Inland Wetlands Watercourse Agency

-CITY OF WEST HAVEN, CONNECTICUT Inland Wetlands Agency City Hall | 355 Main Street | First Floor West Haven, Connecticut 06516-0312 Phone 203.937.3580 Fax 203.937.3742 MEETING MINUTES OF INLAND WETLAND AGENCY MARCH 21, 2023 The West Haven Inland Wetlands Agency held a Public Meeting on Tuesday March 21, 2023, at West Haven City Hall, 355 Main Street, West Haven, CT. In the Harriett North Room 2nd floor at 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Commissioners Kane, Perrone, Beecher, Carr, Braithwaite and Assistant Planner Conniff. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Braithwaite made a motion to approve the meeting minutes of February 21, 2023, seconded by Commissioner Perrone and passed. PUBLIC HEARING: 369 Washington Avenue: The project involves the demolition of the existing building and construct of a new elementary school. The proposed project will include work not limited to earthwork, paving, installation of drainage piping, and demolition. It is anticipated that 0.03 acres of the upland review area will be disturbed by removal of the existing pavement, grading and installation of new lawn areas. A vegetative swale will be implemented east of the proposed building to convey stormwater south toward the new outfall. Under section 7 & 9 of the City of West Haven Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations. Owner City of West Haven/ Applicant City of West Haven Board of Education File # 015-23-IW Lisa Gates, architect, Phil Katz, civil engineer and Ken Carney, Chair, Building Committee gave a presentation showing slides. The slides showed the site and the FEMA flood zone. The grassy toward the bottom is where the AE zone is. There are some wetlands with the AE zone. This is a neighborhood school and is 61,000 sq. ft. and there are several issues therefore the school will be replaced and be placed further to the north. This is being done so the first-floor level will be above the 500-year flood. The parking will be installed back there so paving can be removed from the inland wetland upland area. There will be about 20 more parking spaces. The new drainage plan will reduce flows, volume and making the water cleaner. Mr. Katz explained the site plan showing the existing building and where the new building will be built. He also pointed out the wetland area and the regulated area and the parking area. The drainage system will consist of two subsurface storm units, hydro separators and all drainage will be contained on site. Peak flows and volumes will also be reduced. All plantings will be replaced and new trees will be planted. Three calls were made to speak in favor and three calls were made to speak in opposition to this application. Thomas Sciarpappa, 327 Washington Ave., questions the amount of paving existing and future. Percentage goes from 49% to 56%. Henry Manoni, 362 Washington Ave., asked about which trees will be saved and questions about any interruptions to his service. 1 Jeff Ukelja, 334 Peck Ave., concerned about water issues. Commissioner Kane will speak in the city engineer regarding the water issues. Commissioner Beecher made a motion to close the public hearing, seconded by Commissioner Perrone and passed. Deliberation 369 Washington Avenue File # 015-23I W Commissioner Perrone made a motion to approve File #015-23 IW, seconded by Commissioner Beecher and passed. Staff Reports: Commissioner Beecher made a motion to accept 15 Linden St. and Fresh Meadow Ave applications for next month, seconded by Commissioner Perrone and passed. Other Business: Training required for commissioners by the state. Look online on the DEP website for the classes. Adjournment: 7:05 p.m. Commissioner Perrone made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Braithwaite and passed. 2