1992/05/04 , Amended minutes. See May 12, 1992 minutes for corrections.
r
soli ti TOWN OF BERLIN
�, INLAND WETLANDS
'iA AND
° c WATER COURSES COMMISSION
tics, ' 240 KENSINGTON RD. BERLIN, CT 06037
O�'°ORATE0 - May 4, 1992
The speci al meeting of the Inland Wetlands and Water Courses
Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairman Kuziak.
PRESENT - Commissioner Colburn; Commissioner Collis; Commissioner
Daigle; Commissioner Ferraro; Chairman Kuziak; Commissioner
McCarthy and Mr. James Horbal, Agent for the Commission
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Application 92-9W - Proposal by the Fox Hill Land Company to
discharge drainage into a wetland area on Lot 3-1, Block 141,
Wilks Pond Road.
Bart Bovee represented the applicant. The applicant is
proposing a fifty (50) lot residential, affordable housing
subdivision along the west side of Wilks Pond Road. The
proposal depicts the discharge of storm water runoff into two
separate areas of field located inland wetlands within limits
of the proposed site. The remaining runoff generated from
within the site will be discharged into an existing drainage
system within Wilks Pond Road. The applicant also proposes to
establish a forty foot buffer in an attempt to protect the on-
site wetlands. The site is 35.8 acres in size.
There are two extensive wetlands: the wetlands to the west is
3 .9 acres and the wetlands to the north is 3 . 1 acres. There
will be no filling of the wetlands. R43 is the current zone
for the area.
The Zoning Commission has approved the plan as affordable
housing -- Section 6. 10 of the regulations. There will be a
large area of open space with easements to the wetlands.
The drainage discharge is being proposed to go into the
existing watersheds.
Commissioner McCarthy asked if any of the grades on the lots
are being changed on the northern side.
Mr. Bovee stated there would be some filling of the lots and
they would be staying within five feet of the easement lines.
The homes would have walkout basements.
Commissioner Colburn asked the diameter of the cul-de-sac.
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Mr. Bovee indicated that the cul-de-sac is 65 feet.
Commissioner Colburn suggested making the cul-de-sac a normal
sized one.
Salvatore Massina, 187 Somerset Drive, addressed the drainage
structures to the east of the parcel. Is the applicant
reducing the size of the watershed.
Mr. Bovee stated the watershed will be reduced and the
drainage structures to the east of the parcel were also
addressed.
Mr. Massino asked if the detention areas had been calculated
for the 25, 50 and 100 year flood.
Mr. Bovee stated that the information could be obtained but he
did not have this information with him tonight.
Mr. Massino also gave the Commission an Environmental Impact
Report from Michael Kline, Environmental Services of New
Hartford, CT and he read it into the record.
Pete DeSarcy, 237 Toll Gate Road, is Vice President of the
Berlin Land Trust and submitted a letter/report dated May 4,
1992 from the Berlin Land Trust to the Commission requesting
that the application be denied for the following reasons:
1. The application does not include any alternatives to
altering wetlands as required in Section 7.4F of the
Berlin Inland Wetlands Regulations.
2 . The Berlin Land Trust believes there are economic and
feasible alternatives to developing this area - Section
10.3 of the regulations was referred to at this time.
3 . Foreign substances released by neighboring residences
will upset the natural ecosystem.
4. The intense nature off the development will increase the
runoff in this area.
The Berlin Land Trust recommends denial of the application as
it does not include any alternative plans for the site and
because there are feasible alternatives in the design and
economic sense that would be less harmful to the wetlands.
Barbara Edelson, 195 Spruce Brook Road, supports denial of the
application with the information that has been submitted to
the Commission.
Mr. Valentine, who owns the property, stated that he is
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donating the wetlands to the Town of Berlin and does not want
to be penalized for donating something to the Town.
Mr. Bovee addressed the shifting of the road 20 feet in regard
to the slope. Regarding the sedimentation ponds, the
applicant is trying to work with Staff in this regard. The
applicant is willing to take direction from staff/the
Commission in regard to this issue. There is no activity in
the wetlands area.
