741 Colonel Ledyard Highway

Ledyard, Connecticut 06339

TOWN OF LEDYARD

Inland Wetland and Water Courses

Commission

Meeting Minutes - Final

Chairman

Justin DeBrodt

Special Meeting

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

7:00 PM

Ledyard Middle School: 1860 CT-12,

Gales Ferry, CT 06335 - Hybrid

Format

REMOTE MEETING INFORMATION

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CALL TO ORDER

Chairman DeBrodt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Ledyard Middle School,

Auditorium.

II.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III.

ROLL CALL AND APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES

Chairman Justin DeBrodt

Commissioner Dan Pealer

Commissioner Lynmarie Thompson

Commissioner Beth E. Ribe

Vice Chair Paul Maugle

Present

Excused

In addition, the following were present:

Director of Land Use and Planning, Elizabeth Burdick

Zoning and Wetlands Enforcement Officer, Alex Samalot

Land Use Assistant, Anna Wynn

IV.

APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS TO AND/OR CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE

AGENDA

No Changes.

CITIZENS PETITIONS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)

None.

VI.

PRE APPLICATION DISCUSSION AND/OR WORKSHOP

None.

VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS/APPLICATIONS

IWWC#24-9 - 19, 29 & 39 Military Highway (Parcel IDs: 91-1590-19, 29 & 39), Gales

Ferry, CT - Applicant/Owner: C.R. Klewin LLC for approval of regulated activities

associated with construction of a 320-unit multifamily residential housing development and

associated site improvements. (Submitted 6-24-24, Date of Receipt 7-2-24, , Set PH for

9/3/2024, PH must close by 10/7/2024, Decision Required Date 35-days from close PH).

Chairman DeBrodt opened the public hearing.

Director Burdick read into the record the IWWC#24-9 exhibit list and introduced exhibits

#21-#23.

Attorney Michael Carey of Suisman Shapiro, 75 State St, New London, CT, representing the

Town of Ledyard, gave his recommendation to neither approve nor deny the Gales Ferry

District Intervention petition. He said that he and staff needed time to review the documents.

Attorney Caroll of Cohen & Wolf, 1115 Broad St, Bridgeport, CT, stated that he is

representing the Gales Ferry District and Ms. Lee Ann Barry and stated reasons why the

intervention is verified. He submitted a verified notice of Intervention for Lee Ann Berry

individually.

Director Burdick stated for the record that the document submitted will be marked as exhibit

#24 as well as CT SOS Gales Ferry Fire District date of incorporation (#25-1), minutes of

Gales Ferry Distinct Meeting (#25-2) and Gales Ferry Fire District By Laws (#25-3).

Attorney Brian Smith of Robinson and Cole, 1 State St, Hartford, CT, stated that the

applicant needs more time to review the documents submitted by the Gales Ferry District.

Director Burdick stated that town staff is in the process of hiring outside experts to help

review application IWWC#24-9, the cost totaling $15,160 paid by the applicant, and if the

Commission has no objection, she will finalize the process.

The Commission stated they have no objections.

Attorney Brian Smith of Robinson and Cole, representative of C.R. Klewin, introduced the

application and representatives of the applicant present at the hearing. Attorney Smith stated

the applicant will be removing brush on site to make flags delineating the wetlands more

visible for review.

Jeff Board, Civil Engineer of Bohler Engineering, referred to the project plan during the

presentation. He began his presentation and provided technical details about the plan.

Director Burdick asked Mr. Board to point out and talk about flood lines on the map.

Mr. Board addressed technicalities of the flood lines related to the map. He addressed other

technicalities of the plan.

Richard Ross, professional Engineer of Epic Clean Tech, 449 Pent St, San Franscisco

California, attending via Zoom, spoke about the technicalities related to the treatment

systems in the site plan.

Chairman DeBrodt opened Public Comments.

Gary Chavis, 22 Military Highway Gales Ferry, asked if the proposed septic system can

accommodate the number of units.

Chairman DeBrodt stated that the experts will be doing further investigation into that

question.

Gary Chavis asked how long after approval would construction be completed.

