Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes December 6, 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 David Poore Peter Chalecki Robert McCoy, Alternate Absent: Brandon Hyde Art Sharron Michael Lahan, Alternate Also Present: Deanna Rhodes, IWWCC Agent and Katherine Rose, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: A motion was made by Douglas Lee to APPROVE the November 1, 2018 minutes. Peter Chalecki seconded. The motion passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: Deanna Rhodes shared the newest copy of the Connecticut Wildlife magazine but otherwise had no communications. E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None F. OLD BUSINESS: IWWCC #18-12: 140 Yantic Road. Proposed land disturbance activities associated with redevelopment of the existing Hall Mill building into hotel use. Associated site improvements include grading, drainage, parking, sidewalks, landscaping within the upland review area and wetlands. Application and Property of Mill Development CT, LLC. Assessor’s Map 49, Block 1, Lot 45 Deanna Rhodes introduced Brandon Handfield as the property owner’s consultant. Brandon Handfield stated he was from Yantic River Consultants and representing the applicant Mill Development CT, LLC. Brandon introduced various site plans including aerials, the existing site and the proposed site. Mr. Handfield reported the existing site is 5.05 acres, the zone is located in the Production, Manufacturing and Research zoning district and it is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Mr. Handfield also went into the site history in regards to the wetlands and the flooding of its historic headrace. Brandon Handfield stated the application wishes to connect the existing structures into one building but otherwise the site’s footprint will be very similar notwithstanding the small portico addition for the hotel lobby. Mr. Handfield went into detail on how the site is situated within a flood plain and the drastic changes between the current site and the previous functioning mill. Mr. Handfield explained that historically the head race was intentionally flooded for mill functions but currently it is primarily vegetation with no flooded water and that any water in the headrace area is discharge from the Route 2/Route 32 intersection. Mr. Handfield described the future layout functions of the site including how the building will remain a historic structure when converted to a 151 room hotel with a restaurant and other personal services for guests. Mr. Handfield demonstrated where the parking lots would be located and stated that beneath the rear lots would be treatment trench filtration systems to bring storm water to the wetland area. Mr. Handfield clarified a Riprap splash pad would be installed to dissipate the energy of the water prior to arriving at the wetlands which decreases the chance of erosion. Mr. Handfield stated there would be a slight wetlands impact by installation of silt fence along the delineated wetlands during the retaining wall installation. Mr. Handfield summarized there would be 30 square feet of permanent and 500 square feet of temporary disturbance to the wetland area. David Poore questioned if the wetland area was originally a tributary or something else of that nature. Brandon Handfield responded that it was a manmade diversion created when Route 2 was created and that the area adds little value, but it does contain wetland soils; even though it is a manmade wetland. Douglas Lee asked if engineers would be gathering detailed elevations in regards to the headrace and outflow into the Yantic River to determine how high the Yantic River would need to flood for water to fill the headrace. Brandon Handfield said that is something that will be done but, based on the elevation data they do have, the river would have to be at least 10 feet higher than typical. Mr. Handfield said that while they are in a floodplain, the risk is minimum, but any flooding that would occur would affect their site. Robert McCoy questioned if most flooded water wouldn’t end up in the Yantic Fire Department Field and Brandon Handfield responded that was correct. Peter Chalecki asked how much water is flowing underneath the site. Brandon Handfield responded that he was not positive as it would require an in depth study due to the majority of the water coming from the highway. Peter Chalecki questioned if the existing culvert does in fact connect to the Yantic River on the opposite side. Brandon Handfield stated he was not positive but the proposed drainage pipe would be several feet higher than the current water level so water would have to be significantly higher than it has historically been in order to cause flooding. Mr. Handfield explained that the proposed retaining wall and parking lot design are made to handle flooding situations. Richard Morrell asked the size of the existing tail race. Brandon Handfield said he would have to estimate that it is 10-12 feet wide by 5-6 feet tall and appears to be the same size the entire way down. Mr. Handfield said while he has only been able to see the tail race from the top, the applicant is working with an experience