Conservation Commission / IWWA Minutes 11/20/2018

Simsbury Conservation Commission

TOWN OF SIMSBURY

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - Subject to Vote of Approval

Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 7:30p

Simsbury Town Hall-Main Meeting Room

933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT

PRESENT: Margery Winters, Jason Levy, Donald Rieger, Kevin McCusker, James Morrison, Charles Haldeman

ALSO PRESENT: Code Compliance Officer, Robin Newton

I.             CALL TO ORDER

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

II:                   ROLL CALL

1.            No alternates

III:          PUBLIC HEARING

1.            None

IV:                 OLD BUSINESS

1.            Applications:

a.            Application #18-13 of Jonathan and Ronell Searles, Owners, for the installation of an ‘18X33’ above ground pool, 18’X16’ pool deck, and 1550 sq. ft. paver patio in the upland review area to a wetland on the property located at 56 Notch Road (Assessor’s Map A17, Block 503, Lot 001). Zone R-40.

Jonathan Searles was present to discuss his application and proposal.

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Commissioner Haldeman asked about regrading and moving around of materials, and Commissioner Rieger informed Mr. Searles that he would not be able to drain the pool into the wetland area. Mr. Searles stated that he was aware.

Commissioner Morrison made a motion that the application is a regulated activity because the construction is in the upland review area. Seconded by Commissioner McCusker. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Morrison made a motion that it was not a significant activity because all of the activity that proposed is outside the wetland area. Motion seconded by Commission McCusker. Motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Morrison moved to approve application #18-13, subject to special and standard conditions contained in the staff report. Commissioner McCusker seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. 

b.            Application #18-14 of Mike Alderman, Applicant; Irina Kazandzhi, Owner; for the construction of a two-car detached garage in the upland review area to a wetland on the property located at 16 Minister Brook Drive (Assessor’s Map D17, Block 204, Lot 078). Zone R-40.

Michael Alderman was present to discuss the construction of a non-heated and non-plumbed two-car garage.

The location of the garage will be 72 feet from the wetland area. Alderman stated that the location is flat and very dry.

Commissioner Levy made a motion that the application is a regulated activity because it involves work within the upland review area. Commissioner Rieger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Levy made a motion that the application is not considered a significant activity because there are no activities proposed in the wetland area. Commissioner Rieger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Levy made a motion to approve application #18-14, subject to the special and standard conditions outlined in the staff report. Commissioner Rieger seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

c.             Application #18-15 of Andrew Berling, Owner, for the installation of a 12’X16’ wooden shed on a crushed stone base in the upland review area to a wetland on the property located at 123 West Mountain Road, West Simsbury (Assessor’s Map B13, Block 404, Lot 005-43). Zone R-40.

Mr. Berling was present to discuss his proposal to build a pre-fab shed. The shed will be 30 feet from the wetlands and be used for lawnmower and snowblower storage.

Commissioner Rieger stated that he would be concerned with gas and oil leaks. He suggested that Mr. Berling be mindful and use Rubbermaid tubs to secure any gas cans as added protections.

Commissioner McCusker made a motion that the application is a regulated activity because it involves working within the upland review. Commissioner Morrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner McCusker made a motion that the application is not a significant activity because there are no activities taking place in the wetlands. Commissioner Morrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner McCusker made a motion to approve application #18-15, subject to the special and standard conditions in the staff report. Commissioner Morrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

d.            Application #18-16 of Anthony Piazza, Simsbury Water Pollution Control, Applicant; Town of Simsbury, Owner; for the construction of a 35’X25’ cold storage building with concrete pad on the property located at 36 Drake Hill Road (Accessor’s Map H11, Block 226, Lot 001+1A). Zone R-40.

Anthony Piazza was present to discuss his proposal to build a 35’X25’ storage building with no plumbing or heating. The purpose of the storage building will be for storing tractors, snowblowers, and pumps.

Commissioner McCusker made a motion that the application is regulated activity because it involves work within the upland review area. Commissioner Haldeman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner McCusker made a motion that the application is not considered a significant activity because there will be no activities in the wetland area. Commissioner Haldeman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner McCusker made a motion to approve application #18-16, subject to the special and standard conditions in the staff report. Commissioner Haldeman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

e.            Application #18-17  of Bruce and Sibylle Spooner, Owners, for the removal of an existing elevated deck and replacement with a new 21’X12’ deck on the property located at 24 Southbridge Court (Assessor’s Map F11, Block 150, Lot 001B). Zone RD.

Bruce and Sibylle Spooner were present to discuss their proposal for a project involving the removal and replacement of an elevated deck in the yard. They are looking to replace the deck because they would like a larger deck with less maintenance.

No modifications will be made to ground area below the deck.

Commissioner Haldeman made a motion that the application is regulated activity because it involves work within the upland review area. Commissioner Morrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Haldeman made a motion that the application is not considered a significant activity because there will be no activities in the wetland area. Commissioner Morrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Commissioner Haldeman made a motion to approve application #18-17, subject to the special and standard conditions contained in the staff report. Commissioner Morrison seconded the motion. The motion pass unanimously.

         V.         NEW BUSINESS

                                1.  Receipt of New Applications

                                                NONE

                                2.  Referrals

a. Referral from Zoning Commission for review of erosion and sedimentation plan on Zoning Commission Application #18-63 of Brennan White, Kaestle Boos Architects, Agent; Town of Simsbury, Owner; for a Special Exception pursuant to Article Seven, Section A.4 for alterations and additions to Henry James Memorial School on the property located at 155 Firetown Road (being located on the west side of Firetown Road between Simscroft Road and Branch Brook Drive). Zone R-15.

Brennan White was present to discussed his company’s proposal to add a media center, pathways, parking, an updated infiltration system, and courtyard to Henry James Memorial School.

There will also be a gas line connected to the property.

Heavy equipment will not be circling the construction site.

The wetlands are located 600 feet to the west of the proposed construction site. White stated that the construction site will be fenced in. The timeline for the project is from Spring 2019 to Fall 2020.

White also discussed the additional landscaping changes that will occur on the property.

Commissioner Rieger made a motion for a favorable referral to the Zoning Commission. The project is a regulated activity because it involves work within the upland area. It is not considered a significant activity because it does not occur in the wetlands. Commissioner Rieger made a motion to approve the referral for application #18-63, subject to the special and standard conditions contained in the staff report.

The motion was seconded by Commissioner Levy. The motion passed unanimously.

         VI.  GENERAL COMMISSION BUSINESS

1.            5-year extension request for Application #14-05-5 Tower Run-for the construction of a pool and clear-cutting of trees, approved with modifications May 20, 2014.

Commissioner McCusker made a motion to approve the 5-year extension. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Haldeman. The motion passed unanimously.

2.            Approval of the Minutes of the September 4, 2018 regular meeting and September 11, 2018 special meeting.

Commissioner Levy made a motion to amend the agenda and approve the meeting calendar for 2019.

Commissioner Levy made a motion to approve the meeting minutes and calendar. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Haldeman. The motion passed unanimously.

         VII. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Rieger made a motion to adjourn at 8:28pm.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Levy. The motion passed unanimously.

  Submitted by:

  Tammy Marzucca

  Zoning and Planning Commissions Clerk