Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes December 1, 2022 CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION HYBRID MEETING 23 UNION STREET – LOWER LEVEL CONFERENCE ROOM NORWICH, CT A. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Morell called the meeting to order at 7:09 PM. B. ROLL CALL and SEATING of ALTERNATES: Richard Morell called the meeting to order at 7:09 PM and stated a quorum was present Present: Chairman Richard Morell, Peter Chalecki (ZOOM), Brandon Hyde (ZOOM) and Michael Lahan (CALL IN). Absent: Vice Chairman Douglas Lee. Also Present: Bob DeLuca, CLA Engineers; Dan Daniska, City Planner; and Katherine Rose, Recording Secretary. C. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Michael Lahan put forth a motion to APPROVE the October 6, 2022 regular meeting minutes. Peter Chalecki seconded. Michael Lahan, Peter Chalecki, Brandon Hyde and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. D. COMMUNICATIONS: Dan Daniska reported a communication from DEEP regarding a repair to the dam at Taftville Reservoir #1 which would be completed by NPU. E. OLD BUSINESS: 1. IWWCC #22-17: 853 Scotland Road Grading and a residential driveway crossing 4 intermittent streams. The proposed home, well, and septic system are located outside of the Upland Review Area. Assessor’s Map 5, Block 1, Lot 5. Zone R-80. Bob DeLuca of CLA Engineers presented on behalf of the applicant, Paul Terpening. Bob DeLuca stated the proposal was for the installation of a driveway to access the two bedroom home on the property, in addition to a septic system and well. Bob DeLuca stated that four intermittent watercourses ran through the area during wet seasons, but not typically year round, which would need to be crossed. Bob DeLuca stated they proposed a pipe for each crossing. Bob DeLuca stated the wetlands would not be disturbed but that the work would fall in the upland review area. Bob DeLuca explained E&S controls, and stated that the plan had been reviewed by city agencies, with all comments provided addressed. Bob DeLuca showed on a map for all to see where grading would need to occur for the driveway installation. Bob DeLuca stated the house was set outside the 100-foot buffer and that the driveway grading would occur within the upland review area. Peter Chalecki asked if any concerns were raised by the town engineer to which Dan Daniska responded that they did have numerous comments, all of which were addressed as of his memo. Mr. Daniska stated the engineer’s main comment was in regards to increasing the 8-inch pipes to 12-inch pipes for the four crossings. Richard Morell asked how far the pipes would extend on either side of the driveway and if they would be sub-surface. Bob DeLuca responded he believed about 10 feet on either side and Dan Daniska answered that they would be about a foot below the surface. Richard Morell asked if the impervious surface would add extra flow to the intermittent streams. Bob DeLuca stated the proposed driveway would be gravel and there is an 8- acre watershed leading to the pipes so he did not believe it would make a difference. Peter Chalecki asked if the septic system would be located in the upland review area. Bob DeLuca responded it would be outside of it and there would be a 100 foot buffer line downstream of the septic system. Brandon Hyde asked if there were any valuable soils or wildlife in the wetlands to the left of the driveway when entering. Bob DeLuca responded that the soil scientist mentioned the area was a fragmented wetland. Dan Daniska stated the area is south of Cote Pond and was part of the Cote Brook system. Dan Daniska read from the soil scientist’s letter which stated the upland soil was formed in glacial till and that there were no Connecticut protected species were known to be on the site as of 2021 and that it was not in an area of concern for DEEP or in a high sensitivity area for archaeological resources. Michael Lahan questioned the distance from the edge of the driveway to the pond and noted there had been issues in the past regarding improper draining into the pond. Michael Lahan questioned if aside from the wetlands, would the proposal have any effect on runoff into the pond. Bob DeLuca noted it appeared the pond was close to the flood zone line, which Dan Daniska confirmed. Bob DeLuca also noted the closest part of the driveway was roughly 80 feet from the pond. Michael Lahan asked what runoff protection from the property into the pond or the brook by Scotland Road had been put in place. Bob DeLuca responded that those concerns had been taken into consideration and that silt fences with hay bales were put in that area due to the sloped terrain. Dan Daniska noted on the site plan where those were located. Brandon made a motion that the application was not a significant activity and did not require a public hearing. Michael Lahan seconded. Peter Chalecki, Brandon Hyde, Michael Lahan and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Dan Daniska discussed addressed comments from various city departments, all of which were being or had already been addressed. City Planner Dan Daniska reviewed his memo with a list of conditions to be included in the motion and requested a waiver of reading the conditions list. Michael Lahan made a motion To APPROVE IWWCC APPLICATION #22-17 with the following conditions: ● That the approval is valid for FIVE YEARS and will expire on 12/01/2027. ● That the required bond, in an amount of $3,500 as deemed satisfactory to the City Engineer, be submitted for Erosion and Sediment Control and Site Restoration. Bonds must be submitted in a form acceptable to the City (check or letter of credit) prior to any land disturbance activities occurring. ● That the City’s letter of approval be placed on the final revised plan set (cover page preferred), and that all plan sheets include the stamped seal and signature of the licensed professional. ● 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 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. REASON: The proposed erosion and sediment controls are sufficient to protect the wetlands adjacent to the project. Brandon Hyde seconded. Peter Chalecki, Brandon Hyde, Michael Lahan and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. G. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Receipt of Applications: None. H. OTHER BUSINESS: None. I. VIOLATIONS: J. ADJOURNMENT: Peter Chalecki made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 PM. Brandon Hyde seconded. Brandon Hyde, Peter Chalecki, Michael Lahan and Richard Morell voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose, Recording Secretary