Environmental Impact Commission

Posted in City of Danbury Town Clerk’s Office on September 11, 2025 at 12:10 p.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 27, 2025 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chairman Matthew Rose called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present by roll call: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Mark Massoud. 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: August 13, 2025 Motion to accept the minutes of August 13, 2025 as presented was made by Michael Flanagan; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. No remarks. All in favor with Ayes of those eligible to vote: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, Elizabeth Falk, John Schwartz, and Matthew Rose. Next regular meeting is scheduled for September 10, 2025. NEW BUSINESS: #1251 7A Brighton St, Katz, Jeffrey, Ralph Gallagher Jr., Agent; (I06077), RA-20 Zone, Construction of single-family dwelling, driveway, well and septic system Ralph Gallagher, professional engineer, was present to represent Mr. Katz and the application. They had previously applied to the Commission in 2023-2024. The Commission requested they get a variance to move the house farther forward. They had to wait for the survey, but was granted the variance to reduce the front yard setback to 13.8’. The parcel is about 1.16 acre and is mostly wetlands. They are proposing a modest dwelling with a well and septic. He received Mr. Liebman’s initial review. They will stake out the project to allow for site walks. He had asked if the primary and reserve septic areas could be switched. The areas could not be due to the radius for the well and requirements under the Health Code for the septic. A demarcation feature was also required which they will be adding via fencing on the wetland line. They can revise the plan to indicate that for next meeting. EIC Minutes – August 27, 2025 Page 2 Mr. Liebman requests a planting buffer between the wetlands and fencing; Mr. Gallagher agrees. Mr. Liebman specifies that the plants should be listed on the plan and be native species to the State. Motion to table No. 1251, 7A Brighton Street, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by John Schwartz; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. #1252 4-6 Bear Mountain Road, Siguencia, Agustin; (G04075), RA-20 Zone, Construction of single-family dwelling and associated components Dainius Virbickas, professional engineer with Artel Engineering, was present to represent the application. The client had originally submitted the application, along with a survey. Mr. Liebman and the Health Department requested an engineered drawing which he provided tonight to the Commission. It is a 1.4 acre parcel that has a few areas of frontage on Bear Mountain Road. The west portion is very steep. However, a driveway does exist going to the rear of the property to an existing barn that will remain. Soil testing was completed, and the septic and leeching fields have been positioned on the easterly portion. The well will be to the west. There is a ditch on the property that appeared on GIS imaging in 2018. At the head of the ditch, there are two pipes discharging water from neighboring properties. They are looking to reroute a portion of the ditch to the northwest to allow an area for development of the home. They have hired Jim McManus to provide soil testing in the area of the ditch to determine if wetlands exist. The report will be provided once it is complete. Mr. Liebman requests that the project be rough staked to allow for site walks. He also would like an enhancement and mitigation plan for the project. Ms. Falk asks if the manicured lawn that Mr. Virbickas mentioned still existed. Mr. Virbickas stated that is does not, and the property is very overgrown presently. He doesn’t believe there is any vegetation in that area worth saving. Mr. Schwartz asked for confirmation that the ditch was not present prior to 2018, and if it was possibly hidden under vegetative cover in aerials prior. Mr. Virbickas states that he looked at prior years, and there was no evidence at all of the ditch. He could provide copies of the aerials if the Commission would like. Mr. Massoud asks if they will be piping the ditch when they move it. Mr. Virbickas states that their intension would be to utilize a grass swale, along with stabilizing the area of the ditch. Mr. Liebman asks if there was every a house on the lot given the accessory use of the barn. Mr. Virbickas states there is no evidence that a house ever existed, and there is a driveway that leads directly to the barn. Motion to table No. 1252, 4-6 Bear Mountain Road, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by John Schwartz; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. OLD 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 *Application was withdrawn on August 20, 2025 EIC Minutes – August 27, 2025 Page 3 #1245 15 Great Pasture Road, Eppoliti Industrial Realty, Inc., Sullivan, Steven P.E., Agent; (L16005), IL-40 Zone, Construction of four industrial buildings with associated parking and loading Chairman Rose requested a motion to table the application. Motion to table No. 1245, 15 Great Pasture Road, per the applicant’s request was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. #1246 Lot 1- Bayberry Lane, Artel Engineering Group, LLC; (F14002), RA-40 Zone, Construction of single-family dwelling, garage, driveway, septic system, well, utilities, and lawn area Dainius Virbickas, professional engineer with Artel Engineering, was present to represent the application. They received staff comments and are working to address them. They don’t have any new material at this time. Motion to table No. 1246, Lot 1-Bayberry Lane, pending receipt of additional information, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. #1247 Lot 2- Bayberry Lane, Artel Engineering Group, LLC; (F15013), RA-40 Zone, Construction of single-family dwelling, garage, driveway, septic system, well, utilities, and lawn area Dainius Virbickas, professional engineer with Artel Engineering, was present to represent the application. They received staff comments and are working to address them. They don’t have any new material at this time. Motion to table No. 1247, Lot 2- Bayberry Lane, pending receipt of additional information, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. VIOLATIONS: 1. Notice of Violation: 111 Coalpit Hill Road Per Mr. Liebman, no new updates on this violation. 2. Notice of Violation: 124 Franklin St Per Mr. Liebman, no new updates on this violation. 3. Notice of Violation: 18 Spruce Mountain Road Per Mr. Liebman, no new updates on this violation. 4. Notice of Violation: 5 Oak Lane Per Mr. Liebman, no new updates on this violation. 5. Notice of Violation: 25 Miry Brook Road Per Mr. Liebman, no new updates on this violation. 6. Notice of Violation: 24 Miry Brook Road Per Mr. Liebman, he has spoken with the attorneys, and they are in the process of preparing plans. EIC Minutes – August 27, 2025 Page 4 OTHER MATTERS: 1. Working Group Updates Ms. Falk said they met last week, and reviewed topics they have revised previously. They have a few paragraphs to review next, along with the fees. The next meeting is Wednesday, September 3rd at 4 p.m. Chairman Rose states that he has spoken with the Mayor regarding a City Council Ad Hoc Committee for once their revisions are complete, as per the requirements. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Michael Flanagan; seconded by Mark Massoud. All in favor with Ayes: Cristina Britton, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Llera Recording Secretary