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EAST LYME CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Scrolling down or clicking the bookmarks will take you to all the submitted minutes for meetings held in May |
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Public Hearing Minutes May 5, 2008 East Lyme Conservation Commission
1. Application of Orvedal for an 11 lot subdivision at Holmes Road, Assessor’s Map 57, Lot 13, 65 Holmes Road, Assessor’s Map 57, Lot 12 & 69 Holmes Road, Map 57, Lot 11.
Members Present: Ed Hafner, Chairman; Candace Bodenhofer, Cheryl Lozanov, Chuck Reluga, Rich Gallagher, Seated Alternate Members Keith Hall and Phyllis Berger
Also Present: Mathew White of Angus McDonald/Gary Sharpe Associates; Ben Orvedal, Property Owner; Keith Hayden, Wetlands Enforcement Officer
Mr. Hafner seated Mr. Hall and Ms Berger as voting alternate members of the Commission and stated that he would not be voting on any motions made unless necessary to break a tie.
MOTION 1: Ms. Lozanov moved to open the Public Hearing at 7:04 p.m. Seconded by Mrs. Bodenhofer.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
The following exhibits were entered into the public hearing record:
1. Permit application dated 4/1/2008 2. Wetlands evaluation dated March 28, 2008 by Richard Snarski. 3. DEP Reporting Form 4. Drainage Analysis Dated March 31, 2008. 5. Copy of check # 18052 for $980 application fee. 6. Legal notice published in the New London Day on 4/25/08 7. Legal notice published in the New London Day on 5/2/08 8. Drainage Area Map, dated March 31, 2008 9. Plans entitled "Libby J. Orvedal, Holmes Road, East Lyme Connecticut, Sheets 1 through 9 dated January 15, 2008". 10. Certified mailing receipts. 11. Revised sheet 6 of 9 of plans
Mr. White stated that the site consists of three lots totaling 37 acres. The lots will be combined to create an eleven lot open space subdivision which will be accessed by a shared driveway. Most of the development will be outside of the regulated area. Mr. White reviewed the drainage design and stated that there will be no net increase in storm water runoff. Mr. White stated that a planting plan is included which was designed by Richard Snarski, Certified Soil Scientist.
Mr. White stated that the plan also includes widening a portion of Holmes Road and adding a Catch Basin (CB) and underdrain to correct a drainage problem which is causing the road to be undermined.
Mr. Reluga asked now much impervious surface there will be. Mr. White stated about 9.6%.
Ms. Lozanov asked how home owners will be made aware that the conservation easement area and BMPs for lawn and plant care. Mr. White stated through educations and association documents, they will have to review the documents at the time of closing on the property.
Maintenance of the retention basins was discussed.
Ms. Lozanov asked if there will be a CB in the center island or if a rain garden could be put there. Mr. White stated that the area is not intended to be cleared.
Mrs. Bodenhofer asked if the plans call for curbing. Mr. White stated that curbing will be installed in the 10% grade areas and the rest will be sheet flow.
Mrs. Bodenhofer asked if the work on Holmes Road is included in this application. Mr. White stated that the applicant had not agreed to do the road work but they are seeking approval for it to be done.
Mr. Orvedal stated that he has lived on Holmes Road for 25 years and the section of road in question is narrow and higher than the land on either side. Mr. Orvedal stated that there are less expensive ways to fix the road. Mr. Orvedal stated that the road hasn’t looked better in 25 years. He does not think any part of Holmes Road needs to be to Town standards. They just want to have a permit in place for the maximum amount of work.
Ms. Lozanov wondered why the Commission would be approving work that may not be done. Mr. Orvedal stated that the Town Engineer is requesting that they fix the road. Mr. Hafner suggested that the conversation should focus on wetlands issues; there will be no increase in the flow but is it not clear how the CBs will be maintained. Mr. White stated that a note could be put on the plans stating that the developer will be responsible for maintaining them.
Mr. Hayden stated that the road has been overlaid which makes it look OK but it is undermining and driving construction equipment over it will ruin the road.
Mr. Hafner asked for comments from the audience.
