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Commission approves Rubinfeld Breezy Knoll lots with wetlands mitigation after debate
Summary
After extended debate about buffer widths and a small proposed wetlands fill, the Avon Inland Wetlands Commission approved Application #798 for two building lots on Breezy Knoll with mitigation, conservation restrictions and staff inspection conditions; vote was 5-2.
The Inland Wetlands Commission approved Application #798, allowing regulated activity for two building lots at 10 and 20 Breezy Knoll, after commissioners negotiated mitigation measures and rejected proposed filling of a small wetlands pocket.
David F. Whitney, the applicants’ engineer, told the commission the owners sought to renew approvals dating to the 1980s and described stormwater controls that include infiltration basins, 5-foot grass swales alongside the downhill side of the common driveway, and a 10-foot planted buffer. He said the applicants agreed to revise plans to eliminate filling a 633-square-foot wetland and to add boulders to demarcate the wetland edge.
Soil scientist G. Logan, who prepared the wetlands delineation, described a wetlands enhancement plan to restore functions and values lost by development and said, based on his site review and experience, the proposed controls and the mitigation area would prevent long-term physical impacts to the regulated resource. Vice Chair Michael Sacks and Commissioner Thomas Kassan questioned whether a 10-foot buffer was sufficient near a tributary to the Farmington River and urged consideration of reduced house footprints or combining lots to lessen impacts. Sacks cited outside reviews urging larger buffers, quoting the NCCD guidance that “alternative house configurations and/or sizes should be considered, and smaller footprints are likely to reduce impact to wetland and watercourse resources.”
Commissioners and staff also reviewed a North Central Conservation District letter and comments from the Connecticut Water Company recommending a 25-foot minimum wetland buffer; the applicants accepted several NCCD recommendations, including enhanced planting mixes and additional erosion controls. Agent Emily Kyle will work with the applicants to draft approval conditions and perform required inspections of mitigation plantings.
Commissioner Robert Breckinridge moved to approve Application #798 with the mitigation area retained and conditions drafted by staff; Commissioner Carol Hauss seconded. The motion passed 5-2, with Chair Michael Feldman, Hauss, Breckinridge, Gary Gianini and Daniel Carvalho voting yes and Thomas Kassan and Michael Sacks voting no.
Next steps: staff will circulate the written conditions of approval for the commission’s review and inspect the required mitigation plantings during the post-construction period.
