2006/07/18
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2006
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, Chairman
Steven SokolowskiKarl G. Lewis
Christina BergerPeter F. Regan
Richard Hans
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Absent:
Guy HoffmanRev. Frederick Raap
Hellyn Riggins, Dir. of Development Services unable to attend due to illness.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:00 P.M.
2. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None
3. OLD BUSINESS:
Item 4-A Baker Residential Building LTD – BROADVIEW, 102 Meadow
Lane & Orchard Rd. – Commissioners were in agreement that this Special
Meeting was necessary due to the fact that they had only had a chance to
briefly review the submittal for a proposed 384 unit residential development on
Meadow Lane & Orchard Road.
Commissioner Sokolowski stated that he felt there were three areas for the
Commission to concentrate on for review, the Site Plan, wetland comments &
comments for the Planning & Zoning Commission. He noted that the site plans
show massive removal and moving of hills which will send water downward. He
also noted that each wetland area is being isolated from the others and will
affect the habitat of all and diminish the function of the wetlands. The
Commission was particularly concerned about the hill west of the wetlands with
cuts in excess of fifty feet (50’). Commissioner Sokolowski noted that all Town
regulations say that a project should be built to the topography of the land and
this development shows no inclination of doing that. Commissioners were in
agreement that a Habitat Use Study would be recommended to show what
currently inhabits this area of property.
Commissioners expressed concern for the stone dust walk paths that are
proposed directly around the wetlands. Commissioners questioned how are
paths like this built, with bulldozers? This would definitely have an impact on
the wetlands. Will there be fences to protect the wetlands, and will herbicides
Conservation Commission Minutes -7/18/2006 – Special Meeting -Page 2
be used to keep the stone paths free of undergrowth? The plan should show
what significant trees are now canopying the wetlands.
Commissioner Sokolowski noted that the access roads to the detention
basins do not lead to those basins and more access roads would need to be
built to the drainage outlets. These outlets directly butt up against the
wetlands. The proposal calls for rip rap to be put at the outlets and
Commissioners would recommend that access wetlands be in place to filter
down to the wetlands.
Commissioner Berger noted that she would suggest a Risk Management Tree
Plan to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Commissioner Berger was also
concerned that the CC did not have the opportunity to review drainage
calculations. Commissioner Berger shared copies of HOD zoning requirements
for the Towns of Madison and Wallingford. She noted that both their
regulations exclude wetlands, watercourses and land with slopes over (25-30%)
in calculation of buildable acreage.
Commissioner Berger noted that there is a need to look at existing and
proposed drainage so that a determination can be made as to the impact both
on the property and off the property. Further review of the drainage area is
recommended because the indirect impact to the wetlands could end up being
severe by changing the elevations of the land and by damage due to erosion.
Commissioners reviewed notes and authorized Chairman DeLorenzo to send
written comments to the Inland, Wetlands & Watercourses Commission for
their August 1 meeting.
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4. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Regan moved to adjourn the meeting @7:35 P.M.
Seconded by Commissioner Sokolowski & unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary