Commission approves Farmington Motorsports expansion with conditions on leaking vehicles, curbing and erosion control

Alan Bongiovanni, a licensed land surveyor, presented the Farmington Motorsports proposal to expand a paved storage/parking area used for temporarily storing towed vehicles and equipment. The applicants emphasized the site's sandy, well-draining soils and described measures to capture and treat runoff in an aquifer protection zone.

Joe Perugini (civil engineer) detailed a multi-element stormwater system with double catch basins, deep sumps, state-approved baffle pretreatment devices, an outlet hood with anti-siphon and a "bio skirt" to capture oils and floatables, and infiltration basins sized to infiltrate design storms up to the 10-year event. The design aims to reduce peak runoff and lower flooding historically observed in the adjacent wetlands.

Commissioner Robert Eisner moved to approve the application with conditions: all staff review comments addressed to staff satisfaction before construction; prohibition on storing vehicles with active or substantial leaks; upgrade asphalt curbing to concrete or similarly sturdy materials along wetland borders; enhanced erosion- and sediment-control measures; and additional wetland restoration directed by staff. Staff also emphasized enhanced erosion controls and planting in previously cleared areas.

The commission also determined the activity to be a "regulated but non-significant" activity. The motion to approve with the conditions carried on a roll-call-style vote.

The approval requires applicants to submit revised plans addressing town staff comments before commencing site work.