|
THESE MINUTES ARE PRESENTED IN DRAFT FORM AND HAVE NOT
BEEN FORMALLY APPROVED BY THE ENFIELD INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSE AGENCY.
OFFICIAL COPIES OF MINUTES, WHEN APPROVED, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TOWN CLERK OR PLANNING OFFICE.
INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES AGENCY
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2010
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency was held Tuesday, August 3, 2010 in the Council Chambers, Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut.
Members Present: Douglas Maxellon, Chairman
Maryann Abar, Alternate (seated)
Joseph Albert
Karen Camidge
Jo-Marie Nelson
Brian Peruta
Jennifer Sierra, Alternate (entered at 7:08 p.m.)
Patrick Szczesiul, Alternate (seated)
Members Absent: Robert LeMay
Robie Staples
Also Present: David Askew, Inland Wetlands Consultant
Ray Warren, Director of Economic Development
Jeannette Lamontagne, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order by Chairman Douglas Maxellon at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL – Present were Chairman Maxellon, Agents Abar, Albert, Camidge, Nelson, Peruta and Szczesiul. Agent Sierra entered at 7:08 p.m. Also present were
David Askew, Inland Wetlands Consultant and Jeannette Lamontagne, Recording Secretary
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by Agent Nelson, seconded by Agent Camidge to accept David Askew as Acting Inland Wetlands Agent. The vote was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
XIW-10-12 – Town of Enfield – A permit has been requested for the Road 2005 Program, Section 1D-1. This project is to provide roadway and drainage improvements to Lafayette Road, Hartford Avenue and Alden Avenue within the regulated area. Submitted 06/14/10, received 06/15/10, PPE 06/30/10, MAD 08/19/10.
Present for this discussion was Jane Witherall from the Maguire Group.
I/W Special Meeting
08/03/2010
Page 2
Chairman Maxellon stated at the last meeting questions were raised concerning the culvert.
Ms. Witherall stated they did extend the pipe further into the wetlands and dropped in manholes and scour holes.
Chairman Maxellon stated the Agency will require copies of the revised plans. Ms. Witherall indicated those will be provided. Revised plans were date stamped during this evening’s meeting and are to be submitted for review.
Chairman Maxellon questioned the technical aspects of the changes. Ms. Witherall stated they added a ten-foot manhole and they extended the pipe with a scour hole designed in accordance with the DOT drainage manual. The pipe has a 2.5% slope at the end. She noted she ran this through the culvert master program. Chairman Maxellon requested specific technical aspects be submitted for review as well.
Mr. Askew stated he looked at this last Friday. He noted this is a common problem that has been seen in culvert outlets around Enfield in that there’s quite a bit of scour down through the centerline of the channel. He recommended bringing it as far down the slope as possible. He noted the revised plan doesn’t show whether this discharge location brings it past a very notable erosion area.
Ms. Witherall stated this is where they tried to minimize things. She noted if need be they can easily bring it down further. She stated they’re trying to avoid impacting too much wetlands and then have to get an Army Corps permit since 5,000 square feet is the threshold. Chairman Maxellon stated Mr. Askew can make that determination after he has reviewed the plan.
Ms. Witherall stated they are increasing the flow slightly from 13 CFS to 20 CFS, and they are going from a 12-inch pipe to a 24-inch pipe. The existing pipe has a velocity of 17.7 feet per second, and the new pipe will have a velocity of 9.7 feet per second. Chairman Maxellon requested all these details be submitted to Barbara, the secretary in the Planning Office.
Mr. Askew stated he would like to review these plans. He noted even if the velocity is dropped, once it hits the top of the channel, there will still be erosion. Ms. Witherall noted they could pipe down further, and they could easily add another manhole.
Agent Albert questioned whether anyone addressed the debris problem, and Ms. Witherall noted an e-mail from Piya Hawkes states the Town would prefer to handle the clean-up in coordination with the contractor during construction. Chairman Maxellon
I/W Special Meeting
08/03/2010
Page 3
requested Ms. Witherall submit Mr. Hawkes e-mail to Barbara so that this can be added as a condition.
Agent Albert questioned whether there will be a maintenance schedule to clean culverts on a regular basis. Chairman Maxellon stated he has not seen anything come forward about this as yet, but this is a good point.
Agent Albert stated he would like this monitored to be sure there’s no more debris in the area. Chairman Maxellon stated Mr. Askew can look at this and give a recommendation.
Agent Albert questioned whether they will have to go further down with an access road in order to maintain this area. He noted he does not want to create another problem by creating access for pick-up trucks going into that area for clean up. Ms. Witherall pointed out it wouldn’t be necessary to clean up manholes since they’re putting in ten-foot deep catch basins with two-foot sumps. Sediment is going to collect in the catch basins before it gets to the manholes, therefore, they shouldn’t need any access. She added the catch basin sumps should be on a maintenance schedule. Chairman Maxellon stated Mr. Askew will look at the maintenance schedule.
