Environmental Impact Commission

Posted in City of Danbury Town Clerk’s office on November 13, 2025 at 2:43 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, October 22, 2025 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Chairman Matthew Rose called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Present by roll call: Michael Flanagan, Gary Dufel, John Schwartz, and Elizabeth Falk. Staff present was Melissa Llera, Secretary, and Larry Liebman, Environmental Compliance Inspector. Chairman Rose seated Gary Dufel for Mark Massoud. Geoff Herald arrived at 7:19 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Elizabeth Falk. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: September 24, 2025 Motion to accept the minutes of October 8, 2025 as presented was made by Elizabeth Falk; seconded by Michael Flanagan. No remarks. All in favor with Ayes of those eligible to vote: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, and Matthew Rose. Next regular meeting is scheduled for November 12, 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 that no new information has been received. 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, and Matthew Rose. EIC Minutes – October 22, 2025 Page 2 #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, was present to represent the application. He recently submitted revised plans that included the plantings and mitigation, along with a survey showing the tree removal. They will be narrowing the driveway from 12’ wide to 10’ wide. The driveway is about 900’ long, so it will be a reduction of about 1,800 sq. ft. of asphalt. The wetland crossing will be about 60’. There is an intermittent water body that runs through the crossing, but it was determined that it is not a vernal pool. Since they will be taking some wetlands with the crossing, they are proposing 1,350 sq. ft. of wetland creation next to the current wetland using a wet meadow mix. They are also proposing a buffer planting area for the wetlands. In regards to the tree removal noted on the plan, there will be 9 trees 8” or greater that need to be removed. They may be able to save one or two of the five trees required to be removed for the driveway with minor modifications. They also provided a construction sequence and the process for the removal of invasive species. Mr. Liebman noted that they also included placards as a demarcation featue. He requests the placards be moved 5’ off the wetlands to add a buffer. Mr. Virbickas is in agreement with that change. 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, 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, was present to represent the application. This is the lot closer to the road. They narrowed the driveway which resulted in 420 sq. ft. less of asphalt. They also provided a planting plan with proposed buffer plantings, along with mitigation for the removal of invasive species. There is a demarcation feature that they can move 5 ft. from the wetlands, as staff requested with Lot #1. They also just received and submitted the survey noting the tree removal. There are 20 trees to be removed to allow for the septic and house. He is hopeful a few could be saved with slight modifications. Motion to table No. 1247, Lot 2- Bayberry Lane, 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, 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, was present to represent the application. They had the wetlands on the property delineated, and a surveyor mapped them on the survey. The survey was submitted on 10/22/25. The soil scientist determined that the channel is an intermittent water course. They are still awaiting the full report. The proposed project would require that they relocate about 200 ft. of the watercourse. The banks of the watercourse would be stabilized with grasses and geofabric. Mr. Dufel would like the width of the proposed swale noted on the plan. In addition, he requests that the timing of the construction sequence be reconsidered. He feels there is not sufficient EIC Minutes – October 22, 2025 Page 3 time allowed at the beginning to properly establish the swale prior to rerouting the channel. Mr. Virbickas is in agreement with the recommendations. Motion to table No. 1252, 4-6 Bear Mountain Road, until the next regularly scheduled meeting was made by John Schwartz; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald, 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 on November 12, 2025. No action was taken on this application. 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 6. Notice of Violation: 24 Miry Brook Road 7. Notice of Violation: 130-132 Great Plain Road Chairman Rose said there are no new updates on the violations. OTHER MATTERS: 1. Working Group Updates Ms. Falk said the next meeting is October 29th at 4 p.m. She asked that the members review the proposed fee schedule prior to the meeting. They will also discuss other possible additions to the Regulations. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Michael Flanagan; seconded by Elizabeth Falk. All in favor with Ayes: Gary Dufel, Michael Flanagan, John Schwartz, Elizabeth Falk, Geoff Herald, and Matthew Rose. Meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Llera Recording Secretary