Inland Wetland Minutes - February 26, 2001

Inland and Wetlands

February 26, 2001

Board Members Present: Chairman Arnold Koehler, Brian Doody, John Kaufman, Joseph Piotrowski
Alternates Present: Lawrence Gomez
Absent Members: David Holley, Harold Bernier (Alt.), Enver Kaba (Alt.)
Others Present: Bill Donovan, Land Use Inspector

Chairman Arnold Koehler called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Lawrence Gomez was seated for David Holley.

Approval of Minutes: Chairman Koehler read aloud the minutes of January 22, 2001. Motion by John Kaufman, seconded by Joseph Piotrowski to approve the minutes of the January 22, 2001 meeting as amended. Unanimous.

Communications:

  1. Letter postmarked 2/20/01 from Helen Swanson, 20 Barry Lane, re: the application for a Proposed Car Wash.
  2. Note from Helen Swanson, 20 Barry Lane, re: the application for a Proposed Car Wash.
  3. Letter dated 2/21/01 from Ann Mascoli, 96 Waterbury Road re: the application for a Proposed Car Wash.
  4. Notice of Workshop at Weslyan University on March 3, 2001 – Connecticut Land Use Law for Municipal Land Use Agencies, Boards & Commissions.
  5. Letter dated 1/23/01 from the New England Wild Flower Society.
  6. Letter dated 1/26/01 from the Town of Greenwich re: Position Available for Senior Inland Wetlands Analyst.
  7. Publication from Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - River Rundown, Winter 2001.
  8. Directory of River & Watershed Organizations Compiled by Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Watershed Management Program 2001.
  9. Connecticut Horse Environmental Awareness Program – Horse Farm of Environmental Distinction.
  10. Council of Governments Central Naugatuck Valley Notice of Training Workshops for Land Use Officials.
  11. The Nature Conservancy, Connecticut Chapter – Annual Report, 2000.
  12. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection – Connecticut Wildlife, January/February 2001.

Old Business:
a. Peter Conroy, 59 & 61 Summit Road. Application #07-2000, for (2) Houses, Septic System & Driveways in a Regulated Area. This application was accepted at the January 8, 2001 meeting. At a site walk held on February 24, 2001 at 8:00 a.m., it was noted that there were watercourses not shown on the site plan map that should be. The Commissioners also determined that the snow cover on the ground would prohibit an accurate assessment of the property at this time. Bill Donovan stated that the applicant indicated he would be withdrawing this application. A letter should be forthcoming.

New Business:
a. Town of Prospect, 36 Center Street. Drainage Improvements – Tress Road & Cornwall Avenue. Gene McCarthy, Assistant Director of Public Works, reviewed a proposed storm drainage plan for Tress Road & Cornwall Avenue stating that the new plan will move the outflow further down on water company property allowing more depth for drainage. There are no wetland soils involved but there is a seasonal watercourse caused by drainage. The Water Company has approved the project. Motion by John Kaufman, seconded by Brian Doody to accept Application #10-2000, Town of Prospect, for drainage improvements on Tress Road & Cornwall Avenue. Unanimous. Motion by John Kaufman, seconded by Lawrence Gomez to waive the application fees for the Town of Prospect. Unanimous. Motion by John Kaufman, seconded by Joseph Piotrowski to approve Application #10-2000, Town of Prospect, as presented and shown on proposed storm drainage map dated April 15, 2000 prepared by William F. Orsine & Associates. Unanimous.

b. David Praskievicz, 1746 Plank Road, Cheshire, CT. Application for Wood Products Production in a Regulated Area – 80 & 84 Scott Road. Scott Poryanda, professional engineer with Connecticut Consulting Engineers, spoke on behalf of the applicant explaining that Mr. Praskievicz is looking to relocate his business, Quality Hardwood, to property located at 80 & 84 Scott Road. Mr. Poryanda submitted a letter from Mark Solomito, executor for the estate of Marie Iagrossi, the record owner of the property on Scott Road, stating that Mr. Praskievicz is under contract with the Estate to purchase said properties and allowing Mr. Praskievicz to submit applications to the land use boards. Also submitted was the soil scientist’s report and Mr. Poryanda stated that the wetlands have been flagged. Quality Hardwood works with the storage and sale of wood by-products harvested from site clearings. One wetlands crossing is being proposed to allow access to the back of the site. The access road would be within 25 feet of wetlands. Motion by Brian Doody, seconded by John Kaufman to accept Application #11-2000, Quality Hardwood, for a water course driveway crossing and storage of wood within a regulated area. Unanimous. Fees were set at $495.00 and $10.00 based on (2) regulated activities and total acreage of 18 acres. It was agreed that the fees might be increased if additional regulated activities were identified at the site walk. A site walk was scheduled for Saturday March 10, 2001 at 8:00 a.m.

Public Hearings:
a. J.N.J. Realty, LLC, 97 Waterbury Road. Application #08-2000 for a Car Wash Facility/ Quick Lube. Chairman Koehler stated that a site walk was held on February 24, 2001 at 8:45 a.m. It was determined that the snow coverage would not allow proper assessment of the site regarding this application. A letter dated February 26, 2001 from David Carson of OCC Design Consortium, LLC, was read requesting, on behalf of the applicant, that the Public Hearing be opened without testimony and continued until March 12, 2001 in order to allow additional time for a site walk before presentation of testimony. Chairman Koehler opened the public hearing at 7:43 p.m. and read the notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Waterbury Republican American. Motion by John Kaufman, seconded by Brian Doody to continue the public hearing to March 12, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. Unanimous. A site walk was set for March 10, 2001 at 9:00 am. Bill Donovan stated that if weather conditions allowed, the Commissioners could visit the site individually before the site walk. At 7:45 p.m. the public hearing was continued to March 12th at 7:30 p.m.

Enforcement Hearings: None

Land Use Inspector’s Report: Bill Donovan encouraged the Commissioners to participate in the Land Use Seminars being offered through the Council of Governments of the Central Naugatuck Valley. The Commissioners were given an overview of progress made with updating the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development, including a parcel-based map showing wetlands located on vacant and underdeveloped land. Bill stated that H.M.A., Inc., would be at the April 4, 2001 meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission for further input from the public and the Town Council.

Public Participation: Mike Dreher, 2 Stonefield Drive, read a letter from Sigrun Gadwa, Carya Ecological Services, in reference to the proposed car wash/quick lube facility at 97 Waterbury Road, urging a third party wetland/watercourse delineation determination of the extent of regulated areas and stating that the application should be withdrawn until it can be resubmitted in complete form. Chairman Koehler stated he would refer Ms. Gadwa’s letter to the Town Attorney. Mr. Dreher also submitted a Verified Notice of Intervention regarding the proposed car wash/quick lube facility on behalf of The Concerned Prospect Citizens. Chairman Koehler stated that the notice of intervention would be referred to the Town Attorney as well. Jean Meehan, Prospect Conservation Commission, read a statement from the Conservation Commission regarding the proposed car wash. Chairman Koehler stated that comments regarding the proposed car wash needed to be put off until the public hearing on March 12th. There was no further public participation.

Motion by Joseph Piotrowski, seconded by Brian Doody to adjourn at 8:14 p.m. Unanimous.

Arnold Koehler
Chairman