Environmental Impact Commission

Posted in City of Danbury Town Clerk’s office on July 28, 2025 at 8:59 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 9, 2025 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Vice Chair Mark Massoud called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present by roll call: Geoff Herald, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Cristina Britton. Staff present was Melissa Llera, Secretary, and Larry Liebman, Environmental Compliance Inspector. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mark Massoud. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: June 25, 2025 Motion to accept the minutes of June 25, 2025 as presented was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. No remarks. All in favor with Ayes of those eligible to vote: Geoff Herald, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Cristina Britton. Next regular meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2025. NEW BUSINESS: #1243 4 Charcoal Ridge Dr. S., JC Construction Svc LLC; (F04026), RA-40 Zone, Proposed addition and deck for existing residence, along with a new shed Jefferson from JC Construction Svc. Was present to represent the application. He was hired by the homeowner to build an addition. Prior to him being hired, the homeowner had already started building a shed without a permit. The City ordered the homeowner to stop work on the shed. Jefferson will now be assisting with the shed as well. The addition to the home would be in the rear of the property. The neighbors are far away from this area. He received the email with staff comments. He is working to find someone to locate the wetlands as requested. EIC Minutes – July 9, 2025 Page 2 Mr. Liebman said the property first came to their attention because of the shed violation. There is a privacy fence in the the backyard which has skunk cabbage growing under and around it. He was unaware of the addition until this application was submitted. Mr. Liebman then reads the list of items from his “Initial File Review” dated July 8, 2025: • The wetland on and adjacent to the property should be flagged and located on a survey. Once located, a table indicating Wetland areas, regulated areas, and disturbed areas should be on the plan. • Existing grades and proposed grading should be shown. • Soil Erosion and sedimentation controls should be shown. • A review of the health department records as-built info places the shed at its closest point 3 feet to a septic trench. • The addition includes a bedroom, this may require revisions to the septic system. • A reserve septic system should be shown. • Driveway encroachment on the neighboring property to the east, is there an easement? • The proposed deck may be too close to the septic tank. • A planting plan may be required depending on wetland location. • The project elements must be rough staked in the field. Mr. Herald notices the drainage easement depicted on the survey. He wonders if Mr. Liebman has more information. Mr. Liebman said he is unsure if it is for a pipe or discharge, and notes the vast amount of wetlands in the area. The easement could be for the City. More information should be provided on this easement. Mr. Liebman would like to schedule a site walk with available Commissioners for Monday, July 14th. Mr. Herald asks if they will be hiring a soil scientist to mark the wetlands. Mr. Liebman said they will be, and should notify whoever they hire that the application has opened in front of the Commission, so they are aware of the time constraints. Jefferson said he has worked to contact them, and will work on the remaining items on the list as well. Motion to table No. 1243, 4 Charcoal Ridge Dr. S., pending receipt of additional information, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Geoff Herald, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Cristina Britton, and Mark Massoud. OLD BUSINESS: #1241 128 Great Plain Road, Brito, Riceli, Ralph Gallagher Jr., Agent; (J07050), RA-20 Zone, Addition to existing dwelling *Application was withdrawn on July 3, 2025 VIOLATIONS: 1. Notice of Violation: 196-200 Franklin Street Extension 2. Notice of Violation: 111 Coalpit Hill Road EIC Minutes – July 9, 2025 Page 3 3. Notice of Violation: 124 Franklin St 4. Notice of Violation: 18 Spruce Mountain Road 5. Notice of Violation: 5 Oak Lane 6. Notice of Violation: 25 Miry Brook Road 7. Notice of Violation: 24 Miry Brook Road Mr. Liebman informed the Commission that there has not been any new information on any of the violations. He is waiting to hear from counsel or the applicants for all of them. OTHER MATTERS: 1. Working Group Updates Ms. Falk said last time they met, they went through sections 5,6, and 7 of the Regulations. Overall they seem to prefer the Danbury Regulations versus the model regulations. They have found a few terms to add to the definitions section. The next meeting scheduled for July 15, 2025 will be rescheduled to July 29, 2025 at 4 p.m. in the Planning & Zoning Conference room at City Hall. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Geoff Herald; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Geoff Herald, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Cristina Britton, and Mark Massoud. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Llera Recording Secretary