Groton Municipal Television, CT Groton Inland Wetland, 10 Feb 2021

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From YouTube: Groton Inland Wetlands Agency 2/10/21

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Groton, Connecticut municipal meeting: Inland Wetlands Agency, February 10, 2021. Click on the link below to view the agenda.

https://www.agendasuite.org/iip/groton/meeting/details/1105

A

You get it recording there, you go.

B

Then I've got to get it on the live stream right here we go all right all right good evening. This is the february. What is it february? 10.. Thank you february, 10 meeting of the finland wetland agency, um dave scott's, the chair. um If you are a member of the public and want to address the commission, you need to do that under public communications, and you will need to raise your virtual hand uh in order to do that on an apple device.

B

You'll find that at the top of your screen um on a pc, it's at the bottom. If you are on a phone, it is star nine and there you go, go ahead. Dave hi,.

C

A

All right, you have any public communications, dude.

B

I do not, and I don't see anyone from the public raising their hand, so.

A

All right approval of minutes of january 27th, last meeting.

D

To approve the minutes of the 27th.

C

Second, okay,.

A

Okay, all those in favor signify by saying I I I.

D

A

Abstentions, all right and also the february 4th sight walk.

D

I make a motion to approve the minutes of the sidewalk on february 4th.

E

D

A

C

A

All right, uh all those in favor signify by saying hi.

C

A

Opposed abstain, abstain was abstaining. Do.

E

I abstain. If I wasn't there, you don't.

A

Have to we saw you.

D

You were there, you just didn't come down the hill.

A

Yeah you were there, we saw you what no okay, no new applications. That's right, pending applications, zero high street.

B

Right, we are waiting on um plans from edwinkey on that one for the slope stabilization in the house.

A

So that's not going anywhere.

B

A

No, the complex site.

D

How is the slope out there deb? Have you guys been up.

B

D

B

We have we go out every week week and a half right now. It's frozen yeah yeah. It's doing fine.

D

Okay, that's good.

A

Has that pile of wood on it right? You know: okay, long hill, road, sahin apartment building.

B

Yup greg fedes is here, I'm just promoting him to a panelist, so he can share his screen.

A

I see his name.

C

F

Hello, I'm gonna just get my video on here.

F

F

E

B

I'm gonna ask you to start videos, maybe you get a prompt there. We go.

F

Yeah I got it good evening. uh Commission, uh my name is greg fettis with fedex engineering, an office at 70, essex, street mystic, connecticut, representing nick sahin. um I think we're all we went through. I don't remember where we left off. We went through this pretty much last time. What's what's happening with the site, I can breeze through it. We had a sidewalk.

F

um We ended up pulling uh the wall back to the 75 foot mark from the wetlands. uh Basically, uh let me flip to uh so. This is the existing condition plan. The two buildings have been demolished since.

F

Since we were out there.

F

The demolition plan showing the demolition of the two buildings, uh then the proposed apartment building, uh basically some parking in front. We added a connection to the hampton inn. I'm going to just blow this up. Just a whisker, so it'll be a little bit easier to see.

F

Some parking up front, a couple handicapped spaces uh and then an aisle way down um basically parking underneath the building. uh We have some additional outdoor parking here. uh The wall uh retaining wall at the 70, it's a little over 75, it's 76.3 feet away.

F

uh Basically, the the grayish area is the 50 foot line of do not disturb area and where we're proposing.

F

Add a buffer, a planting buffer with some trees that the soil scientists recommended.

F

um Let me flip to.

A

You have a detention pond. There.

F

Yeah, I'm getting uh yes, so we had some larger detention ponds before when we had the extra 25 feet, so those shrunk call them more like a rain garden, rain garden ish. But we added a lot of underground infiltration here.

F

So basically, all the roof drains uh get into that in the storm water, that's captured in the driveway or in the driveway and in the parking enters a hydrodynamic separator prying prior to going into uh this basin.

F

uh The two yeah. So then, this this basin and the underground storage end up going into into this basin also, and then they overflow out into a basically through the wall, to a structure that runs kind of parallel to the wall at the base of the wall to like a level spreader.

F

uh So it's basically just a perforated pipe put in stone. uh The water will go and basically um run the length of the pipe and flow out through the smaller holes in the pipe and basically kind of mimic. The sheet flow. That's currently there.

F

So that's at the basically the 75-foot mark. You can see some proposed grading just kind of just to make it all work um transition transition. Some grades and then, by the time it gets to the 50-foot mark, it's basically back to the existing grades that are currently there um and then the wetlands you can see down in the uh the north. This would be the northeast corner of the property.

F

um Well, that's it. uh We had some lands. Let me just flip to the soil, soil and erosion control. We basically put the silt fence up at the 50-foot mark. We do have to connect into the sewer line. That's there.

F

So there will be some specific erosion control measures when we do that work um and then again, this couple stockpile areas uh we're filling against the walls on both sides of the property.

F

We got a tracking pad out front inlet protection for the catch basins,.

F

In the landscaping plan um so basically uh well well, I can go through the landscaping plan, but it's basically you can see uh requirements along the building uh between the sidewalk and the building, uh some buffering along the uh the applebee's parking lot um and some uh buffering up front and then, in the back here we're planting those basins.

F

We have specific uh plants called out for each of the basins a little bit of more planting here. Oh we're also looking at a flat roof on the uh on the building and some uh rooftop gardens and so forth, uh but that's not cast in stone yet.

F

Let me see and.

B

Then they're talking.

B

Is it an amenity or are you talking about a green roof.

F

I think that's what we're looking for the amenity up there, but, okay, absolutely there will be some plantings. I think also something.

B

F

I don't think it's going to be a green roof. It's going to be the amenity, that's required, I think, by sight plan.

B

F

um We originally had it in this area here, but that kind of shrunk when we got pushed back the 25 extra feet so- and I think uh you know mr sahin has had some renderings done with a with a flat roof and I think it'd be a great amenity for uh the apartments.

B

Yeah I've seen that actually on a couple of apartment buildings where they put um garden space garden boxes on the roof. Yes,.

F

So it'll be a place to you know: let's go up on the roof and hang out. I.

C

F

I think it it, you know, it'll, add it'll, add as opposed to just another.

F

You know peak gabled, roof or hip roof, or whatever I mean we have some stuff that needs to go up there, but there's obviously plenty of room uh for a nice amenity up there and the balance uh plant list planting uh details and again, if there's any questions, be happy to answer them. I think.

C

I have a question.

F

C

I I'm I'm just wondering uh what is the size of the pipe that's going from that basin uh through the wall into the level spreader.

F

Yep, um it's a 15 inch.

F

15 inch but the water is controlled um coming out of the there's a couple different controls on it coming out, so it's.

C

So if that basis gets really a lot of water in a short time, then it will be controlled how quickly it comes out and.

F

Yes, I don't I'm trying to see here, yes and it's actually going into a this drainage manhole here, which is and then it's going into a pipe, that's underground, uh that's surrounded by stone so and and the pipe is. uh I think I have the length on the pipe here, but it's got to be.

F

I could measure it, but it's it's.

C

When you say the pipe, you mean the level spreader kind of yeah.

F

The level spreader is actually a pipe that runs uh level and it's perforated and then it's surrounded by surrounded by stones. So right, I think it's a tried and true method of distributing storm water in a controlled manner and it it it basically tries to get it back to a sheet flow condition.

C

F

Concentrated flow in a situation like this.

C

A

You have a planting plan for that area between the wall. Thank.

C

A

F

We did not have a specific uh planning plan for that 25 feet. uh We do have uh in the grade area the 50 foot. We had a letter um from richard snarsky that had some, I think, 21 tree species or seven three different types of trees, uh seven each so I think that's. That was the planting plan and I think we he you know once we get kind of into it. He would locate where those where those would go.

A

What are you doing in in between? There.

F

A

F

Yeah that that was just going to be vegetated with uh we have a probably a a grass mix that would go there, a non-mo type thing, but I don't. I don't think we called it out as non-mo, but that would be you know we really don't want to get down in there and really maintain it.

F

You know I was.

A

Wondering let it get back, there's no real way to get in there. Yeah.

F

No easy way to get in there, no.

D

So that leads to my question. I have two questions. Actually, first of all, um annie, are you clear on on where we are on this plan.

E

It's next door to applebee's right. That's right! Yep, yes, yeah.

D

Okay, just checking in on that. So my question is: how high is that wall in the back um craig.

F

It's about seven and a half feet at its highest.

D

Seven and a half feet so from the parking lot: seven and a half feet up.

F

D

F

Top of the wall down to the lower level there.

D

Okay and just following up on barbara's question just to clarify so you're, stating that the pipe leaving the detention basin is sized appropriately for a large storm event. I think that's where barbara was going with that. I might be wrong, but I don't.

F

Want to yeah so we submitted, we submitted drainage calculations that basically uh reduce. I don't have it in front of me, but it reduces, I think, all the storms.

F

uh I think one might be real close to being the same as the existing.

D

Wall, the retaining wall. You know.

E

D

It's not sized exactly properly, you know how that can happen.

F

So the design would be the you know, catastrophic rainstorm that pipe couldn't handle the flow from from the basin.

F

Basically, both basins would fill up and it would sheet flow over the wall over the wall over the wall, so it almost but that's again. 100 year plus.

D

Right but you know.

F

D

A lot of those these days, I got some news for you.

F

Well, we, I don't know that we've had a hundred year plus um storm in this in this, but that's that's the design. I mean that when you start designing past 100 years, your end of the world stuff kind of thing so.

D

My only comment is I'm with dave. I would. I would need some sort of planning plan for that uh new 20. So thank you for that. First of all, thank you for that 25 feet. I appreciate that, um but I would need also a planning plan for that uh area.

F

Okay, I mean we can, if, if you want, it could be a condition of approval, we'd be happy to supply that deb and staff would be a you know, be able to sign off on that.

C

Yeah plants and bushes, with berries for the birds.

B

Yeah rich snursky actually prepared a plan for the 50-foot.

B

um I mean he noted what had been cut and and noted that the red, maple, pepper bush and black cherry have already started re-stop sprouting out there and he's also hang on he's suggesting um red, maple, winterberry and um and dogwood to be planted in the 50-foot area.

B

So he's got a replanting plan that he will supervise in 50 feet, but you're right. He did not address the area between the wall and the 50-foot line.

F

Which we could have him just supplement that letter.

B

F

For the balance and I'd like to just probably keep a buffer from the pipe um whatever he recommends, you know whatever. I don't want him to plant too close to that level. Spreader pipe.

A

The roots going into it right.

F

Just clog them and then we'd have all sorts of.

E

Problems, can I ask a question as a newbie always.

D

E

So I'm just wondering about in the wintertime when you're, spreading, de-icer and salt is that a is that ever a problem for wetlands when it goes through that filtration type.

F

Well, I think excessive salt could potentially have you know, uh cause problems, but it is going through the uh that hydroworks hs4 hydrodynamic separator. um I'm not sure.

F

I can't speak exactly for how much salt I mean I would. I would try to limit the amount of salt. If that wasn't you know, I don't know what some commissions do exactly that. Just you know, I'm.

E

F

Limiting assault.

E

Good question: I don't.

F

I don't specifically know the answer, but we are, you know we do have uh catch basins with sumps in them uh and then we then it does reach the hydrodynamic separator, which separates any any kind of uh sediment and floatables. Doesn't.

A

F

But whatever dissolves, yes, it's gonna get through there.

E

F

E

Thinking, it's probably nothing that applebee's isn't already doing right.

A

I'm sure you can see that along the highway if you look along the edge where they plow the salted road off to the edge.

D

A

The effect on the vegetation, but it doesn't extend very far- you know maybe six or eight feet at the most.

E

Maybe when you're planting you could choose salt friendly plants plants that, like salt up salt.

A

And salt, tolerant plants- you can talk to richard about that.

D

A

Especially in that upper area, where the, where they're going to be encountering the most of it,.

A

Okay, any more questions.

E

E

D

A

All right, we have a a draft motion. You all have that.

D

I have it, but I don't know how to look at it right in front of me. I could look it on my phone. um Can you put that in front of us dab or no, I I can. If uh can.

B

You stop checking, I knew it greg. Can you take yours down thanks, let's see there, it is there you go.

A

B

So you can see the one condition that I've suggested aside from the standard ones that we have is that the limits of disturbance to the field um and expected prior to the start of construction.

D

Well, I think we should add a planning plan for that 25 feet and we can certainly put annie's thought to uh thinking about uh including plants that um tend to take up salt for salt, tolerant plants, salt, tolerant.

A

Yeah richard could put you on to that.

D

A

D

A

Gives us three yep.

D

So I'll make a motion to approve uh inland wetlands agency, 20-07, sahin apartments, 334, longhill, road, um regulated activity, grading and discharge of stormwater within the upland review area to approve the sahin apartments applications for the following reasons: there's no loss of wetland or watercourse associated with this application.

D

The applicant has provided a stormwater management plant design system. Excuse me designed to treat runoff prior to discharge to the wetland this permit is subject to the four standard conditions and the following modifications number one. The limit of disturbance shall be marked in the field and inspected by town staff. Prior to the start of construction number two there shall be a planting plan for the uh 25 feet between the uh retaining wall and the 50-foot buffer zone and number three.

D

uh The uh environmental uh expert uh shall uh look for plants that will um be salt, tolerant uh to help with the mitigation of salt on the uh driveway. No parking lot.

A

Oh, do we have a second second, it all right, any discussion, no all those in favor signify by saying aye.

C

A

Aye opposed extensions all right.

F

Okay, thank you very much. You're welcome thanks.

A

F

Evening, yep good night.

A

All right, the last one we have is the one where we just had the sight walk on knowing ledger road right.

B

And we still have not had confirmation from ledge light. um The septic system has been in an acceptable place, so we are going to hold off on issuing any permits until we have that.

B

A

D

A

Any other old business- I don't really have anything. It's a little early to go around checking sites because they're all covered in snow yeah they are but uh deb. Do you have anything.

B

I just uh sent out to you um an opportunity for training um on a some saturday in february uh put on by the connecticut bar association. I mean it's an all-day deal, but if anybody wants to do it, you need to let us know by friday and we'll sign you up. I don't think I got.

D

That, oh okay did, I did I get it.

B

I I she sent it out to all the land use agencies. Okay, it.

C

Was a separate um email right.

D

Right, I might not have recognized her and I might have that's possible.

B

Yeah, but it's um it's an all-day seminar put on by the connecticut bar association and it touches on. You know: planning commission activities, um zoning board of appeals, so it's all land use, but it includes some wetlands, historic district commission. So, if anybody's interested in like the whole gamut of land use- um and it's an all-day thing on a saturday, but we will pay for it if anyone's interested.

B

A

All right, I don't know if you're interested in but.

E

Does that sound like something I would understand at this point? Oh, I think so. Oh.

A

I think so the only problem with lawyers is, they always want to talk everything to death.

E

I know I mean it's specifically.

B

For commissioners, so it's you know it's definitely for commissioners. Other lawyers are not going to be attending it's geared towards volunteers, who are on land use conditions.

C

Yeah sure, okay.

B

What's saturday, um I don't remember to be honest.

D

Maybe we didn't get this deb, I'm wondering I got.

C

D

Got it you got it all right.

B

C

B

I'll have her send it again: okay, and you can just respond and let her know if you want to attend and she'll register you.

A

We've all been to a number of quite a number of these. Most of them are more scientific, environmentally based, but uh sometimes engineering based a little bit yeah, but.

E

Is this going to be a zoom? Oh yeah, yeah, okay, wow! It's virtual sounds.

A

Like mic, because you can always click off.

B

Exactly exactly and attending your pjs right.

A

All right, okay, we're all set. We have a motion to adjourn so moved. Second, all those in favor signify by saying I, I oppose abstention or good. Okay, thanks.

B

Everybody have a good night.

D

Thanks thanks dab thanks, linda.