Inland Wetlands, Water Courses & Conservation Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes July 11, 2024 CITY OF NORWICH INLAND WETLANDS, WATERCOURSES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION HYBRID Regular Meeting 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Richard Morell called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL and SEATING of ALTERNATES: Chairman Richard Morell stated that all members present would be seated and voting during the meeting. Present: Chairman Richard Morell, Douglas Lee (ZOOM), Chris Seery (ZOOM), Peter Chalecki (ZOOM), Deane Nason and Nicholas Fortson. Absent: Brandon Hyde. Also Present: Katherine Rose, Recording Secretary; and Dan Daniska, City Planner/Wetland Agent 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Chris Seery put forth a motion to APPROVE the June 6, 2024 regular meeting minutes. Peter Chalecki seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. 4. COMMUNICATIONS: Dan Daniska reported that the pond at 289 New London Turnpike was treated on June 21, 2024. 5. OLD BUSINESS: 6. SHOW CAUSE HEARING: Unauthorized Land Disturbance 520 Asylum Street Ext. Norwich, CT Dan Daniska noted that the hearing was tabled at the previous meeting as the Commission wanted the property owner to submit an application, but the planning department had yet to receive one. Mr. Daniska advised the committee to move forward in the process as he was not expecting to receive an application. Peter Chalecki stated it appeared as though a quarter acre on the property was disturbed and backfilled, so that would need to be removed and restored. Douglas Lee agreed with the assessment and asked if staff had any specific recommendations. Dan Daniska responded that based on his original Cease and Correct letter, he would like a soil scientist involved to survey the site and develop a plan for remediation. Dan Daniska stated he would also like to see a type of plan submitted as part of that process to describe what has occurred and what will be done to resolve it. Chris Seery made a motion to modify the cease and correct order. Peter Chalecki seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Dan Daniska stated as a point of clarification, he would ask the applicant to submit a plan from the soil scientist to restore the property. 7. NEW BUSINESS: Dan Daniska reported that he received a letter from CLA Engineer regarding the former Nippy’ s Driving Range property at 139 Norwich Avenue, where someone is looking to put in a cannabis cultivation facility. Dan Daniska continued that Bob Russo of CLA submitted a letter asking the commission to agree with their determination that the cannabis cultivation is agricultural and therefore did not require a wetlands application as it is an as-of-right activity. Dan Daniska stated there would be an outdoor grow space on a small portion of the field in pots within a fenced area, and he did not believe there would be any wetlands impact. Discussion ensued regarding activities proposed on the property. The Wetlands Commission agreed with Mr. Daniska and Mr. Russo from CLA that the activity was permitted as of right due to the agricultural nature.  8. OTHER BUSINESS: Receipt of New Applications IWWCC 24-09 45 Salem Turnpike Request to do maintenance on Ford Brook to clean out culverts that run along the driveway entrance. Peter Chalecki made a motion to receive and table the application until the next month’s meeting. Deane Nason seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. 9. VIOLATIONS: None. 10. ADJOURNMENT: Peter Chalecki made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 PM. Douglas Lee seconded. All voted in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Katherine Rose - Recording Secretary