February 13, 2025
Members present: Nicholas Dethlefsen, Vickie Dirienzo, Fred Jones, John Laudati, Aurelle Locke, Sue Okie, David Tolli. Also present:IWWC Agent Kate Bednaz and Land Use Coordinator Renee Deltenre
Permit Requests
310R Salmon Brook Street: Permit request to construct a rear deck, create a patio area and block wall in front of the house, and conduct site and driveway improvements within a regulated area.
Property owner Marko Lamaj of Simsbury was present to discuss the applicationsubmitted in response to a recent Enforcement Order (EO) regarding work conducted within a regulated area without a permit. Since purchasing the home, he has cleaned up the property, replaced the existing patio, retaining wall and deck. Due to the lawn work late in the season, no germination occurred so waddles were installed to prevent further erosion and grass seed will be planted in the spring. Per discussion of the EO at the prior meeting, the applicant met with the Building Official to discuss corrective measures for the retaining wall and next steps as part of his application.
In the spring, 24 inches of earth will be excavated behind the wall to install a 4-inch PVC drainage pipe and gravel the entire length of the wall. If the soil cannot be removed by hand, a mini excavator may be utilized. The draft approval letter required planting 3 or 4 soil-stabilizing shrubs between the back deck and bank of the brook. The EO will remain in effect until the required shrubs are planted, all vegetation is established, and the leak-offs remain functional.
The commission unanimously approved the application and draft approval letter as amended.
Public Hearing
188 Day Street: Permit application for a seven-lot single family residential subdivision and associated site work within a regulated area.
Applicant Kirk MacNaughton of Peak Mountain Development, LLC submitted revised plansincluding revisions based on discussion from the prior meeting. The applicant is proposing a 7-lot, single-family home subdivision on 15.63 acres at 188 Day Street. Soil testing has been completed, and the land is suitable for on-site septic systems. Wetlands are located at the southwestern corner (wetland #1) and northeastern corner (wetland #2) of the property, and to satisfy the open space requirement, 3.55 acres on the eastern side of the property are shown to be open space. Wetland #1 consists of 0.43 acres and consists of a 150-foot-long watercourse that enters the property from the west through a 42” culvert pipe under Day Street and flows south onto the abutting property. The house proposed for lot #7 is located within 200 feet of the watercourse and all site activity is located 50 feet outside of the wetlands.
Wetland #2 consists of 0.09 acres and is located within the proposed open space parcel. Connecticut Soil Scientist Ian Cole conducted a wetlands survey of the property, flagged the wetlands on-site, and submitted a wetland and watercourse delineation report. MacNaughton ran through the revised plans, which include extensive rain gardens, additional plantings, discussion of the existing farm road, etc.
Bednaz had concerns regarding the maintenance of the rain gardens and the inability to access the ground due to current weather conditions. Additional soil testing has been requested and Cole will be submitting a revised report, as well as reestablishing wetland flags that were damaged by the weather. Further review by town staff is required at this time and there was no public comment. The public hearing was continued to the next regular meeting.
March 12, 2025
Members present: Nicholas Dethlefsen, John Laudati, Sue Okie, Fred Jones, and Aurelle Locke. Also present: IWWC Agent Kate Bednaz and Land Use Coordinator Renee Deltenre.
Permit Request
15 Peck Orchard Road—R. Marr: Permit application to construct a brook crossing, driveway and associated improvements within a regulated area.
Professional Engineer Guy Hesketh said the property owner is looking to gain access to his land on the western side of Fox Brook requiring the installation of a brook crossing and driveway. The existing watershed is 1.8 to 1.9 acres and approvals are also required from Connecticut DEEP for a Water Diversion Permit and Army Corps of Engineers for a General Permit. The proposed crossing is a 30’x16’x12’ concrete arch span bridge that is meant to preserve the natural bottom of the watercourse.
Hesketh presented wetland delineations, construction sequence, timeframe, etc. Roughly 250 square feet of direct impact to the wetlands/watercourse would occur and there is no NDDB (Natural Diversity Data Base) presence at the site of disturbance.
Laudati and Bednaz questioned feasible and prudent alternatives and would like documentation regarding other options to support the use of an arch span bridge. Bednaz also questioned the high-water line and why it was not located on the plans since a hydrologic analysis was performed by soil scientists George Logan and Bill Jackson. Due to public interest and the significant impact of the project, the commission scheduled a public hearing for April 9.
188 Day Street–Kirk MacNaughton c/o Peak Mountain Development, LLC: Permit application for a 7-lot single-family residential subdivision and associated site work within a regulated area.
Kirk MacNaughton, Peak Mountain Development, LLC met with IWWC agent Kate Bednaz to dig more test holes on March 1. Based on the field observations, additional testing was requested. The applicant requested continuation of the public hearing to the next regular meeting. Bednaz indicated the wetlands area is larger than originally indicated and the plans need to be revised. The commission approved a 30-day extension of the public hearing.