2005-08-09
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2005
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, ChairmanRichard Schmidt
Guy HoffmanPeter F. Regan
Christina BergerSteven Sokolowski
Karl G. LewisRev. Frederick Raap
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Absent:
None
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:30 P.M.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2005 SPECIAL MEETING:
Commissioner Sokolowski MOVED to approve the Special Meeting
Minutes of Tuesday, July 19, 2005, as written. SECONDED by Commissioner
Berger & unanimously approved.
3. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
4. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Project Review – Coccomo Brothers Associates LLC – Industrial
Building & Office – 212 Old Brickyard Lane – Commissioners commented
that this plan was previously reviewed and wondered why it was being
presented for another review.
?
It appears to be a residential site that is being changed to a commercial
use. Is the proposed use consistent with the Plan of Conservation And
Development?
?
The plan states that “Garage is for residential use only”, but writing on
house portion of plan states, “To become an office”. How do you have a
residential garage if there is no residence on the property?
?
Property is adjacent to a pond, but no details are included regarding the
pond, wetlands, or how water will be moved to the street? What will be
the impact on the wetland, etc?
?
Should give description of any fill used on property and include chemical
and physical characteristics.
?
Is property within the 100-year flood zone?
?
The plan for the detached garage is “As-Built” and it is the
understanding of the Commission that this garage foundation was
installed without benefit of a permit and was made larger than originally
Conservation Commission Minutes -8/9/2005 - Page 2
approved. The Commission strongly feels that developments that
proceed before proper approvals and permits are obtained are considered
uncontrolled development and should be strongly dealt with by Town
authorities. These practices are not consistent with the Plan of
Conservation and Development.
B. Project Review – Juice Bar @1427 Berlin Turnpike – Jerzy Pytel
(Corver property) - Site Plan Amendment – The submitted site plan does not
appear to show any changes. Commission had no comment on this plan.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
Chairman DeLorenzo noted that the Inland, Wetlands and
Watercourses Commission did not act on the Frank Albert property request on
Woods Edge Court for an additional lot. The Wetlands Commission tabled the
item. A copy of a letter with the Conservation Commission’s comments was sent
to Jim Horbal, liaison to the Wetlands Commission.
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION
Commissioner Berger noted that she and the application committee
have been working on the Kings Mark Environmental Review application
for the Scheer and Sierra Ranch properties. She felt that the draft copy
should be ready for review at the September meeting. Chairman
DeLorenzo asked that if the draft is ready before the meeting that
Commissioner Berger e-mail it to Secretary Benjamin so that she can
include it in next month’s agenda package. Commissioner Sokolowski
noted that a letter of permission from the property owners must be
completed in order for Kings Mark to do their survey. Commissioner
Berger will e-mail a blank copy of the permission letter to Chairman
DeLorenzo and he will ask Economic Development Dir. Mahoney for
advise on the proper way to proceed.
Commissioner Hoffman will look for copies of the original reports
done on these properties, to be included with the applications to assist
Kings Mark in their compilation of the natural resource inventory.
C.OPEN SPACE PUBLICATION – UPDATE OF “STUDY OF
TOWN-OWNED OPEN SPACE, OCTOBER 1994”
Chairman DeLorenzo stated that he expects to hear from Karen
Pierson in the fall about progress on her update of the Study.
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
?
Commissioner Hoffman expressed concern because he did not believe the
site plans that were reviewed for the Stop & Shop project involved the
pond. He questioned whether the plans have been changed because he
has seen a lot of activity and the containment boon around the pond
area.
?
Commissioner Hoffman also noted that another fish kill has occurred to
Old Hatchery Brook due to the Lions Memorial Pool. He stated that over
three hundred fish, mostly Trout, were killed. Commissioners were
concerned that fish kills have happened over and over at this location
Conservation Commission Minutes -8/9/2005 - Page 3
and nothing seems to be changing or corrected. Commissioner Hoffman
realizes that the Lions Club does many good things within the Town of
Berlin, but this problem needs to be addressed. The Lions Club should
be investigating whether these occurrences are due to carelessness or
inexperienced personnel and do whatever needs to be done to prevent
further incidents.
?
Commissioner Berger noted that it would be good to have the Assessor’s
maps available for the Commission if they want to study a certain
property. Secretary Benjamin said that the maps are available from the
Engineering Dept. Cabinet, which is accessible to the Commission.
?
Commissioner Berger discussed the PA 490 Law and said that she would
like to know how many property owners have applied and been granted
the PA 490 distinction. She stated that she would like to encourage the
Assessor to write a letter to the editor explaining the PA 490 Law, how to
apply, and who is qualified to apply. Deadline for applying for the PA
490 Farmland distinction is October 31 of every year.
8. CORRESPONDENCE:
Chairman DeLorenzo distributed copies of monthly newsletters and the
Habitat.
9. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Raap MOVED to adjourn the meeting @7:50 P.M.
SECONDED by Commissioner Schmidt & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary