Middletown agency delays Villa Street home permit over slope and drainage questions

The Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency continued the public hearing on a proposed single‑family house on Villa Street to allow the applicant to provide clearer mapping and engineering details addressing slope, fill and drainage.

The application packet listed Carl Murata of Murata Builders LLC as the applicant agent. Commissioners noted the lot had been considered a building lot in a prior subdivision review but said current wetland delineations and slope on the parcel require careful scrutiny. Lisa Sherman, who identified herself as the buyer’s agent, said the lot was previously approved as a building lot and that wetlands are now flagged on the submitted plan.

Commissioners and staff focused on the steep 25 percent slope toward the river and on where roof leaders and footing drains would discharge. Staff and a commissioner reviewed the soil scientist’s notes and pointed out that one corner of the proposed house would be about 34 feet from a flagged wetland, and that grading would likely take place within the upland review area. Staff recommended showing proposed silt fence, any hay bale reinforcement, the outlet for footing drains, and consideration of a retaining wall to reduce the amount of fill placed downslope.

Given those open technical questions, the agency continued the hearing to Feb. 4 and directed the applicant to provide a revised plan showing the 100‑foot upland review line, an estimated volume of fill, where gutter and footing drainage will discharge, and erosion‑control measures. Commissioners said that without those details it will be difficult to find the house approvable because of slope and wetlands proximity.