TOWN OF WILLINGTON
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 13, 2004
A. Call to Order
Metzler called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Members Present: K. Metzler, Chairman
G. Blessing
F. Dirrigl
L. Kouyoumjian
K. Pacholski (alt.)
Members Excused: D. Schreiber, Vice-Chairman
Members Absent: S. Calvert (alt.)
Also Present: G. Jones, Asst. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agent
S. Nimerowski, Recording Clerk
C. Seat Alternates
MOTION: To seat Pacholski for Schreiber.
By: Dirrigl Seconded: Blessing
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
D. New Business
1. File #W2004-45 – Application to construct Municipal Library and parking areas on
property at corner of Rt. 320 (Ruby Road) and Rt. 74 (Tolland Tpke.) (Map 23, Lot 7)
Owner: Town of Willington. (Received 12/13/04, Public Hearing/Decision by 2/14/05.)
Dale Cutler, Architect, said the site, located at the intersection of Rts. 74 and 320, consists of 4.2 heavily wooded acres with ledge outcroppings. The land slopes fairly dramatically. The wetlands are on the west property line. On December 30, 2003 Ed Poluch of CT Ecosystems flagged the wetlands. Other wetlands were found almost dead center of the property, in the middle of the slope. On April 4, 2004 Mr. Poluch visited the site to determine the character of the wetlands. He found no obligate species and only seasonal water discharge.
Mr. Cutler said they had looked at a number of site development alternatives and found some limitations. The final approach to design was to utilize relatively level areas to provide parking areas and place the building parallel to the slope area. On the original plans, the building was 13,000 sq. ft., but that size presented some problems. Instead, they came up with a two-story building design that had a footprint of approximately 9,000 sq. ft. Only 4,000 sq. ft. will be developed on the lower level at this time, with 5,000 sq. ft. left for future expansion. Access will be on Rt. 320, the only logical way into the site.
Mr. Cutler discussed parking areas. All areas of the building have graded access. The library is a special exception within the R80 zone, so a maximum of 15% impervious surface is allowed. He said they have paved parking for 23 cars and unpaved for an additional 39 cars; this was requested by P&Z at an earlier presentation.
Mr. Cutler said that on July 8, 2004, 12 test pits were dug to find a location for the septic. After consultations between our engineer and the town sanitarian, a site was chosen in the front of the property. It was approved on November 30, 2004. Willimantic Water Works has been notified and they have the return receipt (Mr. Cutler handed the receipt to Assistant Agent Jones).
Kevin Clark of Clark Engineering discussed the storm water management system. The first part consists of the main portion catch basin and pipe system. Underneath the parking lot there is an underground storm water detention system composed of piping with an outlet structure. A report has been prepared. A portion of the roof area will discharge directly to a small wetland area. All water from the parking area will go into an underground system. He said the water will meet up with storm water coming off Rt. 74. The water ends up in the lower wetland area. Below the site is a driveway that goes up to a cemetery, and eventually the storm water would drain to this area. There are no flooding issues in that area. He said they cannot see a culvert.
Metzler asked if the detention system functions as an infiltration system, and Mr. Clark replied no. Mr. Clark said that with the shale bedrock, it would not be a good idea. He said his recommendation is to put it in a tight pipe system. The soils are not very sandy. The site is followed by a steep slope with shallow bedrock conditions.
Metzler asked how deep the ground water was, and where it would go. Mr. Clark replied that it varied. He gave details of the test pits. He said the pipes were 36 inches in diameter. The parking lot is raised above the existing grade. He said there may be some areas that have small areas of rock that need to be ripped out.
Blessing asked if an infiltration-type system could be used under the building, and Mr. Clark replied no, because the water may come out of the slope. Mr. Cutler said they were trying to stay away from the wetlands area. They will try to have a 3:1 slope and will utilize groundcover.
The consensus of the Commission was to schedule a Public Hearing.
Blessing asked how far the leach field would be to the bedrock, and Mr. Clark said they would at least meet the Health District guidelines. Blessing asked about the non-underground leach field, and Mr. Clark said that with the boulders, they would have to remove and destroy the wetland area. There is no room on site. Blessing asked about the total amount of storage, and Mr. Clark replied about 4,100 cu. ft.
Jones said a Public Hearing could be held at the next meeting, on January 10, 2005. Metzler said that alternatives should be presented at that time. Blessing said he would like to see details of slope stabilization, any other alignments, alternatives to storm water management, and impact on downstream culverts and systems.
