FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield's Inland Wetlands Agency is scheduled to hold a public hearing Wednesday, Sept. 2, on proposed storm system improvements at the Lake Mohegan parking lot and along Morehouse Highway.
The Fairfield Engineering Department is seeking approval for work at 880 Morehouse Highway within a regulated area. According to the meeting agenda, town conservation staff recommends discussion and revisions to the project's design and plans.
The agency, formally the Conservation Commission acting as the Inland Wetlands Agency, may make a decision if the public hearing is completed or may continue the hearing. The deadline to complete the hearing is Oct. 7, though an applicant-provided extension could allow it to continue later.
The proposal is one of three applications scheduled for public hearings at the agency's Sept. 2 meeting.
A continued hearing is scheduled for a proposal at 2834 Redding Road, where Polster Industries is seeking to demolish an existing house, barn and shed and build a new single-family home with a patio, driveway and stormwater management system within a regulated area.
Conservation staff recommends that the applicant withdraw that application and resubmit it after completing a revised site design, according to the agenda. Staff reported that new site plans had not been received. The agency could make a decision if the hearing is completed, or the hearing could potentially be continued if the applicant provides an additional time extension.
Another continued public hearing involves 290 Long Meadow Road, where the applicant proposes additions and a patio at an existing home, reconstruction of a barn, driveway modifications, a new septic system, stormwater improvements and related work within a regulated area. Staff recommends approval with conditions. The agency may make a decision if the hearing is completed or continue it, with Oct. 7 listed as a potential continuation date.
The agency also is scheduled to receive a request involving a stormwater detention system at 493 Winnepoge Drive. Staff recommends tabling the application pending a legal notice and departmental review.
The applicant for that project is separately requesting a waiver of the $3,663 application fee. Staff does not recommend approving the waiver and said any modification to the fee should not reduce it below the $500 stormwater detention and drainage fee listed in the town's fee schedule.
Bond releases involving two development projects also are scheduled for possible consideration.
For an eight-townhouse development at 204 Old Post Road, staff recommends releasing a $2,000 demolition bond. A separate $28,400 construction bond was posted for the project.
At 865 Pequot Ave., staff recommends releasing $14,000 of a remaining $15,400 performance bond associated with construction of a new home, garage, driveway, pool, patios, septic and drainage systems. Staff recommends retaining the final $1,400 for two growing seasons to monitor plant survivability.
The agency also is expected to review a lengthy list of legal and wetlands enforcement matters.
Among them is 30 Laurelbrook Lane, where the Conservation Department is requesting authorization from the agency to file a formal complaint with the town attorney. The agenda states that property owners were cited for unauthorized activity within a regulated area and conservation easement and that a permit application expected in August had not been received.
Other enforcement matters include alleged unpermitted regulated activities at properties on Kings Highway East, Grace Street, Silver Spring Road, Trillium Road, Beach Road, Fencerow Drive, Merwins Lane, Bronson Road and Cross Highway. Several cases are listed as resolved, in compliance or undergoing corrective or legal action.
The agenda also notes a legal matter involving 154 John St., identified as "Anne Pol, et al. v. Conservation Commission of the Town of Fairfield et al.," which the department received Aug. 27.
The commission is scheduled to receive a staff report showing that, as of Aug. 25, the Conservation Department had received six CWC permit applications, issued seven notices of violation and one citation, and released five bonds. The report also says a litter boom had recovered 3,487 pieces of debris weighing 330.16 pounds as of Aug. 10.
The Fairfield Conservation Commission, acting as the Inland Wetlands Agency, will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2. The meeting will be held in Room 102 of the Fairfield Fire Training Center, 205 Richard White Way, and will also be accessible via Zoom, making it a hybrid meeting.
To view the agenda, click here.
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