MEMBERS PRESENT: Betty Warren, Barb Kelly, Carol Heffler, Jack Phillips, Mario Marrero, Anthony Duarte, Richard Muller
ALTERNATES PRESENT: John Blondin sat for Audrey Delnicki
STAFF PRESENT: Kathy Middleton, Recording Secretary
Chairperson Warren called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
ITEM: CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS
Warren stated that she received an invitation for the Board and Commission Volunteer Recognition on Sunday, June 8, 2008 from 4-7 p.m.
ITEM: MINUTES
The minutes of March 19, 2008 were approved by consensus of the Commission.
ITEM: DETERMINATION OF PUBLIC HEARING
Motion to set a public hearing on June 4, 2008 for Appl. #08-24W - Town of South Windsor - Avery Street - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of drainage improvement to a portion of Avery Street located northerly of Cornerstone Drive and southerly of Talcott Ridge Road based on the potential for impact to wetlands and the potential for public interest.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Blondin
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
Motion to set a public hearing on June 4, 2008 for Appl. # 08-25W - Town of South Windsor - Community Center, Rye Street - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a parking lot addition and drainage improvements to a portion of Rye Street located northerly of Collins Crossing based on the potential for impact to wetlands and the potential for public interest.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Duarte
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING
Appl. #08-17P - 5 & Diner Restaurant - 274 Buckland Road - IWA/CC application for the construction of a commercial dining establishment, parking, stormwater structures and associated improvements located on property east of Buckland Road. Gateway Development (GD) Zone.
Warren stated that there are additional comments from the Town Engineer.
Capossela came before the Commission and stated that Mark Socha, Engineer for CPH Engineering would be presenting on behalf of Al Carpenter. Capossela states that one of the questions to address was how can a fifty foot buffer be created on the Easterly side of the lease property to protect the restored wetland area from silt from the corn growth. The other concern was that the created wetland area in the front would impact the sewer easement. The third concern was assuring that the wetland creations remain as wetland creations. Capossela stated that the plans have been revised to reduce the wetland area and the restoration area to move it out of the proposed sewer easement.
Socha stated that wetland creation area A was reduced from 1,155 square feet to 658 sq. ft. Wetland creation enhancement area 4 was reduced from 1084 sq. ft to 756 sq. ft. Socha also stated that all of the plantings have been kept on the plans and moved outside of the easement area. Capossela stated that in the back an area has been designated as a conservation easement. They have shown a conservation easement area over the entire back easterly portion of the property. Capossela has received the formal conservation easement from the Town and will resolve with the Town Attorney. There is also an area to the back which is outside of the lease area of fifty feet for a no-till area. Capossela stated that the property owners Wolf & Guerra are prepared to accept the encumbrances on their property.
Capossela stated that the property owners would like there to be a provision that should the site change they can come back with a better plan for the easement. Warren stated that her only experience with a conservation easement being changed was through the Town Council because the holder on the easement is the Town of South Windsor. Attorney Ralph Alexander came before the Commission and stated that the concern is that they wanted to present the provision change on the record so that in the event that the configuration didn't work they would have documentation for the record.
George Logan stated that the desire is to have the area remain as diverse meadow. Logan stated that in his report there would be a rotation that would allow for mowing mid to late fall every two to three years.
Warren stated that there could be easement conditions upon approval that Jeff Folger and the Town Attorney could draw up as well as a maintenance plan. Socha stated that in section five of the stormwater design report the maintenance plan states that weeding is not required at any mitigation area after three year and it is recommended that mowing is not shorter than six inches, no removal of clippings is necessary, take place every other year outside the nesting season not between May 15 and August 15th to maintain the meadow coverage.
Capossela made the following comments regarding the Town Engineer's comments dated May 21, 2008.
Comment #1- Can be modified accordingly as requested and will work with Town Engineer.
Comment #2- There may be other mechanisms that he would like to discuss with Town Engineer rather than putting in the concrete headwall. The concern is that there is a side walk that is being put in and there is a pipe that accepts the drainage in that location but in the regulations it cannot be steeper than a 4:1 slope. Socha stated that there is an existing encumbrance so there are a couple ways of dealing with it but doesn't want to commit to putting in the headwall but will work the Town Engineer.
Comment # 3- Will comply.
Comment #4- Will comply.
Warren asked for comments from the Public. There was no public participation.
