Inland Wetlands Commission

CITY OF TORRINGTON INLAND WETLANDS COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES July 25, 2023 Present: Jay Bate, Jr., Chair Christine Altman, Vice Chair Joe Paganini, Member Adrienne Barbe, Member Randall Stelma, Member Also Present: Nate Nardi-Cyrus, Assistant City Planner and Inland Wetlands Agent 1. Call To Order: Chair Jay Bate Jr. called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; Room 215, City Hall, 140 Main Street, Torrington, CT, or remote meeting via Microsoft teams meeting. 2. Roll Call and Announcement: Chair Bate announced present and serving on the Commission this evening are Commissioners Christine Altman, Joe Paganini, Adrienne Barbe, Randall Stelma and Jay Bate. Also present is Nate Nardi-Cyrus, Assistant City Planner and Inland Wetlands Agent. (portions inaudible) 3. Minutes for Approval: a. June 20, 2023 Motion by Chistine Altman to approve the June 20, 2023 minutes, seconded by Joe Paganini, unanimously carried. 4. Old Business: None 5. New Business: a. Applicant: Mike Perugini Location: 811 Torringford Street (Assessor Map 144 Block 002 Lot 002) Activity: Construction of house within upland regulated area 6. Show Cause Hearing: a. Property Owner: Berat and Festim Arjo Location: 207 Silver Brook Lane (Assessor Map 219/001/197) Violation: Grading and filling mapped wetlands within the URA Neither of the property owner/applicants on tonight’s agenda were present (or joined remotely) per Mr. Nardi-Cyrus. Move ahead to Staff report. 7. Staff Report: a. Enforcement Report – update Mr. Nardi-Cyrus updated the Commission on the on-going 137 Babbling Brook issue. The wetlands consultant has been non-responsive for an extended period of time. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus did get in touch with the consultant, who had promised something by this meeting and that did not happen. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus ask the Commission how long he should pursue this violation before further action, as it is now going on one year. It was the consensus of the Commission to give the property owner until the next meeting to come forward with an application and additional information. 3335 Winsted Road, Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reviewed the violation in the upland review area, operating in an area with no permits. There had been a site walk in the long ago past with Commission members. Mr. Bate reviewed past history and actions with the owner Nickerson at that time. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reviewed he made a recent site inspection, and the property owner has expanded the activity site to an acre and a half of wetlands. There is a large stockpile of material in the wetlands. A Special Exception and Site Plan approval will also need to be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus stated this is a large violation, and there are zoning issues involved as well, and zoning enforcement can also be used to address this matter. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus reviewed issues on the Felicity Lane site. The engineer is Kenneth Hrica. Return to regular New Business and Show Cause Hearing items at this point. 5. New Business: a. Applicant: Mike Perugini Location: 811 Torringford Street (Assessor Map 144 Block 002 Lot 002) Activity: Construction of house within upland regulated area Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission Special Meeting Minutes – July 25, 2023 Page 2 of 4  Mr. Nardi-Cyrus provided background history on this site and the previous Inland Wetlands Permit that was issued in 2005. The approval was obtained the site plan that was present now in front of the Commissioners, with a slab foundation on a hill. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus’ predecessor noted much erosion on site and failure of the soil and erosion control measures. Photos were reviewed by the Commission. The property never came into compliance and the permit was revoked in 2006. There has been no activity on the site since 2006. The same applicant Mike Perugini has submitted a new application, identical to what was approved in 2005. Comments received from Paul Kundzins, City Engineer were read by Mr. Nardi-Cyrus. A new engineer/survey is needed, as the previous surveyor has retired. Commission members reviewed the site maps and noted wetlands on the property. MOTION by Ms. Altman to accept the application from: Applicant: Mike Perugini Location: 811 Torringford Street (Assessor Map 144 Block 002 Lot 002) Activity: Construction of house within upland regulated area and that this is not a significant activity requiring a public hearing, motion seconded by Ms. Barbe, unanimously carried. 6. Show Cause Hearing: a. Property Owner: Berat and Festim Arjo Location: 207 Silver Brook Lane (Assessor Map 219/001/197) Violation: Grading and filling mapped wetlands within the URA The owner was not present at the meeting, or remotely via zoom. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus provided site history, when stemmed from an enforcement action by Mr. Nardi-Cyrus’ predecessor, including a Cease and Desist Order. Ultimately the landowners received an agent permit to conduct clearing and grading entirely within the regulated area. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus observed the site recently and new stock piles are visible, with encroachment into mapped wetlands. A notice was sent to the property owners on May 4, 2023. Another notice was sent, and there has been no response, and a Cease and Desist Order was sent. Mr. Nardi-Cyrus recommended referring this matter to Corporation Counsel, as the owners have been non-responsive. The after-the-fact application fee is $725.00. ***** (Applicant Mike Perugini from previous application arrived at this time.) Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission Special Meeting Minutes – July 25, 2023 Page 3 of 4  Ms. Altman recommended revoking the permit, even though it is set to expire at the end of the month. Photos and maps were reviewed by the Commission. MOTON by Ms. Altman to revoke the existing Inland Wetlands Agent Determination permit and refer the matter to Corporation Counsel for further action, seconded by Ms. Barbe, unanimously carried. *****Mr. Nardi-Cyrus told Mr. Perugini he would review his application after the meeting. b. Agent Determinations:  341 Westside Road – home additions in URA  1021 Highland Ave – Septic upgrade in URA Inland Wetlands Agent Determinations were reviewed by Mr. Nardi-Cyrus. 8. Adjournment: MOTION by Ms. Altman to adjourn at 7:40 p.m, seconded by Mr. Paganini, unanimously carried. ______________________ Land Use Office Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission Special Meeting Minutes – July 25, 2023 Page 4 of 4