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Torrington staff: water feature at 600 Mountain Road is stormwater infrastructure, not a regulated wetland
Summary
After a neighbor complaint, staff reported that a wetland scientist concluded the water feature at 600 Mountain Road functions as stormwater infrastructure and is not jurisdictional wetland; civil neighbor disputes remain possible and the property owner must still complete required permitting for other work.
The Torrington Inland Wetlands Commission heard an enforcement update Oct. 7 about a complaint from a neighbor, Mr. Mazzarelli, alleging water discharge from the nearby property at 600 Mountain Road. Staff said the property owner, Mark Jungen, retained wetland scientist Ian Cole to assess the site.
Ian Cole and staff concluded the feature in question is a stormwater/stormwater‑infrastructure feature rather than a jurisdictional wetland, and therefore outside the commission’s wetlands jurisdiction. Staff said that determination was based on field inspection and that an on‑file report supports the conclusion that the area is a stormwater conveyance channel rather than regulated wetland soil.
Staff noted there could be civil or property issues between neighbors if water was redirected, but said those are separate from a wetlands enforcement determination. The property owner still must supply required house plans and delineations for other portions of the property where wetlands may exist; Bill Colby is the consultant retained to prepare those plans.
"This area here isn't wetlands because it's, you know, kind of stormwater infrastructure," staff said, summarizing the wetland scientist’s finding and the basis for treating the feature as non‑jurisdictional. The commission did not open an enforcement action on wetlands grounds for the channel based on that assessment.
Staff said they will continue to monitor compliance with permits and required submittals and will follow up on outstanding notices of violation where other activities on the property remain under review.
