Inland / Wetlands & Water Courses Agency

REGULAR MEETING OF THE INLAND WETLANDS AND WATRCOURSES AGENCY MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT DECEMBER 5, 2018 A. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. All members are voting members. Present: Commissioner Joe Carta Commissioner Robert Whitney Commissioner Trevor Davis Commissioner David Pritchard Commissioner Fred Terrasi Commissioner Ken McClellan Commissioner Jennifer Greenberg Commissioner Jammie Middleton Commissioner Kayleigh Pratt Absent: Commissioner Constance Kisluk Commissioner Gabriel Russo Commissioner Jack Pieper Staff: Director Joseph Samolis Public: 2 Members B. Public Hearing 1. Proposed Construction of 3 residential apartment buildings with 48 units each along with a 2,530 s.f. community building and 9,000 sf commercial building to create a mixed use development project within 100 feet upland review area at 790-850 Newfield Street. Applicant/agent Marco DiMauro 18-14 (Date of Receipt 11/7/18; Scheduled as a Public Hearing for 12/5/18) Doug Anderson from Anderson & Wilcox of Branford gave a history of the site for the proposed buildings. He showed maps from 2006, 2012, 2015 and 2018 showing the evolution of the property. He explained the challenges they faced from the wetlands. They have created some walking trails and a slightly elevated boardwalk and a bike trail somewhere in the near future. Frank Magnotta, Licensed Professional Engineer gave a detailed presentation. He explained where the existing wetland areas were and the proposed wetland water quality basin. He 1 explained where the overflow runoff would go. There will be no discharge into the existing wetlands. All the storm water from the roofs, parking etc. is all collected and diverted. Scott Stevens, Registered Professional Soil Scientist also gave a history of the different soil studies of previous years. He studied to site to see if there were any changes in the wetlands. There was a small change largely due to the stockpiling of soils mostly in the northern & western part of the site. Other than that, the soil has stayed the same and the wetlands have not changed. Jen Benno, Biologist in Soil Science and Environmental Services spoke about her Wetlands Assessment Report dated October 1, 2018 and highlighted the important aspects of her report. Marcie Peluzie, Licensed Landscape Architect also gave a presentation. From the Public:  Kevin Ewald, 759 Newfield Street would like to see all storm drainage on-site. He expressed concern that about any runoff going into a pond which is about 25 feet from his property. He would like to see a larger catch basin.  Bob Vinci, 323 Old Mill Road has a few concerns. He would like a buffer between the 48 apartments and the abutting property where is sister resides at 866 Newfield Street. Regarding the railroad track which is offsite of the proposal actually belongs to Mr. Vinci. In the past, there was a ditch alongside of the railroad track. Being a brickyard, the soil is basically all clay. Mr. DiMauro’s site is all sand. He does not support water being drained on someone else’s property. Commissioner Whitney suggests that they replant the wetland flags in the appropriate places. Commissioner McClellan said according to the plans, topsoil is being stored abutting the wetlands and it should be moved as there is no place to put a silt fence. He would like to see corrected plans before voting on this. The applicant’s team said that they are willing to take the stockpile off the site and bring back when needed. Commissioner McClellan questioned why Building #5 is about 20 feet from the edge of the wetlands. The Commissioner continued to question the applicant. A 5 minute recess is called to change the tape 8:56 PM. Meeting resumed at 8:01 PM. Chairman Carta would like to continue to the next meeting on January 2, 2019. Commissioner McClellan moves to continue to the January 2, 2019 with the provision that the applicant returns with complete plans especially in regards to SEC01 where the wetlands are marked; the 100 foot review area is marked; soil stockpiles are either moved or annotated properly; and all other comments that the Commission made during the meeting. The dog park would not be considered in the approval because a fenced-in area with grass is not an acceptable dog park. There are significant hygiene concerns if not cleaned and maintained regularly. Another request is that the wetland flags are reinstalled. Commissioner Davis seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 9 affirmative votes. 2. Proposed driveway for ingress and egress for future residential building within the 100 foot upland review area on Country Club Road (near Massa 2  Tom Road). Applicant/agent Little Higby, LLC/Linda Pierce/Dowley & Associates 18-15 (Date of Receipt 11/7/18; Scheduled as Public Hearing for 12/5/18) Director Samolis told the Commission that the applicant requested tabling application until the next meeting on January 2, 2019. Commissioner Pritchard moves to table to the January 2, 2019 meeting for the proposed driveway for ingress and egress for future residential buildings within the 100 foot upland review area on Country Club Road (near Massa Tom Road). Commissioner McClellan seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 9 affirmative votes. Director Samolis introduced Ron Baia to the Commission as the new ZEO/WEO. C. Old Business None D. New Business None E. Agency Review None F. Reports of Officers and Committees and WEO Report None G. Public Open Forum None H. Minutes: November 7, 2018 Commissioner Davis moves for approval of the minutes of November 7, 2018. Commissioner Greenberg seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 6 affirmative votes and 3 abstentions. I. Communication and Bills None J. Adjournment Commissioner Davis moves for adjournment at 9:34 PM. Commissioner Middleton seconds the motion. The chair calls for the vote. The chair states the matter passes unanimously with 9 affirmative votes. Respectfully submitted, Joseph Samolis, Director of Planning, Conservation and Development 3