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Commission deems Weed Road house project 'not a significant activity; approves wetlands crossing plan conditions
Summary
The commission on March 4 accepted an application by Michael Benvenuto to build a single-family home at 1739 Weed Road, allowed a wetlands driveway crossing with recommended conditions, and determined the proposal "not a significant activity."
The City of Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission on March 4 accepted an application by Michael Benvenuto to construct a single-family home at 1739 Weed Road that requires a wetlands crossing for the driveway and determined the proposal is not a "significant activity," allowing the project to proceed with standard conditions.
Benvenuto described the proposal as a single-family residence accessed by a driveway that must cross a wetland at the lot's front. Engineer Steven Sullivan of CCA (present on the call) explained that the crossing would use three pipe culverts and that the driveway beyond the crossing would be gravel; a short paved portion near the crossing was discussed to meet crossing detail requirements.
Wetlands enforcement officer and assistant city planner Nate Nardi Cyrus reviewed site conditions and provided recommended plan updates. Cyrus recommended that the plan show clearing limits, provide temporary access details (for example, a tracking pad or temporary bridge panels for equipment), post wetland soil and watercourse flagging, and consider a small compensatory measure such as a pocket rain garden to mitigate disturbance at the crossing discharge. Cyrus also noted an informal ATV access downstream of the crossing and recommended measures to close or block that path (for example, boulders) and to revegetate.
Commissioner questions established project dimensions: the house location lies inside the 100-foot upland review area, and the driveway crossing is at a narrow point in the wetland soils. Cyrus and the engineer discussed construction sequencing: tree clearing and temporary crossing for equipment, then installation of culverts and final driveway construction. City engineer Paul Kunzins reviewed the plans and "seemed to think that the design was acceptable for intermittent watercourse with this kind of drainage area," Cyrus reported.
After discussion the commission voted to accept the application and determine it "not a significant activity." The commission asked the applicant to submit revised plans showing the requested clarifications and said revisions could be posted with the next meeting for review.
