Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

November 7, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Lower-level Conference Room, 23 Union Street, Norwich, Connecticut Agenda Items A, B & C – Call To Order, Roll Call, Determination Of Quorum: Chairman Raymond Baribeault called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Present: Raymond Baribeault, Chairman Richard Morell, Vice-Chairman Brandon Hyde Philip Kiley Barbara Rothstein Ralph Page Absent: Jeremiah Lowney Douglas S. Lee Robert McCoy, Alternate Art Sharron, Alternate Also Present: Peter Davis, Director Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary It was determined there was a quorum. D. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Upon motion by Richard Morell and second by Philip Kiley the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE the minutes of the October 3, 2013 regular meeting. E. COMMUNICATIONS: Peter Davis stated there were two communications from the Commission on the City Plan which will be discussed under Other Business. Floodplain Referral # SP-13-07 Thayer’s Marine, Floodplain Referral # SP-13-09, 58 Yantic Flats Rd. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None G. OLD BUSINESS: 1. IWWCC #13-10 – 30 Laurel Circle- Application from Cap Realty for the installation of wetland crossing for access drive to single family home. Peter Davis stated the application was tabled from last month to meet the 30 day public petition period. Mr. Davis stated the property in 1993 was part of a re-subdivision, and the approval required that the driveway crossing to Lot 6 needed to be reviewed by the IWWCC prior to construction. Mr. Davis stated a 24 inch culvert with flared ends would be installed off of Laurel Circle. Mr. Davis stated the area of Lot 6 is very flat and the surrounding neighborhood is completely developed. John Paul Mereen of Gerwick-Mereen LLC, 17 Industrial Drive, Waterford gave a brief overview of the project. Mr. Mereen stated the comments from DPW were to make sure the underground utilities go below the culvert. Mr. Mereen also stated since this project was originally approved, municipal utilities have become available so on-site septic and well will not be required. Mr. Davis stated DPW had some comments in respect to the drainage study and had some minor comments. Mr. Davis stated the disturbance would be short term, with the installation of the pipe, and the disturbed area would be seeded with soil conservation mix, and a sediment fence would be installed. Mr. Davis stated the application was for regulated activity with two part vote. The staff is of the opinion it is not a significant activity. Upon motion by Brandon Hyde and seconded by Barbara Rothstein it was determined that there was not a significant activity for IWWCC #13-10. The Commission voted unanimously. Upon motion by Brandon Hyde and seconded by Barbara Rothstein the Commission voted unanimously to APPROVE application IWWCC #13-10. H. NEW BUSINESS: I. New Business items submitted after agenda preparation and prior to the submission deadline: None J. Other Business: 1. Floodplain Referral – #SP-13-07 Thayer’s Marine Mr. Davis gave a brief overview of Thayer's Marine project which would include an addition, infill between Silver Star Athletic Club and their existing building, an open-sided pavilion to store boats, and parking improvements. The entire site is within the 100 year floodplain. The reason for the referral is because it's required by the floodplain ordinances. The parking would be pervious, with no increase in elevations and the building additions would be constructed to allow water to go through them. Staff is of the opinion there aren't any potential impacts to the floodplain resources because the site is fully developed and no increase in elevations are proposed. Philip Kiley made a motion and seconded by Brandon Hyde to send a FAVORABLE recommendation to Commission on the City Plan for SP #13-07. Motion carried unanimously. 2 2. Floodplain Referral - #SP-13-09 58 Yantic Flats Rd Mr. Davis explained that based upon revisions to FEMA maps, one corner of Camaro Signs building was now in the 100 year floodplain. An application had been made for a map amendment, but FEMA denied the request. Mr. Davis stated the property owner has now proposed to put bituminous curb at the edge of the building that is in the floodplain and run it across the parking lot. The area will then be filled above the 100 year floodplain elevation. A portion of the existing parking lot will then be excavated to provide compensatory storage to off -set the fill. The end result is that the building will then be out of the floodplain. Brandon Hyde made a motion and seconded by Philip Kiley to send a FAVORABLE recommendation to Commission on the City Plan for SP#13-09. Motion carried unanimously. K. Violations: Mr. Davis explained that American Paving company requested that they be able to temporarily place milled paving at Forestview Estates. Upon Mr. Davis & DPW staff visiting the site, it was noticed it was being dumped over the edge within the 100 foot regulated upland area of adjacent wetlands. A verbal order to remove the material by a date certain was requested. DPW will supervise and monitor the removal and has stated that they will not pay the contractor until the material is removed. November 22nd is the target date. IWWCC staff will inspect the site after that date for compliance. If it is not removed, a Show Cause Hearing will be scheduled. L. Adjournment Upon motion by Barbara Rothstein and second by Brandon Hyde, the Commission voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 pm. Respectfully submitted, Linda Lee Smith Recording Secretary 3