New Castle review board approves expanded deck at 30 Barnes Lane inside wetlands buffer

The Town of New Castle Environmental Review Board approved a plan to replace and enlarge a backyard deck at 30 Barnes Lane at its meeting. Staff told the board the existing deck was 236 square feet and the proposed deck would be about 528 square feet, an increase that triggered review because it exceeded the town's 25% expansion threshold for structures in the wetlands buffer.

Dennis, the town staff member presenting the application, said he visited the property, confirmed the wetland flags and wetlands delineation, and recommended leaving the flags in place until an as-built delineation can be completed after construction. He said mitigation plantings and a planting distribution had been discussed with the applicant to limit impacts to the nearby stream corridor.

“Because the way the code is written … when you exceed 10 [replacement] trees you need a mix of canopy and understory,” Dennis told the board while explaining mitigation expectations for other items on the agenda. Board members asked technical questions about deck height (about 3–4 feet), grading and under-deck treatment; the applicant said the under-deck area would receive gravel and proper drainage measures.

Andrew Vaccarello, the consultant for property owners on a later item, did not participate in this agenda item. After questions and confirmatory remarks from members, the board approved the deck plan as drawn by unanimous voice vote.

The approval included the condition that the applicant provide an as-built wetland delineation and update property records after construction. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the motion passed by voice consent. The project will be subject to any other required permits, including zoning approvals already in process.