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?