Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 06/05/2018

Meeting date: 
Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Simsbury Conservation Commission

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 7:30PM

Simsbury Town Hall – Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

 

PRESENT:  Margery Winters, James Morrison, Jason Levy, and Alternate Charles Haldeman

 

ABSENT:  Jill Powilatis, Donald Rieger

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Assistant Town Planner Michael Glidden.

 

I.  CALL TO ORDER:

 

Chair Winters called the meeting to order at 7:30PM.

 

II. ROLL CALL:

1.            Appointment of Alternates.

 

Chair Winters appointed Mr. Haldeman for vacancy.

 

III. PUBLIC HEARING:

1.  None.

 

V.  OLD BUSINESS:

 1.           Applications:

a.            Application #18-05 of Gerry Toner, Director of Culture, Parks and Recreation, Applicant; Town of Simsbury, Owner; to retain and maintain dog park in the upland review area to a wetland on the property located at Iron Horse Boulevard (Assessor’s Map H10, Block 226, Lot 002). Zone R-40.

 

Adam Kessler PE presented the application on behalf of Mr. Toner. Mr. Kessler reviewed the permit history with the commission.

 

Mr. Morrison expressed concern due to recent deposition of mulch at the site. Mr. Kessler offered to develop operation and management plan for the park. Such a plan would cover quantities and timing for maintenance operations such as importing of wood chips.

 

Mr. Kessler presented a revised plan which illustrated the fence relocation. He stated that the applicant did not have a chance to meet with representatives of the dog park. Mr. Kessler stated that work associated with the fence relocation and wood chip removal would cost approximately $12,000.00. Chair Winters expressed her concern that the money for fence relocation and associated work could be used for other wetland enhancement projects. Mr. Haldeman agreed.

 

Mr. Morrison was concerned that the commission did not have an operation and management plan for the park. Mr. Kessler offered to prepare a plan for the next meeting along with coordinating a meeting with representatives of the dog park.

 

Motion: Mr. Morrison made a motion to table application 18-05 to the June 19, 2018 meeting. Mr. Haldeman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

b.            Application #18-06 of Harold Harris, Owner, for the installation of a 10’x12’ shed in the upland review area to a wetland on the property located at 292 Bushy Hill Road (Assessor’s Map D15, Block 420, Lot 041). Zone R-40.

 

Mr. Harris presented his application for the construction of a shed behind his residence at 292 Bushy Hill Road. Chair Winters asked if anyone had any questions of the applicant.

 

Motion:  Mr. Levy made a motion that the application is a regulated activity because it is work within the area of upland review. Mr. Morrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion: Mr. Levy made a motion that the application is not a significant activity because there is no disturbance within mapped inland wetland soils. Mr. Morrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Motion: Mr. Levy made a motion to approve application 18-06 subject to conditions contained within the staff report. Mr. Morrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

V.            NEW BUSINESS

 

1.            Receipt of New Applications

 

Mr. Glidden reported that 2 applications filed for the next meeting. One is for the construction of barn at 40 Riverside Road. The second application was for the demolition and improvements to 1 Old Bridge.

 

                Application #18-08 of Jerome Shea, P.E., Town Engineer, Applicant; Town of Simsbury, Owner; to: demolish existing house within floodplain and floodway; regrade bank; stabilize slope with native plantings; convert area to parklet with new gazebo, garden shed, and other amenities; and remove invasive vegetation from river banks and wetlands on the properties located at 1 Old Bridge Road (Assessor’s Map H11, Block 144, Lot 007) Zone R-15 and Old Bridge Road

 

Adam Kessler PE presented the application on behalf of J. Shea PE to the Commission for the planned improvements to 1 Old Bridge Rd. Mr. Kessler explained that the applicant wanted to know whether the commission would consider the application a significant activity that triggers a public hearing.

 

Mr. Glidden noted that the applicant is required to submit to the Zoning Commission for a special exception that triggers a public hearing for development in the floodplain. They are requesting that the commission determine whether the application is considered a significant activity so they can prepare consults for attending public hearings.

 

Chair Winters asked that the applicant investigate in whether more native species could be used for plantings at the site.

 

Motion: Mr. Morrison made a motion that application 18-08 is not considered a significant activity. Mr. Levy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

VI. GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS:

 

1.  Approval of the Minutes of the May 15, 2018 Regular Meeting.

 

The May 15, 2018 regular meeting minutes were accepted as submitted.

2.            Simsbury Meadows

 

 

VII.   ADJOURNMENT:

 

MOTION:   Mr. Levy made a motion to adjourn at 8:40PM which was seconded by Mr. Morrison; the motion was unanimously approved.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Michael Glidden CFM CZEO

Assistant Town Planner