TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
INLAND WETLANDS/CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - 1 - September 19, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Heffler, John Blondin, Adam Reed, Jack Phillips, Hugh Brower, Richard Muller
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff Folger, Sr. Environmental Planner
Donna Thompson, Recording Secretary
THE FOLLOWING ARE MOTIONS MADE DURING THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE INLAND WETLANDS AGENCY/ CONSERVATION COMMISSION – MADDEN ROOM
Acting Chairperson Heffler called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm
PERMIT EXTENSIONS: none
CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS: Summer 2012 Habitat was distributed to the Commissioners.
BONDS: none
MINUTES: 06-20-12, approved by consensus; 07-11-12, approved by consensus; 7-18-12, amended as follows: Brower voted no on the motion regarding no prudent & feasible alternatives; Brower voted yes on the motion to extend the meeting to 10:55 pm, then approved by consensus; 08-01-12, approved by consensus
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Folger reported that the boardwalk system to connect the Land Trust property to the Priest property, which was a condition of approval for the Hartford Hospital Office Building, was completed this week. The applicant made arrangements with scouts to do this work. A scout project to finish this trail on the Town’s side will be to put woodchips across the Priest property from the wood line to Sullivan Avenue. Folger and Tim Shepard have discussed trying to make the trail on the Land Trust’s property suitable for biking. Currently, it is meadow and grass, and the trail needs to be redefined and made firmer in order to accommodate bike traffic.
WETLAND OFFICER’S REPORT: There were no problems at any sites during the recent rains. The Fed Ex building is coming along well, all their retention ponds are dug and the large pond abutting Troy Road will be stocked with fish in fall. Folger mentioned the photograph of the bobcat taken at the Fed Ex site recently, which the Commissioners have seen, and stated that consideration is being given to installing cameras at Wapping and Donnelly so that similar pictures can be put up on the Town’s website.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - AMF Property Management Corp., informal discussion on development of the property at 931 Sullivan Avenue.
Phil Tartsinis discussed proposed plans for the development. Several proposals were reviewed previously by town staff and shown to the Commissioners at the meeting. Mr. Tartsinis explained the reasoning for the last (fourth) proposal being chosen. This proposal is the most prudent and feasible with a small wetlands crossing at the proposed entrance to the property. A traffic light has been approved for a driveway onto Sullivan Avenue. Though there is not yet a tenant for the proposed development, approval by the Commission will enhance the ability to market the building. The property abuts the Major Michael Donnelly Wildlife Preserve and Mr. Tartsinis stated that he has no problem with sharing the parking lot of his development with people wishing to access Donnelly’s trails from that point.
There will be a conservation easement on the property. The development will have to comply with access management regulations from PZC. Upon formal submission of the application, a threatened and endangered species report must be included, as well as a plan to control the invasive species in the area. All disturbance proposed to both the upland review area and the wetlands must be documented. A plan designed to keep water in the areas it is currently was requested. Commissioner Phillips stated that if there is a more prudent and feasible alternative available, that alternative will not be negated just because another commission may not find it acceptable within their jurisdiction.
PUBLIC HEARING: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Appl. #12-40W – West River Farms LLC – 329 & 341 Scantic Road, East Windsor – Determination of Public Hearing - IWA/Conservation Commission application for stormwater control structures associated with a residential development in East Windsor. Located southerly of Scantic Rd. Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Folger stated that stormwater runoff from the site will head downhill into South Windsor. The proposal is to put the stormwater management on the South Windsor side adjacent to the Scantic River. Phillips stated that he received an abutter’s notice but he is not an abutter, there is property in between, as well as the river. By the nature of how it crosses between to towns, the size of the project, the fact that they are going to be working right down at the Scantic River, with highly erodible soils in the area, Phillips suggested a public hearing based on the probability of impact to wetlands and watercourses, specifically the Scantic River, and by the nature of the size of the project, of the potential for public interest.
Motion to: hold a public hearing on October 3, 2012 for Appl. #12-40W – due to the potential impact to wetlands and watercourses and potential for public interest.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Brower
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Appl. #12-41W – Michaelson Residence – Pierce Rd – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for a single family house site plan. Located westerly of Pierce Rd. Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Andrew Krar, Design Professionals, presented the application for a single family residence for client Ben Michaelson. The application is for lot 2, consisting of 23 acres with the house in the center of property. Lot 2 is behind Lot 1 which abuts Pierce Road and has already been approved by IWA/CC. The driveway will be 700 feet, with a swimming pool in back. The closest disturbance to the nearest wetland is 65 feet. Runoff will go to the northeast. Utilities will be underground. There will be a sanitary sewer connection to Pierce Road.
