TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
INLAND WETLANDS/CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes - 1 - December 3, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Warren, Audrey Delnicki, John Blondin, Adam Reed, Barbara Kelly, Arthur Jennings
ALTERNATES PRESENT: Jack Phillips sitting for Dick Muller
Michael Balesano sitting for Carol Heffler
STAFF PRESENT: Jeff Folger, Sr. Environmental Officer/Conservation 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 7:00 pm
Chair Warren introduced and welcomed new alternate Michael Balesano.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: none
PERMIT EXTENSIONS: none
CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS:
Chair Warren asked if the other Commissioners had received a copy of the Council Resolution regarding the formation of a subcommittee to study the feasibility/benefits of solar photovoltaic installations on Town owned property. Commissioners had not received a copy and the recording secretary was asked to email to them.
Chair Warren mentioned that there is a high school student with a great interest in conservation, farming, the Food Alliance, the high tunnel project and anything related to these subjects. She has done a presentation on how to control invasives which was excellent and very well received. She has actually cleared some Japanese Knotweed in a local area. Jeff Folger has been made aware of her interest in becoming involved with the high tunnel project.
An agenda was handed out for the joint PZC/IWA/CC Special Meeting on December 9, 2014 for a workshop regarding Low Impact Development Techniques presented by UConn. All land use Commissioners are urged to attend. Meeting will be held in the South Windsor Public Library Friends Room at 7:00 pm.
BONDS: none
MINUTES: 11/19/2014, approved by consensus
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: Folger reported that installation of the high tunnels at the Avery Street Community Gardens will begin on December 5th as part of the $18,000 USDA Grant received by the Town for two high tunnels. The Food Alliance is involved as well and hopefully will be providing volunteer labor for this project.
WETLAND OFFICER’S REPORT: Everything has been stable. Commissioner Kelly questioned whether the remediation has begun for the property at 55 Corneau Way. Mr. Folger said it has not begun yet but he will be informed when it does.
Vice Chair Kelly read into the record the legal notice as published in the Journal Inquirer.
PUBLIC HEARING: 7:10 pm
Appl. #14-56W – Town of South Windsor Nevers Rd Reconstruction – Inland Wetland/Conservation Commission application for approval of the re-construction of a portion of Nevers Rd located adjacent to the Nevers/Ayers Rd intersection, Rural Residential (RR) Zone.
Jeff Doolittle, Town Engineer and Joe Perna, Project Engineer, represented the Town for this application. The reconstruction of Nevers Road from north of Lake Street south to past the driveway of the high school and Community Center will entail construction of sidewalks in the area; replacement of deteriorating undersize culverts with twin box culverts; installation of three separate drainage systems which will improve drainage; rip rap and grass swales for filtration/protection of wetlands; catch basins with four foot sumps as secondary water quality treatment. The proposed disturbance would be 32,315 sq ft in the upland review area and 2,080 of regulated wetlands. During construction of the culverts a pumping system may be proposed to bypass the flow from Plum Gulley Brook into a settling basin. The road will be
closed temporarily during construction of the culverts then one lane alternating traffic for the rest of the reconstruction, which is anticipated to be from Spring 2015 to Fall 2015. The timeframe could be extended due to CT Water Company’s need to replace their water main under the road. An additional grass swale will be placed along the edge of the road on the eastern side to divert water into the stream to help eliminate a chronic flooding problem from the cornfield in that location. The height calculations are the best that can be achieve to accommodate water flows and the water main located under the culvert. There will be a paved driveway apron to the south of the swale to accommodate the use of the cornfield.
Mr. Folger stated that the nature of the wetlands in this area is of disturbed soils, saturated soils – rip rap and sediment on the east side of the road and primarily rip rap from previous stabilization attempts on the west. The primary function of the wetland in this area is stormwater conveyance. The proposed outlet pipe downstream of the dam should be shortened and a grass swale put in place to make a more gradual entrance into the brook. The larger box culverts will reduce the velocity of stormwater as it enters into the pond and should help reduce the scour currently being experienced in the pond.
Motion to: close public hearing at 7:32 pm for Appl. #14-56W
Was made by: Commissioner Blondin
Seconded by: Commissioner Kelly
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Motion to: no prudent & feasible alternatives for Appl. #14-56W
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Delnicki
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
Motion to: approve Appl. #14-56W 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 December 3, 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.
