Conservation Commission - 102 (08/11/2022)

PHONE: 860-442-0553
www.waterfordct.org
FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
Date: 
July 28 2022
To: 
Waterford Conservation Commission
Re: 
Application #C-22-07: 48 Great Neck Road
Residential Condominium Development
Application Materials Review Comments
Proposed Regulated Activity:
The application is for the construction of a 40 unit multi-family residential complex on an 11.3 acre parcel
located along the east side of Great Neck Road. Within the 100 ft. upland review area of wetlands, the
development includes a 20 ft. wide roadway and a culvert crossing of inland wetlands and an intermittent
channel, and 4 constructed stormwater basins. Regulated activities associated with this application
include:
clearing, excavation and grading adjacent to inland wetlands for construction of stormwater basins,
and a paved roadway;
disturbance of 0.047 acres (2,000 sq. ft. *") of inland wetland for installation of 2 concrete 3-sided
box culverts and pre-cast concrete footings;
discharge of stormwater run-off from the residential development to inland wetlands and an
intermittent watercourse.
Wetland Description:
1. 
Forested Wetland / Intermittent stream: tributary to lower Jordan Brook (ET1)
A forested wetland corridor crosses the property in the western portion of the site. The stream channel
varies in width, generally 2-3 feet with a sand and cobble bottom. The wetland width ranges from 100 ft.
to 200 ft. and continues north off the property to confluence with a large forested and shrub swamp
complex north of the railroad bed. A farm road crosses this corridor at a narrow point with a culvert near
the center of the site. The wetland upstream of this crossing exhibits an area of seasonal flooding.
Spotted salamander egg masses were noted in this ponded area during 2017 and 2018.
Measures to protect water quality, maintain groundwater base flows and pre-development peak discharge
rates, and to treat stormwater discharges to minimize pollutant loading are recommended for development
along this tributary. The watershed management goal for this resource is to improve water quality. The
plan recommends the designation of an upland protection zone of undisturbed vegetation along the
wetland boundary.
2. 
Isolated Forested Wetland — seasonal ponding:
A forested wetland pocket approximately 0.6 acre in area is located in the southeastern portion of the
property, occupying a depressional area in the landscape. The wetland hydrology is seasonally ponded.
According to results of vernal pool amphibian surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018 by the applicant’s
consultant, the area contained one spotted salamander egg mass in 2018.
The majority of the property consists of forested upland. Refer to attached aerial photo and watershed
wetland summary information.

Stormwater Controls:
The proposed project includes four stormwater basins designed to capture the water quality run-off
volume and detain post-development run-off generated from the developed site. Basins discharge run-off
to the forested wetland corridor and intermittent watercourse. A water quality basin maintenance plan
and design detail are included on Sheet 7 of the plan submittal.
Plan Review Comments:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
The application indicates 0.047 acres of wetland disturbance is proposed. The area of temporary
clearing or grading activity versus permanent fill or loss of wetland substrate should be identified.
The wide span culverts will preserve the wetland substrate and functions beneath these structures,
thereby reducing permanent wetland impacts.
The maintenance of a natural vegetated buffer adjacent to the wetland /stream corridor is an
important element of the riparian corridor and serves to protect the wetland soils, vegetation and
stream hydrology and habitat. The Jordan Brook watershed management plan recommends a
minimum 50 ft. vegetated buffer adjacent to inland wetlands and a 100 ft. vegetated buffer from
perennial streams. The proposed clearing and disturbance limits extend between 10 and 15 feet
into this 50 ft. preferred buffer zone. The disturbed area is then to be re-planted. The applicant
should consider reducing the extent of grading and disturbance to the toe of proposed fill along
the downgradient slopes of stormwater basins C and D to protect existing tree canopy where
possible.
A detail for the proposed retaining walls at the roadway culvert crossing should be provided
along with a construction sequence for the roadway culvert and fill installation. The applicant
should identify whether a temporary at-grade construction access is proposed to be used to cross
the wetland during construction.
Details on de-watering measures and locations should be included for excavation and installation
of the pre-cast culvert footings.
The type of soil and channel stabilization measures required/ or proposed within the 2 concrete
culvert spans to minimize potential erosion of wetland substrates should be specified.
The CTDEEP Stormwater Manual recommends use of a forebay area or other component to
capture and treat 10% of the water quality volume discharged to a stormwater basin. Designated
forebay areas should be included in the basin design.
Soil test pit information for the proposed stormwater basins is required, including depth to
seasonal high water, ledge, and design permeability rates if used in recharge calculations.
Plan details for the stormwater basins should include the recommended 18 inch layer of bio-
filtration soil mix identified in the wetland mitigation and stormwater basin planting plan.
Plan details of the stormwater basins should indicate the storage elevation for the calculated water
quality volume and dry detention storage volumes for each basin.
10) The application should identify the proposed type of stormwater treatment pond design; (e.g., wet
pond, extended detention pond, etc,), and the level of stormwater treatment and anticipated
pollutant removal efficiency of the stormwater treatment system.
11) The drainage report models pre- vs. post construction flows to 2 design points on the property, in
consideration of the entire contributing off-site drainage area. To determine the change in flows

to the receiving on-site wetlands from the development, the application should provide calculated
flows and velocities from the proposed stormwater discharge locations for the pre- and post
development condition.
12) The plan shows greater than 550 feet of the main access drive impervious area is directed from
catch basins to small areas identified as bioretention areas and not the identified stormwater
basins. The size and construction detail for these bioretention areas is required. The calculated
velocity and stormwater volume discharging to these bioretention areas from the roadway and the
contributing stormwater basins should be provided. Stormwater run-off from the access roadway
requires treatment to meet the watershed management plan goals.
13) The application should identify what surface treatment is proposed along the foot trail leading
through the proposed wetland buffer and conservation area and the extent of vegetation and
substrate disturbance involved in the trail creation.
14) The final site plan requires written signature by the wetland boundary delineator’.
* 
# 
®
Respectfully,
Maureen Mie
Environmental Planner


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