Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes July 5, 2018 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 Lee, Vice Chairman Peter Chalecki Art Sharron Brandon Hyde Absent: David Poore Michael Lahan, Alternate Also Present: Linda Lee Smith, Recording Secretary Richard Morell stated that all members in attendance were to be seated. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Douglas Lee to APPROVE the minutes of the June 7, 2018 regular meeting. Peter Chalecki second. The motion passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. PGP Notification, 289 New London Turnpike Richard Morell said the permit would allow them to treat the pond and start around 6/22/18. 2. US Army Corp of Engineers, 445 New London Tpke. Richard Morell stated it’s quite an extensive report on what the owners need to do to bring the wetlands back to its original state. He also stated the Army Corp made an offer and are waiting to hear back from the property owner. 3. Email from Mark Trembley status on timber harvest, 300 Canterbury Tpke. Richard Morell said that the email from Deanna Rhodes noted that the harvester is using corduroy and that it looked good in the field. They will be establishing a second crossing this weekend and she will be checking in with the forester. E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None E. OLD BUSINESS: 1. IWWCC18-05: Sunnyside Street/Yantic Road. Proposed temporary and permanent land disturbance activities within the wetlands, watercourse, and the 100 foot wetlands regulated area for repair of the Sunnyside Bridge (#04746) located on Sunnyside Street crossing the Yantic River. Application of City of Norwich. Pat McLaughlin, City Engineer stated that he’s been working with Rick Mears of Benesch, 90 National Drive, Glastonbury, CT which is the design firm for the bridge. Pat explained the proposal as a preservation project for the Sunnyside Bridge which his being funded through one of the local bridge programs. He stated that they are rebuilding the bridge exactly like it is today. He further described the project stating that the only wetland disturbances are the 2 channels to the bridge, the main channel and the overflow channel. Mr. McLaughlin said there was riprap placed there originally, but it had been disturbed through flooding events. It will be corrected and is what the actual wetland disturbance involves. Rick Mears then gave a brief presentation about the structural bridge and roadway repairs. He stated they would be tearing up the bridge overlay by putting in new concrete and a water membrane, repointing masonry, replacing the existing roof and replacing with slate. The sidewalk will be replaced with stamped concrete. Rick stated the bridge serves as main access for the residents who are working, and therefore, the contractor would only be able to close the bridge only from 9 am - 3pm and be open again during lunch time. Mr. Mears said there are two channels, the main channel and overflow channel. He stated the riprap that is to be installed has been dislodged and any disturbance being done in the wetlands would be excavated and that everywhere else would be only a temporary impact. Rick said there are proposed erosion and sediment controls on both sides of the bridge. Gravel would be put down and as you approach the wetlands timber mats would be installed to allow them to remove the retaining wall on either side to access the riprap. The only permanent impact within the regulated area is in that span. Brandon Hyde asked if there were any cautions in case of rain events. Rick Mears said the contractor will monitor 2 weeks out. He added that when they remove the retaining wall is when it’s most susceptible and that installing planking and a temporary system would retain the fill. Brandon asked if there would be a temporary bulkhead. Mr. Mears responded no unless there is a major rain event and that work would probably not start in April. Art Sharron asked when they would begin and how long it would take to complete the project. Rick Mears said the project would start by April 2019 and go through November, but the actual work wouldn't start until June 2019. Richard Morell asked if he had submitted a total disturbance. Rick Mears said the permanent impact is 735 sq. ft.; and the temporary impacts estimate to the wetlands is 2800 sq. ft. and the watercourse has been broken out. Richard Morell asked if most of the project was resetting the granite. Rick Mears said yes and that all the permanent impact is resetting the granite from the original bridge. Richard Morell asked where it would be stored. Rich Mears said the contractor will have it stored offsite. Motion was made by Brandon Hyde to Approve IWWCC18-05. It was determined the first questions that had to be addressed was if it was a significant impact. Brandon Hyde withdrew his motion. Motion was made by Douglas Lee that IWWCC18-05 does not constitute a significant impact and doesn't require a public hearing. Art Sharron second. Motion carried unanimously. 