Director Burdick stated that the applicant will have a chance after public comment to address

any questions the Commission does not have an answer to.

Gary Chavis asked for clarification on the entry ways to the proposed housing development.

Director Burdick referenced the map and noted the main entry ways and emergency access.

Gary Chavis asked if the Ledyard Fire Department has enough resources to accommodate the

size of the housing development.

Director Burdick commented that the Fire Marshall will make further comments when the

application is submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Gary Chavis asked about lighting impact on the surrounding neighborhoods.

Director Burdick stated that those are concerns that will be addressed at the Planning and

Zoning Commission level. She stated that at that point staff will ask for a lighting plan from

the applicant.

Gary Chavis asked if there will be road improvements to accommodate the increase in

traffic.

Chairman DeBrodt stated that the applicant is writing down the comments, but the IWWC is

focused on the environmental impact of the application.

Mary Larsen, 53 Harvard Terrace, Gales Ferry, gave a copy of her statement to Director

Burdick. Mary Larsen read her statement into the record. Director Burdick stated for the

record the document will be marked as exhibit #26.

Kevin Davis, 7 Ramble Wood Drive, Gales Ferry, stated his concerns regarding the

application. He read his statement and then gave it to Director Burdick who stated for the

record the document would be marked as exhibit #27.

Steve Munger, 12 Nutmeg Drive, Gales Ferry, stated his concerns about the application in

regard to town taxes and financial aspects for the residents.

David Collins, 37 Chirswood Trace, Ledyard, asked questions regarding power loss to the

housing development. He stated his concerns about the housing development.

Elayne Pons, 57 Harvard Terrace, Gales Ferry, attending via Zoom, stated concerns about the

proximity of the housing development to her property.

Jenna, 14 Winthrop Rd, Gales Ferry, attending via Zoom, commented in the chat that she

had the same concerns as previous speakers. She stated her concerns about flooding on the

surrounding neighborhoods. She stated concerns about traffic increases.

Connor Slack, 47 Harvard Terrace, Gales Ferry, attending via Zoom commented in the chat

his concerns regarding the application.

Peter Bargmann, 7 Harvard Rd, Gales Ferry, stated his concerns regarding the application on

the surrounding neighborhoods and environment and provided historical context of the

property.

Doug Thompson, 8 Osprey Drive, Gales Ferry, stated his concerns about the impact of the

housing development on the surrounding environment. He spoke about technicalities and

calculation related to the application.

Lori Edwards, 10 Whalehead Drives, Gales Ferry, stated her concerns about the impact of

housing development on the surrounding environment and wildlife.

Brenna Hass, 51 Harvard Terrace, Gales Ferry, asked about the review process concerning

site plans and construction.

Director Burdick explained the review process for construction sites as well as added that

outside experts will also be doing a full stormwater review.

Julie Woody, 770 Long Cove Rd, Gales Ferry, stated she is representing Avalonia Land

Conservatory and stated her concerns about the impact of the proposed housing development

on environment and ecology of Cranberry Pond andher concern that the wetlands are not

accurately represented.

Gary Schneider, 101 Inchcliffe Drive, Gales Ferry, stated his concerns about the wastewater

treatment facility in regard to the proposed housing development. He spoke about several

technicalities related to the application. He submitted his statement to Director Burdick who

stated for the record that the document would be marked as exhibit #30.

Terrence McAuliffe, 28 Hurlbutt Rd, Gales Ferry, stated his concerns with technicalities

related to the application.

Jim Kelly, 17 Winthrop Rd, Gales Ferry, stated his concerns about the impact of the

application on the surrounding environment and watercourses. He stated that the Gales Ferry

District and Lee Ann Berry should be accepted as intervenors on application IWWC#24-9.

Scott MacGregor, 22 Winthrop Rd, Gales Ferry, stated his concerns about the impact of the

housing development on the surrounding neighborhoods and environment. He specified

issues related to water and flooding. He asked if there is any conflict of interest by the

individuals that are being retained by the applicant to review the application.

Director Burdick read into the record Section 5.2, Ordinance 300-013 and addressed

concerns about conflict of interest by independent reviewers.

