, utilities, and associated improvements for property located on
the northerly side of Rye Street, northeasterly of Commerce Way, Industrial zone (I).
Was made by Commissioner Appleton
Seconded by Commissioner Delnicki
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: 5 to 1 with Commissioner Appleton, Delnicki, Muller, Marrero and Warren voting in favor of holding a public hearing and Commissioner Phillips abstaining.
Appl. #06-62W – Aldi Distribution Center – 295 Rye Street, Industrial zone
Jeff felt that this application should be heard at the next scheduled meeting, but this application would not warrant a public hearing. Debris on the site will need to be removed in phases.
Appl. #06-63P – Town of South Windsor Fire Station – 625 Sullivan Avenue, GC zone
Motion to: hold a public hearing due to potential for significant impact to wetlands or watercourses and public interest on January 3, 2007 on appl. #06-63P, Town of South Windsor Fire Station – 625 Sullivan Avenue – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to construct a building, parking, stormwater structures, and associated improvements on property located southerly of Sullivan Avenue, General Commercial zone (GC).
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Muller
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Delnicki
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Deborah W. Reid, Recording Secretary
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