Conservation Commission/ Inland Wetlands
And Watercourses Agency Minutes
Regular Meeting- Tuesday May 1, 2007
Simsbury Town Offices- 7:30PM- Main Meeting Room
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 7:30pm at the Simsbury Town Offices in the Main Meeting Room The following Commissioners were present: Commissioner Zackeo, Commissioner Winters, Commissioner Yocom, Commissioner Cunningham, Commissioner Bucknam, and Commissioner Sexton. Also present was Conservation Officer Beach .
APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
None
PUBLIC HEARING(s), DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
Application of John D. Ritson, Manager R.C Connectors, LLC-Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit to construct a building and associated parking lot within the upland review are to a wetland on property located at 146 Hopmeadow Street.
Commissioner Bucknam recused himself from this application.
Mr. Ritson and Mr. David Whitney, Engineer, were present to discuss the application.
Mr. Whitney went over the facts of the project, noting on the drawings the locations of the 3-story 11, 000 square foot building, the 1/2-acre parking lot and the wetlands. Construction activity is to occur on 1/10 of the 1.3 acres of upland review area. He noted for the record that in 2001 a project was approved for the site with a smaller building footprint, but more impervious surface.
Mr. Whitney expressed that because the site is very flat, they are proposing to sheet flow water from the parking lot towards the wetlands, and explained how it is to work. He added that they will be submitting a revised drainage report to Mr. Sawitzke, Town Engineer. He stated that silt fencing and hay bales are to be used around the site during the construction process. They propose implementing a row of wetland plantings, the types of which at this point are undetermined. A landscaped berm is also proposed along the back.
Mr. Whitney stated that Mr. Henry Moeller is in the process of writing up a report regarding the wetlands.
Mr. Whitney stated that as part of the agreement, Mr. Ritson has agreed to install a debris collector at the location where the wetlands end and the intermittent watercourse begins.
Chairman Miller asked about mosquito control near the daycare’s playscape, and asked if the applicant is still committed to cleaning up the debris located near wetland area. Mr. Whitney answered that he would look into the mosquito issue. Mr. Ritson answered that he is committed to cleaning up the area in question.
Commissioner Yocom asked if the building is to be built on a slab. Mr. Ritson said that tests still need to be done.
Commissioner Winters asked about the swale and asked if there are opportunities for raingarden infiltration in the parking lot. Mr. Whitney explained that they do not have a detailed drawing of the swale, but that it will be 5 feet wide. As for infiltration, he stated that there is a possibility to realize this.
Commissioner Sexton expressed concern about possible lawn treatments to be used. Mr. Ritson stated that he is amenable to any suggestions from the Commission. It was suggested the planting native plants and grasses right up to the building would be good idea.
Commissioner Winters asked if a detailed planting plan could be had for the next meeting. Mr Whitney answered yes.
Chairman Miller asked for comments from the public.
Robert Hafner, 126 Hopmeadow Street, President Talcott Acres Condominium Association.
Mr. Hafner commended Mr. Whitney’s plan for the swale. He stated that there are many animals to be found on the site and also noted that there is a large problem with mosquitoes. He reported that there was an agreement with the previous developer that the vernal pools would be protected. Mr. Beach clarified for the record that the permit previously approved for the site has expired and with it the agreement to protect the vernal pools. He noted however that the details of the past permit agreement will be researched.
Anita Kershner, Northgate, owner of a condo at Talcott Acres
Ms. Kershner expressed her concern with the catch basin and the maintaining of it, the traffic, and the noise.
Ms. Kershner also asked why another daycare is needed when there is a daycare located about 100 feet away. Chairman Miller said that the traffic issue is outside the scope of the Commission’s purview, but the water issue would have to be looked into. Mr. Beach said the DEP would need to look into the traffic issue.
Susan Andrus-Wilson, 109 Hopmeadow Street
Ms. Enders asked about the impervious surface and the infiltration of the water. Mr. Whitney said that percolation tests would be done to explore the possibilities of the ideas discussed. Mr. Beach said that the DEP does not want water infiltrating from parking areas into the lawn because of possible oil spills and sand build up. The preferred method is to use a normal asphalt surface and treat the water with something that removes material and then use a system to clean the water. Mr. Whitney expressed that 90% of the storms each year are under1 inch of rainfall, and the first flush is the dirtiest.
Mr. Beach said the town also wants to see water quality calculations.
Pat Carbone, 1B Talcott Acres Condominiums
Ms. Carbone said that the mosquito situation at the site is terrible.
Judy Rabinowitz, 126 Hopmeadow Street.
Ms. Rabinowitz asked Mr. Whitney where the wall is to be located. Mr. Whitney explained that there will be some vegetative plantings and also some type of fencing/barrier so that landscapers will not mow into the wetlands. The fencing is not yet shown on the drawings. Along the play area there will be fencing.
Ms. Rabinowitz stated that the first plan for the site would have helped with the noise. Mr. Ritson said that the first plan was not built because a tenant was never found, also the new plan is for a mixed-use development. He expressed that his plan keeps light out of the condo area, and added that the children are outside a short time.
Mr. Beach expressed that it is under the purview of the Planning Commission to approve the site layout, and if they require that the applicant redesign the site plan, the applicant must come back before the Conservation Commission. Also, by law the Wetlands Commission must approve it before the Planning Commission hears it.
Ms. Rabinowitz asked, if from a wetlands standpoint, would it be more or less problematic to reverse the location of the building and the playground. Mr. Ritson stated that it would not work as well. Chairman Miller stated that if the building and playground were to be flipped, there would be more excavation and activity closer to the wetlands.
Commissioner Yocom motioned extend the public hearing to the next meeting scheduled for May 15, 2007.
Commissioner Winters seconded with all in favor.
PRESENTATION(s)
Application of Steven Stang, Owner, for an Inland Wetlands Permit for flood protection on property located at 2 Tunxis Road.
Mr. Steven Stang, owner of the Mill at Tariffville, was present to discuss the application.
Mr. Stang stated that the building has sustained some damage due to flooding of the basement and asked the Commission to approve a permit to implement protection from this. He showed on the drawing where the basement will be sealed off and how he plans to go about this project. It was noted that the work can be done without a lot of problems with material flowing into the river. The work will take approximately 2 weeks.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that this is a regulated activity by reason of construction within the upland review area of a watercourse.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam that even though the activity is close to a sensitive and highly protected watercourse, this is not a significant activity. There is significant existing protection in terms of the head wall, and given that the first phase involves the capping of the drainpipe, there is a low likelihood that sedimentation will enter into the river.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Bucknam to grant the permit with the understanding that the applicant will abide by the stipulations set forth in the staff report, the storm pipe will be capped as a first step, and that the activity will be done quickly before there are any more significant storms.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Winters, and carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES of April 12, 2007
Commissioner Yococm motioned to approve the minutes of April 12, 2007.
Commissioner Bucknam seconded with all in favor.
STAFF REPORT(s)
None
DISCUSSION
Riverside Road.
Mr. Beach said he received a letter from the dock company regarding the removal of the pilings.
Also discussed was the fact that the applicant put in a new foundation, which wasn’t approved.
Mr. Beach said he would bring up the issue of the pilings at the next meeting when Commissioner Mihalic is present.
CORRESPONDENCE/ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Winters made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55pm
Commissioner Bucknam seconded with all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________________
Commissioner Ryan Mihalic, Secretary
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