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Milford wetlands commission approves jurisdictional ruling for 64 Quarry/Corey Road driveway expansion
Summary
The Milford Inland Wetlands Commission voted unanimously Feb. 18 to have its designated agent issue a jurisdictional ruling for a driveway expansion at 64 Quarry (filed as IW-26-0). Commissioners debated requiring erosion controls but concluded a jurisdictional ruling was appropriate; the applicant said he would install controls as needed.
The Milford Inland Wetlands Commission on Feb. 18 voted to have its designated agent issue a jurisdictional ruling for a proposed driveway expansion at 64 Quarry Road (file IW-26-0).
Commissioner Matthew Connors moved the action, which described a driveway expansion "as shown on the drawing in the file" and noted the agency's determination that "this action will not have an impact or effect on the physical characteristics of the adjacent wetlands and water courses." Commissioner Jim Connors seconded the motion; the roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous.
Why it matters: The filing describes work within 100 feet of an on-site wetland or watercourse. A jurisdictional ruling allows limited work to proceed without the full permitting conditions the commission could otherwise impose; it does not permit the commission to attach post-approval conditions. That raised a key point of debate among commissioners: whether to require erosion controls from the start of any work.
During discussion, Commissioner Scott Marlo asked whether erosion-control measures should be required immediately rather than left until construction. "Erosion controls from the start would be the preferable method because you can't count on knowing when the weather's going to change," he said. Mayor Mary Rose and other commissioners noted the applicant, Hung Lee, had previously responded quickly to a vegetation-clearing violation and said he would arrange for erosion controls if asked. Hung Lee told the commission he was "here to answer any questions" and willing to hire someone to install erosion controls when work occurs.
The proposal: The pre-application describes a driveway roughly 12–14 feet by 48 feet and a two-foot-wide, two-foot-deep stone trench along the western edge to manage runoff. The file notes prior clearing at the site for which the owner installed split-rail fencing and markers in response to a violation.
Vote and next steps: The motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote. Because the commission issued a jurisdictional ruling rather than a full permit, it did not add conditions at the time of the ruling; applicants and staff said they expect construction timing will be delayed by frost and that erosion controls will be arranged prior to work.
The designated agent will document the jurisdictional ruling in the agency file.
