CONSERVATION COMMISSION
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY
JANUARY 20, 2004
REGULAR MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Howard Beach, Jr. called the Regular Meeting of the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency to order at 7:32 P. M. in the Amphitheater at Simsbury High School. The following members were present: Andrew Bucknam, Richard Miller, William Nowak, Margery Winters and John Yocom. Also present were Laurie Whitten, Conservation Officer, Lisa Arakelian, Commission Secretary, and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Chairman Beach appointed Andrew Bucknam to serve for Tom Sharpless.
III. PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE
A. Application of Andrew M. Yakemore, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to re-construct a building on property located at Simsmore Square, 540 Hopmeadow Street.
Terry Ann Hahn stated that she is appearing before the commission for informational purposes only, and that no activities associated with rebuilding a structure that had been destroyed by fire were to take place within the regulated area.
A motion was made by Commissioner Yocom that this is not a regulated activity.
IV. PUBLIC HEARING, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
A. Application of River Bend Associates, Inc., and Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. For an Inland Wetlands Permit to conduct regulated activities within the 75-foot regulated buffer area on property in connection with “Meadowood”, a planned residential development adjacent to County Road, Hoskins Road, Holcomb Street, Firetown Road, and Barn Door Hills Road.
Attorney Tim Hollister gave a brief history of the project which began in 1999. He further stated that the latest application has been somewhat scaled down in an effort to meet the demands of the town. The applicants have agreed with the Town Water Pollution Control Authority to move all the homes that are proposed to be on septic tanks out of the sewer service area. They have also attempted to eliminate all activities which were proposed to take place within regulated areas. Three regulated activities remain in the current application. Mr. Hollister also stated that the remedial pesticide testing has been completed and, in a report from Fuss and O’Neill, the site was found to be consistent with regulations.
Bill Richter presented a detailed site plan of construction. He stated that all the lots in areas A, B, and C of the plan have been converted from septic to sewer, and there are now only three activities proposed to take place within the regulated area. Regarding the first regulated activity, Mr. Richter stated that the applicant
Conservation Commission
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
1/21/04
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is proposing to construct a chain-link fence around Wetland 10, which was previously determined to exceed remediation standard regulations (RSRs), thereby preventing human access with the wetland, but still allowing movement by small animal species. An alternative would be to remove the soil in Wetland 10 (an area of approximately 8.5 acres) up to a depth of 18 inches. This would require the removal of 20,733 cubic yards of material, which would take approximately 10 days to truck off-site. This material would then be replaced with 20,643 cubic yards of fresh soil and intermittent watercourses would be re-established. It is estimated that stabilization of the area would take approximately 30 days. It was Mr. Richter’s opinion that this would produce a better wetland.
Chairman Beach asked Mr. Hollister to address the staff concerns regarding the detention basins and stormwater discharges in the memo dated January 16, 2004.
Mr. Hollister replied that, in the new proposal, the basins and discharges have been moved out of the regulated area.
Chairman Beach replied that, even though the discharges have been moved out of the regulated area, if the discharged waters will flow down gradient into regulated and wetlands areas, that is considered a regulated activity.
Kevin Miller detailed the soil testing process that was completed on the site. He stated that 578 samples were taken from 393 locations and were tested for 160 different contaminants. Mr. Miller further detailed the proposed removal and replacement of material in Wetland 10.
Chairman Beach asked Mr. Hollister if he had a current soil testing report to submit.
Mr. Hollister replied that the commission can refer to the soil testing report of 2000 in the file.
Chairman Beach expressed his opinion that sufficient information has not been provided by the applicant for the commission to be able to make a decision and that this is, therefore, an incomplete application.
Dave Ziaks, an engineer with F. A. Hesketh Associates, stated that he has analyzed the stormwater management system for 2-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-year storms, using the latest computer models. He also stated that all of the stormwater basin discharges have been located outside of the regulated area, with the exception of design point #9, known as “Regulated Activity #3". This proposes drainage improvements from the proposed drainage basin adjacent to wetlands #8. Improvements will include replacement of existing 30" pipe with 36" pipe, a catch basin and headwall, and abandonment of a cross culvert under Holcomb Street.
Mr. Ziaks also described the activity known as “Regulated Activity #2". This will involve the construction of 230 linear feet of sewer force main line and a pump station under Firetown Road, in the vicinity of wetlands #9.
Conservation Commission
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
1/20/04
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Ms. Whitten asked Mr. Ziaks if he knew what the runoff amount would be in the area shown as Area K following development versus its current runoff amount pre-development. Mr. Ziaks replied that he is not sure.
Chairman Beach stated again that it appears that there is not sufficient information to consider this application, and that the application is incomplete.
Tim Hollister asked that the applicant’s team be allowed to complete its presentation and many of the commission’s questions will be answered.
Eric Moss, Fuss & O’Neill, described his evaluation of the stormwater quality on the site. He suggested that a rain garden infiltration system be used. Following his analysis, Mr. Moss predicted a net reduction in pollutant loadings and he did not foresee any impact to the wetlands.
Ed Paul, Connecticut Ecosystems, informed the commission that he has conducted a total of 24 site inspections since 1999. His most recent inspection was in November 2003, when he found no changes from his original inspection in 1999. He further stated that he supports the removal and replacement of soil in wetland 10.
Chairman Beach opened the hearing to public comment.
Wayne Cobleigh, 8 Crestwood Road, presented a “Notice of Intervention and Request for Notice of Meetings”, dated January 20, 2004.
Dwight Marian, Robinson & Cole, verified that the notice is proper and can be accepted by the commission.
Chairman Beach granted Intervenor status to North Simsbury Coalition.
Joe Barnoff, 42 Windham Drive, expressed his belief that adjacent properties will experience problems with flooding as a result of this project.
Mark McPherson, 40 County Road, asked if anyone knew how long it had been since crops were grown on the property. The applicant did not know. Mr. McPherson also expressed his concern that no one can be sure of the amount of soil contamination since soil testing was last completed in 2000.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to continue the hearing on February 3, 2004. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Miller, and unanimously carried.
Conservation Commission
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency
Regular Meeting Minutes
1/20/04
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IV. RECEIPT OF NEW APPLICATIONS
A. 88-90 Hopmeadow Street
V. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to adjourn the meeting at 11:06 P. M.
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