TOWN OF WILLINGTON
INLAND WETLAND AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 13, 2006
Public Hearing
A. Call to Order
Ken Metzler called the Public Hearing to order at 7:35 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Present: Absent:
K. Metzler, Chairman K. Pacholski (alt.)
D. Schreiber, Vice Chairman G. Blessing
F. Dirrigl L. Kouyoumjian
Also Present: S. Yorgensen, Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agent
M. Benjamin, Recording Clerk
C. Seat Alternates – not applicable
W2005-40 – Application for activity related to 13 lot subdivision including road and lot development and detention pond on property at Lustig Road [Map 36, Lot 12] Owner: Mariedith Fuentes; Applicant: Mansour Development (Received 12/12/05, Public Hearing or decision by 2/13/06)
Douglas Ellis of Buck & Buck Engineering appearing on behalf of the applicant showed the plans for this subdivision. There are 4 areas of Open Space. The access to this subdivision will be from Lustig Rd. This development is close to Tinkerbelle Drive.
There would be individual wells and septic for each lot. There will be no increase in runoff for 10-year storms. Two detention ponds will be built. One is within the 100-foot setback. The other is in the 250 foot setback, and the other half is within the 100 foot setback.
Yorgensen said there would be a direct impact on the property as the grading on the berm is 1,360 square feet. The road would be cut and fill. A test pit needs to be dug. An Erosion Plan and Sedimentation Plan are needed. The Board of Health needs more deep pits where the septics will be located.
Metzler asked if the application plans, testing results and plans were the full package (yes). Metzler also asked how the quantity of water in a saturated soil would be dealt with.
Ellis said that a series of swales will be created at 10-foot intervals. This is part of the hydrology of the project and is being further addressed. Metzler asked what the alternatives were in developing this property. Dirrigl wanted to know if the two detention basins could be located out of the regulated area. Ellis responded that they used the land to determine the development. Metzler asked if test for the ledge had been run, how deep were the drillings as it appeared that nothing 30 feet deep had been tested.
Ellis said that they anticipating blasting.
Schreiber said that this could create new water channels. Yorgensen commented that this application does not take groundwater into account. Metzler stated that the water currently goes to the river, but that this could change. Schreiber added that the water would be warmer which will affect wildlife. He wanted alternatives.
Yorgensen said that no Environmental Impact Plan had been done for this application, and the swath in some areas would be 500 feet wide. Yorgensen felt that there were better ways to deal with the land. The erosion issue is major, and there must be a less drastic alternative. Schreiber said that wetlands functional analysis and impact tests should be run for each possible alternative. Metzler said that much more information was needed before a decision could be made. There are many unanswered questions. Metzler expressed his surprise that that there is so little information in this application. The application is insulting to this commission.
The public was then invited to ask questions or comment.
Cynthia Nauenworth of 96 Tinkerbelle Rd said that this application was insulting. If approved, it would result in the total destruction of the beauty that exists on this property. She is concerned about a hill with no trees – this change could cause mud and then septic in the river in this absolutely beautiful area.
Karen Rave of 75 Lustig Rd said that there was a washout in October of the retention pond. She added that the water comes over the road, as it runs very high.
Janet Zay of 115 Tinkerbelle added that water does cross Tinkerbelle, and that Kidder Brook had washed out. She is extremely concerned about the effect this application would have with drainage, as there is already a great deal of water in the are.
John Starkovitch owns lots in this area – 15 and 17 Lustig Rd – and wanted to know the impact that this project would have on his property. As the plan calls for cutting the mountain in half, and the addition of 13 septics and 13 wells, he was very worried about pollution.
Peter Anderson and Kathy Demers of the Conservation Commission said that they went on the site walk on 1/23. They are very concerned about substantial tree clearing in that area. She believed there were vernal pools on this land.
Demers gave the commission 3 maps. The first is of the Kidder Brook Parcel. The second, a topographical map, also reveals that 1 of the 6 trout corridors in the State of Connecticut runs through this land. The sharp slopes in the land and open space issues are concerns as is. Anderson added that the Conservation Commission opposed the application in its present form.
Willington Resident Hatch said that the bridges are giving way and that Tinkerbelle Rd is taking a beating already.
Dirrigl told the public that the IWW understood their concerns. The commission will look at alternatives.