Motion to close public hearing on appl. # 08-17P - 5 & Diner Restaurant - 274 Buckland Road - IWA/CC application for the construction of a commercial dining establishment, parking, stormwater structures and associated improvements located on property east of Buckland Road. Gateway Development (GD) Zone.
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded By: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
Move a finding of no prudent or feasible alternative based on the facts presented on the record of a whole.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Marrero
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
Motion to: approve with conditions appl. # 08-17P - 5 & Diner Restaurant - 274 Buckland Road -IWA/CC application for the construction of a commercial dining establishment, parking, stormwater structures and associated improvements located on property east of Buckland Road. Gateway Development (GD) Zone.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Heffler
The motion carried
The vote was 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 May 21, 2013. 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 of $25,000.00 for wetland mitigation, a bond of $l0, 000 for storm water structures and a bond of $10,000 for erosion and sedimentation controls.
7. The Town Engineer's comments dated May 21, 2008 shall be addressed to Town Staff satisfaction.
8. The conservation easement shall be worked with Town Staff and Town Council.
9. The no-till area needs to be worked with Town Staff and Town Attorney to draw the parameters thereof.
10. As stated the maintenance plan associated with the conservation easement area shall be mowed mid to late fall and rotation in the mitigation areas.
Appl. #08-22W - Town of South Windsor - Graham Road - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to replace an existing road culvert and associated improvements on property located on Graham Road northerly of Ayers Road and southerly Mark Drive. Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Gary Fontanella of Milone & MacBroom came before the Commission and stated that the existing conditions there is an existing twin 48" pipe, there is also an enclosed storm drainage system with a catch basin that discharges upstream side of the road. The reason for the replacement of the existing structure is that it is in a state of disrepair. The stone headwalls on both sides need repair and replacement because there is a lot of erosion on both sides particularly the down stream side of the brook. There is also some undermining of the existing culvert. The intent is to replace the existing culverts with twin 42" pipes; the total reconstruction area is 210 feet of road. The road will be widened to 28 ft. wide to allow for a future sidewalk. One catch basin will be replaced and sets of catch basins
will be placed on either side of the replacement structure and they will discharge directly into the stream. The total impact area will be 10,766 sq. ft. or .427 acres. The area of wetland and watercourse area disturbed is 1,006 sq. feet which is .023 acres. The total project area is 11,041 sq. ft. and of that the wetland is 9.1% of the total area.
Proposed improvements are to provide a two stage area plunge pool, and rip rap with rounded stone to provide for additional slope stabilization and protection. The velocity has been reduced and realigning of the culvert. The project duration will be approximately two months and four week detour.
Kelly asked what size storm the bypass would handle. Fontanella stated that it would handle a two year storm. Kelly also asked if there is a planting plan. Fontanella stated that right now there is no planting plan. The upstream and down stream will be rip rap and the other areas will be grassed areas.
Blondin asked what was being done for erosion control during construction. Fontanella stated that there is a temporary sedimentation basin, and hay bails.
Phillips asked about the areas of permanent impacts current functionality of those wetlands is water conveyance and are of poor quality due to the siltation and erosion.
Matthew Sanford, Professional Wetland Scientist, Milone & McBroom stated that the existing stream is trapezoidal channel with a rip rap bottom and vegetation of grass up to a level spot and then drops off into a weeded area. The down gradient conditions are worse. There is sedimentation, garbage, and debris. The vegetation is predominately invasive species and does not provide a fish habitat.
Kelly stated that mitigation had not been proposed and asked that consideration given that there be a consultation with Town Staff incase there are invasive and/or other plantings added to the planting plan.
Motion to close public hearing on appl. #08-22W - Town of South Windsor - Graham Road - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to replace an existing road culvert and associated improvements on property located on Graham Road northerly of Ayers Road and southerly Mark Drive. Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Kelly
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
Move a finding of no prudent or feasible alternative based on the facts presented on the record of a whole.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Blondin
The motion carried
The vote was unanimous
Motion to: approve appl. # 08-22W - Town of South Windsor - Graham Road - Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application to replace an existing road culvert and associated improvements on property located on Graham Road northerly of Ayers Road and southerly Mark Drive. Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried
The vote was 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 May 21, 2013. 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. Review of planting plan with Town Staff.
ITEM: ADJOURNMENT
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:35 PM
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried
The vote was as follows: unanimous
Respectfully Submitted,
Katherine J. Middleton
Recording Secretary
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