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Commission presses applicant on wetland clearing, drainage and buffer at 39 Witch Lane
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Summary
Commissioners reviewed a homeowner's addition at 39 Witch Lane after staff found wood chips and understory clearing inside the wetland; the applicant offered remediation and plantings, but commissioners asked for more buffer, larger trees, and reduced impervious area before returning with finalized plans.
The Norwalk Conservation Commission on April 28 reviewed a proposed addition at 39 Witch Lane after staff discovered recent clearing and a thin layer of wood chips within the property's rear wetland.
Alexis, the commission's senior environmental officer, told members the disturbance was identified during the application site visit and that the owner had already submitted a remediation-oriented intermediate activity permit application. Staff said the homeowners proposed removing the wood chips, seeding with a wetland plant mix, installing an underground infiltration feature to manage runoff from the addition, and placing boulders as a demarcation just outside the wetland.
Kevin Beecraff, who identified himself as the applicant, said the submission accompanies the proposed house addition and that he would work with staff on revisions. Commissioners raised several concerns: many said the planting plan looked thin relative to the scale of disturbance and recommended adding larger shade trees and more robust plantings across the upland review area. Members also questioned why proposed grading and the driveway edge pushed up to the wetland line and urged minimizing impervious surfaces.
One commissioner suggested gravel turnarounds at driveways rather than paved surfaces to reduce runoff; others suggested relocating filtration features away from under asphalt and increasing the buffer between grading and the wetland. Alexis cautioned that some mitigation — such as moving infiltration chambers — can require additional disturbance and engineering; staff also noted zoning and vehicle-turning requirements can limit how much driveway area can be removed.
The applicant said the island in the driveway will be removed and agreed to meet with staff and agency members to interpret comments and submit amended, finalized plans. Staff told the applicant the agency cannot make a decision based on the preliminary plan shown at the meeting and recommended the applicant bring a finalized plan to a future meeting for action.
No final decision was reached; the commission asked the applicant to return with a revised plan that minimizes impervious surface, increases buffer plantings, and demonstrates appropriate stormwater management.