George Peplo, Spruce Brook Road, is in favor of the
application as there is motorcycle trails behind his home that
are very annoying. The fertilizers in this area would be much
less than what is used at Sage Park.
Roseanne Mancini, 33 Somerset Drive, questioned how someone
gets the depth requirement eliminated and no setback
requirement.
Chairman Kuziak stated that was a Zoning issue not a Wetlands
Issue.
Lawrence Mancini, 33 Somerset Drive, stated he supports the
denial of the application for the reasons given.
Barbara Edelson, 195 Spruce Brook Road, spoke to someone in
the highway department who said the soil was poor gravel to
silt like.
Ed Gaffney, 44 Canterbury Drive, will someone guarantee that
the drainage will not hinder any homes in the valley area?
Mr. Gaffney also supports denial of the application.
Susan Mouchi, 15 Canterbury Road, supports denial of the
application as there are other viable alternatives that would
have less impact on the wetlands.
John Nappi, 138 Somerset Drive, supports denial of the
application based on the environmental impact that was
presented by Sal Mancino.
Commissioner Colburn asked if there were a certain number of
lots that Mr. Valentine must have.
Mr. Valentine stated that he cannot loose one lot.
Moved by Commissioner Ferraro and Seconded by Commissioner
McCarthy to close the Public Hearing on Application 92-9W.
All in Favor - Motion Carried.
2 . Application 92-8W - Proposal by the Mooreland Hill Trust to
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establish the inland wetland boundary on Lot 5, Block 51,
Chamberlain Highway.
Rod Hewitt, Professional Engineer/Land Surveyor and Joyce
Rabbie, Soil Scientist, represented the applicant. The
applicant is proposing construction of a two lot subdivision
along the east side of the Chamberlain highway directly
opposite Vineyard Drive. The proposal calls for construction
and grading alongside an intermittent stream. The site has
been examined by a soils scientist and the wetland limits have
been plotted on the proposed plans. Staff is recommending
that the wetland boundary be re-established for the record,
since there is such a significant change from those wetlands
shown on the Town of Berlin index map.
One lot fronts on the Chamberlain Highway and the other is a
rear lot. The soils are not wetlands soils. There is no
activity in the wetlands.
Mrs. Rabbie indicated that she submitted a report to the
Commission dated April 6, 1992 . The drainage ditch has
seasonal water but it does not have wetlands soil in the area.
At approximately 71 Gallpen Lane there is a drainage divide.
The applicant is asking for a change in the wetland map as the
map appears to be incorrect from what is currently on the
property.
Commissioner Colburn asked that if the boundary is changed
will the stream be altered.
Mr. Hewitt stated the driveway has been moved to keep it away
from the swail.
Commissioner Ferraro asked if a joint driveway had been
considered.
Mr. Hewitt stated that the area from the front lot would be
joined with the area from the rear lot and would make a joint
driveway.
Moved by Commissioner Ferraro and Seconded by Commissioner
McCarthy to close the Public Hearing for Application 92-8W.
Commissioner Colburn would like to see the driveway changed
and a protection area around the intermittent stream.
All in Favor - Motion Carried.
3 . Application 92-6W7 - Proposal by James Deephouse to place fill
in both a wetland and flood hazard area on Lot 22, Block 84,
Farmington Avenue.
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Rod Hewitt represented the applicant. The applicant is
proposing to fill a portion of a former clay pit pond located
along the north side of Farmington Avenue opposite its
intersection with Lower Lane. The proposal depicts filling
approximately two thirds of the pond's surface. The limit of
fill would coincide with limits of fill previously permitted
along abutting properties. A flood zone map was also shown to
the Commission.
The proposal is to fill the front portion of the pond for
future development and leave the rear portion of the pond as
a wetlands area. Also being proposed is extending the
drainage from Farmington Avenue and along the west property
line.
Vic Salci of 39 Surrey Lane owns a business on Willard Avenue.
Mr. Salci showed pictures to the Commission of flooding of his
property in 1978/1987/1989. If Farmington Avenue is being
developed then a Flood Control Program is needed.
