Inland Wetlands Watercourse Agency

MEETING MINUTES OF INLAND WETLAND AGENCY AUGUST 17, 2021 The West Haven Inland Wetlands Agency held a Regular Meeting on Tuesday August 17, 2021, at West Haven City Hall, 355 Main St West Haven, CT Harriett North Room 2nd floor at 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioners Kane, Gilbane, Beecher, Perrone, Carr, Assistant City Planner Conniff, ZEO Steven Hotchkiss and Director of Planning and Zoning Soto PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Kane made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of July 20, 2021, seconded by Commissioner Gilbane and passed. Continuation: Public hearing closed Commissioner Kane stated there will be no public comment tonight and just staff comments will be heard. He read into the record a meeting to be held with Public Works and Inland Wetland Agency to discuss the flooding issues and public comment can be heard at that time. Meeting will be held on September 21, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. 27/322 (291 Campbell Avenue); 35/473 (313 Campbell Ave); 35/472 (315 Campbell Avenue); 35/450 (288 Washington Avenue) The regulated activity associated with this application is construction, earth moving and filling within 200’ of the existing watercourse located in the southeast corner of the 288 Washington Avenue property. The construction project includes the demolition of the existing buildings at 291 and 313 Campbell Ave and removal of any existing groundcover to accommodate the construction of two mixed-use residential buildings with associated site, parking, drainage and utility work under section 7 & 9 of the City of West Haven Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations. Owner Shmuel Aizenberg Applicant Shmuel Aizenberg, GLI Holdings, LLC File # 013-21 IW Commissioner Kane read into the record the questions that were presented to City Engineer Quadhir for his responses including the city storm system capability, requiring the 245 Washington Avenue owners to clean the pipe, requiring owners to clean stream that is filled with debris and dead foliage, adding an additional of 36” parallel with the 24”, city to clean Third Avenue pipe, grates, and will the city do a feasibility study. Ms. Conniff read the city engineer’s answers into the record which pertain to each question read by Commissioner Kane. (See memo dated August 17, 2021 from Abdul Quadhir) Deliberations on Public Hearing Item File # 013-21 IW Commissioner Carr suggested the applicant increase the size of the underground tanks. Commissioner Gilbane stated that issue should be discussed at the September meeting and the commission should act on the application as it is tonight. Commissioner Kane stated the applicant is cooperating with the city engineering department and any additional items that are needed can be discussed at the September meeting. Commissioner Carr stated he feels he should deny this application because he is uncomfortable that a resident has brought his own engineer tonight and the commission is not able to hear that information tonight. Commissioner Gilbane made a motion to approve File #013-21 with the following conditions that (1) applicant address with engineering additional maintenance and piping; (2) city engineer to review any new information that is presented and be made part of the record, and to increase the capacity of the R tanks, and (3) to incude City Engineer Abdul Quadhir responses in a memorandum dated August 17, 2021, seconded by Commissioner Beecher and passed 2-Y, 1-Abstain (Gilbane, Beecher – Y; Perrone-Abstain). Commissioner Carr not able to vote because he was not in attendance at the prior meeting. Public Hearing: 350 Frontage Road: The application includes the proposed construction of a two-story ±10,200 square foot standalone building addition within the existing rear parking lot of the property and expansion of the front parking lot. Landscaping, Stormwater Drainage, Lighting, Utility, and associated site improvements are also proposed. Owner/Applicant: MacDermidAlpha; File #015-21 IW Rich Park, project manager, MacDermidAlpha, stated this location has been chosen to expand its operations. This will be a 10,200 sq. ft. addition and will be on the existing impervious surface. Katie Gagnon, Langan Engineering, stated the site is located on the south side of Frontage Road. There are three wetlands that surround the property. The storm water discharges to the wetlands and there is no change in drainage towards wetlands 2 and 3. All the new paved areas discharge toward Frontage Rd. Three calls were made to speak in favor and three calls were made to speak in opposition to this file. Commissioner Gilbane made a motion to close the public hearing on File #015-21 IW, seconded by Commissioner Beecher and passed. Deliberations on Public Hearing Item File # 015-21 IW Commissioner Perrone made a motion to approve File #015-21 IW, seconded by Commissioner Beecher and passed. Staff Reports – No future applications Other Business - none Adjournment: 7:35 P.M. Commissioner Gilbane made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Carr and passed.