Milford wetlands agency approves rebuilt home at 43 Driftwood Lane with stormwater and habitat conditions

Milford Inland Wetlands Agency members on Aug. 6 approved an application to raise and replace a single-family home at 43 Driftwood Lane, finding the project will not harm adjacent wetlands if required erosion controls, stormwater treatment and monitoring measures are implemented.

The decision came after staff and the applicant described grading and stormwater improvements, habitat protection measures and construction sequencing to reduce runoff into Gulf Pond. The agency approved application I W-25-003943 with conditions including installation and maintenance of erosion and sediment controls, submission of stormwater operations-and-maintenance manuals, a construction bond and native salt-tolerant plantings. The motion passed with one commissioner recused.

The project replaces a house the applicant said is structurally compromised and sinking toward the pond. Attorney Kevin Crusaden, representing applicants Andrew and Elise Carlson, said the existing structure must be removed and the replacement raised to meet FEMA flood-elevation guidelines. “It’s a necessary replacement. It’s a single family house replacing a single family house,” Crusaden said. Project engineer Bob Wehwe told the agency the plans collect roof and driveway runoff to subsurface galleries to improve water quality compared with existing, uncontrolled flow into wetlands. “The proposed plan will be a…