Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

DRAFT TO BE APPROVED CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION October 2, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes 23 Union Street, Norwich, CT Agenda Items A, B & C – Call To Order, Roll Call, Determination Of Quorum: Acting Chairman Doug Lee called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Douglas Lee Barbara Rothstein Arthur Sharron, Alt. Robert McCoy, Alt. Brandon Hyde, Alt Ralph Page Absent with notification: Raymond Baribeault, Richard Morell, Jeremiah Lowney Also Present: Peter Davis, Director, Michael Schaefer, City Planner, Tianne Phoenix Curtis, Recording Secretary, Atty. Karl Sternloff, Corporation Counsel A quorum was present and all members present were voting. D. Minutes: Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the September 4, 2008 regular meeting. E. Communications: None F. Public Hearings: 1. IWWCC – 08-04 – Scotland/Hansen Rd – Application of Norwichtown Development LLC - for Active Adult Community, including wetland/stream-crossing utilities Barbara Rothstein recused herself from the application. Acting Chair Doug Lee opened the Public Hearing and immediately recognized Peter Davis. Mr. Davis read into the record the description of the application from the agenda, and stated for the record that he is in receipt of a letter from Michael Schaefer recusing himself as Staff for this particular matter as advised by Corporation Counsel. Mr. Davis stated that due to the circumstances and timing of Michael Schaefer having to recuse himself and the fact that he had not had adequate time to review either the original plans, nor the revised plans submitted 9/26/08 and there were expected comments from other City agencies on the revised plans, Mr. Davis stated that he was of the opinion it would be in the Public’s and City’s best interest to continue the public hearing to the 11/06/08 regular meeting. This would afford time for himself, other City Staff and the public to review the recent revisions. It was also noted that the applicant had refused a verbal request by Peter Davis to grant the City an extension of time. Upon motion by Ralph Page and second by Brandon Hyde, the Commission voted 5-0 (Rothstein recused) to CONTINUE the public hearing to the 11/06/08 regular meeting. G. Old Business: 1. IWWCC – 08-04 – Scotland/Hansen Rd – Application of Norwichtown Development LLC - for Active Adult Community, including wetland/stream-crossing utilities. Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted 5 -0 (Rothstein recused) to TABLE the application to the 11/06/08 regular meeting. 2. IWWCC-08-05 - Plain Hill Rd, Case St., Scotland Rd., Reservoir Rd., Rte. 12, Mohegan Park Rd., Rte. 169, Canterbury Tpke – Application of Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC for upgrades & improvements to existing natural gas transmission system. Doug Lee recused himself. Acting Chair Ralph Page turned the floor over to Michael Schaefer. Michael Schaefer stated that he has reviewed the application and that he considers it a significant activity, recommending a public hearing be scheduled. Commission requested a site walk. Staff concurred site walks with individual Commission members who are interested will be scheduled prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting. 3. IWWCC-08-06 – 257-259 West Town Street – Application of CUMA, LLC for construction of commercial building with associated parking and infrastructure Michael Schaefer summarized the application for the proposed 48’x100’ commercial building and other site improvements, and stated that he and the City Engineer had met on-site. John Paul Mereen, PLS, CFM of Gerwick Mereen made the presentation including the expanded parking and detention basin. Mr. Mereen stated the stormwater detention basin is an equalizer for any filling required in parking area. The Commission questioned the distance from the proposed structures and the edge of river. Mr. Mereen responded that the approximate distance from the detention basin to edge is 61’ and 87’ for the proposed storage building. Mr. Mereen wished to state for the record that the proposed collection and treatment of stormwater runoff would be a considerable improvement. The Commission concurred. Upon motion by Brandon Hyde and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the application. Michael Schaefer spoke regarding the floodplain impact. Mr. Schaefer read correspondence from Gene Arters, City of Norwich Office of Emergency Management. Mr. Arters states in the letter that his office has no record of flooding at Illiano’s or adjoining properties and that he does not feel that development of the parcel of land that adjoins Illiano’s Grill would have any impact to or from flooding. Mr. Mereen displayed aerial views of the parcels to show the change in the “blow- out” that has been naturally created and noted that the new channel has created approximately 9000 cubic yards of compensatory storage. Upon motion by Brandon Hyde and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to suspend the rules to add to the agenda a floodplain referral to the Commission on the City Plan. Upon motion by Brandon Hyde and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to forward a FAVORABLE recommendation to the Commission on the City Plan, given there is no anticipated adverse impact. 2 H. New Business: 1. IW-URA-08-14 – 35 Alice Street – Application of Michael and Laura Lieske for the installation of a 24’ aboveground swimming pool. Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE the application to the 11/06/08 regular meeting. I. New Business items submitted after agenda preparation and prior to the submission deadline. 1. IWWCC – URA-08-15 – 252 Taftville-Occum Road – Application of Raymond Dussault for construction of two single-family homes. Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE the application to the 11/06/08 regular meeting. 2. IWWCC – URA –08-16 – 153 Hunters Road and 115 Merchants Ave. – Application of Ponemah Villa Estates, LLC/Joseph McMahon – 89-unit Active Adult Community. Upon motion by Arthur Sharron and second by Ralph Page, the Commission voted unanimously to TABLE the application to the 11/06/08 regular meeting. J. Other Business: NONE K. Violations: 1. IW-VIOL – 07-01 - 81 Corning Rd- Kudlach- update No new information was available. 2. IW- VIOL – 07-02 - 150 Plain Hill Rd – Rothstein - update Michael Schaefer reported that they have received a letter of review from CLA and that the site is doing well. Michael Schaefer presented recent photos of the property and stated the planting of wetland shrubs and the installation of the fence are items outstanding. L. Adjournment Upon motion by Richard Morell and second by Brandon Hyde, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, Tianne Phoenix Curtis Recording Secretary 3