Valerie Roberts, 48 Military Highway, Gales Ferry, stated her concerns about the impact of

the application on the surrounding ecology.

Laura Palmese, 52 Military Highway, Gales Ferry, stated her concerns about the application

impact on the surrounding ecology and environment.

Chairman DeBrodt concluded public comments for the evening and discussed when they will

continue the public hearing. They discussed when all the experts and parties will have a

chance to review the application.

MOTION to continue the Public Hearing on application IWWC24-9 to the IWWC Special

Meeting on October 1, 2024 at the Ledyard Middle School.

CONTINUE

Dan Pealer

RESULT:

MOVER:

Beth E. Ribe

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Thompson, and Ribe

Maugle

AYE:

EXCUSED:

Discussion & Decision: IWWC#24-9 - 19, 29 & 39 Military Highway (Parcel IDs:

91-1590-19, 29 & 39), Gales Ferry, CT - Applicant/Owner: C.R. Klewin LLC for approval

of regulated activities associated with construction of a 353-unit multifamily residential

housing development and associated site improvements. (Submitted 6-24-24, Date of

Receipt 7-2-24, PH must open by 9/4/24, PH set for 9/3/24, PH must close by 10/7/24,

Decision Required Date 35-days from close PH).

NO ACTION

RESULT:

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

None.

IX.

NEW BUSINESS

IWWC#24-12AR 32 & 35 Avery Hill Road (Parcel IDs: 37-120-32, & 35), Ledyard, CT-

Owner/Applicant Avalonia Land Conservancy Inc., P. O. BOX 49, Old Mystic, CT, 06372,

for an As of Right Determination for three wetlands crossings and a small trail reroute in

Inland Wetlands and the 100-foot Upland Review Area.

Chaiman DeBrodt opened the hearing on application IWWC#24-12AR.

Nate Woody, representative of Avalonia Land Conservatory, described the application to the

Commission. He stated that to keep trail hikers from walking through the brooks in the

Avery Preserve, the Avalonia Land Conservatory would like to install three additional stream

crossings.

The Commission, staff and the applicant discussed the location and type of bridges.

Director Burdick read the Ledyard Zoning Regulations as they pertained to installation of the

stream crossings and commented that she recommends the Commission approve the

application as an As of Right.

MOTION to approve application IWWC#24-12AR for installation of multiple stream

crossing in Avery Preserve as an As of Right under Section 4.3b of the Ledyard Zoning

Regulations.

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Beth E. Ribe

RESULT:

MOVER:

Dan Pealer

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Thompson, and Ribe

Maugle

AYE:

EXCUSED:

IWWC24-10RA - Proposed Text Amendments to Inland Wetlands and Watercourses

Regulations Sections 2.1, 7.5.b, 7.6.1, 7.8, 7.9, 11.6, 19.b, & 20 - Applicant, Ledyard

Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission, Justin DeBrodt, Chairman, (Date of Receipt

9/3/24, PH required. PH must open by N/A, PH must close by N/A, DRD N/A).

Staff and the Commission discussed the changes to the text amendments since the last

meeting.

Staff and the Commission discussed timelines for opening the hearing on application

IWWC#10-RA. Director Burdick commented that September 3, 2024 is the official date of

receipt of the application but that there is no specific date the public hearing needs to be set

because Commission applications are not subject to the same statutory timeline requirements

as other public hearings.

The Commission tabled the setting of the Public Hearing to October 1, 2024.

TABLED

RESULT:

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

MOTION to approve IWWC Regular Meeting Minutes of August 6, 2024

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Dan Pealer

RESULT:

MOVER:

Beth E. Ribe

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Thompson, and Ribe

Maugle

AYE:

EXCUSED:

MOTION to approve IWWC Special Meeting/Site Walk Minutes of August 24, 2024

APPROVED AND SO DECLARED

Beth E. Ribe

RESULT:

MOVER:

Dan Pealer

SECONDER:

DeBrodt, Pealer, Thompson, and Ribe

Maugle

AYE:

EXCUSED:

XI.

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

XII. REPORTS

Staff Report - Designated Agent/WEO

ZEO, Alex Samalot, stated that all his comments are in his staff report that is located on the