TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
INLAND WETLANDS/CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - 1 - December 21, 2011
MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Warren, Barbara Kelly, John Blondin, Audrey Delnicki, Hugh Brower, Adam Reed, Carol Heffler, Jack Phillips, Art Jennings
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Richard Muller
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff Folger, Sr. Environmental Officer
Donna Thompson, Recording Secretary
THE FOLLOWING ARE MOTIONS MADE DURING THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE INLAND WETLANDS AGENCY/ CONSERVATION COMMISSION – MADDEN ROOM
Chairperson Warren called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm
ITEM: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: none
ITEM: PERMIT EXTENSIONS: none
ITEM: CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS: none
ITEM: BONDS: none
ITEM: MINUTES: Minutes from December 7, 2011 were approved by consensus.
ITEM: CONSERVATION COMMISSION: On December 19 Jeff Folger made a presentation to the Town Council regarding subdivision of the property located at 765 Sullivan Avenue. Folger used a site plan of the property incorporating property line options he has suggested. This option seems to be the best and most efficient use of the property. Chairperson Warren and Vice Chair Kelly were in attendance as well. The Councilors were in agreement with the suggested plan and will have a resolution drafted to be voted on by the Town Council at the next meeting. Conservation Commission would like to review the resolution before it is presented to the Council and will attend the next Town Council meeting. The Town Manager will have a site plan drafted and presented to PZC. Folger suggested the
Conservation Commission attend the February PZC meeting.
Chairperson Warren questioned whether the Parks and Recreation department should be consulted prior to advertising for volunteers to help maintain trails in the town parks. Folger stated that it might be good protocol to first talk to the Director of Parks and Rec but felt that there probably wouldn’t be an issue with using volunteers. Commissioner Kelly felt that trail maintenance didn’t seem to be allotted a lot of time based on the report presented to the Town Council by Parks and Rec. Warren felt that a stewardship program using volunteers to walk the trails on a regular basis and report any issues would be a proactive way of addressing maintenance needs of the parks. Kelly suggested that Parks and Rec might incorporate this into their management plan. Kelly suggested the Parks and Rec phone number
could be posted at the parks so that people could contact them to report issues directly and promptly. Warren will contact the Director of Parks and Recreation. Folger said that he, the Town Planner and the Director of Parks and Rec will be getting together to work out a maintenance matrix for the trails – when things should be done and how often as far as routine maintenance, and work out a procedure for emergency repairs, etc.
Chairperson Warren noticed trees down in the Podunk where it crosses Miller Road. The trees are not damning the flow of the water yet, but seems to be only a matter of time before it will back up into the culvert. What can be done about it? Folger said that all the blowdowns in watercourses not yet addressed will be the next step discussed by DEEP. Folger will discuss this particular area of concern with the Town’s Tree Warden.
ITEM: WETLAND OFFICER’S REPORT: Folger reported that the violation on the Sullivan Avenue property has been completely cleared up. Mr. Martin cleaned up more than he had deposited.
ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING: 7:15 pm
Appl. #11-38P – Buckland Commons, 350 Buckland Road – IWA/Conservation Commission application for the construction of two commercial buildings, parking lots, access drives, stormwater structures and associated improvements. The site is located southerly of Deming Street and easterly of Buckland Road. Buckland Gateway Development Zone, continued from December 7, 2011.
Ben Wheeler, registered landscape architect with Design Professionals, introduced Judy Schuler from Design Professionals, John Ianni, professional soil scientist, and Bruce and Kathy Kelley, owners.
At the December 7, 2011 meeting, the Commission continued the public hearing on this application due to the fact that the applicant had not shown there were no prudent or feasible alternatives. The Commission also had requested the revised site plan addressing staff’’s comments and recommendations, which was submitted for tonight’s meeting.
Mr. Wheeler reviewed each of the alternative site plans that had been designed for development of this parcel. Though one of the plans would have disturbed a slightly smaller amount of wetlands, the plan that was submitted with the application was the deemed the most prudent and feasible. Commissioner Heffler calculated that the difference in disturbance was 71 square feet.
The final site plan incorporated the following recommendations from staff: four parking spaces moved from between the two buildings to a more remote area of the site; the service drive widen by two feet to promote proper circulation per the Town Engineer – resulting in 200 square feet less of wetland disturbance, which now totals 4,792 square feet. The detention basin outlet was changed, the entrance drive off Deming Street was relocated and a 30% minimum mix for the planting plan was established.
Folger stated that all his comments had been addressed.
Vicky Margiot, 32 Sele Drive, spoke in opposition to the application and felt that this plan was not the most prudent and feasible use of the property.
In response to Commissioners; concerns about access to the site, Bruce Kelly stated that they must have the Deming Street access because They cannot have the Buckland Road access without a waiver from PZC. If they don’t get the waiver than Deming Street will be the only access available.
In response to Commissioner Kelly’s question about any impact to the wetlands from lighting at the rear of the buildings, Mr. Wheeler explained that there will be 100 watt bulbs utilized so that only a small amount of light will reach slightly into the wetland area.
Motion to: close the public hearing on Appl. #11-38P at 8:09 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Phillips: Looking at the record of the whole, taking into account that prudent and feasible alternatives, as pointed out by the applicant, prudent and feasible can include the financial aspects of it as well as the engineering aspects of it. Taking into account that traffic safety and location of access is part of the necessary engineering feasibility of a site:
Motion to: move for a finding of no prudent and feasible alternatives.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Blondin
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Motion to: to approve Appl. #11-38P – Buckland Commons, 350 Buckland Road – IWA/Conservation Commission application for the construction of two commercial buildings, parking lots, access drives, stormwater structures and associated improvements. The site is located southerly of Deming Street and easterly of Buckland Road. Buckland Gateway Development Zone, with the following conditions:
1. The final approved copy of the entire set of plans and this letter reproduced thereon must be submitted to the Planning Department. 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, 2016. 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. Bonds shall be collected in the amount of $30,000 for installation of stormwater system, $10,000 to ensure proper placement and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls and $20,000 for wetland mitigation. Wetland mitigation bond shall be held for three growing seasons.
5. All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
6. A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
ITEM: OLD BUSINESS: The holiday dinner at Sawadee Thai Cuisine was set for 6:00 pm on January 11, 2012, weather permitting.
ITEM: OTHER BUSINESS: There will probably not be a meeting on January 4, 2012 due to lack of business. The January 18, 2012 meeting will be a working meeting to address IWA/CC recommendations for the Plan of Conservation and Development. Copies of the current Plan will be provided to the Commissioners prior to the meeting.
ITEM: APPLICATIONS RECEIVED: none
ITEM: ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:23 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Jennings
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Approved with corrections: January 18, 2012
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