Norwalk commission approves wetland buffer and planting plan for 39 Witch Lane with conditions

The Norwalk Conservation Commission and Inland Wetland Agency on May 26 approved a permit for property at 39 Witch Lane (application S26-663) that requires an expanded upland buffer, a planting and management plan and a physical demarcation marking the start of the wetland buffer.

The action follows a presentation by wetland scientist Steve Danzer and the applicant, Kevin Bcraft. Danzer said the revised plan “greatly expanded the wetland buffer and we added a few more plants to increase the coverage” to improve habitat and stormwater quality. Engineer Wayne Deano told commissioners the proposed underground retention galleries must sit at existing grade because of a restrictive soil layer, which constrained where stormwater infrastructure could be located.

Staff read special conditions that will be included in the permit: adherence to the planting and management plan, installation of silt fence during construction, a physical demarcation (posts, split-rail fence or boulders) to mark the limit of lawn and start of buffer, an as-built survey showing the buffer and wetland limits to be filed on the land records, and a bond to guarantee plantings. Staff’s report included bond figures for planting security and release timing.

A commissioner moved and another seconded to approve the application as recommended; the motion carried, recorded as 3–0 with one abstention. Staff said they will prepare and send the permit to the applicant and publish the required legal notice in the local paper.

Commissioners asked for clarity on buffer widths and mitigation measures. Staff and consultants described the proposed buffer as variable across the property: roughly 13.5 feet at its widest center point and narrowing to about 4.5–5.5 feet near property lines; consultants said the plan maximizes feasible buffer while allowing the owners limited yard area. A commissioner proposed maintaining a lawn-sized area planted with native groundcover to improve infiltration while preserving some yard function; the applicant declined that change during the meeting.

The vote concludes formal review for this application subject to the conditions the commission included. The commission’s staff said permit paperwork and legal notice will follow and that future inspections and the as-built survey will document compliance.