Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 04/16/2019
CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLANDS
AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING – TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2019 – 7:30 p.m.
SIMSBURY TOWN OFFICES – MAIN MEETING ROOM
933 HOPMEADOW STREET, SIMSBURY, CONNECTICUT
I. CALL TO ORDER-The meeting was called to order by Chair Winters at 7:30pm.
II. ROLL CALL
1. Appointment of Alternates-NONE
Present: Margery Winters, Jason Levy, Kevin McCusker, Donald Rieger, Donald Eaton
Absent: James Morrison, Charles Haldeman, Grant Gritzmacher
Staff Present: Robin Newton, Assistant Town Planner
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. None
IV. OLD BUSINESS
1. Applications:
a. Application #19-01 of Missy DiNunno, Applicant; Town of Simsbury, Owner; for a regulated activity in the upland review area on the property located at 22 Iron Horse Boulevard (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 226, Lot 003A). Zones SC-3 and SC-4.
Missy DiNunno, Executive Director of Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, and Mark Deming, project manager, were present to discuss a proposal to have a roof structure built and attached to the east side of the Simsbury Performing Arts Center barn. The structure would be 36’ wide and 18’ deep, and would be used to store event chairs.
Ms. DiNunno stated that for aesthetic reasons, she would like to have the roof structure built on the back of the barn (east) which is closest to the wetland area.
Margery Winters asked how far away the construction would be to the wetland area. Robin Newton stated that the northeastern part of the existing barn is approximately 24’ feet from the water that is located in the wetland area. Any additional construction built on the eastern part of the barn would be too close to the wetland area.
Ms. Winters suggested building the roof structure in the front of the barn and placing vegetative screening or a curtain in front of the event chairs for aesthetic purposes. Ms. Winters and Commissioner Rieger also suggested planting native plants in the area closest to the wetlands in order to preserve its integrity.
Missy DiNunno stated that she would agree to placing the new structure in the front of the existing building in order to get the project approved.
MOTION: Commissioner Rieger made a motion stating that this project is a regulated activity as it involves construction within the upland review area.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Levy.
The motion passed unanimously at 7:50pm.
Commissioner Rieger made a motion that the project is not a significant activity as it does not create any significant soil disturbance.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Levy.
The motion pass unanimously at 7:50pm.
Commissioner Rieger made a motion to grant the permit with the stipulation that the location be changed so that the roof structure is built on the western side of the existing barn and that the roof structure is not built within 20 feet of the wetland area.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Levy.
The motion passed unanimously at 7:51pm.
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Receipt of New Applications
a. Application #19-02 of Thomas Tyburski, Director of Simsbury Culture, Parks & Recreation, Applicant; Town of Simsbury, Owner; for regulated activity associated with the 5-year maintenance plan for the dirt parking area on the property located at 22 Iron Horse Boulevard (Assessor’s Map H09, Block 226, Lot 003A). Zones SC-3 and SC-4.
Robin Newton asked the commission to take a look at a maintenance plan for the parking lot located at 22 Iron Horse Boulevard.
Commissioner Rieger and Margery Winters stated that they will move the plan forward to be Old Business for the next meeting’s agenda.
VI. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS
1. Approval of the Minutes of the March 19, 2019 regular meeting.
Line 52 should read Margery instead of Marjory.
Line 68 should state that Ms. Winters said it “should be evaluated if more damage would be done to the road”, instead of saying that “more damage may be done to the road”
Lines 81 and 82 should be deleted.
Line 87 should state that “Chair Winters suggested to use a gate year-round, “instead of “agreed to use a gate year-round.”
Line 121 should include the word “fertilizer”
2. Referral from Open Space Committee regarding Open Space Stewardship and Management
The Open Space Committee has interest in being assigned stewardship by the Board of Selectmen. The Board of Selectmen voted in favor to explore this request and refer it to the Conservation Commission.
Margery Winters stated that there is a difference between stewardship and the goals for the open space. Ms. Winters added that “it is not the rule of this commission (Conservation) to decide the goals of open space. This is something the town needs to decide.”
Ms. Winters also stated that because the goals are so nebulous, it would be difficult to come up with a stewardship plan.
Commissioner Rieger stated that there is no budget for the management of the open space. He asked, “what is the point of giving the stewardship to either body of volunteers if there is no executive function to carry out?”
Because of the lack of current goals, Ms. Winters suggested that the Conservation Commission is not at the point to make a recommendation. Ms. Winters stated that she would like to defer this decision to the next meeting.
Robin Newton stated that she would send a letter from the Conservation Commission to Maria Capriola, stating this is a premature request.
3. Staff reports regarding Fireworks Road Status
Robin Newton and staff reported that:
The Fireworks Road is only used on occasion.
The road has been established for 9 years with no negative impacts to the area.
The road was constructed in soils that are well-drained.
Staff recommends a mowing schedule on a 2-3-year basis.
If the road needs to be utilized, it could be mowed down to allow access.
Commissioner Rieger made a request to get another professional and independent opinion from the North Central Conservation District regarding Fireworks Road.
Ms. Newton stated that she would ask North Central Conservation District to take a look at the road to get verification of the staff judgements pertaining to Fireworks Road.
4. Correspondence
Robin Newton updated the commissioners on previous application status’. The commissioners stated that they appreciate the follow-up regarding staff actions that take place regarding conservation projects.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Commissioner McCusker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commission Levy seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40pm.