These minutes are for information purposes only. For official minutes please contact the Town Clerk's office.

JUNE 20, 2000

REGULAR MEETING

I. CALL TO ORDER

Howard Beach, Jr., Chairman, called the Regular Meeting of the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency to order at 7:39 P. M. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Andrew Bucknam, Pierce Clayberger, William Nowak, Thomas Sharpless, Helene Wade and Margery Winters. Also present were Laurie Whitten, Conservation Officer, Lisa Arakelian, Commission Secretary, and other interested parties.

II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairman Beach appointed Commissioner Bucknam to serve for Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Winters to serve for Commissioner Yocum.

III. PUBLIC HEARING - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE (continued from 6/6/00)

A. Application of the Ethel Walker School requesting a map amendment and a permit to conduct regulated activities associated with the development of a subdivision, inclusive of construction of a driveway within wetlands area, at property located between Sand Hill Road and Deer Park Road

The commission noted that the map amendment had been approved at the meeting on June 6, 2000.

Bruce Hoban, Planning Consultant, thanked the commission for attending the site walk immediately preceding the meeting. Hoban also stated that he and the applicants have considered any and all feasible and prudent alternatives and feel that the plan presented is the best use of the property.

Ed Lally, engineer, suggested that the driveway on Lot 5 could be positioned equidistant between the two wetland areas, and that that could be made a condition of approval. He also suggested that a 27" x 43" pipe could be used at the wetland crossing that would not constrict the flow of the brook.

Commissioner Bucknam asked if Lot 2 could be relocated to the open space in the southeast corner of the site. Mr. Hoban replied that the Planning Commission and Planning Department are not in favor of breaking up the open space.

Commissioner Bucknam asked if Lot 2 could be accessed from the school to avoid a wetlands crossing. Mr. Lally explained that the lot will not be owned by the school and, though it will be owned by the headmistress, access from the school would inhibit resale of the property at the time of her departure from her faculty position.

Commissioner Winters suggested that the headmistress's home could be built on Lot 1. Mr. Lally replied that the space and requirements needed by the headmistress would not fit on Lot 1.

Commissioner Nowak asked for clarification as to why Lot 2 could not be relocated to the open space area in the southeastern section of the property. Mr. Lally explained that the Planning Commission and Planning Department prefers to leave it "as is", and also, because of the topography in the area, the site is considered unbuildable.

Commissioner Sharpless noted that the commission has granted driveway crossings over wetlands numerous times in the past.

Mr. Hoban explained the reasons that the wetland crossing at Lot 2 is not significant, according to the parameters for "significance" listed in the town's regulations: 1) the activity will not cause a decrease in the minimum low flow of a watercourse during a period of drought; 2) the activity will not cause a substantial siltation, sedimentation, or turgidity in the stream; 3) the activity will not reduce the inland wetlands capacity for natural flood storage; 4) the activity will not cause actual or potential pollution to the watercourse; 5) the activity will not cause a reduction of the natural capacity of the inland wetlands or watercourse to support desirable biological life; 6) the activity will not cause a loss of unique areas or undisturbed areas valuable for scientific or educational purposes; and 7) the activity will not cause degradation of a watercourse or the surface and/or groundwater in the inland wetland area.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sharpless that this is a regulated activity by reason of construction within a regulated area. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Clayberger and carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sharpless that this is a significant activity by reason of having a potential for causing siltation and runoff to streams and wetlands. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Clayberger and carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Commissioner Sharpless to grant the permit with the following conditions: 1) that the driveway on Lot 5 be placed equidistant from the neighboring wetlands; 2) that a 27" x 43" arched culvert be used for the crossing on Lot 2; 3) that the driveway on Lot 2 be moved slightly west so that it crosses the watercourse at its narrowest point; 4) that the crossing be made the high point of the road so that the water sheds in both directions away from the wetlands; 5) that the recommendations of the Conservation Officer in her memorandum dated June 1, 2000 be incorporated into the plan; and 6) that the final detailed plans be approved by the Conservation Officer. The reasons for approval are that there appears to be no long-term adverse affects to wetlands and this appears to be the most feasible and prudent alternative. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Clayberger and carried unanimously.

IV. PRESENTATIONS - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE

A. Application of Casimer W. and Helen J. Nowobilski, owners, requesting a permit to conduct regulated activities associated with the installation of a pool and placement of fill within the 75-foot regulated area at 19 Hunting Ridge Drive.

Ms. Whitten informed the commission that the applicants sent a letter requesting postponement of their presentation until the next regularly scheduled meeting.

A motion was made by Commissioner Clayberger to table the application for 19 Hunting Ridge Drive until the July 18, 2000 meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bucknam and unanimously carried.

B. Application of Joanne Alfieri and Eric Wolfe, owners, requesting a permit to conduct regulated activities associated with the construction of a pool and deck within the 75-foot regulated area at 349 Firetown Road

Joanne Alfieri, owner, explained that she and her husband have recently purchased the home at 349 Firetown Road and they wish to construct an above-ground pool and deck on an open, flat grassed area within the 75-foot regulated area of wetlands. The deck would extend from their current deck and surround the pool at pool rim level. The only disturbance in the area will be removal of lawn and placement of a sand base for the pool, and footings for the deck. All activities would take place at least 40 feet from the wetlands.

Commissioner Nowak asked if the land slopes toward the wetlands. Eric Wolfe, owner, replied that it does slope slightly toward the wetlands. Commissioner Nowak expressed his concern that, if the side of the pool was punctured or torn, chlorinated water would drain into the wetlands

A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that this is a regulated activity because of activity taking place within the 75-foot buffer zone of a wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Clayberger and carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that this is not a significant activity because of the small amount of excavation of just the top soil planned to take place, and very little chance of erosion into the wetlands. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sharpless and carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to grant the permit with the conditions that: 1) good pool management practices be followed near the wetland, including the discharge of chlorinated water, if necessary, away from the wetland; and 2) if any stockpiling of sand or soil is required, it be placed away from the regulated area and that hay bales be used to contain it. The reasons for approval are that there doesn't appear to be any long-term adverse effect on the wetland because the activity is far enough away from the wetland, there is no steep slope to the wetland, and there is minimal excavation and earth movement planned. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Clayberger and carried unanimously.

V. PENDING APPLICATIONS

A. Revised application of River Bend Associates, Inc. and Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. for permit to conduct regulated activities in connection with "Meadowood" planned residential development, County Road, Hoskins Road, Holcomb Street, Firetown Road, and Barn Door Hills Road

VI. MINUTES

A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to approve the minutes of June 6, 2000. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sharpless and carried unanimously.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 P. M. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Sharpless and carried unanimously.