Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

DRAFT CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION February 7, 2008 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Minutes of the regular meeting of the City of Norwich Inland Wetlands, Watercourses and Conservation Commission held in the conference room at 23 Union Street, Norwich, CT. on February 7, 2008. Agenda Items A, B & C – Call To Order, Roll Call, Determination Of Quorum: Chairman Raymond Baribeault called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Raymond Baribeault, Chairman Barbara Rothstein Ralph Page Arthur Sharron, Alt. Robert McCoy, Alt. Absent with notification: Richard Morell, Vice Chairman, Douglas Lee, Jeremiah Lowney, Brandon Hyde, Alt. Also Present: Michael Schaefer, City Planner Roberta Lane, Recording Secretary A quorum was present and all members voted. D. Minutes: Upon motion by Barbara Rothstein and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the January 3, 2008 regular meeting. E. Communications: 1. Memo from State of CT DEP dated February 1, 2008 regarding aquatic pesticide permit applications. The Commission voted unanimously to ACCEPT the memo from the State of CT DEP. F. Public Hearings: None G. Old Business: 1. IWWCC-07-09 – 88 Palmer Street – John Aldi – 27-condo units with access driveways and associated site improvements. Mr. Schaefer presented the proposed 27-unit condominium application and explained that there is a manmade pond of approximately 3,500 square feet situated within the wetlands near the center of the property. There are 11 units on the eastern half of the site to the rear of the wetland and that a wetland/ watercourse crossing is necessary to access them. A paved driveway of approximately 700 feet in length, and ending in a looped turnaround, will provide for ingress and egress. The applicant plans to span the crossing with a bridge and a bottomless arch culvert will span the stream south of the pond. The proposed crossing will encumber approximately 2,500 square feet of wetlands. This figure includes the area spanned by the arch, which will not actually be disturbed, and will remain largely intact (according to the applicant) to satisfy the design parameters acceptable to the US Army Corps of Engineers under the PGP I level of permitting. Considerable disturbance would take place in the upland review area. According to the report from John Ianni, soil scientist, the pond is deep enough to support a warm water fish population and it is not a viable vernal pool. The applicant has provided a stormwater drainage system that includes a detention basin with riprap and crushed stone and a pipe to prevent mosquito breeding. Mr. Schaefer advised that the site would be served by municipal water and sewer. He advised that the applicant has provided an erosion & sediment control plan that includes a construction entrance, sediment basins, and perimeter sediment barriers. The stormwater management planning was done in conference with the City Engineer. Most of the City Engineer’s concerns were met. He advised that there is a landscaping plan with adequate plantings and that some clearing will be done, since there is some heavily wooded areas as well as lightly wooded areas. The Commission raised a concern about the maintenance plan for post development. Mr. Schaefer advised that the erosion & sediment plan stated that the condominium association would be responsible for the maintenance after the project was completed. The plan indicated that the driveways would be swept twice a year. The Commission discussed the plan and upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the application with the following conditions: 1. The applicant adhere to the underscored note on sheet 6 of 14- A Professional Engineer To Be On Site For All Activity Pertaining To The Wetland Crossing Construction and that the professional engineer must certify to the Planning Department that the wetland crossing was constructed to the design specifications. 2. All recommendations from the site plan review of Norwich Public Utilities be implemented. 2. IWWCC – 07-11 – 111 Corning Road – FW Brown LLC – filling and drainage to establish a small back yard. Patrick Lafayette, P.E. of Development Solutions, LLC, representative for the applicant, gave the drainage analysis report to Staff at the start of the meeting. Mr. Schaefer presented this plan for a proposed 50-foot culvert installation on a residential property to establish a small backyard for an existing house that has had limited use of the back yard since the house was built in the 1970’s. Mr. Schaefer presented pictures of the site to the Commission and advised that the applicant has cleaned up much of the refuse, including a swimming pool and approximately 37 tires. Staff and the City Engineer had discussions with the applicant as to the appropriate size of the HDPE pipe and suggested that instead of using a 24-inch pipe, that a 30-inch or 36-inch pipe may be more suited for this plan. According to 2 his report, Joseph R.Theroux, soil scientist, recommended the use of hay bales and a silt fence along with proper erosion & sediment controls to minimize the wetlands impact. Mr. Schaefer advised that the project should take place during the summer season when water will be at its lowest to minimize the impact. After much discussion and upon motion by Barbara Rothstein and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the application with the following conditions: 1. Work to be done during the summer months to minimize wetlands impact. 2. Applicant to work with Staff on the pipe configuration. 3. No raised berm will be allowed over the pipe. 3. IWWCC- 07-13 – 180 Plain Hill Rd – Roy B Fleming - 4-lot resubdivision with cul de sac. Susan Camp, L.S. of Camp Land Surveyors, LLC, gave the Wetlands Impact Assessment report from the project soil scientist to Staff at the start of the meeting. Mr. Schaefer presented the plan for the proposed 4-lot resubdivision on a 21.33-acre parcel with a wetland/watercourse crossing. There is one existing house on the site and the crossing would allow for access to the 3 lots in the rear portion of the property. Mr. Schaefer advised that he is waiting for more information regarding the limits of clearing and more field data on the grading plan. He also has to review the Wetlands Impact Assessment that was just handed out at the start of the meeting. Mr. Schaefer also presented the comments from the City Engineer with regards to the proposed location of the water quality basin in relation to the house on Lot #1. The City Engineer suggested that the basin be moved closer to the wetlands and as far away from any house site to minimize disruption to residents, since Public Works will maintain this basin after the development is completed. Susan Camp, L.S. of Camp Land Surveyors, LLC and Chuck Eaton, P.E. of CME Associates addressed the Commission and advised that they would work with Staff and the City Engineer regarding the concerns about narrowing the crossing and the location of the stormwater basin. The Commission discussed the unresolved issues of the plan and asked that the representatives for the applicant return next month to present their updated plan. Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE the application until the March 6, 2008 meeting. H. New Business: None I. New Business items submitted after agenda preparation and prior to the submission deadline: 1. IW-URA-08-03 – 9 Beckwith Street – Sheri Speer – construction of multifamily dwelling and associated site improvements. 3 Upon motion by Ralph Page and second by Barbara Rothstein, the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE this application until the March 6, 2008 meeting. J. Other Business: 1. Administrative Permits Issued: 1. IW-URA-08-01 (A)- 252 Old Canterbury Tpke Mr. Schaefer informed the Commission that this permit was issued to move 6 mobile homes at the Sunny Waters Park as they became available to do so. 2. IW-URA-08-02 (A)- Sub#326-Lot#5 Roaring Brook Estates Subdivision –Rogers Rd Mr. Schaefer informed the Commission that this permit was a reissuance of an expired permit for a driveway. K. Violations: 1. Kudlach - Cease and Desist Order - update Mr. Schaefer advised the Commission that he has contacted the Army Corps of Engineers regarding this violation. 2. 44 Yantic Flats Rd – new violation Mr. Schaefer advised the Commission that he had received a complaint relating to the deposition of fill that may be within the wetlands and/or floodplain area. He sent a letter to the owner requesting permission to conduct a site examination and is waiting for a response. 3. 285 Taftville Occum Rd- Cease and Desist Order Mr. Schaefer informed the Commission that he had sent a cease and desist order to the developers following a complaint from CT DOT. It is not known at this time if the violations affect the wetlands area. L. Adjournment: Upon motion by Arthur Sharron & second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:50pm. Respectfully submitted, Roberta Lane Recording Secretary 4