Environmental Impact Commission

Posted in City of Danbury Town Clerk’s office on February 29, 2024 at 11:57 a.m. CITY OF DANBURY 155 DEER HILL AVENUE DANBURY, CONNECTICUT 06810 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT COMMISSION (203) 797-4525 www.danbury-ct.gov (203) 797-4586 (FAX) REGULAR MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT COMMISSION MINUTES CITY HALL – 155 DEER HILL AVENUE City Council Chambers Wednesday, January 24, 2024 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chairman Bernard Gallo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.. Present by roll call: Alex Wolk Jr., Elizabeth Falk, and Geoff Herald. Alternate Alex Wolk Jr. was seated for the vacancy on the commission. Staff present was Melissa Llera, Secretary, and Larry Liebman, Environmental Compliance Inspector. Matthew Rose arrived during the meeting at 7:07 p.m. Absent were Mary Cronin and Mark Massoud. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Elizabeth Falk. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: January 10, 2024 Motion to accept the minutes of January 10, 2024 as presented was made by Elizabeth Falk; seconded by Geoff Herald. No remarks. All in favor with Ayes of those eligible to vote: Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald, and Bernard Gallo. Next regular meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2024. OLD BUSINESS: #1209 11 Shoreview Ln., Grossi Sr., Angelo W.; (H08118), RA-80 Zone, Construction of a detached pole barn Angelo Grossi Sr. was present. He acknowledged receipt of the staff report and accepted the conditions presented. EIC Minutes – January 24, 2024 Page 2 Motion to approve No. 1209, 11 Shoreview Lane, with a summary ruling and five conditions as presented was made by Elizabeth Falk; seconded by Alex Wolk Jr. All in favor with Ayes from Alex Wolk Jr., Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald and Bernard Gallo. ______________________________________________________________________________ #1210 23-27 & 33-37 Rose St, 25 Rose, LLC & 33 Rose Street Corporation, Artel Engineering, Agent; (H13273 & H13272), C-CBD Zone, Second floor additions and renovations of existing buildings and minor regrading Dainius Virbickus of Artel Engineering sent an email prior to the meeting. He acknowledged receipt of the staff report and accepted the conditions as presented. The Commission members were provided a copy of this email. Motion to approve No. 1210, 23-27 & 33-37 Rose St., with a summary ruling and five conditions as presented was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes from Alex Wolk Jr., Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald and Bernard Gallo. _____________________________________________________________________________ #1207 39-41 Old Boston Post Rd, Lake Waubeeka Association; (H23056), RA-80 Zone, Relocation of retaining wall and gates, demolition of gatehouse, and reconfiguration of driveway and turn around No one was present for the application. Chairman Gallo informed the Commission that Mr. Herald, Mr. Rose, Mr. Liebman and himself had done an on-site. They found out there is property across the street from the proposed area that Lake Waubeeka owns. They proposed to the applicant an alternative to use that area for the turn around. There has not been any alternatives or information provided by the engineer. Ms. Falk believes through discussions she has had that they may adjust the project to just move the security gates and not do the turn around area due to blasting that may be required. Mr. Gallo said the Commission is waiting for plans on these alternatives from the engineer. Motion to table No. 1207, 39-41 Old Boston Post Rd, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes from Alex Wolk Jr., Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald and Bernard Gallo. ______________________________________________________________________________ #1208 7A Brighton St, Katz, Jeffrey, Ralph Gallagher Jr., Agent; (I06077), RA-20 Zone, Construction of single-family dwelling, driveway, well and septic system Chairman Gallo informed the Commission that Ralph Gallagher asked to have the application tabled to the next regularly scheduled meeting. Motion to table No. 1208, 7A Brighton St., per the request of the applicant until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Elizabeth Falk; seconded by Geoff Herald. All in favor with Ayes from Alex Wolk Jr., Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald and Bernard Gallo. ______________________________________________________________________________ EIC Minutes – January 24, 2024 Page 3 VIOLATIONS 1. Halas, Barnum Road, Danbury, CT- Cease & Desist Chairman Gallo informed the Commission that Halas has agreed to their requests via a memo from our attorney. A copy was provided to the members. The only change is they have agreed to a tree line in place of the fence. Mr. Gallo said he didn’t have a formal agreement drawn up until he knew this was acceptable to the Commission. They will clean up what is there, “No Dumping” signs would be installed, and Public Works would supervise the process. Mr. Herald asked if fir trees are the proper trees for the purpose. Ms. Falk suggests they put evergreens and not specify fir trees. She also stated she would like to see a plan showing the length of the tree border and number of trees specified. Mr. Herald agrees they want a plan presented prior to approval, but feels comfortable approving the request to draft an official agreement. Mr. Gallo believes they should have the agreement and plan prior to the next meeting. Motion to table Halas, Barnum Rd. violation, until the next regularly scheduled meeting pending receipt of formalized plan was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes from Alex Wolk Jr., Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald, Matthew Rose and Bernard Gallo. 2. 24 Barnum Road Violation Mr. Liebman informed the Commission that Mr. Virbickas contacted him. Mr. Virbickas has a meeting with the property owner and attorney. They understand that they need to have the soils delineated and plans submitted to the Commission. Mr. Herald asked for confirmation that, despite saying it was scheduled, the soil delineation hadn’t been completed; Mr. Liebman confirmed. Chairman Gallo told the Commission they attempted to do an on-site, but were not granted access to the property. No action was taken on this matter. OTHER MATTERS: None CORRESPONDENCE: None ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes from Alex Wolk Jr., Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald, Matthew Rose and Bernard Gallo. Meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Llera Recording Secretary