Commissioner Ferraro is concerned about the loss of water
storage in the pond area.
Thomas Curtis is in favor of the application and he showed
pictures to the Commission of the Farmington Avenue area 50
years ago.
William Norton stated that the filling done by Mr. Curtis was
done before the Inland Wetlands Commission came into
existence.
Mr. Hewitt referred to the Inland Wetlands Regulations
(9. 02 .04 - filling of ponds and clay pits) .
Moved by Commissioner McCarthy and Seconded by Commissioner
Daigle to close the Public Hearing for Application 92-6WF.
All in Favor - Motion Carried.
4. Application 92-7WF - Proposal by the Town of Berlin to place
fill in both a wetland and flood hazard area on Lot 22, Block
84, Farmington Avenue.
Mr. James Horbal, Assistant Town Engineer, represented the
Town of Berlin. The Town of Berlin is requesting permission
to fill aportion of the Deephouse pond located along the north
side of Farmington Avenue opposite its intersection with Lower
Lane. This filling is being requested, and if granted will
provide for the construction of sidewalks within this area of
Farmington Avenue. Construction of this segment of sidewalk
will close the gap within this area and allow safe passage for
pedestrians along Farmington Avenue from Porters Pass to
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Massirio Drive.
Commissioner Daigle asked if a pedestrian bridge had been
considered.
Mr. Horbal stated the Town of Berlin had not looked into this
issue. The Town does not own the property. The property is
owned by the Stated of Connecticut and Mr. Deephouse.
Moved by Commissioner Ferraro and Seconded by Commissioner
Collis to close the Public Hearing on Application 92-7WF.
All in Favor - Motion Carried.
5. Miscellaneous
Chairman Kuziak informed the Commission of the Munson Property
on High Road. The fill that has been placed on the property is
outrageous.
Chairman Kuziak would like the Commission to issue a cease and
desist order to Mr. Munson and have him appear before the
Commission so the situation can be rectified.
Moved by Commissioner Collis and Seconded by Commissioner
Colburn to send the cease and desist letter to Mr. Munson at
685 High Road and request Mr. Munson to appear before the
Commission.
All in Favor - Motion Carried.
Chairman Kuziak stated the money for training has been
returned to the budget.
Commissioner Colburn would like to see some buffer
requirements in the Inland Wetlands Regulations.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10: 12 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
o .t..j V vo
Sandy DeVivo
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PROPOSED FOX HILL RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION
A NEIGHBORHOOD AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Designed in Accordance with Section 6.10 of the Town of Berlin Zoning Regulation
SITE INFORMATION,
PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN AN R-43 RESIDENTIAL ZONE
TOTAL AREA 35.802 Acres
PROPOSED LOTS 50 Lots
10 Lots to be Designated as Affordable Housing Units
AVERAGE LOT SIZE 21541 Sq. Ft.
OPEN SPACE
WEST AREA
DEDICATED OPEN SPACE TO TOWN OF BERLIN 4.77 Acres
AREAS OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS _
SUBTOTAL - WEST AREA v 67 Acres
NORTH AREA
DEDICATED OPEN SPACE TO TOWN OF BERLIN 2.52 Acres
AREAS OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS 0.73 Acres
SUBTOTAL - NORTH AREA 3.25 Acres
TOTALS
DEDICATED OPEN SPACE TO TOWN OF BERLIN 7.29 Acres
AREAS OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS .1.63 Acres
TOTAL OF ALL AREAS 8.92 Acres
WETLANDS AREAS
WEST AREA 3.93 Acres(±)
NORTH AREA 3.10 Acres(t)
TOTAL 7.03 Acres(±)
DRAINAGE AREAS
PEAK STORM FLOW
AREA WATERSHED AREA (25 YEAR STORM),
NORTH AREA (C) 7.75 Acres(t) t 13.5 CFS
WEST AREA (A) 3.5 Acres(±) ±8.2 CFS
(B) 4.8 Acres(±) t 8.8 CFS
Subtotal 8.3 Acres(±)
EAST AREA
To Detention Pond 2.6 Acres(±)
To Exist. Drainage 2.1 Acres(