Environmental Impact Commission

. CITY OF DANBURY 155 DEER HILL AVENUE DANBURY, CONNECTICUT 06810 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT COMMISSION (203) 797-4525 www.danbury-ct.gov (203) 797-4586 (FAX) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT COMMISSION MINUTES CITY HALL – 155 DEER HILL AVENUE City Council Chambers Wednesday, November 9, 2022 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chairman Bernard Gallo called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Present by roll call were: Tom Giegler, Elizabeth Falk, Alex Wolk, Mark Massoud, and Matt Rose. Mr. Gallo seated Alternate Elizabeth Falk for Geoff Herald and Alternate Alex Wolk for Mary Cronin. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tom Giegler. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: October 26, 2022 Motion to accept the minutes of October 26, 2022 was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor by those eligible to vote: Mark Massoud, Elizabeth Falk, Matt Rose, and Bernard Gallo. The next regular meeting is scheduled for December 14, 2022 NEW BUSINESS: #1178 21 Marion St., Cappell, Amy & Sylvain, Caetano Construction LLC, Agent, (H22114) RA-20 Zone, deck expansion Gleison Caetano appeared on behalf of this application. He explained he will be adding a room upstairs in the house; however, he is here because they wish to increase the deck by 3’ and because they are close to the water (Lake Waubeeka). EIC MINUTES – November 9, 2022 Page 2 Motion to table until the next regular meeting on December 14, 2022 was made by Matt Rose; seconded by Mark Massoud. Mr. Gallo indicated this will allow time for preparation of a report. All in favor indicated by Ayes. #1179 26-40 East Starrs Plain Road, MacKay, Paul, (H25022), RA-80 Zone, Single-family home Michael Mazzucco, P.E. presented this application for Paul MacKay. This will be a single- family dwelling and Mr. Mazzucco presented staff with verification of notification to Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut. Mr. Mazzucco explained this is a 15.25 acre parcel and indicated on the map the portion of the property that is within the 100’ regulated area. The property is bisected by a fairly large wetland system. An old foundation remains on the southwestern side,, which was from a barn or shed – not very large. Much of the area was cleared and used as farmland in the past. The topography varies, septic is behind the house, and the house will be served by a well. From the beginning of the driveway water drains to a rain garden with two small rain to pick up water from the driveway with water managements systems indicated. The plan shows a future pool, but there are no immediate plans to install a pool right now. This is a large footprint, mainly one floor with a walkout in the back and part will be on piers because the septic is close to the dwelling. No other plans to develop any other part of the property at this time. Mr. Gallo said that he and Public Health Inspector Abby Lewis were out there one day. Mr. Massoud asked the location of the previous foundation, which Mr. Mazzucco indicated on the map. Mark Massoud asked how the location was chosen for the house? Mr. Mazzucco said mainly for privacy, and the grade is mild where the proposed house will be. They wanted to be further away from neighboring homes. Mr. Mazzucco noted a small watercourse along the edge and indicated location on the map. Mr. Massoud asked if an alternative location would be satisfactory? Mr. Mazzucco stated it is very steep there. Mr. Massoud asked if they were proposing any mitigation measures in terms of buffering from the wetlands to the development envelope? Mr. Mazzucco said they are trying to keep away from the wetlands as much as possible. There will be no direct impact to the wetlands. Further to the south it gets really steep. Mr. Massoud questioned the range of separating distance from development envelope and wetland areas? Mr. Mazzucco said there is about 78’ to the septic with a window to install it. The work in that area is mostly for stormwater management system. Trying to maximize distance for downgradient, which he thinks is more important than off to the side. Mark Massoud encouraged the owners to think about some measures to provide physical delineation of the limits of disturbance so that they remain identifiable in the field. Matt Rose suggested labeling basins with signage warnings not to dispose of anything there. Michael Mazzucco said the driveway will drain to a swale and will pick up water there and connect into another basin that will pick up water there. Commissioner Tom Giegler complimented Mr. Mazzucco on his complete, well-designed plan. There being no further comments a motion to table until the next regular meeting on December 14, 2022 was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Alex Wolk. All in favor. EIC MINUTES – November 9, 2022 Page 3 OLD BUSINESS: EIC No. 1176 Reiser, Gail & Jason, 18 Carol Street, (H23043), RA-20 Zone, Rehab home construction. Motion to approve, a summary ruling with nine (9) conditions was made by Matt Rose; seconded by Mark Massoud. All in favor with Ayes by roll call: Tom Giegler, Alex Wolk, Mark Massoud, Matt Rose and Bernard Gallo. Ms. Falk recused herself from this vote. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None APPLICATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL: None ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ACTIONS: None VIOLATIONS: 21A Virginia Avenue, Danbury, CT Paul Szymanski, P. E., Arthur Howland & Associates, P.C., was present and reported the project will be split into three phases. They will monitor the progress and report to staff when each phase is taking place. Mr. Gallo asked if they were ready to go forward, and Mr. Szymanski said they are ready. Debris in neightors’ yards will be removed. As stated at a previous meeting, if they cannot complete the project during the winter, they will blow mulch hay on the area and if further stabilization is needed, they can add jute netting. Mr. Szymanski expects the project to take two to four months to complete, starting in December. No further questions. Mr. Gallo said he and Abby will do some on-sites as it goes along. Barnum Road, Danbury, CT - Cease & Desist/Notice of Violation Mr. Gallo indicated that Corporation Counsel is working on it. OTHER MATTERS: At the last meeting there was a concern about significant tree work at Barnum Road near Morgan. Mr. Gallo reported the tree work was for Eversource, and the City was working on it. CORRESPONDENCE: None ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Alex Wolk. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mary S. Larkin, Recording Secretary