Fairfield Conservation Commission To Review Open Space Acquisitions, Enforcement Cases

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Conservation Commission is scheduled to review several potential open space acquisitions Wednesday, including properties on Congress Street and Riverside Drive, as well as a Phase I environmental site assessment for 80 Congress Street.

The commission will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Fairfield Fire Training Center, Room 102, 205 Richard White Way. The public meeting will be held in a hybrid format, with attendance available in person and via Zoom. Click here to view the agenda.

Under open space land acquisitions, the commission may review new inquiries involving 3297 Congress St., described on the agenda as an 8.2-acre meadow, and 120 Riverside Drive, a 1.86-acre property containing tidal wetlands. Commissioners are also scheduled to review a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report for 80 Congress St.

The agenda lists the town's current open space acquisition frequency at 2.73 months per parcel.

The commission is also expected to discuss several legal and enforcement matters involving alleged unauthorized activity on town open space, conservation easements and regulated wetland areas.

Among them is an update on 30 Laurelbrook Lane, where a site restoration plan is scheduled for review and discussion in connection with a conservation easement and unauthorized regulated activities within inland wetlands and watercourses.

According to the agenda, a second citation was issued May 7 for additional unauthorized work in the same regulated area and conservation easement. A wetlands permit application expected for an Aug. 5 Inland Wetlands Agency meeting was not submitted, and an application is now pending for the agency's Sept. 2 meeting.

The Conservation Department will recommend turning the matter over to Town Council if an application is not received by Aug. 21, according to the agenda.

Other enforcement matters involve 115, 120 and 122 Welch Terrace, where the agenda cites encroachment, dumping and maintenance of town open space without authorization. The commission may also review alleged unauthorized maintenance of town open space at 207 Riverview Circle and 135 Grace St.

At 42 Anvil Road, commissioners are scheduled to review and discuss a previously provided survey in connection with a conservation easement and unauthorized regulated activities in an inland wetlands area. The agenda states that a wetlands permit application has been submitted.

Other business includes an update on conservation easement procedures and pending easements, including 845 Mill Hill Terrace, and the listing of 4480 Black Rock Turnpike.

The commission's staff report includes the fiscal year 2027 Conservation Department budget, seasonal staffing, restoration work at Mill Hollow open space and a forestry management plan for Lake Mohegan open space. Staff are also expected to report that the South Pine Creek tidegate replacement project is complete and that a draft of the town's tree-felling standard operating procedure remains in progress.

The agenda also includes review of Lake Mohegan-Cascades, the department's summer newsletter and plans for a new trail at Riverfield open space as an Eagle Scout project.