Environmental Impact Commission

Posted in City of Danbury Town Clerk’s Office on July 25, 2024 at 10:15 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, July 10, 2024 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Vice Chair Mark Massoud called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present by roll call: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, and Elizabeth Falk. Absent were Geoff Herald and Matthew Rose. Staff present was Melissa Llera, Secretary, and Larry Liebman, Environmental Compliance Inspector. Vice Chair Mark Massoud welcomed newly appointed member Michael Flanagan to the Commission. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mark Massoud. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: June 26, 2024 Motion to accept the minutes of June 26, 2024 as presented was made Elizabeth Falk; seconded by John Schwartz. No remarks. All in favor with Ayes of those eligible to vote: John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Mark Massoud. Next regular meeting is scheduled for July 24, 2024. NEW BUSINESS: None OLD BUSINESS: #1215 1&3 Pembroke Rd, 3775 LLC, Benjamin V. Doto III, P.E., Agent; (G08029, G08030, G08098), RA-20 Zone, Construction of a 9 unit, single-family residential development, along with a pool house, sports court and site improvements Ben Doto was present to represent the applicant, 3775 LLC. Also present were property owner, Ed Killian, and attorney Neil Marcus. Mr. Doto states that he first presented this application to the Commission in June. At that time it was requested that they stake out the EIC Minutes – July 10, 2024 Page 2 property to allow for a site walk. The Commission did a site walk, and revised plans were submitted on July 10th based on the feedback from the site walks. Mr. Doto says the Commission had wanted more trees and less lawn. The landscape architect has provided a plan that provides more trees throughout the site, and specifically around the detention basin. It was also requested changes were made to the depression on the north end which has now been made a rain garden. Protocol were added to the landscape plan for the removal of invasive species. Also during the site walk the Commission noted cars, tires and farm equipment on the parcel. A sequencing and phasing plan was submitted that addresses how the debris and subsequent ledge rock will be removed from the site. The plan also notes that no crushing or processing of stone will take place on site. Copies of the demolition permits were provided which include the capping of the water lines and septic abandonment. During the demolition they were not able to find a septic or drywell for the old kennel, but if one is found during construction, it will be removed. The driveway access is shown on the phasing plan to the north of the site where the current gravel driveway is. Once the erosion controls are in place and tree removal is completed, they will begin working on improving the line of sight along Pembroke Road which is essential for the future of the site, but also the construction vehicles. Mr. Doto states he is aware that staff has not reviewed the revised materials since they were just provided. Mr. Schwartz asks about the volume of the detention basin. Mr. Doto clarifies that they will have a temporary stockpile area, but the bulk of the material will be loaded and taken off- site. He then states there is approx. 41,000 cubic ft. to the top and approx. 25,000 cubic ft. to the spillway. Motion to table No. 1215, 1&3 Pembroke Road, until the next regularly scheduled meeting to allow for a staff report was made by Elizabeth Falk; seconded by John Schwartz. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Mark Massoud. ______________________________________________________________________________ #1216 145 Middle River Rd, DeBellis, Nicholas; (C10054), RA-40 Zone, Construction of a single family dwelling with related driveway, septic system and well Russ Posthauer of CCA, LLC was present to represent the application. He informed the Commission that they submitted revised plans. They moved the house away from the property line, changed the wetland crossing, and provided more screening. Mr. Liebman states the Commission had requested the original proposed driveway be moved because a possible vernal pool existed in the area. The driveway was moved about 50 ft., and the wetland crossing is now at the narrowest point. The project meets all setback requirements and additional plantings to provide screening and enhance the wetlands may be required during the permitting process. They also added a construction limit to the revised plan which he requests be staked prior to the commencement of construction. Trees outside the construction limit will remain, so it is not a project where every tree is coming down. He believes the applicant met their requests and recommends approval as noted in his staff report. Mr. Massound informs the Commission than an email was received on July 2nd from neighbors expressing concerns over various issues. He asked Mr. Liebman for confirmation that he has read their concerns and feels that any in the Commission’s purview have been addressed with the revised plans; Mr. Liebman confirms. EIC Minutes – July 10, 2024 Page 3 Motion to approve No. 1216, 145 Middle River Road, with six conditions as noted in the staff report was made by Elizabeth Falk; seconded by John Schwartz. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Mark Massoud. APPLICATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL: #1218 17 Miry Brook Road, Reedle Deedle Realty, LLC, Miles, Meaghan, Esq., Agent; (G18019), IL-40 Zone, Redevelopment of property to an automotive sales, service, and collison facility Mark Massoud acknowledges the staff report provided for the application. Mr. Liebman shares with the Commission that the site is next to the new Mercedes dealership, and is intended to be a Grenadier dealership. The wetlands are on the nearby airport property. However, there is a tarmac and building that seperates the wetlands from this site. He recommends approval as noted in his staff report. Motion to grant Administrative Approval to No. 1218, 17 Miry Brook Rd., with the five conditions as noted in the staff report was made by Elizabeth Falk, seconded by John Schwartz. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Mark Massoud. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ACTIONS: VIOLATIONS: 1. Halas, Barnum Road, Danbury, CT- Cease & Desist Motion to table Halas, Barnum Road- Cease & Desist until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Elizabeth Falk; seconded by John Schwartz. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Mark Massoud. OTHER MATTERS: None CORRESPONDENCE: None ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Elizabeth Falk; seconded by John Schwartz. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Mark Massoud. Meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Llera Recording Secretary