2006/08/08
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2006
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, ChairmanGuy Hoffman
Steven SokolowskiKarl G. Lewis
Christina BergerPeter F. Regan
Hellyn Riggins, Dir. Development Services
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Absent:
Rev. Frederick RaapRichard Hans
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:30 P.M.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, TUESDAY, JULY 11, 2006 & SPECIAL
MEETING OF TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2006:
Commissioner Lewis asked to have Item 5C stricken from the Minutes of
July 11, 2006 (The paragraph was left in error from the last set of minutes).
Commissioner Lewis then made a motion to accept the Minutes of Tuesday,
July 11, 2006, as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Berger & unanimously
approved.
Commissioner Berger made a motion to accept the Minutes of the Special
Meeting of July 18, 2006, as written. Seconded by Commissioner Lewis &
unanimously approved.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
Addition to Agenda – Commissioner Lewis made a motion to add the
following five projects to the agenda. Commissioner Sokolowski seconded the
motion. All were in favor except Commissioner Berger, who was opposed.
Motion carried.
Please note that paperwork for these five projects was received late
Wednesday and Secretary Benjamin was on vacation until today and unable to
submit a revised agenda.
4A. Plucas Subdivision, Lot 31B-1 Carriage Drive – Subdivision proposal
for one lot (Lot 31B-1A) to be created from an existing lot on Crater Lane (Lot
31B-1), property of Edward Pl Plucas. The Commission reviewed the proposal
and had no comment on the plan.
Conservation Commission Minutes -8/8/2006 - Page 2
4B. Earl H. Wicklund Property on Farmington Ave. (former Mothers
Restaurant Property) – Proposal for new commercial building. Ms. Riggins
stated that this plan had gone through an 8/24 Review Process and the owner
must prove to the Planning Commission that the drainage easement shown on
the proposed plan is the best way that the drainage can be done.
Commissioner Berger commented that there is not enough information on the
drainage to make a determination and that drainage calculations are needed.
She also felt that an engineer for the Town should review a technical item such
as this drainage plan.
Commissioner Sokolowski noted that he hoped the Planning Commission
would scrutinize whether the proposed plan is in the best interest of the Town
of Berlin and is the best way to handle the drainage runoff. Commissioners
questioned to what degree the value of the Town Park would decrease by
making this large area unusable. The plan proposes that the Horbal, VFW and
Wicklund properties will all drain into this right of way. Commissioners
questioned why this right of way was granted allowing the drainage to go
through the middle of the Town property killing that area for future
development and ruining that area of the property for the Town.
Commissioner Berger stated that the Commission comments should be
addressed to the Planning Commission and their thought should be as to how
this drainage easement will affect future use of this property.
Commissioner Hoffman noted that the Conservation Commission needs to
be on record that it is not pleased with the proposed plan and that drainage
calculations are needed. The applicant should be required to submit other
options, alternatives and a more detailed plan.
Commissioner Sokolowski noted that he would like to see all options for
drainage onto private property explored before Town property is used for this
purpose. He was concerned that this is setting a precedent by impacting a
Town open space parcel and wondered what the Town will receive for allowing
such use of a Town parcel.
4C. Town of Berlin Proposed Animal Control Facility – The new
Animal Control Facility is proposed to be built on Town owned land next to
TechAir on Christian Lane. Commissioners noted that there are existing
wetlands between this property and TechAir but did not have any comments on
the plan.
4D. Heritage Crossing, 462 Alling St. (former KGS Grammar School)
– Residential Condominiums - Commissioners noted that they had previously
reviewed the project as presented by the former owners. Commissioners had no
comment on this plan.
4E. Rio Vista, Spruce Brook Road, Pistol Creek Assoc. LLC, Owners –
Commissioners briefly reviewed the plan for 45 residential lots in the R-21 zone
and 15 lots in the R-43 zone and had no comment at this time. Commissioners
were concerned about the wetlands on the property and will review thoroughly
at the September meeting.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION
Conservation Commission Minutes -8/8/2006 - Page 3
C. OPEN SPACE PUBLICATION – K. PIERSON, UPDATE OF
“STUDY OF TOWN-OWNED OPEN SPACE, OCTOBER 1994” –
D. SCHEER/SIERRA RANCH LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN –
E. Baker Residential – Commissioners discussed letter dated July
28, 2006 sent by the CC to Ray Jarema, Chairman of the Inland Wetland
and Watercourses Commission regarding CC concerns.
Commissioners further discussed their concerns and agreed that a
special meeting of the Conservation Commission should be held on
Tuesday, September 5, 2006 to put together a letter to the Planning &
Zoning Commission with their suggestions. That meeting will only be
devoted to reviewing the proposed letter and finalizing comments.
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
Dir. Development Services Riggins discussed property on Eastbrook
Terrace, which is in violation of encroachment on Town of Berlin
wetlands property and installation of underground electrical conduit
without benefit of a permit. The homeowner will be meeting with Town
Staff to work out a plan for correction.
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Lewis moved to adjourn the meeting @8:50 P.M.
Seconded by Commissioner Berger & unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary