Conservation Commission

CITY OF NORWALK CONSERVATION COMMISSION/INLAND WETLAND AGENCY NOVEMBER 12, 2024 PRESENT: Steve Klocke, Chair; Cheryl Brown; Paul Vinett; Kathryn Knight; Heather Breslin; Ed Holowinko (arrived after roll call); Matt Pentz (left the meeting at 6:30 pm) STAFF: Alexis Cherichetti OTHERS: Brian Carey; Aleksandra Moch I. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Klocke called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. It should be noted that this meeting was held on Zoom.com with all participants calling in, separately. II. ROLL CALL Ms. Cherichetti called the roll. III. PUBLIC COMMENT There were no members of the public that spoke. IV. RECEIPT & DISCUSSION a) #S24-648 – 284 New Canaan Avenue – LandTech for Penna Construction – Correction Action clearing in and adjacent to wetlands and a watercourse and b) #S16- 499B – 284 New Canaan Avenue – LandTech for Penna Construction – Corrective Action permit modification to expand extent of previously approved contractor’s yard Mr. Klocke said that they would hear these two presentations together. Ms. Cherichetti explained the two separate applications which were both corrective action applications. The first was due to some clearing in a wetland adjacent to a watercourse. The second was a corrective action modification to an existing permit from 2016. She then described where the property was located. Brian Carey, the wetland scientist on the application, discussed the two applications. He began with the corrective action for the clearing of the wetlands. He said that he had received comments from the staff. He showed them the site plan for the property. There will be a full stormwater system plan. One system would have to be enlarged based on the other application. He said that they did not have problems with the comments. He discussed the stumps and the planting plan which would be updated. There would be a vertical structure rather than a berm. He showed them the paperwork that had been filed. Conservation Commission November 12, 2024 Page 1 of 4  He also addressed the fact that the neighbors in New Canaan were experiencing sound issues. He said that they were dealing with that with the Town of New Canaan. He then described the second application to expand the contractor’s yard to help alleviate issues that they were experiencing on the site. He also discussed a proposed block retaining wall. He said that at the next meeting he would have more information for each individual application so there is no confusion as to the scope of each application. There was a discussion about the upland review area and wetlands demarcation lines. There was a request for Mr. Carey to show tree coverage on the plans. There was also a request for clarification on whether there was vegetation in a disturbed area. A wooded area could provide a sound barrier. There was some clarification about which work would be done for each application. Mr. Carey said that they are working on Planning & Zoning compliance as well. He explained how the applicant ended up on this site, after being relocated for Walk Bridge replacement in Norwalk. There was also a discussion about additional changes to the site plans. V. DISCUSSION & /OR DECISION a) #S24-645 – 36 Range Road – Anderson – Corrective Action grading, filling and landscaping within and adjacent to a wetland and a watercourse Ms. Cherichetti said that the applicant requested that this application be tabled to the next meeting. b) #S24-647 – 31 Woodchuck Lane – Moch – Construction of detached garage with associated excavation of compensatory storage adjacent to a wetland and watercourse Ms. Cherichetti gave a brief overview of the application. Aleksandra Moch, the wetland soil scientist and landscape architect on the application, explained the wetland buffer restoration plan as well as the planting schedule. There was a discussion about the conditions of the resolution. There was also a discussion about the runoff water from the garage. *** MS. BROWN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE DRAFT MEMORANDUM FOR #S24-647 - 31 WOODCHUCK LANE, AS WRITTEN. *** MS. BRESLIN SECONDED THE MOTION. *** CHERYL BROWN; PAUL VINETT; HEATHER BRESLIN; ED HOLOWINKO APPROVED. *** KATHRYN KNIGHT OPPOSED THE MOTION. *** STEVE KLOCKE ABSTAINED. *** MOTION PASSED. Conservation Commission November 12, 2024 Page 2 of 4 VI. ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS a) #V24-1075 – 26 & 30 Devils Garden Road – Shaak – Show-Cause Hearing – Unauthorized site work in and adjacent to a wetland and watercourse Ms. Cherichetti said that the applicant’s representative requested that this matter be moved to the next meeting. VII. BOND RELEASE/REDUCTION REQUESTS a) #S19-546 – 10 Willard Road – Release and reduction of bonds held ($9,365 & $1,050) for construction of a new residential apartment building and self-storage building, with associated parking lot, stormwater management and landscaping, in and adjacent to wetlands and watercourses Ms. Cherichetti gave a brief overview of the application and explained that there were two bonds being held. There was a discussion about the bamboo that had been planted. She showed them pictures of the current conditions. There was also a discussion about how many plants were still living. Ms. Cherichetti said that most were still alive, especially along the buffer. Mr. Klocke recommended holding onto some portion of the bond if there were problems with the bamboo. *** MR. KLOCKE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RELEASE OF THE $9,365 FOR THE FIRST BOND AND TO RELEASE $350 OF THE SECOND BOND. *** MS. BRESLIN SECONDED THE MOTION. *** STEVE KLOCKE; CHERYL BROWN; PAUL VINETT; HEATHER BRESLIN; ED HOLOWINKO; KATHRYN KNIGHT APPROVED. *** OPPOSED THE MOTION. *** NO ONE ABSTAINED. VIII. 2025 ANNUAL CALENDAR – MEETING DATES There was a discussion about the Tree Advisory Committee, which also meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month. There was a discussion about whether to keep the second August meeting. For September, November and December there would not be a second meeting. *** MR. KLOCKE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2025 CONSERVATION COMMISSION CALENDAR WHICH REMOVED THE SECOND MEETING IN SEPTEMBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER. *** MS. BROWN SECONDED THE MOTION. *** STEVE KLOCKE; CHERYL BROWN; PAUL VINETT; HEATHER BRESLIN; ED HOLOWINKO; KATHRYN KNIGHT APPROVED. *** OPPOSED THE MOTION. *** NO ONE ABSTAINED. Conservation Commission November 12, 2024 Page 3 of 4 IX. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) October 22, 2024 meeting minutes *** MS. KNIGHT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 2024. *** MR. VINETT SECONDED THE MOTION. *** CHERYL BROWN; PAUL VINETT; HEATHER BRESLIN; ED HOLOWINKO; KATHRYN KNIGHT APPROVED. *** STEVE KLOCKE ABSTAINED. X. CONSERVATION INITIATIVES There was a discussion about Mr. Klocke’s seat on the commission. He would send an email to Ms. Cherichetti expressing his interest in remaining. XI. COMMENTS OF STAFF a) Report of the Senior Environmental Officer Ms. Cherichetti said that she had no other comments. Ms. Breslin asked about the enforcement spreadsheet which Ms. Cherichetti said she would send to her. XII. COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS a) Report of the Commission Chair There were no comments from the commissioners. XIII. ADJOURNMENT *** MR. KLOCKE MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. *** MR. VINETT SECONDED THE MOTION. *** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Meeting adjourned at 7:02 pm. Respectfully submitted, Diana Palmentiero Conservation Commission November 12, 2024 Page 4 of 4