Simsbury, CT - Conservation Commission

Chairman Howard Beach, Jr. called the Regular Meeting of the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency to order at 7:33 P. M. in the Main Meeting Room at Simsbury Town Hall. The following members were present: William Nowak, Chris Orsini, Margery Winters, and John Yocom. Also present were Laurie Whitten, Conservation Officer, Lisa Arakelian, Commission Secretary, and other interested parties.

A. Application of Mark B. Tracy, Owner, requesting an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct a driveway within the regulated buffer area on property located at 34 Old Farms Road (continued from April 20, 2004 meeting).

Mark Kement, Engineer, presented his revised plan for the proposed driveway. The only change to the plan is that he is now proposing a 15-inch culvert under the driveway. Mr. Kement also stated that he dug into the area in question and determined that the soil is suitable to support a driveway.

Alexander Kopper, 6 Watson Drive, distributed a letter to the commission and spoke in opposition to the application, stating that significant amounts of water flow onto the Tracy property and into the pond adjacent to the driveway area. Mr. Kopper also requested that an environmental impact study be done on the property. The commissioners replied that it would be Mr. Kopper’s responsibility to have an environmental impact study performed, if he desired it.

A motion was made by Commissioner Nowak that this is a regulated activity because material will be removed, altered and constructed on in the upland review area immediately adjacent to a wetland. Seconded by Commissioner Orsini, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Nowak that this is a significant activity because of the close proximity to a wetland and the fact that all of the construction is proposed to be done in the upland review area. Seconded by Commissioner Winters, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Nowak to grant the permit for the proposed activity, as depicted on the Driveway Detail Plan, dated May 1, 2004, on the condition that the applicant

A. Application of Cheryl L. Frechette, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit for placement of a storage shed within the regulated area on property located at 2 School House Lane

Donald Frechette explained that he has submitted an application requesting a permit to place a 10' x 14' shed approximately 50 feet from wetlands. After he submitted the application, he decided that he would rather have a 12' x 16' shed, if the commission will permit it. He further stated that no trees will be removed, and that there is a stone wall separating the area where the shed will be placed from the wetlands.

A motion was made by Commissioner Yocom that this is a regulated activity because it involves the movement of soil in a regulated area. Seconded by Commissioner Nowak, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Yocom that this is not a significant activity as only a small amount of soil will be removed and it will be redistributed on the property. Seconded by Commissioner Nowak, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Yocom to grant a permit for the placement of a 12' x 16' (maximum) shed, on the condition that any soil that is redistributed on the property be seeded to reduce sedimentation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and unanimously carried.

B. Application of Mark Pierson, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit for placement of a storage building within the regulated area on property located at 50 Canal Street

Mark Pierson explained that he is requesting a permit to place a 12' x 20' shed, requiring the placement of 12 cement footings, approximately 50 feet from a stream. He is proposing to use silt fencing between the stream and the area to be graded.

A motion was made by Commissioner Nowak that this is a regulated activity due to the proposed disturbance of soil in the upland review area of a wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Nowak that this is not a significant activity, as only a minor soil disturbance is proposed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Nowak to grant the permit, as the activity involves only minor soil disturbance and will have little or no impact on the wetland. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.

C. Application of Kama Giedra, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct a two-car detached garage within the regulated area on property located at 1 School House Lane.

Kama Giedra explained that she is seeking a permit to demolish and remove an existing shed and replace it with a two-car garage, approximately 45 feet from the boundary of a wetland. She further explained that there is a stone wall separating the shed from the wetland, and she is proposing to use silt fencing downgradient of the construction area.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters that this is a regulated activity as it is proposed to occur in the upland review area. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nowak, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters that this is not a significant activity as it involves minimal soil disturbance and, with best management practices, sedimentation will not be a problem. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nowak, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters to grant the permit. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nowak, and unanimously carried.

D. Application of John Warhola, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct an expanded basement entry and additional porch roof within the regulated area on property located at 180 Great Pond Road

John Warhola explained that he is proposing to dig three holes for sona tubes, one for an expanded basement entry, and two for a proposed new addition roof and covered porch.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters that this is a regulated activity as it is proposed to occur in the upland review area. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters that this is not a significant activity as it involves minimal soil disturbance. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Orsini, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Winters to grant the permit. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.

A motion was made by Commissioner Nowak to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2004 meeting, as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Yocom, and unanimously carried.