Environmental Impact Commission

Posted in City of Danbury Town Clerk’s office on October 23, 2025 at 11:14 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, October 8, 2025 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chairman Matthew Rose called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present by roll call: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Mark Massoud . Staff present was Melissa Llera, Secretary, and Larry Liebman, Environmental Compliance Inspector. Chairman Rose seated Gary Dufel for Geoff Herald. Mr. Dufel stated on the record that he has watched the recordings of the last three meetings he did not attend. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Elizabeth Falk. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: September 24, 2025 Motion to accept the minutes of September 24, 2025 as presented was made by Michael Flanagan; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. No remarks. All in favor with Ayes of those eligible to vote: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. Next regular meeting is scheduled for October 22, 2025. OLD BUSINESS: #1106RR 7B Judith Drive, Gontijo, Alaor & Vasquez, Saul, (D08082), RA-40 Zone, Construction of single family dwelling, septic, well, and other associated components Chairman Rose informed the Commission they have not received any new information, and the application will need to be tabled. Motion to table No. 1106RR, 7B Judith Drive, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Elizabeth Falk; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. EIC Minutes – October 8, 2025 Page 2 #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 Steve Sullivan, professional engineer with CCA LLC, was present to represent the application. He received the staff report, and needed a few points of clarification. -Special condition #2 that discussed a bond, mentions a permanent fence on the western boundary. Then in special condition #3, it requires a fence on the northern boundary. Mr. Liebman clarifies that “a permanent fence along with western construction limit line and additional plantings” should be struck from special condition #2. In addition, “northern” should be “western” in special condition #3. -Special condition #4 requested additional plantings above wetland flags 24-32. Would this be for low-lying shrubs on the top of the slope? Mr. Liebman said that would be acceptable. He wants a continuous line of planting to act as a buffer in that area. -Special condition #5 that requires a qualified environmental consultant, would that be from an erosion control standpoint or soil contamination standpoint? Mr. Liebman responded both. He and the Commission are looking for some that will provide continuity for the duration of the project since it is multi-phased. This person would be familiar and be able to provide the Commission reports at the appropriate intervals. Mr. Dufel noticed that the drainage was designed for the 25-year storm event. He is concerned that with a larger storm, there could be scouring or woodchips washed into the wetlands. Mr. Sullivan clarifies that many of the woodchips will be removed during the project, and then replaced with a seed mix. Mr. Dufel is most concerned with the drainage closest to the steep area. He is concerned that a gully could form in that area with a large storm event. Mr. Sullivan said that is a smaller area, so there is only one outlet. Mr. Sullivan offers to change the outlet from a rectangular discharge to a more longitudinal area/ trench. Mr. Dufel and Mr. Liebman find that acceptable, and request it be shown on the final construction drawings. Mr. Liebman commends the property owner for the cleanup of the site that has occurred since his first site visit, including removal of the woodchips near the detention basin. Motion to Approve No. 1245, 15 Great Pasture Road, with noted conditions was made by John Schwartz; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, 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 Chairman Rose informed the Commission the matter should be tabled. Motion to table No. 1246, Lot 1-Bayberry Lane, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by John Schwartz; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, 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 Chairman Rose informed the Commission the matter should be tabled. Motion to table No. 1247, Lot 2- Bayberry Lane, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Michael Flanagan; seconded by Mark Massoud. