Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

September 7, 2017 Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION Lower-level Conference Room 23 Union Street, Norwich, Connecticut A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Morell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL and SEATING of ALTERNATES: Present: Richard Morell, Chairman Douglas S. Lee, Vice-Chairman Art Sharron Robert McCoy, Alternate Absent: David Poore Brandon Hyde Michael Lahan, Alternate Also Present: Deanna Rhodes, IWWCC Agent, and Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary Richard Morell stated there were four members in attendance and all were seated. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Art Sharron to APPROVE the minutes of the July 6, 2017 regular minutes. Seconded by Douglas Lee. Motion carried unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: None E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None F. OLD BUSINESS: None G. NEW BUSINESS: Receipt of New Applications Art Sharron made a motion to include IWWCC17-12 under New Business for the Ponemah Mill project. Seconded by Douglas Lee. Motion carried unanimously. 1. IWWCC #17-11 14 New London Turnpike. Proposal to clear vegetation from lot and place gravel for parking within the Special Flood Hazard and within 100’ of a wetlands. Application and property of John Wisniewski dba EWK LLC Deanna Rhodes gave a brief overview and explained that the application was submitted in response to a violation. She explained that the owner had started land disturbance activities and stockpiling of material within the regulated 100 ft. upland review area and FEMA designated Special Flood Hazard Area without a permit. She then passed out photos she took of the site. A motion was made by Robert McCoy to TABLE the application until the next regular scheduled meeting of October 5, 2017. Seconded by Art Sharron. Motion carried unanimously.  2. IWWCC #17-12 603 (aka 607) Norwich Avenue & 426 Taftville-Occum Road. Modification of Expired Permit IW-BUF #06-05 for proposed land disturbance activities within 100 feet of a watercourse/wetlands. Activities include installation of drainage, recreation area with stone dust walking path and amenities, 4 ft. wide and 5 ft. wide concrete sidewalks, 18 parking spaces, ornamental metal fencing, chain link fence along canal may need to be replaced. Application and property of Ponemah Riverbank, LLC Deanna Rhodes stated that the application was submitted in response to a violation. Ms. Rhodes had been notified by NPU that the developers of Ponemah were installing drainage. She then halted the project because she had already alerted them that their IWWCC approval for site work within the 100 ft. wetlands regulated area had expired. Ms. Rhodes stated even though DEEP had approved the relocation of the proposed drainage change, the City had not. The additional site disturbance includes the recreation and parking area. Douglas Lee and Richard Morell both asked if the application was complete. Ms. Rhodes stated yes. A motion was made by Art Sharron to TABLE the application until the next regular scheduled meeting of October 5, 2017. Seconded by Art Sharron. Motion carried unanimously. H. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Staff Report: a. IWWCC Permits Issued by Agent for Disturbance within the Upland Review Area: 1. IWWCC17-06A - 24 Curtis St., Removal of stone wall, regrade lawn with topsoil and seed within 100’ of a wetland (across street). Application of Mason’s Touch LLC aka Vincent Patterson Jr.; Property of Alexander L. & Debra L. Hartley. 2. IWWCC17-07A - 228 South Thames St. – installation of 3 proposed footings to support a load bearing beam under an existing deck located within 100’ Upland Review Area. Application of Zimmerman Construction; Property of Kristin McGath & Sharon Vasta. 3. IWWCC 17-08A – Norwich Public Works – Replacement of decking on the Pleasant St. Bridge over the Yantic River. Application of City of Norwich Department of Public Works; Property of City of Norwich. 4. IWWCC 17-09A – 225 North Wawecus Hill Rd., for the placement of a hot tub on an existing slab where an above-ground pool was previously located, trenching for electrical wiring for the hot tub, and replacement of stockade fencing all located within 100’ Upland Review Area. Application and property of Ragnar D. Miller & Deborah Miller. Deanna Rhodes gave a brief report on the agent approvals. She had corresponded with Richard Morell and Douglas Lee and they approved handling each of these applications with an agent approval. Ms. Rhodes stated she had also completed two more agent approvals which will be discussed next month. 2. Complaints Received and Being Investigated- None 2 I. VIOLATIONS 1. 55 Terminal Way (Assessor’s Map 124-2-22) - Update on Cease & Desist for Unauthorized land disturbance in regulated upland review area on property located along the Thames River. Property owned by WISP Partners. Deanna Rhodes stated she had recently went by boat to look at the condition and status of the property. She distributed photos of the property showing that it was now stabilized with growing vegetation. She asked whether the Commission would like to close the violation. The Board decided to keep the Cease and Desist in place. 2. 141 Dunham Street, Constructed detached garage within the 100ft wetland upland review area without permit. Property of Odir Pontes. Ms. Rhodes stated she was notified by the Code Enforcement Officer that a garage was being built without permits located approximately 80' from the wetlands. He did get his permit for the garage. Ms. Rhodes was also informed there was a shed out there as well without a permit, but she stated the Zoning Enforcement Officer is going to have him take it down. 3. 14 New London Turnpike – Cleared vegetation and stockpiled gravel on a property located within a Special Flood Hazard and within the 100 ft. wetland Upland Review Area. Property of John Wisniewski dba EWK LLC. Ms. Rhodes stated she had explained this violation under New Business and that the owner of the property had submitted an application for their consideration. J. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Art Sharron to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 p.m. Seconded by Robert McCoy. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Linda Lee-Smith Recording Secretary 3