Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

DRAFT CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION May 1, 2008 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 23 Union Street, Norwich, CT 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 Richard Morell, Vice Chairman Jeremiah Lowney Barbara Rothstein Arthur Sharron, Alt. Robert McCoy, Alt. Absent with notification: Ralph Page, Douglas Lee, Brandon Hyde, Alt. Also Present: Michael Schaefer, City Planner Roberta Lane, Recording Secretary A quorum was present and all members present voted. D. Minutes: Upon motion by Jeremiah Lowney and second by Richard Morell, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the April 3, 2008 regular meeting. E. Communications: 1. The Trust for Public Land- Free workshop invitation - Strategies for Funding Open Space The Commission voted unanimously to ACCEPT the Communications. F. Public Hearings: None G. Old Business: 1. IWWCC-08-02 – 45 Canterbury Tnpk & Harland Rd – Application of Anne J. Sharpe for construction of a single- family dwelling and associated site improvements. Mr. Schaefer presented this application for a proposed single - family dwelling on a lot that will be accessed from Harland Road, a portion of which lies within the Upland Review Area. The site will be serviced by municipal sewer and water. Mr. Schaefer explained that there is an existing drainage path that flows to a catch basin along Harland Road through soils that are eroding from the water flow. The proposed drainage path includes culvert pipes and riprap–lined basins, and bypasses the existing catch basin. He explained that the new design would not change the ultimate water destination and would have minimal effect on the nearby wetlands. He stated that the wetland vegetation consists of various grasses, multiflora rose, raspberries and barberry. Mr. Schaefer stated that even though there is an erosion and sediment control plan on the site plan, the applicant should provide an operation and maintenance plan for the drainage features outlining the time frames for maintenance. He also stated that the proposed silt fence should continue down to the head wall. Mr. Schaefer introduced Mr. Richard Deschamps, Land Surveyor of Advanced Surveys, LLC, and a representative for the applicant. Mr. Deschamps discussed the erosion and sediment control plan with the Commission and advised that the applicant would be willing to work with Staff to outline the time frames of the maintenance plan on the site plan. Mr. Deschamps also added that the silt fence could be extended as the Commission requested. Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Richard Morell, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the application with the following conditions: 1. Silt fence to be continued to the head wall. 2. Maintenance plan approved by Staff to be outlined on site plan. H. New Business: 1. IW-URA- 08-09 – 24- 26 Town St . – Application of Monitha, LLC - for cooler/storage addition to gas station. Upon motion by Barbara Rothstein and second by Richard Morell, the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE this application until the June 5, 2008 meeting. I. New Business items submitted after agenda preparation and prior to the submission deadline. NONE J. Other Business: 1. Administrative Permits Issued: 1. IW-URA-08-07 (A) – 114 Wawecus Hill Rd – Richard Wildowsky Jr. - filling & grading – issued 4/04/08. Mr. Schaefer advised the Commission that as instructed by the Commission at the April 3, 2008, the owners came in the next day and applied for the administrative permit. Mr. Schaefer advised that the affected area has been graded and flattened and that he would go back to the property next week to be sure the seeding was completed. Mr. Schaefer stated that he would update the Commission at the June meeting. 2. IW-URA-08-08 (A) – 89 St. Regis Ave – Christine Kaiser – minor grading & landscaping – issued 4/07/08 . Mr. Schaefer explained to the Commission that this permit was issued to allow the applicant to build a patio, put in steps and do some landscaping in the Upland Review Area. 2 K. Violations: 1. IW-VIOL – 07-01 - 81 Corning Rd- Kudlach- update Mr. Schaefer advised the Commission that Cori Rose from ACOE has assigned the violation to Paula Kullberg and that he will contact her next week. 2. IW- VIOL – 07-02 - 150 Plain Hill Rd – Rothstein - update Barbara Rothstein recused herself from this discussion. Mr. Schaefer advised the Commission that Mr. Rothstein has received very costly proposals for the restoration of the wetlands and slope stabilization and is looking for a less costly alternative plan. Mr. Schaefer introduced Mr. Robert Russo, soil scientist from CLA Engineers, Inc. and representative of the applicant. Mr. Russo presented a letter dated May 1, 2008 to the Commission outlining modifications to the restoration plan previously approved for this site. Mr. Russo stated that re-grading and stabilizing the slope would be very difficult; very costly and would be a risk to the wetlands. The Commission discussed the new plan with Mr. Russo at length. The Commission voiced concerns about the safety of the site and also discussed monitoring the site with a maintenance timetable for the next several years. Also discussed was the possibility of securing a bond of $25,000. The Commission asked Mr. Russo to prepare a formal plan to be presented at next month’s meeting. 3. IW-VIOL - 08-01 – 44 Yantic Flats Rd – Stanton LaPierre - update Mr. Schaefer advised the Commission that he would revisit the site within the next few weeks to make sure the stone was removed. 4. IW-VIOL - 08-02 – 114 Wawecus Hill Rd – Richard A. Wildowsky, Jr. & Mary E. Wildowsky; LaBossiere Builders, LLC of Danielson, Connecticut (136 Wauregan Rd., Danielson, CT. 06239) – update Mr. Schaefer advised the Commission that he would revisit the site next week to be sure the seeding was done. L. Adjournment: Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Richard Morell, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:42pm. Respectfully submitted, Roberta Lane Recording Secretary 3