2 Brandon Hyde then made a motion to Approve IWWCC18-05 with the following conditions from the Planner’s memo dated 06/28/18: • That the approval is valid for FIVE YEARS and will expire on 07/05/2023. • That a bond, in an amount to be determined by the City Engineer, be submitted for Erosion and Sediment Control and Site Restoration. • That all site activities shall be conducted in accordance with the plans, specifications and documents of record. Any deviation from the approved plans or construction sequence shall be cause for enforcement action by the Inland Wetlands, Watercourses and Conservation Commission. • That the permittee shall notify the Inland Wetlands Agent prior to the commencement of work and upon its completion. • That all work and all regulated activities conducted pursuant to this authorization shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of this approval. Any structures, excavation, fill, obstructions, encroachments or regulated activities not specifically identified and authorized herein shall constitute a violation of this approval and may result in its modification, suspension, or revocation. Upon initiation of the activities authorized herein, the permittee thereby accepts and agrees to comply with the terms and conditions of this approval. • That no equipment or materials including without limitation fill, construction materials, or debris, shall be deposited, placed, or stored in any wetland or watercourse on or off site unless specifically authorized by this approval. • That the General Provisions stated in Section 11.9 of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Regulations are applicable to this permit. • That the permit shall not be assigned or transferred to another entity without the written permission of the Commission. • That all erosion and sediment control measures shall be in accordance with the Connecticut Guidelines for Erosion and Sediment Control. Erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed and inspected prior to site disturbance. It is the permittee's responsibility to schedule the inspection with the Norwich Planning Department. Additional erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed if determined to be necessary by the Designated Agent. The permittee shall take such necessary steps consistent with the terms and conditions of the approval, to control stormwater discharges and to prevent erosion and sedimentation and to otherwise prevent pollution of wetlands and watercourses. • That this permit will be strictly enforced. The Commission may suspend or revoke this permit, may direct the Commission's Agent to issue a cease and desist order or may require the applicant to modify, extend, or revise the site work or restore the area to its original condition if it finds that the applicant has not complied with the conditions set 3  forth in this approval or if the applicant exceeds the scope of this approval as set forth herein or if the intended use or actual use of the general site is not as represented by the application or the or the plan of record. Peter Chalecki second. Motion carried unanimously. 2. IWWCC18-06: 97 Weber Farm Road (aka Chasey Lane). Proposed land disturbance activities associated with grading, installation of underground electrical and telecom utilities, drainage system, public water, footing drains, septic systems, guardrail, relocated fire hydrant, and construction of a portion of a private access road for 6 proposed dwellings to be located within a conservation residential development. Application of William Lampe/Chasey Lane LLC. Property of Stony Woods at Weber Farm. Assessor’s Map 99, Block 2, Lot 2 Pete Parent, CME Associates, 33 Wilbur Cross Way, Mansfield, CT 06268 represented the applicant. Richard Morell stated there was a letter from Uncas Health District (UHD) who reviewed the plans and is requiring additional perk test holes. Douglas Lee asked if the City had received comments from the City Engineer. Pete Parent responded that there were a couple comments including the drainage pipe. Peter Parent gave a brief history of the project and stated that about 12 years ago the developer came in for an approval of the wetlands plan, then he constructed 3 of the 9 buildings and when the market went south, he went bankrupt. Mr. Lampe purchased the incomplete development and is the new applicant. Mr. Parent said the proposal is a similar layout to what was previously approved, but that the loop road had more disturbance than the new cul-de-sac design with houses closer together which lessens the amount of disturbance. He stated that they will be dedicating a large area to open space and based on the Planner’s comments, it should remain with the homeowners association. He stated they would be extending the underground utilities, adding underground detention chambers and water quality treatment units to collect pavement and roof runoff while protecting the wetlands. Richard Morell asked how far it was from the wetlands to the edge of the pavement. Mr. Parent responded 65 feet. Pete Parent said he’d answer Pat McLaughlin’s issue with the discharge being right up to the edge of wetlands and can definitely pull it back. Pete Parent stated the design includes onsite septic. Douglas Lee responded that there has been correspondence from the UHD stating there’s insufficient data collected on those locations. Mr. Lee then inquired whether this was still the case. Mr. Parent stated yes and that the additional test pits are required to verify the soils. Mr. Parent stated that there are some steep slopes to deal with from an E&S standpoint, so there are multiple layers of proposed silt fence, a construction entrance off the edge of existing pavements and that all new catch basins will have inserts to protect construction sediment. He doesn't anticipate much stock piling, but