2004-06-08
TOWN OF BERLIN
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2004
Members Present:
Michael DeLorenzo, Chairman
Richard Schmidt
Guy Hoffman
Rev. Frederick Raap
Steven Sokolowski
Wallace F. Ebner
Christina Berger
Hellyn Riggins, Town Planner, Staff Liaison
Juliet Benjamin, Secretary
Absent:
Peter F. Regan
It was noted with sadness the recent death of Commissioner Edward
Morawa.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman DeLorenzo called the meeting to order @ 6:30 P.M.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, TUESDAY, MAY II, 2004:
Commissioner Raap requested a correction to the spelling of his name in
the minutes. Commissioner Sokolowski MOVED to approve the Minutes of
Tuesday, May 11, 2004 as amended. SECONDED by Commissioner Ebner &
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
3. AUDIENCE OF CITIZENS:
None.
4. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Project Review - Site Plan Application #65375, Lorenzo J. Geremia,
2211 Berlin Turnpike - The Commission had no comment on the
application.
B. Project Review - Zone Change Request App. #65412, Angelo Aldi,
Lots 4 & 4A Spruce Brook Rd.jWilks Pond Rd.jCornfield Dr. - The
request of the property owner is to change the zone on this property from R-
43 to R-21. After discussion, Commissioner Schmidt made a MOTION
stating that the Conservation Commission does not support a change in
zoning on this property. Motion SECONDED by Commissioner Sokolowski
& UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. Commissioners also noted that any such
future requests should include topography showing wetlands, etc. on the
parcels.
C. Project Review - Special Permit Use App. #65416, Earl H. Wicklund
Builder Inc, Lot 28 & portion of Lot 26jBl. 142 Crystal Falls
Development - Commissioners were in agreement that there was
Conservation Commission Minutes -6/8/2004 - Page 2
insufficient information provided to allow for a complete review of the
application. Commissioners also noted that the Commission's policy is that
they would like to see open space contiguous with other open space parcels
on Town owned property, if possible.
D. Project Review - Site Plan Application #665376 - Coccomo
Brothers Associates, Lot 84C/BI 76 212 Old Brickyard Lane - Large
detached garage. Commission had no comment on this application.
E. Project Review - Site Plan Amendment Appl. #65417 - James
Desrochers, Lot 6-1 Four Rod Rd - Cornerstone Industrial Park - The
proposed plan is a proposal for nine small industrial buildings to be built on
the property. Commissioners had no comment on the proposed site plan.
F. Project Review - Site Plan Application #65409 - J & S, LLC, 93
Deming Rd. - Town Planner Riggins noted that application is to change
windows and doors on an existing building. Commissioners had no
comment on the plan.
G. Project Review - Subdivision Application #65397, P.N. DiPinto
Builder LLC - Lots 14 & 15 (750) Chamberlain Highway, Kensington
Valley Estates - The subdivision plan calls for twelve homes on the R-21
portion of the property. The property contains both R-21 & R-43 sections.
The total acreage of the property is 23-1/2 acres. The Commission had
several comments on this plan. They were concerned about cutting lots into
the slope on the north side of the property and suggested the building pads
for these lots be moved away from the slope, (Lots 14-10, 14-11 & 14-12).
Commissioner Sokolowski questioned the amount of water that would be
draining from the Chamberlain Highway and how that water drainage will
affect abutting property owners on Lots 15A, 16 & 17 A. Commissioners
questioned building on Lot 15-9 due to it being in a marshy, wet area and
whether the developer would consider making that lot a part of the open
space area. Commissioners wondered if Lot 15-9 were to be built on, how
much fill would be required in the area? Commission recommended that
any open space area be cleaned up by the developer prior to giving over to
the Town, to be sure no dumping area is included, which could prove to be a
liability for the Town. Commissioners were in agreement that they would
like to see more meaningful open space and noted that they could not
comment fully without a calculation of how much open space area is
wetland. Commissioners were concerned that the detention facility is to be
placed within proposed open space and that the sanitary sewer placement is
also shown on the proposed open space area. The Commission suggested
that the Developer might want to consider offering a fee in lieu of a
dedicated open space area. Commissioners also questioned what a reverse
berm was and what is its purpose?
H. Project Review - Site Plan Application #65392 Randm Realty, LLC,
707 Christian Lane - Town Planner Riggins noted the request was for a
fence and gate on the existing property. Commission had no comment on
the application.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
A. USE OF TOWN LANDS
Conservation Commission Minutes -6/8/2004 - Page 3
1. Sanitary Septic Survey jWatershed Assoc. - Commissioner
Hoffman noted that the survey is complete, but he has not had
a chance to get a final copy.
2. Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett Trail Study - Draft
Concept Paper - Commissioner Schmidt noted that the group
has remained active and he has received notifications of
meetings.
B. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION - Commissioners reviewed a letter
that Chairman DeLorenzo will be sending to Economic Development Director
James Mahoney regarding supporting the Town of Berlin's application for an
Open Space Land Acquisition Grant from the State of Connecticut for the
purchase of a 50 acre site on the Chamberlain Highway. After review,
Commissioner Sokolowski MOVED to have Chairman DeLorenzo forward the
letter to Mr. Mahoney. SECONDED by Commissioner Ebner & UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED.
Defining Open Space - Commissioners discussed re-defining a
statement regarding open space. Commissioner Schmidt stated that he
preferred the definition in the Berlin Municipal Code because it was
straightforward and to the point. It states, "Open space land means any
undeveloped or unimproved piece of property or any portion thereof,
owned by the town, that requires little or no active maintenance. The
definition of open space land shall include, but not be limited to, land left
in its natural, undisturbed state, agricultural land for which development
rights have been alienated in perpetuity, land areas for wildlife habitat,
passive recreation, groundwater recharge and scenic preservation, and
land acquired by the town from subdividers of land pursuant to the town's
zoning regulations".
Commissioner Berger distributed copies and asked Commissioners to
review an open space fact sheet memo written by Jim Gibbons, Land Use
Specialist, titled, Open Space: What Is It, How Do We Plan For It, And Build
Consensus To Protect It.
Town Planner Riggins suggested the Commissioners define the criteria of
what it is looking for in open space acquisition.
Commissioners discussed putting together a list of targeted sites that
would be desirable for open space acquisition. Commissioner Schmidt noted
that the Town of Wallingford sends out a letter every year to property owners
soliciting land for open space acquisition. He agreed to look into getting a copy
of the letter for the Commission to review.
Chairman DeLorenzo asked the Commissioners to continue to think
about defining open space for further discussion at the next meeting.
6. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
Copies of Mattabesset Matters, Summer 2004 addition were distributed. .
8. ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Berger MOVED to adjourn the meeting @9:00 P.M.
SECONDED by Commissioner Sokolowski & UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Respectfully submitted,
Juliet K. Benjamin, Secretary