Commissioners press for wider buffers and third‑party review of Breezy Knoll plan

Commissioners at Avon’s Inland Wetlands Commission meeting on Jan. 7 questioned whether proposed temporary 10-foot green buffers and the plan’s erosion controls are sufficient to protect adjacent wetlands and a perennial watercourse.

Commissioner Thomas Kassan told the commission he has found federal and state recommendations advocating 50–100-foot riparian buffers in many circumstances and asked why the application shows substantially narrower protections in places. Vice Chair Michael Sacks said he inspected the site and expressed concern about a perennial stream and the condition and maintenance of a 4' x 8' box culvert that conveys site flows; he asked whether the culvert would handle any post-construction changes in runoff.

Commissioner Robert Breckinridge raised ecological questions after reviewing site photographs, saying Photograph 11 had "all the appearances of a vernal pool" and noting George Logan’s report lacked discussion of amphibian egg masses. Breckinridge quoted Logan’s finding that the project’s plans focus on feasibility and that "the details on the handling of storm water have not yet been provided." Commissioners agreed that an independent technical review would help resolve these hydrology and wildlife questions.

Staff wetlands agent Emily Kyle told the commission the North Central Conservation District can recheck delineations and review erosion- and sediment-control and stormwater-management plans; Kyle said NCCD typically can provide targeted feedback in about two weeks if the IWC forwards specific questions. Commissioners asked staff to prepare a focused list of technical questions for NCCD and to request a site visit.