Chairman Maxellon concluded the discussion by requesting Ms. Witherall submit all the information to Barbara so that the Agency will be ready to address this item at the next regular meeting of September 7, 2010.
IW539 – Permit for activities within a regulated area associated with new medical building construction and related site activities at 160 Hazard Ave., T.P. Rentals, LLC, applicant/owner. Submitted 7/16/10, received 7/20/10, PPE 08/03/10, MAD 09/23/10. (Determination of Need for Public Hearing)
Present for this discussion were T.J. Boresi, Engineering Surveyor for T.P. Rentals
Mr. Boresi stated the application is for a new building and parking. The site is located on the south side of Hazard Avenue. This site consists of 3.72 acres, and it’s presently overgrown with a mix of dense growth and small shrubbery. The topography of the property shows the land running northerly towards Hazard Avenue and in an easterly direction. There are two wetland pockets located on the eastern and western sides, and these were created as ditches to provide run-off collection from easterly and westerly properties. These pockets of wetlands convey the water to the north to an existing drainage pipe on Hazard Avenue. Public water and sewer is available on Hazard Avenue.
The proposal is for a 24,000 square foot medical office building accessible from Hazard Avenue through one curb cut. Parking is provided on three sides of the building, with an access drive continuing all the way around the building.
I/W Special Meeting
08/03/2010
Page 4
Mr. Boresi stated drainage is designed in a manner to provide drainage away from the building. Vegetative swales are proposed for the westerly and easterly sides, which are designed to intercept the runoff from the proposed development on the west and any runoff on the east. The runoff would be directed to a new drainage pipe to the existing 30-inch culvert, bypassing the retention area to maintain existing conditions.
All the storm runoff will be collected by the former drainage system as concerns the development of the building and proposed parking. That drainage system discharges to a retention area, and this retention area will treat the water and discharge the water from the existing 30-inch culvert.
Mr. Boresi stated a drainage study was submitted to the Engineering Department.
As concerns utilities, the building will be served by public water and sewer. Site lighting will have to be approved by Planning & Zoning.
Landscaping is proposed along the south and southeast, and landscaping was increased to help provide a rain garden. Landscaping is proposed around the building for aesthetic purposes. The vegetated swales and retention area will be vegetated with wetland grasses and wetland plants.
As concerns erosions controls, they’re proposing a silt fence, catch basins and silt traps where necessary. The proposed retention area will serve as a temporary silt trap during construction, and upon completion of construction, that retention area will be re-shaped according to design to act as a permanent sediment trap for the treatment of water and will function as the retention area for the designed drainage system.
Regarding prudent and feasible alternatives, this design is actually considered a prudent and feasible alternative of the original design. The original design showed most of the drainage being handled by an oversized underground pipe system. The design was changed to provide swales, which will help with water treatment, and the landscaped area was increased with the inclusion of a rain garden.
Mr. Baresi stated the design does show some direct wetland impacts, but they believe this design is sensitive to these impacts. He added they believe the site has been designed to offset wetland impacts, i.e., creation of swales, rain garden and a retention area provide sufficient storm water management, and over time this will develop into a larger, higher quality habitat area than what exists today.
Chairman Maxellon questioned whether Mr. Askew has any feedback on this. Mr. Askew recommended a soil or wetland scientist look at what has been submitted and report back to the Inland Wetlands Agency. He added it appears they did a fine job.
I/W Special Meeting
08/03/2010
Page 5
Chairman Maxellon recommended a soil scientist provide a report on this.
Agent Peruta referred to the wetland on the west side and the mention of an intermittent watercourse on the plan and questioned if that’s flagged as “wetlands”. Mr. Boresi responded no.
Agent Peruta stated he likes the idea of a rain garden.
Agent Camidge questioned whether the newly created wetland should be monitored to be sure it becomes established, and Mr. Askew made note of this.
Agent Nelson questioned what type of medical wastes will be in this building. Mr. Baresi indicated he did not know, adding this is a traditional medical building.
Agent Szczesiul questioned the success rate in the establishment of wetland vegetation. Mr. Baresi responded it can be done, and in an urban area such as this, it’s relatively easy to replicate a wetland.
Chairman Maxellon stated he didn’t see any area for snow storage, and Mr. Baresi stated the western and southwestern corners have snow storage areas.
Chairman Maxellon questioned if there’s curbing, and Mr. Baresi responded yes.
Chairman Maxellon requested retention pond details be submitted to Barbara for distribution. He also requested details be submitted as to where general waste will be located.
Chairman Maxellon questioned if any thought was given to a roof garden, and Mr. Baresi indicated no.
A motion was made by Agent Nelson, seconded by Agent Camidge to hold a Public Hearing based on significant public interest and potential impact to wetlands. The motion failed with a vote of 3-4-0.
