1980/10/14 PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:40 P.M.,
October 14, 1980. Those Commissioners in attendance were: Mr. ROSSO, Mr. Baccaro,
Mr. Piskorski and Mr. Dobson. Mr. Seelye, Town Engineer, was present.
2. Site Plan Approval - Whispering Brook, Joseph Dorio, developer. Mr. Seelye
explained that the detailed maps are not yet available and action should be deferred.
3. Revised Subdivision Approval - Lot 28H, Block 38, Huckleberry Lane, Robert
Johnson, developer. Mr. Seelye reported this should have been done in 1974. Prior
to Mr. Johnson's development of Section II, he revised Lot 28H by adding 10' in
width to the lot. We didn't catch the difference when we approved Section II. Atty.
Dennis Kern, representing Miss Catherine McGee, advised the Commission Miss McGee
has been experiencing serious drainage problems due in part to the development
of this subdivision. He requested Consulting Environmental Engineers, Inc. to
inspect the site and evaluate the drainage problem. Atty. Kern presented the
Commission with a copy of the report dated August 13, 1980. Atty. Kern requested ~
this report be taken into consideration and that provisions be made for a drainage
swale. Mr. Rosso accepted the engineer's report. Mr. William Wicander of 139
Hart Street commented that perhaps Mr. Johnson could make some provision on Lot 28H
as he is still the owner. Mr. John Larson, potential buyer of Lot 28H, said he
is well aware of this problem: he has agreed to give Mr. Johnson a 20' easement on
Lot 28H in the event of construction of drainage swale on this lot only. Mr.
Seelye said he feels any increase in the runoff was not necessarily caused by the
development of the land, if anything, it was the development of the individual
lots. Atty Kern pointed out he is not participating in this particular aspect of
the drainage committee's investigation. Motion by Mr. Baccaro, seconded by Mr.
Piskorski to defer action. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Agenda Item #4. Sketch Plan Review - Four Rod Road Subdivision, Phase II,
Angelo Ciammella, developer. Mr. Rod Hewitt, Mr. Ciammella's engineer, presented
map entitled: "Sketch Layout - Four Rod Road (Alt. 2) Subdivision Phase II, Berlin,
Connecticut, Hewitt Engineering, dated November 1, 1979, Rev. 10/8/80, scale
1"=100'. Mr. Hewitt advised the Commission they have received Inland Weltands approval.
Mr. Seelye said he is not pleased with the Wetlands approval to relocate the
brook and , in effect, create Lot 16. Mr. Hewitt said this location was a
compromise;they plan to take fill from lots 13 and 14 to fill lots 15 and 16. The
brook is about 3-4 feet wide and about 1 foot deep. Mr. Piskorski asked if riprap
would protect lot 16 as well as the existing house on Lori Ann Lane. Inland Wetlands
said riprap shall be placed as directed by the Town Engineer. Mr. Hewitt said you
are set by the grades in the culvert of the road. The grade between the bank and __.
the house on Lori Ann Lane must be five feet. Mr. Seelye felt we should get an
engineering report on the impact of moving the brook. It was suggested the
culvert be extended and a guard rail be added. It was agreed sidewalks should be
on Four Rod Road frontage. Mr. Seelye said Mr. Ciammella must go to the Water
Control Commission; check their standards because the area across the street is
Planned Industry.
5. Agenda Item #5. Bond Reduction - Blue Ridge Heights Sec 6 & 8 Leonard
Abrahamson. It was the consensus to defer action until the road is paved.
6. Agenda Item %6. Preliminary and Site Approval - Summitwood Section I, Sam
Carrabetta, developer. Mr. Douglas Pryor, engineer for Mr. Carabetta, presented plans
entitled: "Section I Final Subdivision Plot Summit Wood, Orchard Road, Berlin, Scale
1"=40' dated June 30, 1978, Rev. 5/23/79 and Rev. 10/1/80 Sheets 1-6". Mr. Prior
advised these are the same maps brought up to date with corrections and additions.
They plan to follow the existing fire lanes. They plan 23 lots; each lot 2-7 acres.
Mr. Baccaro read a letter from Alfred R. Bengston, Chairman, Inland Wetlands and
Water Courses Commission dated April 5, 1979, listing the recommendations of the
Commission concerning the proposed subdivision. They recommended Town ownership
of the property 25 feet each side of Crooked Brook; Town ownership of the pond at
the northeast portion of the site and 25 feet around the pond; Town ownership of
the entire wetlands and flood plain area on lot 74B200 in Section I (the minimum
Town owned property on lot 74B200 should be 25 feet Qach side of Hatchery Brook)
and that the Town ownership be considered of the pond adjacent to Silver Lake
and 25 feet around the pond. Mr. Carabetta would like to see it go to the lot. ~
Mr. Prior suggested making a triangle about 25'-30' next to the brook. Mr.
Carabetta said only if it would be used for recreation purposes. The deed could
be worded as such. Mr. Seelye advised Mr. Prior we no longer use broken stone
base; we use processed aggregate. It was pointed out the Health Director has not
yet signed the plan. Motion by Mr. Piskorski, seconded by Mr. Baccaro to grant
preliminary subdivision approval conditioned upon the Health Director's approval
of each and every lot; 2) that the final subdivision plan show a dedication to the
Town of Berlin of open space in the area of Hatchery Brook from at least 25' east
and south of that brook to the west boundary line with the language of the ~
dedication to be agreed upon by the developer's attorney, this Commission and the
Executive Board. MOTION CARRIED Motion by Mr. Baccaro, seconded by Mr. Dobson to
grant Site Plan Approval. MOTION CARRIED.
