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| NORWALK CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES |
December 12, 2006
Attendance: Anne Cagnina, Chair; Andy Kydes; Matt Caputo; Ed Holowinko; Beth Ackerman; Karen Destefanis (6:16)
Staff: Alexis Cherichetti, Senior Environmental Officer; Bob Maslan, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Sarah Rettger, Conservation Assistant
Others: Bill Edgerton; Vasili Tchersak
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:07 PM.
ROLL CALL
Ms. Cherichetti called the roll.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
a) Pending litigation – Conservation Permit #S05-235 – 12 Allen Road – Canevari
** MR. CAPUTO MOVED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
** MR. HOLOWINKO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting went into executive session at 6:08 PM.
Ms. Ackerman recused herself from the executive session.
** MR. CAPUTO MOVED TO RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION.
** MS. DESTEFANIS SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting returned to public session at 7:11 PM.
Ms. Ackerman returned to the meeting.
PERMIT MODIFICATION, TRANSFER, OR EXTENSION
a) #S05-215A – 74 Cranbury Road – Tarzia – Modification of permit to provide flood water storage with an underground tank system instead of the approved swale.
Ms. Cherichetti reported that the applicant had again requested that the application be tabled. She reminded the commissioners that they were required to make a decision by the January 23 meeting, so she had informed the applicant that all new information must be in by January 9.
b) #S05-233A – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive – Kurylko – Transfer from Pat J. Cutrone Builder, LLC to Kurylko
Ms. Cherichetti briefly reviewed the application.
** MR. CAPUTO MOVED TO GRANT THE TRANSFER WITH THE SAME CONDITIONS AS THE ORIGINAL PERMIT.
** MS. CAGNINA SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
c) #S01-083A – 218 New Canaan Avenue – Negley – Request for extension
Ms. Cherichetti briefly reviewed the application, and noted that, like all conservation permits, it expires five years after the date of issuance.
** MR. CAPUTO MOVED TO APPROVE THE EXTENSION WITH THE SAME CONDITIONS AS THE ORIGINAL PERMIT.
** MS. CAGNINA SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
RECEIPT/DISCUSSION
a) #S06-263 – 246 West Norwalk Road – Edgerton – Two-lot subdivision of land in and adjacent to wetland and watercourse
Ms. Cherichetti reviewed the staff report. She explained that much of the parcel used to be a pond, but the dam that formed the pond was removed in 2004. She explained that the owner proposed two lots, one containing the existing residence.
The commissioners reviewed the site plan.
Mr. Kydes asked if the lot configuration conformed to zoning regulations. Ms. Cherichetti said that the lot appeared to be allowed in a AAA zone.
There was a discussion of whether a public hearing should be scheduled.
Ms. Destefanis asked for a clarification of wetland locations. Ms. Cherichetti pointed out the wetlands on the site plan. Mr. Edgerton explained that a closure line had incorrectly been left on the site plan because he had attempted to separate the former pond from the rest of the lot, but learned that zoning regulations did not allow it.
Ms. Destefanis noted that the site plan showed it was possible to locate a house and septic system more than 50 feet from the wetland line.
Ms. Cherichetti asked the commissioners if they would like staff to draft a resolution for approval of the subdivision. The commissioners agreed that staff should do so.
b) #S06-264 – 27 Ferris Avenue – Tchersak – Construction of a multi-family (6-unit) residence in and adjacent to wetland and watercourse
Ms. Cherichetti reviewed the site plan. She noted that the wetland was disturbed by the recent North Taylor Avenue drainage project.
Ms. Destefanis asked if the property was currently paved. Ms. Cherichetti said it was partially paved and partially lawn. Mr. Tchersak said the paving extends approximately ten feet behind the rear house.
Ms. Cherichetti reviewed mitigation measures the commissioners could consider, including reduced grading and additional stormwater retention measures.
Ms. Ackerman said she like the idea of a rain garden and a ten-foot buffer.
Mr. Tchersak said 56 cubic yards of fill would be used for grading.
The commissioners agreed that a rain garden and expanded buffer would be beneficial. Ms. Cherichetti said she would look into the feasibility of a rain garden and work with the applicant.
Ms. Destefanis left the meeting at 7:39 PM.
MINUTES
a) October 17, 2006
** MS. ACKERMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
** MR. CAPUTO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
b) October 24, 2006
** MS. ACKERMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
** MR. CAPUTO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
c) November 14, 2006
** MS. ACKERMAN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
** MR. CAPUTO SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMENTS OF STAFF
a) Minor Permits and Enforcement Actions
Ms. Cherichetti said she had issued a Notice of Violation.
b) Report of Senior Environmental Officer
Ms. Cherichetti said she was in the process of developing an operating budget for the next fiscal year.
COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS
a) Public Education Projects
Mr. Holowinko noted that the City and the Norwalk River Watershed Association had recently received grants for river maintenance and public education.
Ms. Cherichetti described the EPA grant the City and the Norwalk River Watershed Initiative had applied for. She also noted that more copies of the wetlands brochure were being printed in English and Spanish. Mr. Kydes offered to arrange for a Greek translation.
There was a discussion of developing information about the storm and sanitary sewer systems.
b) Regulated Area Review
Ms. Cagnina said that CACIWC had recommended that cities establish a 100-foot upland review area around all wetlands, but said that Ms. Cherichetti had pointed out that it would not be feasible in Norwalk because of narrow lots and many wetlands.
Ms. Cherichetti pointed out that an excessive upland review area would also result in more convoluted attempts to avoid regulation.
ADJOURNMENT
** MR. CAPUTO MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
** MR. KYDES SECONDED THE MOTION.
** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 PM.
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