Simsbury conservation commission finds several small wetland activities non-significant, schedules public hearing for 40 Holcomb subdivision

The Simsbury Conservation Commission on April 17 declared several small wetland permit applications “not significant” under town regulations, while scheduling a public hearing for a four-lot subdivision application that includes upland and wetlands work.

The commission took formal steps on four separate applications and recorded the following outcomes by voice vote during its meeting:

- CC-25-12 (40 Holcomb Street, Maluchi Home Builders LLC): The commission found the proposed subdivision and associated filling/grading and culvert work a not-significant activity for wetlands review but voted to schedule a public hearing (special meeting May 7) to allow public comment and take full evidence. The applicant proposes a four-lot subdivision on a roughly 9.89-acre parcel with two wetland features and an intermittent watercourse; the plan includes demolition of an existing house and barns, replacement of a collapsed farm culvert and a proposed 25–50-foot vegetated buffer around wetlands, plus a 2.34-acre permanent conservation easement.

- CC-25-13 (20 Veil Drive, Michael Nascimento): Commissioners found the yard-improvement project (grading to reduce slope, small patio hardscape, about 50 square feet of encroachment into marsh-type soils, and roof drainage tied to infiltration units) not significant; the commission will adjudicate the application at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Applicant engineer Jim Dempsey described riprap revetment, filter fabric and four infiltration units sized to receive downspouts.

- CC-25-11 (21 Wingate, Michael Fernandez): The commission found a yard leveling/fill project and removal of three trees not a significant activity and will adjudicate at the next regular meeting. The project describes about 54 cubic yards of fill and approximately 95 square feet of wetland impact that the applicant said represents existing mowed lawn extending into the mapped wetland boundary.

- CC-25-08 (48 Pine Glen Road, Mary & Robert Huckdale): Commissioners noted the application had been considered at a prior meeting and was previously deemed not significant; silt fencing and native plantings at the edge of wetland areas were discussed as conditions.

Why it matters: These determinations route the applications through the inland wetlands permit process. A “not significant” finding limits certain procedural steps but the commission may still require mitigation, site inspections or later adjudication; proposed subdivisions typically also require Planning Commission review.

Key technical and procedural details

- Holcomb subdivision: The developer’s engineer (Dave Zyacs) and town staff said the property contains a small farm pond (~6,000 sq ft), a pocket of wetlands and an intermittent drainage that discharges toward Holcomb Street. The site plan provides septic testing space for four systems beyond the 100-foot regulated area and proposes to retain substantial vegetated buffers.

- Septic and setbacks: Applicants referenced Farmington Valley Health District and health-code setbacks; engineers said septic reserve areas and minimum 50-foot setbacks from wetlands would be maintained where required.

- Conservation: For the Holcomb site the applicant proposed a 2.34-acre permanent conservation easement on a segment of Lot 1; the commission suggested site visits and additional plant/invasives review by staff.

Votes and next steps

The commission announced the Holcomb matter would hold a public hearing May 7 at a special meeting. The yard improvements and small-fill projects for Veil Drive and Wingate will be adjudicated at the commission’s next regular meeting; the Pine Glen addition had already been treated as not significant at an earlier meeting and was approved with typical silt-fence and planting recommendations.