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Milford IWA sets public hearing for proposed 53‑unit Buick Avenue 8‑30g project; commissioners press for stormwater, tree and road detail
Summary
The Milford Inland Wetlands Agency opened discussion July 2 on a proposed 53‑unit, 8‑30g development on Buick Avenue, scheduled a public hearing for July 18 and asked the applicant to provide more detail on permeable pavement performance, tree removal/planting, and roadway impacts near wetlands.
The Milford Inland Wetlands Agency on July 2 took up application IW‑25‑0036 (presented as Buick Avenue / 34 Buick LLC) for a proposed 53‑unit development under Connecticut General Statute 8‑30g and scheduled a public hearing for July 18. Commissioners also held a site visit earlier that evening.
Staff noted wetlands on the southern portion of the site along Stubby Plain Brook and said roughly 871 square feet of wetlands were mapped; the closest proposed improvements were about 82 feet from a driveway entrance, and in one location work comes within about 4 feet of the flagged wetland near a culvert. The city engineer had received the plans and hydrology report and expected to complete review by the end of the following week.
Attorney Kevin Kursadin (applicant counsel) and engineer Robert Weiwei (presenting for the applicant) explained the project and the team’s stormwater approach. Weiwei said the applicant proposes permeable pavers for the parking and driveway to distribute stormwater across the site rather than concentrating flows into subsurface galleries. “By spreading the whole system out over, you know, pretty much the entire site, your groundwater monitor or your, your mounting, you know, that typically takes place in the system is much less than what you would encounter within a gallery system,” he said, adding that all systems require maintenance: “There is no system out there that doesn't require maintenance.”
Commissioners asked the applicant to address several focused topics at the July 18 public hearing: (1) explain why permeable pavers were selected over gallery systems, including one‑time and long‑term (maintenance) cost considerations and oil/grease treatment; (2) document tree removals and proposed plantings with an explanation of the functions and values those plantings will provide; (3) provide cross‑sections or contour detail and any needed profiles for roadway work near the billboard and culvert so the agency can assess upland review area impacts; and (4) clarify whether road improvements fall within the applicant's easement or require separate municipal approvals. The applicant confirmed conversations with the city engineer and city attorney that the city holds an easement for right‑of‑way improvements and that the proposed roadway work falls under the agency’s wetlands jurisdiction because it lies within 100 feet of off‑site wetlands.
The commission requested the applicant add to the public hearing presentation: more detailed stormwater maintenance documents already referenced in the stormwater report, the plant list tied to functions/values for wetland buffers, sections through the Buick Avenue edge to show grading, and a clearer explanation of how porous pavement will function during intense storms. The city engineer’s review is expected in advance of the hearing; commissioners asked staff to circulate that review once received.
No formal action on the application was taken other than scheduling the public hearing and recording the site visit; the applicant indicated willingness to provide hard copies to commissioners on request and to incorporate the additional materials requested for the hearing.