7. Agenda Item #7. Other Commission Business. 1) Mr. Leonard Abrahamson will be
paving in a week or two. 2) Zoning Referral - Russo Bros., Inc. excavation permit.
Messrs. John and Mike Russo and Bob Messier, their engineer, appeared to discuss the
PLANNING COMMISSION October 14, 1980 cont.
permit request. They advised the Commission they would fill with anything that is
structually sound to build upon; i.e., concrete, dirt, stone, bricks, anything from
an excavation site. Mr. Russo said it would take about a year or two depending on
the market. They do not intend to touch across from the first house (lot 14).
Motion by Mr. Piskorski, seconded by Mr. Baccaro to recommend approval of Russo
Bros., Inc. excavation permit for lot 47A, Block 132, subject to the following:
1) the fill placed within excavation area b e limited to clean non-organic materials;
2) access to and from the working area be limited to ROute 72 only; 3) adequate
provisions be made for traffic control and dust control on and off the site with
coordination and approval of the Police Department and the Department of Transpor-
tation as necessary; 4) operation of both removal and filling be limited to the
hours of 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. excluding Sundays and holidays; 5) adequate drainage
provisions including but not limited to necessary erosion and siltation control be
made on and off the site; 6) no excavation be allowed other than surface clearing
and grubbing north of Station 0 + 80 as shown on their plan; and, 7) final
restoration to include loaming and seeding to the proposed finished grade.
MOTION CARRIED.
3) Letter received from Howard Asal, 116 West Street, New Britain, COnnecticut, dated
October 10, 1980 requesting the bond on Renn Acres be reduced from $89,700.00 to
$15,000.00. Mr. Seelye reported the $15,000 represents the remainder of the
retainage for the remaining finish work on the subdivision. The bond was computed
for the whole subdivision. Mr. Seelye said it is adequate. Motion by Mr. Dobson
seconded by Mr. Baccaro to reduce the subdivision bond for Renn Acres from
$89,700.00 to $15,000.00. MOTION CARRIED. 4) Mr. Seelye reported Mr. Earl Wicklund
would like to convey enough land to Mr. Dudek on Lower Lane to make his lot conforming;
the road would be slightly narrow, we could go 30'-26'; there will be no sidewalks
on Mr. Dudek's side. This would be better than having a cul-de-sac. Mr.
Piskorski said he would agree to the narrowing of the road; it would be no more
noticeable than Towne Drive. Mr. Wicklund will come in with a proposal for the
Commission to review. Sidewalks would be necessary at least on one side.
The meeting adjourned at 9:27 P.M.
Respectfully submitted
~a~oro, secretary
PLANNING COMMISSION
1. Regular meeting of the Planning CommissiQn was called to order at 7:05 P.M.,
October 28, 1980. Those Commissioners in attendance were: Mr. Rosco, Mr. Baccaro,
Mr. Stiano, Mr. Dobson, Mr. Piskorski and Alternate Mr. Castiglioni. Also, Mr.
Seelye, Town Engineer.
2. Agenda Item #1. Subdivision Discussion - Four Rod Road Subdivision Extension -
Angelo Ciammella, developer. Mr. Rod Hewitt, engineer and Atty. Joseph Cianci,
representing Mr. Ciammella, presented map entitled: "Sketch Layout - Northbrook
Subdivision Four Rod Road, Berlin, Conn. Hewitt Engineering, P.C. , Berlin, Conn."
dated November 1, 1979 Scale 1"=100" Rev. October 8, 1980. It was pointed out, as
agreed upon at the meeting of October 14, 1980, the developer would advise this
Commission by letter of the situation with respect to grades so we will know there
will not be a problem. Mr. Hewitt said he had neglected to do so and would have
to come back. No action taken.
3. Agenda Item %2. Subdivision Discussion - Four Rod Road, Augusto Oliviero,
developer. Mr. Rod Hewitt, engineer for Mr. Oliviero, presented map entitled:
"Planning Map Pine Tree Estates Subdivision Four Rod Road, Berlin, Connecticut,
Hewitt Engineering, P.C." dated October 28, 1980, scale 1"=100'. Mr. Hewitt advised
the Commission this proposed development is across the street from Mr. Ciammella's
subdivision; 14 lots are proposed with a cul de sac; the back area is wetlands.
They plan to apply to Inland Wetlands to straighten the brook. Mr. Stiano felt
relocating the brook would put more pressure on downstream areas. Mr. Seelye said
there should be public ownership of open space along the brook. Also, Mr. Oliviero
should finish up the other project he has started; there is work remaining; repaving
of the road, the work along Farmington Avenue, ~aving and curbing, minor landscaping;
the fence is installed. Mr. Oliviero said hu~omplete the work as soon as possible.
Mr. Seelye said if it is not completed in two weeks we will call the bond. Mr.
Stiano said we should write a letter to the Wetlands Commission. There is flooding
in this area now; we should have an engineer's study report on the wetland; perhaps
we should meet jointly with the Wetlands Commission. Mr. Piskorski felt we
should increase the safeguards, not necessarily limit them. He asked Mr. Hewitt
if he would come in with a key map on this. Mr. Hewitt agreed. Mr. Gary Gallo
of 13 Pine Tree Court, voiced his objections to the new plan based upon his first
type of building. The first project is not finished, the fence did go up but his
contractor threw all the brush in the brook and dropped an end load of cement on my
property. People who are going to have a house built by him may suffer the same
problems.