E. Pre-application
None.
F. Applications received after post-agenda filing
None.
G. Old Business
1. File #W2004-30 – Application for a single family house with driveway and utilities
crossing wetlands and regulated area on property at 212 River road (Map 19, Lot 25).
Owner/Applicant: Lynnthea Mackovich. (Received 9/27/04; Decision by 11/8/04.)
Mark Peterson of Gardner and Peterson and John Ianni, Soil Scientist, delineated the wetlands. Mr. Peterson said that at the last meeting they received staff comments, and a site walk was to be done. There are three wells within 300 ft. of the site. Mr. Peterson and John Ianni gave answers to the questions and requirements of staff.
Mr. Peterson gave a short history of the parcel. He said they want to “de-merge” the two sections. Blessing asked if there was any spot for the driveway that didn’t have any wetlands impact, the Mr. Peterson replied yes. Jones gave more of the history of the parcel. He said the wetland area drains to the state drainage and comes out somewhere on the other side.
Mr. Ianni said there was a lot of sand and gravel on the other side of the road.
Metzler asked if there was any surface water in the wetland, and Mr. Ianni replied yes. There is generally a positive flow. It is pretty much wet even in the summer. It bleeds out pretty good. He indicated that the proposed area is the best location for the crossing.
Blessing asked about construction of the driveway, and Mr. Peterson gave details. Mr. Ianni said the area is pretty much till, with not much organics. It will be a cut-and-fill operation.
MOTION: To approve File #2004-30, application for a single family driveway and
Utilities crossing wetlands and regulated area on property at 212 River
Road, as presented.
By: Dirrigl Seconded: Kouyoumjian
Result: Motion passes 3-1-1 (Metzler opposes, Blessing abstains).
2. File #2004-37 – Application for construction of single family home on property at 190
Ruby Road (Map 38, Lot 29). Owner/Applicant: David Lytwyn. (Received 11/8/04;
Decision by 1/10/05.)
Dave Lytwyn gave the history of the parcel. He said that after his house burned down, it gave him an opportunity to take the non-conforming lot and make it conforming. There is a septic and well. There are alternatives for the septic to meet new standards. He said test holes 1, 2, and 3 are done, which did prove suitable for the septic. There is no new septic design at this time. The proposed house will have the same number of bedrooms as the old. He would like the new garage to be on the same side of the road as the house this time. The well is on the SE side of the proposed house. He does not have alternatives because of space problems. The proposed house, which will have a walk-out basement, will be a little bit further back from the road.
Metzler said the septic and well will have to be accurately marked on the plan. Jones said he’d like to see a memo from the Health Department stating if the old system can be used. Lytwyn said that paperwork has been done on this and will be forwarded. Metzler said the silt fence and stockpile area need to be clearly marked on the plans, and the cross-hatching removed for the sake of clarity. Lytwyn said he would darken up the contour lines as well. Metzler instructed Lytwyn to submit items to the Land Use Department a while before the next meeting, January 10, 2005.
3. File #2004-38 – Application for a 14-Lot Subdivision on property at Lohse and Spak Roads
(Map 46, Lot 1). Owners: Carol Lynch, Robertaq Haney and MaryAnn McLees; Applicant:
D. W. Fish Builders, LLC. (Received 11/8/04; Decision by 1/10/05.)
Mark Peterson, of Gardner and Peterson, and John Ianni, Soil Scientist, were present. Mr. Peterson said that 13 of the lots fronted on Ashley Lane, and one on Spak Road. The wetlands and the regulated areas are highlighted. The majority of the lots have a 100 ft. setback; some have 250 ft. due to steep slopes. Mr. Peterson listed the regulated area activities. There will be no direct wetland impact on the site. They are waiting to get the town’s comments from the last meeting; they received letters from John Asimovic and staff and short time ago. The closest point from the edge of a driveway to a wetland is 50 ft. Alternative plans were discussed.
Mr. Ianni gave details of the storm water management system. The road is in between two wetlands. He said he made modifications to the detention basin to bring things up to standard, and he gave details. There is a wet potential detention basin, which will be seeded. He said they have done a “good job” of avoiding impact to the wetland, which is forested. They have provided open space in the center and northern portion. The reserve system is within 250 ft. of the regulated area.