Ellis said he would like to return to address issues and concerns. Metzler said he would prefer to close the Public Hearing. Responding to a question by Metzler, Yorgensen said that if the Public Hearing were closed, the IWW could get staff input on what has been provided
Motion: To close the Public Hearing for W2005-40. By: Schreiber Second: Dirrigl. Result – motion passes unanimously; hearing closed at 8:20 pm.
Regular Meeting
A. Call to Order
Ken Metzler called the Regular Meeting to order at 8:21 p.m.
B. Roll Call – as above
C. Seat Alternates – N/A
D. New Business
E. Pre-Application
F. Application Received after or post agenda filing
G. Old Business
W2005-41 – Application for a 3 lot subdivision on property at 69 Clint Eldridge Road [Map 17, Lot 47] Owner/Applicant: Earl A. Eldridge (Received 12/12/05, Public Hearing or Decision by 2/13/06)
Comments from Karl Acimovic, the town engineer, in a memo dated 1/9/06 were provided.
Yorgensen asked if all the revision dates were on the plans. The plans were checked, and all were dated 1/9/06. The original plans were amended to address the concerns of the town engineer. Karl told her that all his comments were addressed in these 1/9/06 plans. The location of the driveway on Lot 2 was examined and approved by the town engineer.
Kathy Demers of the Conservation Commission commented that Eldridge Brook runs through the property and if a conservation easement along and on the brook would be possible. Demers added that the parcel was in the area of the Fenton Watershed.
The division of this land is as follows: Lot 1 goes to the Eldredge sister; Lot 2 goes to Earl and Lot 3 goes to Clinton. Metzler stated that this activity would have no impact on wetlands or watercourses.
Motion to approve this subdivision with the following conditions:
1. To relocate the septic outside the 75-foot setback for Lot 3
2. To consider easements on the property.
By: Schreiber Second: Dirrigl. Result: Motion passes unanimously.
W2006-03 - Application to install and maintain a water main from Tolland to Willington on Depot Road [Map 15, Lots 1 & 7] Owner: Lee & Lemont Realty; Applicant: Birmingham Utilities, Inc. (Received 1/09/06, Public Hearing or Decision by 3/13/06)
Dave Lombardo, representing the applicant said that the design of the pipeline would be changed. There will be a pipe with a pipe casing only under the railroad tracks. The DEP approved this permit. The HDP pipe under the river will be 25 feet below the surface. Under the railroad will be a steel casing pipe.
Yorgensen said that the application is for below the river and egress. Then, there will be an application for Depot road for directional water only. The pipe is another application. Lombardo said that the DEP had approved the entire plan.
Metzler told Lombardo that Lombardo needed to contact the EPH. It was confirmed that the staging area for this activity will be in Tolland.
Motion: To approve W2006-03 By: Dirrigl Second: Schreiber. Result: motion passes unanimously.
W2005-40 – Application for activity related to 13 lot subdivision including road and lot development and detention pond on property at Lustig Road [Map 36, Lot 12] Owner: Mariedith Fuentes; Applicant: Mansour Development (Received 12/12/05, Public Hearing or decision by 2/13/06)
The commission will go through the materials that have been submitted.
Cease and Desist Order issued to Joseph Voboril Re: Clover Springs Subdivision Wetlands Permit #W2004-04 of Battye Road
The situation continues to be monitored closely by staff
W2003-49 – Notice of Violation: Travel Centers of America (the lessee) and George Giguere of Royce Properties (the Owner) of property located at 327 Ruby Rd. .
Tabled.
H. Correspondence
1. 2006 Schedule for ZBA, PZC and IWW meetings.
2. Catalog: Pinelands Nursery & Supply
3. Member Listing Booklet of the Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England
4. Willington Heights Subdivision memo dated 1/24/06 from Karl Acimovic
5. Memo from the Willington Conservation Commission re: W2005-40
6. The Habitat periodical
7. Memo from S. Yorgensen re: Items for the Fenton River Subdivision application have insufficient
and missing data
8. Bureau of Waste Management, Oil & Chemical Spill Division faxes reporting incidents in
Willington.
I. Approval of Minutes of 12/12/05 Meeting – Approved, but with a change made by Jones.
J. Staff Report and Discussion – W2005-40 will be addressed at the next meeting, per Jones.
K. Adjournment
Motion: To adjourn this meeting at 9:15 pm By: Dirrigl Second: Schreiber
Result: motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Maura Benjamin
Recording Clerk
| 
