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Wetlands agency approves cleanup at 21 Beach Street, waives after-the-fact penalty
Summary
The North Branford Conservation and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency approved IWWA application 2026-2 for 21 Beach Street after the owner presented that he had removed debris and installed silt fencing; the agency added a special condition waiving the usual four-times fee for work started without a permit.
The North Branford Conservation and Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency on July 22 approved IWWA application 2026-2 for work at 21 Beach Street and waived the standard penalty that applies when regulated work begins without a permit.
Applicant James DeVoe told the commission he had cleaned an area of brush and dumped material left by a prior occupant, removed it in a 30-yard dumpster and pulled out stumps, and does not plan further excavation. "We just cleaned the area out," DeVoe said, adding that his immediate plan is to seed and place hay to stabilize the soil. Agency members confirmed a silt fence was installed promptly after recent heavy rains.
Committee member (S4) moved to approve the site-plan grading within the Upland Review area for assessor's map 40, lot 58, with standard conditions and a special condition waiving the four-times fee for starting work without a permit because of the extenuating circumstances. The motion language listed the applicable standard conditions and added "special condition number 18" to waive the fee. The motion was approved by voice vote.
Chair Steve Scavill praised the applicant for following up with the agency: "We appreciate it — you wanted to take care of a problem." The agency recorded the waiver as tied to the applicant's prompt cleanup efforts and installation of erosion controls; members emphasized that the waiver reflected the circumstances and not a change to regulatory standards.
The applicant was instructed to comply with the stated standard permit conditions and to coordinate any future disturbance with the town. The commission closed the item after recording the motion and voice vote.
