Noble Energy pitches warehouse, fueling station and restaurant near Fenemen Road; consultant estimates ~3,700 sq ft wetland impact, commission seeks vernal‑pool

Representatives of Noble Energy Real Estate Holdings told the Farmington Inland Wetlands Commission they propose a multi‑use development on Lot 8261 (Fenemen/Fieniman Road) that would include a 28,000‑square‑foot warehouse, a roughly 10,000‑square‑foot fueling/travel center with diesel pumps, a 4,500‑square‑foot restaurant and 198 parking spaces (including 34 truck spaces). Michael Frisbie identified the company as a Connecticut family‑owned operator of fueling and convenience sites and said the firm wants to add EV‑conduit readiness across the parking fields.

Engineering consultant Taylor Capell outlined the site plan and stormwater approach: the parcel is largely wetland, with three wetland areas (the largest about 50.2 acres). The team estimated a direct impact of approximately 3,700 square feet to an isolated wetland pocket along Fieniman Road and proposed mitigation that includes expanding a nearby wetland, constructing a low earth berm to retain water for longer residence time, native plantings and a newly created depressional wetland behind the warehouse. The plan calls for two underground detention systems (one infiltration near Fieniman Road, one closed retention behind the warehouse) and measures intended to reduce peak flows for storms up to the 100‑year event.

Jackson Smith of William Kenny Associates presented the wetland delineation (fieldwork completed in May and November 2025), described the primary 86‑acre site cover and the large 50‑acre high‑functioning wetland, and said two potential vernal pools were identified inside the large wetland. Smith said the two small depression wetlands near the road primarily receive untreated road runoff and have limited wetland function compared with the larger wetland. "It's our conclusion that the project will maintain or slightly improve the primary wetland functions at the property," Smith said, and he described the proposed wetland‑creation and buffer enhancements intended to offset the impact.

Commissioners pressed for detail. Staff and consultants described hydrodynamic separators, deep‑sump catch basins and a large vortex unit (presenters estimated capacity in the 1,000‑gallon range depending on facility size) to capture hydrocarbons; the team confirmed a spill‑prevention plan is in place. Commissioners asked for clarifications about retaining‑wall distance to the wetland (presenters said the wall will be roughly 6–10 feet from the impacted wetland, with guardrail protections to be added) and requested that the consultant re‑check vernal pools in spring to confirm their functional status. Jackson Smith agreed to reflag pools and said vernal‑pool confirmation is weather dependent and likely to occur mid‑to‑late March.

The commission voted to accept the application for review. Separately, that body moved and passed a requirement that the applicant provide a sidewalk along the property. Staff reminded commissioners of the 65‑day decision clock (roughly to mid‑April), and the commission scheduled tentative site‑walk dates in March and asked the applicant to stake critical features (building corners and the retaining wall) and reflag wetlands ahead of any field visit.

What happens next: the application is accepted for commission review with follow‑ups that include a vernal‑pool field study (timing weather‑dependent), reflagging of wetlands for a site walk and continued coordination with New Britain public works for sanitary connection. The commission will either open a public hearing or vote by the 65‑day deadline unless an extension is granted.