Eunice Taylor of 71 Holmes Road stated that she is most affected by this development because she is an abutting property owner and has lived there for 25 years. She is not opposed but saddened to see the property developed. Her driveway is a testament to the drainage problem. She has to have the driveway fixed every few years. She requested that water be directed away from her driveway. She is not really opposed but she is not looking forward to the construction activity but it seems to be a well thought through plan. She has seen bobcats again and wildlife will be disturbed. She is not happy to see the land used.
Mark Butterfield of 6 Upper Walnut Hill Road stated that his road is a rural road and asked for the total number of acres included in the project. Mr. White stated that the site is 37 acres with 57% open space. Mr. Butterfield stated that he shares Ms. Taylor’s concerns about the road. He understands it is the Town’s responsibility to maintain roads.
Patricia Butterfield of 6 Upper Walnut Hill Road stated that she has lived there for 37 years. Holmes Road is not really a dead end road. Traffic goes in and out of the State forest the road is busier than ever before. Holmes Road has a lot of water and is a sheet of ice in the winter. The Town cannot manage the roads up there. She would like to remind everyone that there is an approved golf course and elderly housing permit for a site in the area. Walnut Hill Chase agreed to fix the road. When will the Town take ownership of the Town roads.
Ms. Lozanov asked if there will be any motorized vessels in the pond. Mr. Orvedal did not think so.
Mr. Hafner asked for further comments from the audience. There were none.
Mr. Hafner stated that the Public hearing would normally be closed at this point but this project abuts the Town of Salem and the Town Clerk was not notified. The Clerk will be notified to give Salem residents an opportunity to comment on the application..
MOTION 2: Ms. Lozanov moved to continue the public hearing to the June 2, 2008 meeting of the Commission. Seconded by Mrs. Bodenhofer.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Wright, Recording Secretary
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REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MAY 5, 2008 EAST LYME CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Members Present: Ed Hafner, Chairman; Candace Bodenhofer, Cheryl Lozanov, Chuck Reluga, Rich Gallagher, Seated Alternate Members Keith Hall and Phyllis Berger
Also Present: Keith Hayden, Wetlands Enforcement Officer
Mr. Hafner had seated Mr. Hall and Ms Berger as voting alternate members of the Commission earlier in the evening and had stated that he would not be voting on any motions made unless necessary to break a tie.
1. Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Additional Agenda Items. None.
Ms. Lozanov stated that she would like to suggest that a draft motion for denial of a permit be included in meeting packages as well as a draft motion for approval. Mr. Hayden stated that he could draft “boiler plate” language for a motion.
Ms. Lozanov also requested that the list of public hearing exhibits be included in the meeting packages.
3. Public Delegations. None.
4. Acceptance of Minutes.
a. April 7, 2008 Pubic Hearing Minutes – Pfanner – 2 Ferro Court – Public Hearing Minutes
The minutes were accepted with the following amendment:
Page 3, third paragraph should read, “Mr. Prochorena said that while he is dredging the water would not flow into the stream for a couple of days and it could have an affect. Mr. Pfanner stated that on those days there would be no overall affect.
b. April 7, 2008 – Regular Meeting Minutes
The minutes were accepted with the following amendment:
Page 5, third paragraph should read as follows: Mr. Hafner stated that the Commission could make a motion on whether or not a public hearing should be held and vote on it.
5. Ex-Officio Report.
Mr. Hayden stated that Mr. McKirdy had sent a letter urging the members of the Commission to attend the Board of Selectmen hearing on the proposed ordinances.
6. Public Act 87-533 Matters (Pending Applications).
a. 65 Holmes Road – Orvedal. Eleven Lot Subdivision. Holmes Road, Assessor’s Map 57, Lot 13, 65 Holmes Road, Assessor’s Map 57, Lot 12 & 69 Holmes Road, Map 57, Lot 11. Public Hearing continued to June 2, 2008.
7. Old Business.
a. Upper Kensington Drive - Cease and Desist Order. Mr. Hayden stated that progress is being made on this matter.
b. Proposed Wetlands Ordinance – Fines for Wetlands Violations. Approval pending. 8. New Business.
9. Chairman’s Report. Mr. Hafner had no report.
10. Conservation Enforcement Officer Report.
Mr. Hayden reviewed the Jordan Cove project and discussed the Storm Water Regulations, which he is in the process of rewriting.
11. Adjournment.
MOTION 1: Mr. Gallagher moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:33 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Lozanov.
VOTE:: Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Wright, Recording Secretary
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