Inland / Wetlands & Water Courses Agency

REGULAR MEETING OF THE INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT MAY 5, 2021 The Regular Meeting of the Inland Wetland and Watercourses Agency of the City of Middletown was held remotely via WebEx. A. Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance Due to technical difficulties Joe Carta could not sign into Webex so Vice-Chairman McClellan will chair the meeting. He called the meeting to order at 7:09 PM Present: Joe Carta Ken McClellan Trevor Davis David Pritchard Jennifer Greenberg Jammie Middleton Paul Dyka Absent: Fred Terrasi Jack Pieper Staff: Marek Kozikowski, AICP, Director of Land Use Ron Baia, ZEO & WEO B. Public Hearing 1) Continued: Proposed remote trailer lot expansion including a 7.4 acre parking lot within the 100ft. Upland Review Area located at 49 FedEx Drive. Applicant/ agent FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. 21-02 Matthew Bruton, Project Engineer from The BL Companies gave a presentation of the new plans. Instead of the large trailer lot that was proposed, they now will have two (2) smaller lots. One will have 52 trailer spaces on the Middle Street side of the property and on the southern portion they will add 42 additional trailer spaces. The 2 space will be able to store 94 additional trailer spaces on site as opposed to the 222 that was previously proposed. This will have no negative impacts to the wetlands. His goal is to bring in revised plans to the Agency by next week. 1 David Pritchard moves to continue. Trevor Davis seconds the motion. The Vice-Chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to continue with 6 aye votes. The Vice-Chair states the matter passes unanimously with 6 affirmative votes. 2) Continued: Proposed new 600’ access driveway with associated blasting, excavation, grading and drainage system within 100 ft upland review area on property map 40, lots 0113 & 0115, Arbutus Street. Applicant/agent MWH Associates, LLC 21-03 John Wagenblatt said that they did address some comments from the last meeting and gave a presentation of the new plans. Joe Carta questioned the applicants regarding the catch basins. A lengthy discussion ensued. David Pritchard moves to close the public hearing. Trevor Davis seconds the motion. The Vice- Chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to close public hearing with 7 aye votes. The Vice-Chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. Trevor Davis moves for approval for a new 600’ access driveway with associated blasting, excavation, grading and drainage system within 100 ft upland review area on property map 40, lots 0113 & 0115, Arbutus Street. David Pritchard seconds the motion. The Vice-Chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with 7 aye votes. The Vice-Chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. C. Old Business 1) Proposed select clearing and reconstruction of a retaining wall within the 100 ft upland review area on property located at 46 & 54 Dorothy Drive. Applicant/ agent Linda & Kristen Rzasa 2021-04 Kristen Rzasa introduced the application. She explained that the present wall is made of railroad ties which is falling apart and wants to take care of it a.s.a.p. They will stay out of the wetlands as much as they can. Joe Carta said that he visited the site and it is in need of repair. Ms. Rzasa said that they will try to not disturb much at all although there will be trees that will need to come down. Marek said that some of his comments (which some have already been addressed) include that materials and stockpiles should be located at the top of the lot and away from the wetlands; silt fencing should be installed at the lower portion of the disturbed area; and the retaining wall should not be any closer to the wetlands. Joe Carta moves for approval with conditions for the proposal for select clearing and reconstruction of a retaining wall within the 100 ft upland review area on property located at 46 & 54 Dorothy Drive. David Pritchard seconds the motion. The Vice-Chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with 7 aye votes. The Vice-Chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. D. New Business None E. Agency Review 1) Pre-application to construct a 3,500 sq. ft. commercial building with associated parking at 562 South Main Street. Applicant/agent John DeSena 2021-05 2 Marek presented the application. He shared to plans on the screen. The existing building will be removed and will construct a new commercial building. They are anticipating a drive-through pending approvals and a 500 sq. ft. building which is located across the street from Pameacha Pond. He asks the Agency is this is accepted as Agency Review or do they want to receive this for review at another date? Joe Carta said that it looks like it does not need a permit from the Agency and could be a staff review. David Pritchard moves for Agency Review for construction of a 3,500 sq. ft. commercial building with associated parking at 562 South Main Street. Joe Carta seconds the motion. The Vice- Chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to accept as Agency Review with 7 aye votes. The Vice- Chair states the matter passes unanimously with 7 affirmative votes. F. Reports of Officers and Committees Marek told the Agency that the department will soon be split in two. Joe Samolis will be heading in the new department of Economic and Community Development and he would be heading the Department of Land Use. An existing City employee would be reclassified to the environmental position and Marek said that this person would be liaison to this Commission. G. Public Open Forum None H. Minutes – April 21, 2021 Trevor Davis moves for approval of the minutes of April 21, 2021. David Pritchard seconds the motion. The Vice-Chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to approve with 7 aye votes. I. Communication and Bills 1) Received notification that the Pond and Lake Connection will treat Crystal Lake on Livingston Road on or around 4/15/2021. Trevor Davis said that Bill Russo would probably know more about this. J. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded by David Pritchard and Joe Carta. The Vice-Chair calls for the vote. It is unanimous to adjourn with 7 aye votes. Respectfully submitted, Marek Kozikowski, AICP Director of Land Use 3