TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
INLAND WETLANDS/CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - 1 - September 3, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Warren, Barbara Kelly, Audrey Delnicki, Adam Reed, Richard Muller, Joseph Durette
ALTERNATES PRESENT: none
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
Chairperson Warren called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: none
PERMIT EXTENSIONS: none
CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS: none
BONDS: none
MINUTES: 7/16/2014. Approved by consensus.
WETLAND OFFICER’S REPORT: Folger reported that construction sites have been doing well. Also, the anticipated heavy mosquito problem expected this summer did not become an issue.
PUBLIC HEARING: none
NEW BUSINESS:
Appl. #14-42W – Richard Hayes House Lot – 944 Pleasant Valley Rd – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for the construction of a single family house on an existing lot, and associated utilities, on property located easterly of Pleasant Valley Rd., Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Presentation of the application was made by Wesley Wentworth, PE & Soil Scientist, Wentworth Civil Engineers. Mr. Wentworth stated that this parcel is a lot of record; approximately one quarter acre in the upland review area will be disturbed during construction and the only disturbance will be in the upland review area; there will not be any direct impact on wetlands; silt fence and hay bales will be used during construction. In addressing concerns from the Commission and Mr. Folger about encroachment of the embankment of Quarry Brook, Mr. Wentworth stated that Mr. Hayes would agree to a conservation easement as a condition of approval.
Commission Kelly was concerned about the foundation drain discharging down the embankment creating a need to stabilize the bank. Mr. Wentworth stated that stabilization of the bank would not be needed due to the design and positioning of the drain.
Mr. Folger added that the proposed house will be placed in the exact location of the original home built in the 1940’s or 50’s. There will be no direct impact on the wetlands and the silt fence, hay bales and wood chips are good reinforcement practices.
Chair Warren read a letter of opposition into the record from resident Mary LaFleur, 960 Pleasant Valley Road. Mrs. LaFleur, her husband Tom Ratcliffe and her son Rich LaFleur, 27 Cinnamon Springs, attended the meeting and had concerns about the affect the construction of a house on this property would have to the area. Most issues were regarding noise, close proximity of the structure to their home, disturbance of the wildlife in the area, reduction of privacy. They asked that as many trees as possible be left in place on the property.
After the questions and comments from the Commissioners and the public were addressed, the Commission acted as follows.
Motion to: approve appl. #14-42W, 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 4, 2019. 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.
- Bond shall be collected in the amount of $5,000 to ensure adequate erosion and sediment controls are constructed and maintained through the construction process.
- All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
- A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
- A revised plan showing a conservation easement located outside the proposed clearing limits, over the wetlands to Quarry Brook, to follow the top of the bank, with an allowance for a foundation drain be submitted to and reviewed by Town Staff.
- A perimeter shrub planting plan must be submitted.
Was made by: Commissioner Kelly
Seconded by: Commissioner Reed
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Appl. #14-45P – Town of South Windsor Subdivision – 765 Sullivan Ave – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission review and comment to PZC on a three-lot subdivision located easterly of West Rd and southerly of Sullivan Ave., General Commercial (GC) Zone.
The proposed subdivision would create a total of four lots. Folger verbally added that an access easement was proposed to lot #4 from lot #3. There were concerns stated by the Commissioners on the relative size of the buildable area of lot #4. After review of maps showing the division lines for the proposed lots, and much discussion, the Commissioners determined their response to Planning and Zoning Commission to be a recommendation to combine lot 3 and lot 4. Problems identified with lot 4 included: access would be across a flood plain and wetlands, causing serious impact to the wetlands; along with a limited area to address stormwater issues. A memo will be drafted to PZC.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Mr. Folger presented to and reviewed for the Commission proposed Zoning Regulation Amendments regarding a Definable Town Center. Chair Warren suggested meeting in two weeks to further review and offer comments/suggestions on 9/17/14.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION:
Chair Warren expressed concern for the condition of Wapping Park. Arrangements need to be made for an annual mowing and limited maintenance soon or it will become too overgrown. Discussion covered: whether Parks & Rec should be required to do it or pay an outside contractor to do it if Park & Rec cannot. The Commission determined that a request should be made of Park & Rec first, and then to the Town Council that some of the I-291 STEAP grant money be used to hire someone else to do it. Consensus is that it should be mowed by the end of October. Chair Warren will compose letter to Town Council, copied to Park & Rec and reviewed by the Commission.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn at 8:43 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Kelly
Seconded by: Commissioner Delnicki
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Approved: September 17, 2014
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