- All approvals required must be obtained and submitted prior to any activity on the site.
- A contact person shall be identified on the plans.
- The application of straw mulch on all exposed soil surfaces during construction prior to final seeding is required.
- The outlet immediately downstream of the dam shall be shortened and a grassed swale be constructed from the outfall to the stream channel.
Was made by: Commissioner Phillips
Seconded by: Commissioner Delnicki
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
Appl. #14-57P – Connecticut Valley Brewery – 765 Sullivan Ave. – IWA/Conservation Commission application to construct a commercial building, parking and associated improvements. The site is located southerly of Sullivan Ave, and easterly of West Rd. General Commercial (GC) Zone.
Tim Coon, JR Russo Associates and John Ianni, Highland Soils, represented the applicant Steve Palauskas, CT Valley Brewing, who was also in attendance. The 3 acre parcel is part of a Town of South Windsor subdivision and is located between two wetland areas.
Mr. Ianni delineated the wetlands. To the east of the site is the Podunk River and its flood plain; a very large, expansive, valuable wetland. It exhibits all functions and values associated with a wetland. On the western side of the site is a rectangular shaped, vegetated wetland, which receives stormwater from Sullivan Avenue. All slopes leading down to the wetlands are well vegetated. Function of this wetland is minor water quality; is not a vernal pool; outlet swale is not very active though indicates there is water sometimes. Eventually all drainage from site goes to the Podunk River swamp.
Mr. Coon stated that the site will be accessed by a single driveway on the west side of the building, which would also provide future access to Lot 4 toward the rear of the subdivision. There will be easements for utilities and access. Main parking lot will be in the front of the building with employee parking on the west side. The parking shown on the south side will be proposed as deferred parking when application goes to PZC – showing they have room to put it if they need it to meet the required number of spaces but would like to not have to build it unless needed in the future. If PZC agrees, this plan would reduce impervious surface and stormwater runoff. There will be an on-site drainage system subsurface and bioretention basins. A 100 year storm event would cause only a small amount of water from
the roof to discharge to the wetlands. Disturbance will be in the upland review area and erosion and sediment control measures will be in place during construction. There will be no direct impact to the wetlands.
Mr. Ianni requested a plan for berry producing shrub species to be planted along the access drive to the property, along with low mow and no mow grasses leading down to the wetland on the western side. On the eastern side the low mow grasses and shrub species are proposed for the top of the embankment only. Mr. Ianni also requested that IWA pass along his request to PZC that no fugitive light on the eastern side of the building be cast out into the swamp because of the very large wildlife habitat area located there. Mr. Ianni stated the stormwater management system does a great job of promoting infiltration.
Mr. Folger stated the stormwater system is as close to ideal as possible, with the type well draining sanding soils that make it work in this area; no negative impact to wetlands.
Mr. Coon stated that the net impervious coverage, which includes the deferred parking area, is very low.
Commissioner Kelly suggested a memo to PZC regarding avoiding impervious coverage with the deferred parking lot and the low light spill recommendation. Mr. Folger will draft a memo to PZC for the Commission’s review.
Motion to: approve Appl. #14-57P 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 December 3, 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.
- Bonds shall be collected in the amount of $5,000 to ensure proper placement and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls, and $5,000 for stormwater structures and habitat plantings.
- 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 Kelly
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
OTHER BUSINESS:
Informal discussion: Evergreen Walk LLC. Potential development of Unit 12.
Informal discussion: Town Square Apartments at Evergreen Walk, proposed site changes.
Applications Received:
Appl. #14-58P – Scannell Properties #205, LLC – 59, 89, 175, 211, R004 Sullivan Ave. – IWA/Conservation Commission application for a three lot subdivision. The site is located southerly of Sullivan Ave, and easterly of John Fitch Blvd (Rt 5). Industrial (I) Zone. – to be heard at 12/17/14 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to: adjourn at 8:47 pm
Was made by: Commissioner Delnicki
Second by: Commissioner Phillips
The motion carried and the vote was unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Thompson
Recording Secretary
Approved: December 17, 2014
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