group that has completed a previous mill restoration that included a tail race. Brandon Handfield went into more detail regarding the storm water and parking lot filtration system explaining there are underground plastic arches that are designed for water detention. Mr. Handfield explained the water would fall into catch basins and then pass through a manifold that 2 utilizes geotextile fabric as the main layer of filtration which has been designed to treat an excess of their minimum calculations. Brandon said the current maintenance schedule is set for every six months for the first year and then once a year. Douglas Lee asked Deanna Rhodes if there were currently any stipulations regarding a maintenance schedule in the current recommendations which she stated no, but it should be added. Richard Morrell asked if there were any plans in place for removing debris. Mr. Handfield stated the applicant didn’t propose anything in their application as there isn’t any existing debris in the wetlands, just invasive vegetation which he agreed the removal of would greatly beautify the area. Deanna Rhodes asked Brandon to discuss the soils in the wetland area. Brandon Handfield stated as it is not a naturally occurring floodplain. John Iani didn’t highlight anything in his report and just stated that the only permanent impact to the area would be the one treatment discharge pipe. Deanna Rhoades introduced a memo provided to the committee members in regards to responses Brandon Handfield provided to comments left by the City Engineer who has not had the chance to respond to them yet. Deanna Rhodes also pointed out the comments by the sanitarian for the Uncas Health District with regards to abandoning the well on site and for the applicant to work with the health department in regards to the proposed pool and hotel salon. Mrs. Rhodes indicated that she notified the neighboring Town of Franklin as required. She has yet to receive any response. All members were in agreement than they had discussed any concerns and had no further comments. Douglas Lee made a motion that a public hearing was not necessary for Application IWWCC #18-12 finding that it is not in the public interest to hold one and that the proposal did not include significant activities. Robert McCoy seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Deanna Rhodes then read into the record a list of recommended conditions that were in her application review memo. Douglas Lee made a Motion to Approve the application with the stated conditions, as read by the planner, including two additional conditions: ● That the approval is valid for FIVE YEARS and will expire on 12/06/2023. ● That the $17,565 bond for Erosion and Sediment Control, in an amount determined to be sufficient by the City Engineer, be submitted in the form of a check or letter of credit prior to filing of the mylars for the project. ● That the IWWCC letter of approval be placed on the cover sheet of the plan set. ● That loose debris located on the site be removed prior to initiating any land disturbance activities to avoid being deposited into the nearby wetlands. ● 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. 3  ● 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 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 plan of record. ● That the applicant establish an invasive species management plan to address the issue within the upland review area. ● That the applicant prepares a form for approval by the City to be used for reporting upcoming and follow-up routine maintenance of the drainage system. The reasons stated for the approval was that the applicant has shown they have adequately addressed the inland and wetland regulations and concerns. David Poore seconded. The motion passed unanimously. G. NEW BUSINESS: Receipt of Any New Applications: a. IWWCC #18-13: 17-35 Falls Avenue. Thayer’s Marina is requesting a special permit as they removed and enlarged an area of their property that was not approved by the Commission and went noticed by FEMA. 4  David Poore made a motion to receive the application and table it until the following meeting. Douglas Lee seconded. The motion passed unanimously. H. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Staff Report: Update on Plan of Conservation and Development Implementation Committee Deanna Rhodes informed the Commission that the committee is moving along with hour-long meetings and the next meeting is planned for January 9, 2019. She shared that they are currently discussing the section on economic development. She invited the Commission to attend the meetings which occur every other month. Deanna Rhodes stated that the Plan expires in 2023 but they will probably need to start preparation of the next document in 2020. 2. Upland Review Permits Issued. There were no agent approvals granted since last month. Deanna Rhodes shared that she has issued no permits since the Commission last met. I. ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made by Richard Morrell to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Seconded by Peter Chalecki. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose, Recording Secretary 5