there is an opportunity to have a stock pile on site. 4 Richard Morell asked if the City had received comments from the Fire Marshal's office. Pete Parent stated no. Mr. Morell stated there are several stockpiles of garbage and debris on this site. He asked if Deanna Rhodes had spoken to him about cleaning it up. Mr. Parent said they would be developing the entire hill and would be cleaning it up. Richard Morell said Deanna’s notes stated there were large outcrops of ledge not identified on their site plan. She would like it shown and they should remain and be incorporated into their design, if possible to be left in place. Richard Morell asked if there was dust control mitigation in place. Pete Parent stated given the close proximity to the wetlands it would be part of their water application. Richard Morell asked if the project will go forward in phases. Pete Parent stated yes. They want to construct the roadway, underground utilities, and rough grade the site and, as the market allows, construct individual units. Richard Morell stated the City Planner is recommending a detailed phasing plan. Mr. Parent stated they intend to build one or two of the houses right away. He clarified that Phase 1 would be the road, utilities, and 2 of the 7 houses. Richard Morell stated that Ms. Rhodes would like this detailed on the plan. Richard Morell said they need a cost estimate for the erosion and sediment controls so the City Engineer can determine the amount of the required bond. Pete Parent said that he will forward his estimate to Ms. Rhodes. He handed out copies to the board showing an erosion and sediment control bond estimate as $20,570 (tracking pad $1,500, silt fencing $15,200, inlet protection $2,000). Douglas Lee stated that because the board hasn't received all comments from all pertinent departments, he felt that the board is not in a position to render a decision. Douglas Lee then moved to postpone decision until all permanent information is received from the City departments. Brandon Hyde inquired whether the road was a private road. Pete Parent stated that it is and that the homeowners association that owns the road. Brandon asked if it would meet all the City's specifications. Mr. Parent stated that it would be built to City specs, but privately maintained. Richard Morell asked where they’re collecting rainwater runoff. Pete Parent explained the drainage, treatment of the water and discharge to the underground detention system which runs parallel with the road. Brandon Hyde asked if it’s designed for the 100 year storm. Mr. Parent confirmed that it was. Richard Morell asked if there was a maintenance schedule for cleaning out the basins. Pete Parent said the plan was attached. He stated that sometime it’s recorded in the City's Land Records and other times kept with the homeowners association. Mr. Parent stated that the catch basins are supposed to be inspected twice a year and maintained once a year if not more. The board members had concerns about catch basins remaining unchecked for many years. Brandon Hyde asked for clarification whether all the proposed disturbance is in the Upland Review Area and not within the wetlands. Mr. Parent said yes. Brandon Hyde asked what item was the closest to the wetlands. Mr. Parent stated there is one pipe that comes in feet 5  from the wetlands, otherwise about 45 ft. Brandon asked about silt fencing for protection and would he foresee wattles once the seeding is actually done and stabilized. Pete said in Plan A there will be multiple layers of protection on the slope until it is stabilized. Douglas Lee state concerns relative to the pipe going down a steep slope in a straight line. Mr. Parent said there will be checks across that slope, but they will include more. Motion was made by Brandon Hyde that IWWCC18-06 is not a significant activity requiring a Public Hearing. Art Sharron second. Motion carried unanimously. Douglas Lee made a motion to restate his motion to Table IWWCC18-06 for any further decision until comments come back from all the City departments. Art Sharron second. Motion carried unanimously. Richard Morell stated it will be tabled until next month August 2, 2018 meeting. There will not be a public hearing. Brandon Hyde stated for the record that the board would be looking for the following items to be addressed for the next meeting: Pat McLaughlin's comments to be implemented; approval from Uncas Health District on the new test pits; Deanna's comments from her memo, verbiage for an important maintenance schedule for filing in the City's Land Records; the proposal for open space dedication and preservation. G. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Receipt of New Applications • IWWCC18-07: Norwich Public Utilities. Installation of waterline on Route 97 with 2 wetland crossings. Motion was made by Douglas Lee to TABLE IWWCC18-07 until the next meeting scheduled for August 2, 2018. Motion was seconded by Brandon Hyde. The motion passed unanimously. H. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Staff Report: None 2. Reminder – POCD PIC Meeting on July 11, 2018 Richard Morell reminded the board of the POCD meeting July 11, 2018. 3. Violations: None J. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Art Sharron to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Seconded by Peter Chalecki. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Linda Lee-Smith Recording Secretary 6