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Inland Wetlands Agency OKs Maya Lane home with conditions after debate over wetlands
Summary
The Middletown Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency granted a permit for a single-family home at Maya Lane (W2024-11) with conditions and standard stipulations, despite two members voting no over wetland impact and outstanding DEEP Natural Diversity Database review.
The Middletown Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency on Oct. 2 granted Permit W2024-11 to allow construction of a single-family home, driveway grading and related site work within the 100-foot upland review area at Maya Lane (Map/Lot 10-0156), but imposed conditions intended to protect nearby wetlands.
Jim, a staff member who presented the application, told the agency the public hearing had been closed at a prior meeting and read a draft motion finding the project consistent with standards in the Connecticut General Statutes and the City of Middletown’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations. Jim said a Natural Diversity Database review was submitted to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) but that the agency had not yet received DEEP’s response.
That pending DEEP review and the amount of work within the upland review area drew objections. Nanette said she was “strongly concerned with what the DEEP would come back with, and how do you undo a building and a lot if it comes back with a review of animals or disturbed habitat,” and said she would not approve the permit in light of that uncertainty. Another member likewise said the proposal “takes too much of the 100-foot area of the wetlands” and announced a no vote.
Other members supported approval with conditions. Ken acknowledged the sensitivity of the downstream area and said careful oversight and construction controls would be needed; he said he would vote in favor with those safeguards in place. Staff recommended, and the motion included, standard stipulations and two additional items: incorporating any DEEP comments from the Natural Diversity Database review and requiring a bond calculated by the town engineer to cover erosion and sedimentation control measures prior to construction.
On a voice vote the motion passed 6–2. Members recorded as opposing were Trevor and Nanette; the agency did not identify the individual yes voters in the recorded exchange.
The agency’s decision requires limits of disturbance to be shown on the plan and incorporates standard monitoring and post-construction drainage provisions intended to ensure that post-construction runoff does not exceed pre-construction levels. Members discussed marking clearing limits and staff inspections during construction and after rain events to enforce sedimentation controls.
Next steps: the permit is granted with the listed conditions; any DEEP comments from the Natural Diversity Database review will be incorporated by reference into the permit once received.
