TOWN OF GRANBY
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 9, 2011
PRESENT: Chairman David Tolli, Rick Van Nostrand, Neil Kraner, Aurelle Locke, Deb Sheahan, Craig Perry, Wayne Cahoon and David Askew.
Chairman Tolli called the meeting to order and confirmed a quorum at 7:06 p.m.
MINUTES
Aurelle Locke requests that under Any Other Proper Business of the December 8, 2010 minutes be amended to read: Ms. Locke states that she is upset that the commission did not receive the soils report for the 12-lot subdivision at 69 Hartford Avenue prior to the public hearing. She feels that the application was incomplete at the time it was submitted. The public was not given an opportunity to review the report and to ask questions regarding its content. In the future, she would like the commission to not set any hearings before an application is complete.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Van Nostrand, seconded by Ms. Locke, the commission approved the minutes of the December 8, 2010 meeting. (6-0-1) Mr. Kraner abstains.
APPLICATION
2. 20 Moosehorn Road, rear lot subdivision
Application cannot be heard until an amendment to the wetland boundary is approved.
VIOLATION
3. 44 Silver Brook
The commission recommends the excess material be removed and the area flattened. Also, the soil around the tree roots needs to be eased to prevent damage.
Tom Grimaldi, engineer for the remediation, will submit his report for the April meeting.
DISCUSSION ITEM AND UPDATE
4. 240 Case Street, dam
Tom Grimaldi, engineer, is finalizing his proposal to the landowner. The wetland agent may invite the landowner to appear at the next meeting for an opportunity to express his views and ideas on the situation.
WETLAND BOUNDARY AMENDMENT
5. 20 Moosehorn Road
Christian Alford represents Kelly Gibson, property owner. The request is to divide the 13-acre lot into two lots. The soils report was distributed. In 1996, the wetlands were delineated for the subdivision. No direct impact to the wetlands is expected during construction. The land slopes away from the proposed activity. Rain guards would be installed to collect water flowing down from the driveway.
A public hearing is required.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Kraner, seconded by Mr. Perry, the commission unanimously agrees to hold a public hearing on this matter at the April 13, 2011 meeting.
Once the weather improves (snow melts, less rain) commission members will walk the property. The landowner grants access at the members’ convenience.
CAWS MEETING DISCUSSION
(Connecticut Association of Wetland Scientists) Mr. Tolli and Mr. Askew attended the recent meeting. Topics included stream restoration and the National Wetland Inventory. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife composes the inventory, which includes wetland plants. Janet Brooks, wetlands expert, blogs on ctwetlandslaw.com. She comments that the burden of proof is on the applicant. Commission decisions challenged are due to lack of expert evidence in the record. Mike Clements is working with towns to strengthen regulations. He suggests that Planning and Zoning commissions should be flexible enough to reduce the size/cluster of projects to protect natural resources.
ANY OTHER PROPER BUSINESS
ON A MOTION by Mr. Cahoon, seconded by Mr. Perry, the commission unanimously agrees to add the following item to the agenda:
Request for Review
7 Spring Road, proposed house site
The 4.5 acre building lot has a 30’ x 80’ knoll in front, approximately 75’ from the road. The interested buyers would like the place the house on the knoll for aesthetic reasons. They further desire a walk-out basement. This would require a cut that would come within 25’ of the isolated wetland. The driveway would be too steep (18% grade) as originally proposed.
ON A MOTION by Ms. Locke, seconded by Mr. Van Nostrand, the commission authorizes the wetland agent to make further inspection to determine whether or not an application is necessary. (7-0-0)
Commission members discussed the need to have access to agenda item information prior to the scheduled meeting. It was suggested that materials be made available on the Friday prior to the meeting. Also, there are not enough information packets left for review. An amendment to the regulations may be necessary to request additional copies.
The next monthly meeting is April 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Perry, seconded by Ms. Sheahan, the commission unanimously agreed to end the meeting at 8:00 p.m. (7-0-0)
Respectfully submitted,
Sandra Yost
Recording Secretary
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