Inland Wetlands Watercourse Agency

The West Haven Inland Wetlands Agency held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in the Harriet North Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 355 Main Street, West Haven, CT at 6:30 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGANCE PRESENT: Commissioners Kane, Perrone, Beecher, Carr, Gilbane, Assistant City Engineer Pidluski, ZEO/Property Enforcement Officer Bernardo and Corporation Counsel Amendola. Absent was Commissioner Saldibar. MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING: Commissioner Perrone made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of February 17, 2015, seconded by Commissioner Beecher and passed. Continued: 1. 261 Saw Mill Road: Application to allow rock and soil that was removed within 100 ft of a watercourse without seeking proper approvals from the Inland Wetland Agency. Applicant: Rafiq Hameed, Owner: Al Hafeez Real Estate, LLC; File IW # 15-017. Charles Georgi stated this was continued from last month’s meeting. Commissioner Kane stated there were no permits for the work that was conducted and it is in violation of the wetland regulations. Assistant City Engineer Pidluski stated a water quality separator needs to be installed. The surface water from Pizza Hut cannot be drained through this property. He cannot make an analysis on the extra stormwater due to lack of information. Underground storage may be needed. He asks the owner to call him and they can discuss these issues. Commissioner Beecher made a motion to continue File #IW 15-017, seconded by Commissioner Gilbane and seconded. 2. 184 Front Avenue: Application to allow the demolition of two (2) existing buildings to allow construction of a new office building with associated parking and storm water management system. Applicant: APT Foundation, Owner: Kelly Realty and Development, LLC File IW #15-018. Dan Criscuolo stated the plans have been modified from results and discussions after the field walk was conducted. Mr. Criscuolo explained the types of landscaping that has been added Assistant City Engineer Pidluski stated they meet are water quality, removal of invasive species and they have met all their recommendations. There is a proposed retaining wall that will be between 4 and 6 feet. The plans will be modified after the flood plain management is approved. Renee Bailey and Roxanne Meeker, stated their parents resided at 252 Front Ave., concerned about their parents safety and traffic. She questions why they have not been contacted and the first they heard about it was in the paper on Sunday. 1 Joe Capobianco, 81 Alling St. Ext., concerned about contamination of the soil. He work for Kelly and wants to know the exposure and how much is there. He would like this commission to see the tests that were done to determine how much contamination especially where the building is being demolished and built. Applicant stated there has been recent borings to identify any type of contamination. It has been determined that it is not unsafe and manageable according to regulations. Assistant City Engineer Pidluski stated there is a licensed environmental specialist reviewing and it has to meet all DEEP regulations and permits. David Riccio, Councilmen at Large, is concerned about no information being presented regarding any soil contamination. He feels more information needs to be presented before this is approved. Commissioner Kane stated this commission can place restrictions on this application if approved. The Planning and Zoning Commission will be the approving commission for the grading and filling permit. Tom Bailey, would like to see where the borings were made in connection with the new building location. Commissioner Kane made a motion to approve with the following conditions File #IW-15=018 1. Supply detailed information requested such as type of bore holes, contaminate and based on scope and size of buildings and how deep the contamination by two weeks to staff Commissioner Perrone seconded the application and File #IW 15-018 passed. NEW 1. 32 Hoffman St.: Application to allow the removal of a shed and debris from the wetlands (160 S.F.). Applicant/Owner: University of New Haven, c/o Joseph P. Williams, Esq., Shipman & Goodwin LLP; File IW. City Planner Librandi stated applicant has contacted him and would like to continue it since a site visit needs to be schedule. Commissioner Gilbane made a motion to accept the application, seconded by Commissioner Perrone and passed. Site visit scheduled for Friday, March 27th at 10:30 a.m. 2. 519 Orange Avenue: Application to construct a parking lot to accommodate two-hundred twelve (212) parking spaces within 100 ft. of an upland review area; Applicant/Owner: University of New Haven, c/o Joseph P. Williams, Esq., Shipman & Goodwin LLP; File IW #15-020. 2 Commissioner Gilbane made a motion to accept the application, seconded by Commissioner Perrone and passed. Site visit scheduled for Friday, March 27th at 10:30 a.m. STAFF REPORTS: An anonymous complaint was received for 61 Platt. Commissioner Kane showed an aerial view of the wall and stated he feels this is not a valid complaint since it is out of the 100 ft. jurisdiction of the wetland. Commissioners discussed the high school proposed application and whether there are wetlands on the property. If need be, commission may need to hire an independent soil scientist. Spring St. – Attorney Amendola stated a meeting was held with the operator and was informed that the pile of 66 ft. is not permitted. Commissioner Kane stated this property owner is in violation of the wetlands regulations and the owner is not complying. Attorney Amendola suggests a site walk with DEEP and Assistant City Engineer Pidluski to determine where the wetlands are. Marginal Drive – They was no activity from New Haven did not put any snow on Marginal Drive this year. ADJOURNMENT: 7:50 p.m. Commissioner Gilbane made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Beecher and passed. 3