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Farmington commission accepts application for addition at architect-designed 20 Mountain Spring Road, schedules site walk
Summary
The Inland Wetlands Commission accepted an application for a 308-sq.-ft. bedroom and closet addition at 20 Mountain Spring Road and requested a site walk after members flagged stockpile placement, proximity to wetlands and potential high groundwater during excavation.
Jack Kemper, representing owner Anna Jovanovic, told the Town of Farmington Inland Wetlands Commission that the addition at 20 Mountain Spring Road is intended to match the house’s mid-century design and be a slab-on-grade bedroom and closet of about 308 square feet. "What we are looking to do is to add on to the house, a bedroom, and closet," Kemper said in his presentation.
Commission staff and the applicant’s consultant described proposed erosion controls, relocation of an existing sump-pump discharge into an underground PVC pipe tied to drainage work approved in 2016, and a stockpile area that will be enclosed with silt fence. The consultant said two evergreen trees must be removed, one at Wetlands Flag 5 and another in front of the proposed addition, and that a temporary pump discharge basin of hay bales and fabric will be used during footing construction.
The commission pressed the applicant on construction sequencing and proximity to the wetland edge. Commissioner Robert Eisner warned that the stockpile location is "really right up against the wetland boundaries," which could push construction traffic into the wetland. Commissioner Mark Simpson noted the proposed addition will reduce the distance from the wetland from about 20 feet to roughly six feet and asked how the applicant would control dewatering in a historically wet area.
The applicant said smaller excavation equipment would be used as needed and that the area has been previously disturbed during earlier construction, which may reduce some risk. The owner confirmed the existing propane tank "is definitely there," and said whether the tank will be replaced or relocated will be decided at excavation.
After discussion, the commission voted to accept the application to move forward in the review process and requested a site walk to inspect stockpile placement, wetland boundaries and locations of prior disturbance. The vote to accept the application was moved by Commissioner Mark Simpson and seconded by Rich Berlanti; the chair said the motion carried. Town staff will coordinate the site walk with the applicants.
The commission will take additional technical comments from staff into account before a final decision is made at a later meeting.
