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Wetlands commission flags 500 sq ft wetland impact at proposed 54 Cedar Road house, schedules site visit
Summary
The Town of Bethany Wetlands Commission reviewed an application for a single‑family house at 54 Cedar Road (Joe's Farm LLC), confirmed roughly 500 sq ft of direct wetland disturbance, requested updated soil‑science documentation and clearer grading plans, and scheduled a site inspection for Jan. 11, 2026.
Chris Sullivan, a member of the Town of Bethany Wetlands Commission, opened discussion Dec. 15 after an application from Joe's Farm LLC for site plan approval at 54 Cedar Road was introduced.
John Paul Garcia, who identified himself as a licensed professional engineer and said he represents the applicant, described the parcel as about 30–33 acres on the west side of Paul Hill Road and said the proposed house and most disturbance would lie outside the 150‑foot upland review area but that a limited wetland crossing was included in the plan.
Commissioners pressed Garcia about the scope of direct wetland disturbance. Commissioner Ed Becker noted the application lists about 500 square feet of disturbance “directly to the wetlands” — roughly a 10‑by‑50 area — and Garcia confirmed that localized impact. Commissioners also said proposed contours and grading on the submitted sheet were faint and requested darker, clearer sheets showing proposed contours and grading.
Becker and others questioned driveway placement and access alternatives, suggesting an extension of an existing driveway might avoid the wetland crossing. Garcia and commission members responded that fee‑simple access and frontage requirements (a 25‑foot fee‑simple strip and turning‑radius/emergency‑access constraints) may make connecting to the existing drive impractical. Garcia offered to provide a sketch showing alternatives.
The commission asked for an updated soil‑science appraisal. Garcia said prior work (Penn Stevens, 2012) is in the package, but commissioners said they need a current soil scientist report to evaluate potential impacts and verify whether older reports remain valid for review.
The commission agreed to reflag the wetland area when weather permits and to schedule a site visit once flags are visible; staff were asked to contact Bill Kenny (field reviewer) and to monitor weather so the commission can inspect the flagged area. Commissioners and the applicant set Jan. 11, 2026, as the tentative site inspection date, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The commission did not take final action on the site plan at the Dec. 15 meeting and requested the clarified drawings, a current soil‑science report, and the reflagging and site visit before further consideration.
