Environmental Impact Commission

Posted in City of Danbury Town Clerk’s office on August 29, 2024 at 10:03 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, August 14, 2024 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chairman Matthew Rose called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Present by roll call: John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald, Mark Massoud, Michael Flanagan, and Cristina Britton. Staff present was Melissa Llera, Secretary, and Ryan Boggan, Environmental Health Specialist. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Elizabeth Falk. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: July 24, 2024 Motion to accept the minutes of July 24, 2024 as presented was made Elizabeth Falk; seconded by Geoff Herald. No remarks. All in favor with Ayes of those eligible to vote: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald, and Matthew Rose. Next regular meeting is scheduled for August 28, 2024. NEW BUSINESS: #1196R 94 Sandpit Rd., Safstor Real Estate Co., LLC, Amy E. Souchuns, Esq., Agent, (K10014), IL-40 Zone, Amendment to original permit for self-storage facility. Chairman Matthew Rose recused himself prior to the presentation of the application. Vice Chair Mark Massoud acted as Chairman for this application. EIC Minutes – August 14, 2024 Page 2 Attorney Amy Souchuns was present to represent Safstor, the contract purchaser of the property. They had come before the Commission in June 2023 and got approval under EIC #1196. With that approval, there was drainage onto the adjacent property based on the existing conditions. There was an easement outlined through the Planning Commission, but they have had issues finalizing the easement. The amendment is to redirect the stormwater. She also acknowledges the staff report. Ben Jednak of Bohler Engineering was also present. He states the existing conditions of the property are the presence of one house and two warehouses and no current stormwater treatment on-site. With the proposed development, there would be a great improvement in water quality. Originally there was a pipe discharging to the east through an existing connection. The revised plan has the pipe, which handles the roof drainage and small front parking, rerouted to the north, along with the final outfall pipe being upsized and the scour protection stones being increased in size due to the increased flows and velocity. In addition, the landscape architect prepared a preliminary planting plan containing 50 plug size plants, a biodegradable erosion control blanket, and coconut fiber to enhance bank and stream stability in the outfall area. Ms. Falk asks where the planting plan would apply to, along with the square footage of that area. Mr. Jednak said the planting plan would be from the headwall to the bank of the stream, but he is unsure of the square footage. Ms. Falk asks how any invasive species or weeds would be addressed, if found. Mr. Jednak said that all plantings installed would be native species. Attorney Souchuns stated that based on condition #3 of the original approval, which would still apply, all land clearing debris would need to be removed properly from the site. Mr. Massoud asked for a review of the upstream storm water management system on the property. Mr. Jednak states there will be two ADS SE 740 infiltration systems on the property: one in the front and one in the rear, which would connect and eventually lead to the final outfall. Mr. Massoud asks if any pretreatment exists and about a long term maintenance plan. Mr. Jednak said there will be insulator rows with filter fabric as pretreatment. The system will have inspection ports on each basin which will allow a vacuum truck to come and remove any accumulated sediment. The maintenance plan for the site is outlined in appendix F of their drainage report which has an owner’s manual for maintenance, including the ADS units, parking lot sweeping, and catch basin cleaning. Mr. Herald asks what volume of water their design and sizing of pipes was based on. Mr. Jednak said the sizing was based on the 100 year storm which is included in their drainage report. They are reducing flows from existing to proposed conditions in all evaluations. Motion to approve No. 1196R, 94 Sandpit Road, with three conditions as noted in the staff report was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes of those eligible to vote: John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald, Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, and Mark Massoud. OLD BUSINESS: None APPLICATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL: #1219 11 Boulder Ridge W., Flaherty, Francis & Thoa, Anderson, William, Agent, (I05045), RA-20 Zone, Construction of addition and remodel of deck Chairman Matthew Rose returned to the dias. EIC Minutes – August 14, 2024 Page 3 Motion to approve No. 1219, 11 Boulder Ridge W, as administrative approval was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, Geoff Herald, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF ACTIONS: None VIOLATIONS: 1. Halas, Barnum Road, Danbury, CT- Cease & Desist Chairman Matthew Rose informed the Commission there have been discussions towards a resolution, but there is no update to share at this time. Motion to table Halas, Barnum Road- Cease & Desist until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, Geoff Herald, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. OTHER MATTERS: None CORRESPONDENCE: None ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by John Schwartz. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, Geoff Herald, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. Meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Llera Recording Secretary