MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Elizabeth Warren, Timothy Appleton, Audrey Delnicki, Carol Heffler, Barbara Kelly, Richard Muller, and Jack Phillips
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Mario Marrero sitting for Jim Kupchunos
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff Folger, Environmental Planner/Conservation Officer
Deborah W. Reid, Recording Secretary
Chairperson Warren called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ITEM: Correspondence & Reports
Commission members received a copy of the court decision regarding the ECHN site plan wetland permit appeal.
ITEM: Minutes
The December 6, 2006, December 20, 2006 and January 3, 2007 minutes were approved by general consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: Conservation Commission
Major Michael Donnelly Preserve
A scout has completed the construction and installation of a wildlife viewing blind on the site.
Jeff Folger and Councilor Tom Delnicki have discussed the Town Council proclamation that will be presented to Parksite Plunkett Webster.
ITEM: New Business
Appl. #07-02P – Kilkenny Heights Subdivision – 320 Abbe Road
Jeff explained that this request is for a twelve lot subdivision which ends in a cul-de-sac. There are wetlands located on the site, but there will not be a direct impact to the wetlands with this proposal. The slopes and soils will create a problem with erosion control. The Town has received quite q bit of neighborhood interest regarding this site.
Motion to: hold a public hearing on February 7, 2007 for appl. #07-02P, Kilkenny Heights Subdivision – 320 Abbe Road – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to construct a 14-lot residential subdivision, roads, stormwater structures and associated improvements on property located easterly of Abbe Road, and northerly of Maskel Road due to potential for significant impact to wetlands or watercourses and public interest. A-20, A-30, RR Residential zone.
Was made by Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by Commissioner Kelly
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Appl. #06-60P – Aldi Distribution Center,
Jeff explained that the applicant for this property will also be redesigning Rye Street as part of this application so the applicant has requested to postpone the opening of this hearing.
Appl. #06-63P – Town of South Windsor Fire Station
Mr. Brian Humes of Jacunski Humes Architects, LLC came before the Commission. He explained that the project is a replacement for Firehouse #3 and will include a facility for the Ambulance Corp.
Mr. Philip Barlow, a Landscape Architect with TO Design, Inc. came before the Commission. He explained that there is a 22,800 square foot facility proposed for this site. The site consists of 7.16 acres of land and 1.6 acres of wetlands. The building will be located in the south west corner of the site in order to avoid impacts to the wetlands. There will be two curb cuts for this project. One curb cut is proposed for general public and staff to enter the site and exit the site. The other entrance will be for emergency vehicles leaving the site. The total disturbance for this project is 2.4 acres and of that .25 acres are disturbed wetlands.
Mr. George Logan from REMA Ecological Services, Inc. came before the Commission. He explained that the site was originally delineated by John Ianni. The delineations have changed slightly. Mr. Logan alluded to his report that was submitted and stated that the report describes the wetlands that exist on the site. Mr. Logan then described the functions and values of each wetland found on the site. There is an endangered sedge that has been found on the site. The individuals have been marked in the field and will be relocated to another area of the site prior to start of construction.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Logan explained the average size of the sedge is 2 to 2 ½ feet. As part of the mitigation plan Mr. Logan said he would make sure there is proper soils so the sedge will survive. The mitigation plan that will be taking place was explained to the Commission. It will be a shallow marsh with a deep marsh in the middle. A planting plan will be placed onto the plans.
Mr. Mark Smith, a Civil Engineer with TO Design, Inc. came before the Commission. Mr. Smith stated that the site is flat and therefore runoff does not sheet flow across the site. Mr. Smith explained the engineered stormwater structures that are proposed for this site. The parking lot runoff is going to be captured in the new stormwater system with 4’ deep catch basins with hoods, which will be discharged to the detention basin. The detention basin has been designed per the Connecticut Stormwater Guidelines. All discharge on the site will go through a fore bay. During construction, the detention basin will act as the temporary sedimentation trap. It will also be used for dewatering when necessary.
Mr. Philip Barlow concluded the presentation by stating this is a responsible plan and the integrity of the wetland system has been preserved. A new habitat area, wetland area and the bio-filter basin has been created. Mitigation is being done on a one to one basis. Alternative plans have been explored but the plan before the Commission seems to be the most prudent. Reducing the pavement width was also explored, but the Engineering Department felt the 24’ wide driveway was more appropriate.
Jeff stated that the plan before the Commission meets the needs of the Fire Department and has minimum disturbance to the wetlands. Jeff also stated that this is a good opportunity to utilize a lot of the plant materials on site.
Public
Mr. Kenneth Pudler, an adjacent land owner came before the Commission to speak in favor of this application.
Chief Philip Crombie stated that this development will serve both needs of the Fire Department and the Ambulance Corp.
Answering questions from the Commission, Mr. Logan explained that the trucks will be washed inside of the building. The Commission discussed the cleaning of the ditch and felt it would be a good idea, but would have to be done by hand in order to alleviate the possibility of further disturbance.
Motion to: close the public hearing 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 Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Appleton
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Motion to: approve with conditions 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 Heffler
Seconded by Commissioner Kelly
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 January 17, 2012. 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 plants that will be moved to a secured area on the site should be done one month prior to start of construction.
7. Small hand type equipment to be used for the cleaning of the ditch to facilitate flow, yet not impact the structure of the ditch.
ITEM: Other Business
Evergreen Walk General Plan revision
Jeff stated that the General Plan of Development for Evergreen Walk has changed due to input from DEP. The applicant would like to have the opportunity to present different ideas that they have discussed.
Mr. Frank Hubeny from FLB Architecture and Planning and Michelle Carlson from Fuss & O’Neill reviewed with the Commission some ideas for revised development concepts at Evergreen Walk for which they would like Commission to be aware of.
ITEM: Adjournment
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
Was made by Commissioner Appleton
Seconded by Commissioner Phillips
The motion: carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Deborah W. Reid, Recording Secretary
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