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Corrective action plan filed for West Norwalk Road lots after piling of debris in wetland
Summary
A corrective action plan was presented for two adjoining West Norwalk Road lots after staff found piled landscape debris and wood chips placed in wetland areas; a licensed landscape architect outlined a four‑part plan to remove debris, replant disturbed areas, formalize a vegetable garden and abandon a vehicle access path.
Norwalk staff and a retained consultant presented a corrective action plan to the Conservation Commission/Inland Wetland Agency for two adjoining properties at 143 and 145 West Norwalk Road after unauthorized clearing and deposition of landscape materials were found in the wetland and upland review area.
Kate Throckmorton, a licensed landscape architect with Environmental Land Solutions, said the disturbance consists primarily of piled leaves, large limbs and wood chips in the woods and a smaller wood‑chip deposit area. She described four mitigation actions: removal of piled debris by hand, removal of the wood‑chip deposit, replanting and enhancement of a disturbed planting area, and abandonment and restored planting of an informal vehicle access/parking area that had been used behind the front house. Throckmorton said no evidence of soil deposition was observed and that removal can be done by hand and verified by staff to mineral soil.
Throckmorton requested that a longstanding vegetable garden (about 40 by 40 feet), several well‑established fruit trees and an organized wood‑storage stack be allowed to remain and be formalized in the approved plan; she said the garden is in ground, unfenced, and without irrigation. Commissioner Knight asked for specifics on irrigation and wood storage; Throckmorton replied the garden is not irrigated and the wood area would be reorganized and allowed to remain.
Staff and the commission discussed prior allowances on the site: a historic limit of lawn approved under an older permit, a 50‑foot upland review line shown on older plans (the current upland review area is 100 feet), and previous minor expansions approved in 2017. Commissioners asked for a revised site plan and for conditions to clarify maintenance and planting standards; staff was asked to draft a resolution for the commission’s next meeting. No formal vote on merits was taken on Feb. 11; commissioners directed staff to prepare a draft resolution for the next agenda.
The corrective action filing includes an as‑built, the original activity permit for the rear lot, aerial imagery showing the disturbed areas, and a planting plan of native species to be used in restoration.
