Inland Wetlands Commission tables three residential wetland applications pending more information

The Inland Wetlands Commission on Oct. 22 reviewed three residential development applications that affect wetlands and adjacent upland review areas and voted to table each item pending additional information.

Dinesh Verbickas, a professional engineer with Artel Engineering Group, presented proposals for Lots 1 and 2 on Bayberry Lane and a separate application for property on Bear Mountain Road. For Lot 1, Verbickas said the developer reduced the driveway width from 12 feet to 10 feet — a change he estimated would cut about 1,800 square feet of asphalt on the roughly 900-foot driveway — and proposed a roughly 60-foot wetland crossing. To compensate, the applicant proposes creating about 1,350 square feet of replacement wetland adjacent to the existing feature, installing buffer plantings in the upland review area and removing invasive species. He told commissioners that a survey posted that morning identified nine trees 8 inches or greater in the upland area and several additional trees near the driveway that may need removal; he said grading tweaks might save one or two trees.

"That's about 1,800 square feet of asphalt," Verbickas said of the driveway reduction, adding that the mitigation plan includes plantings and invasive-species removal.

For Lot 2, Verbickas said the lot sits closer to the road and, unlike Lot 1, would not directly impact wetland areas but would work close to them. He said a recent survey shows roughly 20 trees could be removed for construction but that minor grading adjustments might preserve three or four trees. He also said the applicant intends to place demarcation inside the proposed buffer and to implement a similar invasive-removal plan.

During both Bayberry Lane presentations, a staff member identified on the record as "Larry" asked that demarcation placards be positioned about 5 feet off the wetland line so they function as a buffer rather than sit exactly on the boundary; Verbickas said the demarcation could be incorporated into the buffer-planting area.

On Bear Mountain Road (ticket 1252 / Fair Mountain Road), Verbickas said soil and wetland delineations and a same-day survey show an intermittent channel fed by discharge pipe(s) from a neighboring uphill property. He said the project will need to relocate roughly 200 feet of that intermittent watercourse; the relocation plan would stabilize the new channel with geotextile and seed/grassings. Verbickas said a soil report from JMM Soil Services was still pending but expected shortly.

Commission discussion focused on ensuring mitigation and construction sequencing were sufficiently specified. Commissioner comments included a suggestion that the new swale or relocation be established and stabilized before discharging construction runoff into it. The commission also discussed demarcation placement, tree impacts and the need for clear survey documentation.

For each application the commission approved motions to table to the next regular meeting so staff and the applicant can supply additional details — including the soil report for Bear Mountain, clarified construction sequencing and finalized demarcation and planting plans. The transcript records voice votes in favor of tabling; specific individual vote tallies are not fully recorded in the transcript for every item.

The commission noted its next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12 and a related EIC working group will meet Oct. 29 to review a proposed fee schedule, before-and-after photographic requirements and a possible T2 topographical-survey requirement for significant activities.

The applications remain pending; the commission did not adopt or deny any wetlands permits at the Oct. 22 meeting.