Chairman Maxellon stated this item will be continued to the September 7, 2010 meeting.
IW #538 – Discussion of Minor Changes to Eppendorf project at 175 Freshwater Blvd
Present for this discussion was Dana Steele, Project Engineer for J.R. Russo & Assoc.
I/W Special Meeting
08/03/2010
Page 6
Chairman Maxellon stated at the last meeting, an application was approved with conditions. He noted one of the conditions was that they could move the building around as long as they stayed close to their footprint. He stated since that meeting, the consultants decided to make a small change in the footprint, which took it outside those parameters.
Mr. Warren explained this minor change is because the company is trying to figure out its greatest expandability. He stated his hope the project can move forward because there are some very pressing schedules for expansion. He advocated moving this on the quick track.
Mr. Steele explained that although things within the site have shuffled around, the perimeter of the area to be developed really hasn’t changed, except for one small area. The plan that was approved was a 138,000 square foot building, which was mainly a rectangle shape. The Eppendorf board looked at this with an eye toward maximizing for future build-out. With the rectangular plan, the loading docks were going to be on the east side of the building. After more consideration, the decision was to move those loading docks to the existing building with an expansion of pavement. The building, which always consisted of warehouse and manufacturing space, is now being divided up with a 31,000 square foot warehouse portion, and the remaining portion would be manufacturing space. The total square footage they are now looking at is 124,663 square feet, and that includes the 31,000 square feet.
Mr. Steele stated the footprint of the building has shrunk by about 14,000 square feet. They will be expanding the second floor mezzanine; therefore, there will be a significant reduction in footprint. The footprint has been moved more to the east and the west, and it’s reduced in the northern direction. This allows the applicant to expand the warehouse and manufacturing space to maximize where they believe their needs will be.
Mr. Steele explained the parking is essentially the same. It’s been reconfigured a little in the front. The components that relate to wetlands, water quality treatment, and storm water detention have not changed. The only change in order to accommodate that corner of the building, which encroaches closer to existing pavement, is that they need to relocate a swale to parallel the proposed property line. The property line has not changed, but the swale has been brought in tighter to that property line. The result is the additional clearing of vegetation required in order to accommodate the swale. It is quite a distance from the remaining wetland finger to the north of that area, and most of it is also outside the 100-foot area of that wetland.
He stated a trash compactor is proposed on the north side of the warehouse area.
I/W Special Meeting
08/03/2010
Page 7
Mr. Steele stated there’s no more increase in wetlands disturbance, there’s a decrease in the amount of impervious coverage, and there’s a decrease in the footprint of the building. He stated it’s their request that the Agency authorizes staff to review these changes.
Mr. Askew stated none of the changes effect the proposed changes or filling of the existing wetlands. He noted this only effects the proposed drainage swale that’s replacing the existing drainage swale. He stated because the road is a little closer to the top of the channel, he requests the landscape architect look at these revisions.
Agents Sierra, Peruta, Albert, Camidge, Nelson and Szczesiul agreed the change is acceptable.
Chairman Maxellon raised a question about the turning radius for trucks. Mr. Steele explained the truck traffic around this site will be counterclockwise. He noted there will be ample room for trucks.
Chairman Maxellon questioned what the ground cover will be, and Mr. Steele responded there will be a lawn surface for the future addition.
Chairman Maxellon questioned whether the front retention pond moved, and Mr. Steele responded yes, it had to be curved to follow the new pavement, but the volume has not changed.
Addressing himself to Mr. Warren, Chairman Maxellon stated the Agency did not know if any paperwork needed to be filed. He requested this be verified. Mr. Warren made note of this.
Mr. Askew stated Eppendorf should submit a one-page wetlands application, and they have to do a notification to the newspaper within 10 days of the approval. He added he would be the agent signing that application.
A motion was made by Agent Nelson, seconded by Agent Camidge to allow I/W #538 to be handled administratively by Town staff. The vote was unanimous.
OTHER BUSINESS
IWWA REGULATION REVISIONS
Chairman Maxellon recommended tabling this until the September meeting.
I/W Special Meeting
08/03/2010
Page 8
A motion was made by Agent Camidge, seconded by Agent Abar to table this item. The vote was unanimous.
Chairman Maxellon stated he received an e-mail from Ray Warren regarding the South Maple Street Bridge being demolished in the near future. He noted the e-mail states dust and debris, which is generated from this demolition, will be collected. There will be water samples collected, and an environmental expert is supposed to be on site.
Chairman Maxellon requested Mr. Warren send the Agency an e-mail informing them as to who is the environmental consultant.
NEXT MEETING
Chairman Maxellon stated the next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Enfield Room.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Agent Camidge, seconded by Agent Nelson to adjourn. The vote was unanimous, and the meeting stood adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________
Jo-Marie Nelson, Secretary
|