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. EIC Minutes – October 8, 2025 Page 3 #1251 7A Brighton St, Katz, Jeffrey, Ralph Gallagher Jr., Agent; (I06077), RA-20 Zone, Construction of single-family dwelling, driveway, well and septic system Chairman Rose informs the Commission that a staff report has been prepared. Mr. Liebman said this application was before the Commission prior. They requested the applicant apply for a variance to move the house forward. The house is now 13’ from the road, however, the septic couldn’t be moved much due to the well radius. He has included conditions requiring a demarcation feature, a planting plan, and a map showing the leader and footing drain discharge. Chairman Rose asked if a map showing the lot combination was included in the conditions. Mr. Liebman states that he will add that requirement to condition #1 in the final approval. Motion to Approve No. 1251, 7A Brighton Street, with the revised noted conditions was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, 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 Chairman Rose informed the Commission the matter should be tabled. Motion to table No. 1252, 4-6 Bear Mountain Road, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. #1253 20A E. Starrs Plain Road, Machado, Francisco, Michael J. Mazzucco, Agent; (H25043), RA-80 Zone, Construction of single-family dwelling, along with septic, well, and other associated components Michael Mazzucco, professional engineer, was present to represent the application. He received the staff report, and had no questions. Motion to Approve No. 1253, 20A E. Starrs Plain Road, with seven noted conditions was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. #1254 Damia Drive, Bright Ravens Development, LLC, CCA, LLC, Steven Sullivan, PE, Agent; (F09036), RA-40 Zone, Construction of (12) additional single-family dwellings in cluster development, along with associated parking and site improvments *A public hearing will be held for this application at a later date. No action was taken on this application. #1255 18 Starrs Plain Road, Rosenberg, Chaim, Michael J. Mazzucco, PE, Agent; (H24029), RA-80 Zone, Construction of single-family dwelling, along with septic, well, and other associated components Michael Mazzucco, professional engineer, was present to represent the application. Since staff’s initial comments, he was able to move the house 6’ south which helped with the grading of the steep slope. He was able to get rid of the retaining walls. He provided the requested 10 scale plan of the grading around the house. The cut and fill analysis is almost even. He also added a note about cleaning the forebay. He received the staff report, and had a few questions. EIC Minutes – October 8, 2025 Page 4 -Condition #1 requests a demarcation feature. There is currently a stone wall they will be removing. They could utilize that material in the new area as the demarcation feature. Mr. Liebman said that would be acceptable, but just requests it be shown on the map. -Condition #2 discusses a bond for the planting plan, but they don’t have a specific planting plan. Mr. Liebman clarifies that goes back to the demarcation feature. He requests that be on the plan, including any plants they may utilize. This would be the basis for the bond. Motion to Approve No. 1255, 18 Starrs Plain Road, with noted conditions was made by John Schwartz; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. APPLICATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL: #1257 160 Southern Blvd., Friends of the NRVT (City of Danbury), Antonio DiCamillo P.E., Agent; (I16046), RA-80 Zone, Construction of 10’ wide stone dust multi-use trail with a length of 1387 linear feet Mr. Liebman said the applicant is looking to create a trail utilizing grant money. It would be an enhancement to Tarrywile Park. There are six drainage points along the trail to help manage the water. Motion to grant administrative approval for No. 1257, 160 Southern Blvd., with five noted conditions was made by Michael Flanagan; seconded by Mark Massoud. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. VIOLATIONS: 1. Notice of Violation: 111 Coalpit Hill Road 2. Notice of Violation: 124 Franklin St 3. Notice of Violation: 18 Spruce Mountain Road 4. Notice of Violation: 5 Oak Lane 5. Notice of Violation: 25 Miry Brook Road Mr. Liebman informed the Commission he is in negotiations with their agent to settle on a square footage of restoration area. There is a 2011 judgement against the property resulting from 28,000 sq. ft. of impacted area. They are looking to sell the property, so it is moving forward. 6. Notice of Violation: 24 Miry Brook Road 7. Notice of Violation: 130-132 Great Plain Road Mr. Liebman received a call from the individual who flagged the wetlands. They are now waiting for a surveyor to create the mapping utilitizing his flags. No other updates for the remaining violations according to Mr. Liebman. EIC Minutes – October 8, 2025 Page 5 OTHER MATTERS: 1. Working Group Updates Ms. Falk said the next meeting is October 15th at 4 p.m. They are continuing work on the fee structure. They are comparing to other municipalities, along with ensuring the presentation is clear. Mr. Liebman reiterates that, once completed, the revisions just need to be submitted to DEEP for approval. 2. Mr. Massoud wanted clarification that the scheduling of #1254 Damia Drive’s public hearing is within the statutory time frames; Ms. Llera confirmed. Mr. Liebman said that staff is tracking timing, and will keep the applicant and Commission informed, when necessary. Mr. Liebman also expressed the desire to schedule site walks for the application, either with small groups or as a special meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Mark Massoud; seconded by Michael Flanagan. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Mark Massoud, and Matthew Rose. Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Llera Recording Secretary