Mr. Peterson said the existing flow goes east-west. Blessing asked if the water coming down the east side of the knoll would be redirected another way, and if it would have an impact on the wetlands. Mr. Ianni replied the impact would not be measurable.
After discussion, the Commission decided no Public Hearing was needed.
Dirrigl asked Mr. Peterson if he had received a copy of the Conservation Commission’s recent letter, and Mr. Peterson replied that he had. Metzler said the Conservation Commission does not want the open space accepted, but rather believes money should be given “in lieu of.”
Mr. Peterson said they proposed 7.39 acres of open space, 15% of the 57 acres. Mr. Ianni asked if the Commission would prefer to see a conservation easement on the wetland areas. Mr. Peterson went over how the lot lines could be changed if this occurred. Jones said that P&Z accepts or rejects open space and is advised by the Conservation Commission. A discussion ensued on conservation easements. Metzler suggested putting conservation easements on all the properties if done at all.
Jones said that there were several issues brought up in Karl Acimovic’s letter to Sue Yorgensen dated December 13, 2004. For instance, Lot #11 is land locked. P&Z says access needs to be provided.
Mr. Ianni said they hadn’t been to P&Z yet so they don’t know how P&Z will react to Mr. Acimovic’s memo.
The consensus was not to take action on the application at this time.
MOTION: That no Public Hearing be held on File #2004-38, Application for a 14-lot
Subdivision on property at Lohse and Spak Roads.
By: Dirrigl Seconded: Blessing
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
4. File #2003-49 – Notice of Violation: TravelCenters of America (the Lessee) and George
Giguere of Royce Properties (the Owner) of property located at 327 Ruby Road.
Tabled.
5. File #W2004-11 – Notice of Violation – Maintaining a stump pile, stockpile of
potential topsoil, and compacted brush storage pile within a wetland and upland
review area on Clover Springs Farm Subdivision Phase II property located off Battyle
Rd. (Map 9, Lot 7). Owner: Joseph Voboril.
Tabled.
H. Correspondence
1. IWC 2005 Meeting Schedule.
2. Brochure, CBA Education and Training, Planning and Zoning, “CT Land Use for Municipal
Land Use Agencies, Boards and Commissions.”
3. Letter dated November 9, 2004 from Michael J. Bartlett, Hull Forest Products, Inc. to
Willington IWC, P&Z
re: Muriel A. Jax, +20 acres of 42 acres north of Daleville School Rd. and west of Mason
Road, Willington, CT
4. Letter dated August 13, 2004, and attachments, from Kevin M. Leslie, 7 Crown St.,
Stafford Springs, CT to Joe Farynicrz, Sanitary Engineer, CT DEP
re: August DMR, Travel Center of America WWTF, Willington, CT
5. Letter dated September 9, 2004, and attachments, from Allen L. Braig, Project Manager, New
England Water Utility Services, Inc. to Mr. Gary Johnson, DPH Water Supplies Section
re: Monthly SDWA Reports – TA Travel Plaza
6. Emergency Incident Report dated November 11, 2004, 84 East Bound in Front of Rest
Area between Exits 69-70.
7. Emergency Incident Report dated November 11, 2004, I-84 WB Exit 71 Off Ramp
8. Letter dated November 24, 2004 from the Conservation Commission, Town of Willington
to P&Z and IWC
re: Wetlands Application #W2004-38, 14-Lot Subdivision, Lohse and Spak Roads
9. Letter dated December 1, 2004 from W. David LeVasseur, Undersecretary,
Intergovernmental Policy Division, State of CT Office of Policy and Management, to
Municipal Chief Elected Officials, Chief Admin. Officers, P&Z/Zoning Commissions,
Planners
Re: Recommended Conservation and Development Policies Plan for CT, 2004-2009
Correspondence was reviewed.
Dirrigl said he would like to see, listed on the agenda, the date that Notices of Violation first appeared on the agenda.
I. Approval of Minutes
MOTION: To approve minutes of November 8, 2004.
By: Pacholski Seconded: Dirrigl
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
J. Staff Report and Discussion
File #W2004-38 and #W2004-37 were discussed.
Blessing said that in the future, he would like all applicants to give written, instead of verbal, responses to written comments by staff. Other Commission members and Asst. Agent Jones agreed that this should be required.
MOTION: To adjourn at 9:28 p.m.
By: Dirrigl Seconded: Kouyoumjian
Result: Motion passes unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan S. Nimerowski
Recording Clerk
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