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1994/05/03 Approved Minutes %OWN co TOWN OF BERLIN e ni' 4ti� INLAND WETLANDS 13�� rj�� AND a : �� WATER COURSES COMMISSION tic►` s, 0y% 240 KENSINGTON RD. BERLIN, CT 06037 O ��/ � 48PORATEt May 3, 1994 The regular meeting of the Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Chairman Ferraro. PRESENT - Commissioner Argazzi; Commissioner Balinskas; Commissioner Colburn; Commissioner Daigle; Chairman Ferraro and Mr. James Horbal, Agent for the Commission ABSENT - Commissioner Collis; Commissioner McCarthy ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 5, 1994 Commissioner Argazzi stated that on Page 3 third paragraph from the bottom the statement made by Chairman Ferraro should include that it is extremely wet. Chairman Ferraro commented on Page 1 under the Application - Musumeci is the correct spelling of the last name. Moved by Chairman Ferraro and Seconded by Commissioner Argazzi to accept the amended minutes of April 5, 1994. Commissioner Argazzi - yes; Commissioner Balinskas - yes; Commissioner Colburn - abstain; Commissioner Daigle - abstain; Chairman Ferraro - yes. Three - yes; Two abstain - Motion is Carried. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS There was no participation at this time. PUBLIC HEARING Application 93-26F - Proposal by Ben Ancona to place fill and construct a residential dwelling within a flood hazard area on Lot 67J, Block 91, Lower Lane. The applicant is proposing construction of a residential dwelling within an extensive flood plain along the west side of Lower Lane approximately 300 feet south of Lower Lane Dairy. The applicant is proposing a cut and fill type operation to balance the loss of flood storage within the lot. Staff has concern with the proposed house location. Based upon Staff's interpretation of available data pertaining to the floodway, Staff feels that the floodway limit as shown is incorrect and should be placed approximately 30 ' - 2 - north of the southerly boundary of the parcel. Chairman Ferraro read a piece of correspondence dated April 3, 1994 from the attorney for the applicant requesting that the Public Hearing be continued until the June 7, 1994 meeting. Moved by Chairman Ferraro and Seconded by Commissioner Daigle to continue the Public Hearing for Application 93-26F until the June 7, 1994 meeting. Commissioner Argazzi is opposed to the continuance of the Public Hearing as the applicant has requested the public hearing and should have been prepared for the meeting this evening. Mr. Horbal briefly informed the Commission as to why a rehearing of the application was needed. All in Favor of continuing the Public Hearing until the June 7, 1994 meeting. REGULAR MEETING APPLICATION 94-04W - Proposal by Sacred Heart Church Corporation of East Berlin to place fill and construct a parking area on Lots 6 and 7, Block 149, Cottage Street. Bart Bove and John Matulis appeared before the Commission. The applicant is requesting permission to place fill and construct a paved parking area within a wetland on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Church on Cottage Street in East Berlin. The proposal depicts filling approximately 1,000 square feet of wetlands to complete the project as planned. It should be noted that the wetlands location as shown was delineated from the Town's Wetland Index Map, rather than from a field analysis. The applicant is preparing an additional proposal as per the request of the Commission to show a shift in the parking layout to avoid wetlands thus reducing the number of proposed parking spaces. Attorney Matulis submitted pictures to the Commission regarding handicap accessibility and has been in place for a little over one year. Mr. Bove presented the additional proposal as the Commission previously requested and submitted the item at this time for review and comments. The wetlands in the area has been highly disturbed. The primary purpose of obtaining the property is to accommodate more parking in the area for the church and alleviate on-street parking in the neighborhood. Chairman Ferraro presented an alternative proposal at this time to cut down on the number of spaces in the parking area such as an area for compact cars. - 3 - Attorney Matulis stated that in a church area, a large number of people arrive at one time and a large number of people also leave at one time. Mr. Bove stated that Chairman Ferraro's proposal would not work at this time. Review of discussion/proposal from the last meeting was also done at this time. Commissioner Balinskas stated this is not a significant wetland and reestablishment of a wetland in this area will not be done. A great deal of discussion took place between the applicant and the Commission in regard to the number of parking spaces and how they might affect or would affect the wetlands. Moved by Commissioner Balinskas and Seconded by Commissioner Daigle to accept Application 94-04W. Commissioner Colburn is not in favor of the motion. There is an alternative that could be looked into. Forty-seven additional spaces at this time would be a good amount to increase the number of parking spaces. Chairman Ferraro could not support the application as feasible and prudent alternatives have not been looked into. Four less spaces will not make that much of a difference. The area is wetlands. Commissioner Argazzi - yes; Commissioner Balinskas - yes; Commissioner Colburn - no; Commissioner Daigle - abstain; Chairman Ferraro - no. Two - yes; Two - no; One abstain - Motion is denied. Moved by Chairman Ferraro and Seconded by Commissioner Balinskas to approve Application 94-04W subject to modifying the parking lot to include the parking layout as indicated in the second sketch presented by MBA Engineering indicating that the parking lot be built not infringing on the wetlands and as shown on the plans entitled "Site Plan Showing Proposed Parking Lot Improvements for Sacred Heart Church Corp. of East Berlin on Properties known as Lots 6 & 7/Block 149, Cottage Street, East Berlin, CT; Prepared by: MBA Engineering, Inc. ; Job Number: 93048; Scale: 1" = 40 ' ; Date: March 15, 1994" with all erosion and sedimentation control devices to be installed to the satisfaction of the Town Engineer prior to the commencement of construction. Mr. Horbal asked the Commission to approve the application for the public interest and safety. Commissioner Argazzi - yes; Commissioner Balinskas - yes; Commissioner Colburn - yes; Commissioner Daigle - abstain; Chairman Ferraro - yes. - 4 - Four - yes; One - abstain - Motion is carried. OTHER BUSINESS TO COME PROPERLY BEFORE THE COMMISSION a. Application 90-20WF - Permit Modification This issue is the Massirio property on Farmington Avenue. Mr. Massirio has asked MBA Engineering to provide a print for the next meeting. Moved by Commissioner Colburn and Seconded by Commissioner Daigle to table this issue until the next meeting. All in Favor - Motion Carried. b. Lot 8,Block 133, Beckley Mills Road - Flood Plain Encroachment Staff still has some questions as to whether the material has actually been removed from the area. The propertyowner stated fill has been removed as requested previously from Staff. Staff would like the opportunity to check into the situation and report back to the Commission at the next meeting. Moved by Chairman Ferraro and Seconded by Commissioner Argazzi to table any action on this issue until the next meeting of June 7, 1994. All in Favor - Motion Carried. c. Correspondence Chairman Ferraro went through the correspondence that was received. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitta, -, tic Cr7 Sandy DeVivo C?