John Ianni, Highland Soils, had previously delineated the five wetland areas. (see Ianni’s report). Driveway follows high point of drainage divide – runoff will not impact wetlands. The two wetlands on south and the one wetland on west are not vernal pools. The pond to the rear of the property is approximately four feet deep on average and holds water year around. The shallow depressional wetland to the northwest is considered vernal pool more years than not depending upon conditions. The large front wetland complex is very diverse in habitat types – open water areas, wooded wetland areas, both shallow and deep marsh areas, wildlife habitat – just about every invertebrate species found in Connecticut. The separating distance between the house, the activity and the wetland is
somewhat narrow if viewed just horizontally. But the first fifty feet is a transitional wetland – forested, lightly wooded. Transitions from the upland to the wetland. Not until fifty or seventy-five feet into the wetland is the marsh type habitat found. Ianni said that it would be preferable to “hug” the east side because the east side has a buffer of wooded wetlands before getting into the marsh habitat. The house site is relatively flat and slopes, not steeply, toward the wetlands. There is no direct wetland impact. Disturbance is in the upland review area. The amount of clearance for the house is well within acceptable limits to the vernal pool.
Brower: Where is the swimming pool located relative to the 100 foot line around the vernal pool? Ianni: Within the 100 foot line around the vernal pool. Heffler: Were all Folger’s issues addressed? Yes. Silt fence is proposed in addition to woodchips for an additional filtering aspect. Folger concurs with Ianni that there should be very minimal impact on the surrounding wetlands.
Motion to: approve Appl. #12-41W as presented, with the following conditions:
- 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.
- The application shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of South Windsor against any liability, which might result from the proposed operation or use.
- The permit is valid for five years and shall expire on September 19, 2017. 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.
- A bond shall be collected in the amount of $2,000.00 to ensure proper placement and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls.
- All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
- A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Blondin
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Appl. #12-42P – American Eagle Credit Union – 512 & 530 Buckland Rd – IWA/Conservation Commission application for a site plan to construct a commercial building, parking, stormwater structures and associated improvements. Located easterly of Buckland Rd. Gateway Development (GD) Zone.
Commissioner Muller recused himself from sitting for this application due to the fact that he is an abutter.
Andrew Krar, Design Professionals, presented the application. The two lots will be combined to total approximately 2.6 acres. The building will be approximately 2600 square feet. Proposed are 24/25 parking spaces and 3 drive-thru lanes. Existing condition of the topography is very flat. The land slopes down from Buckland Road to Plum Gulley Brook at the rear of the property. For stormwater drainage, no catchbasins and no manholes are proposed. Two pipes will interconnect to move water back and forth between areas. In the front of the property the land is sloped toward Plum Gulley Brook – overland flow going into an existing ditch/swale which discharges into the brook. The proposed developed portions of the site would have drainage going into a proposed detention pond. The
detention pond would have a permanent pool of water 18 inches deep with an exit through a dam fitted with a v-notch weir. After discharge through the weir, flowing through a rip rap apron and into the wetlands. Erosion control measures include a construction entrance and silt fence around most of the perimeter. The utilities will all be underground. In regard to prudent & feasible – a ZBA variance was granted previously for just one lot and had direct wetlands disturbance. This proposal has no direct impact on wetlands.
John Ianni, Highland Soils, delineated the wetlands. The wetlands delineation along Plum Gulley Brook follows the top of the embankment and then widens out. Behind the existing house at 512 Buckland Road, the area leading up to Plum Gulley Brook and beyond was used as lawn and is now overgrown. (see Ianni’s report).
Folger asked why the increase in pipe size from 8 inch to 12 inch? Krar stated that they don’t make 8 inch Reinforced Concrete Pipe (RCP). They can get it in 12 inch RCP Class 5 which is stronger in order to support loads under minimal cover conditions, or change to cast iron pipe. As far as a wetlands impact there should not be any difference. Folger asked if the concern was the suitability of the pipe to support traffic due to the minimal cover over the pipe due to the flatness of the topography. Krar stated that yes that is the concern and that both are very strong pipes. Impervious coverage is 18.3%. Additional development in the rear of the property is not anticipated.
Attorney Hal Cummings (representing American Eagle FCU) stated that they had no objection to a conservation easement to the Town on the back part of property beyond the brook. Folger stated that an easement is advisable.
Heffler asked if all Folger’s issues were addressed? The answer was yes.
Krar mentioned that the permanent pool/pond volume of water proposed is close to double that recommended in the DEP Stormwater Quality Manual.
Folger recommended as an approval condition that an operations and maintenance plan be developed for the structures on the site and there should be at least a recommendation to the landowner that mosquito larvacide be applied on a monthly basis in the large pool. Folger stated that sanding of the parking lot could cause a buildup within the shallow basins which could affect their operation over time. It would be useful if they were inspected and cleaned out on an annual basis.
Brower asked how much area would be needed around the brook for the conservation easement. Folger said to come as far as the outlet point of the basin, probably within 20 to 30 ft of it, to give that outlet area a little bit of room. If maintenance is needed on the outlet then not constrained by the conservation easement.
Motion to: approve Appl. #12-42P as presented, 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 September 19, 2017. 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 $5,000.00 to ensure proper placement and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls; and $5,000.00 for construction of stormwater structures.
5. An operations and maintenance plan for stormwater structures must be developed by the applicant and placed on the final plans. Including, but not limited to mosquito control and cleaning of stormwater structures annually.
6. A conservation easement placed on the east side, details to be determined by Town staff, with limits reported to the Commission.
7. All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
8. A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
Was made by: Commissioner Blondin
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to: adjourn the meeting at 8:24 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Heffler
Seconded by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Approved: October 3, 2012
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