Ridgefield Inland Wetlands Board Continues Bridge Proposal Review, Approves 3 Applications

RIDGEFIELD, CT. — The Inland Wetlands Board on March 26 continued its review of a multifamily development proposal on Branchville Road and approved three other applications involving residential site work near wetlands, while setting additional discussions for April.

Branchville Road Project Continued

The board opened a public hearing on an application to construct a 75-foot clear-span bridge, multifamily dwellings and associated site work at 599 Branchville Road.

Applicant representative Robert Jewell presented the proposal, noting it has been resubmitted as an 8-30g affordable housing application and includes prior plans that were previously denied and are now under appeal.

Wetlands Agent Caleb Johnson read the legal notice into the record, and Chair Susan Baker said two peer reviews are pending.

Consultant Brian Carey, director of Environmental Services for Landtech, outlined the site design, stating the proposal includes temporary impacts with no long-term impacts to the wetlands or watercourses.

Board members raised questions about stormwater management and design details. Jewell said the team is awaiting third-party review comments and additional refinements, including bridge design details.

At the applicant’s request, the board voted to continue the hearing to April 23, citing scheduling conflicts and the need for peer review input.

Farmingville Road Violation Plan Approved

The board approved a remediation plan for a wetlands violation at 215 Farmingville Road, where unauthorized site work occurred within a regulated area.

Applicant Joe Arruzza presented revised landscaping plans. Members said the proposal represented a significant improvement.

Member Keith Carlson said the plan looks significantly better than the last time it was in front of the IWB, according to the meeting minutes.

The board approved the application unanimously, 6-0, with conditions including adjusted placement of boulders to mark lawn boundaries and a requirement that plantings be completed by June 1.

Florida Road Pool Proposal Approved

The board also approved an application for a pool, patio and septic relocation at 216 Florida Road after revisions addressed prior concerns.

Applicant Steven Trinkaus presented updated plans, including a reduced mowing area near wetlands.

Members said their concerns had been resolved, and the board approved the application 6-0 with standard conditions.

Market Street Project Adds Buffer Requirements

At 14 Market Street, the board approved a proposal to install a pool and related site work but required additional environmental protections.

Members focused on the proximity of lawn and equipment to a nearby watercourse, with several calling for a stronger vegetative buffer.

Board member Carson Fincham said he would like to see “a filter strip, no mow zone, and plantings” along the watercourse.

The board unanimously approved the application with conditions requiring a planted buffer of native grasses, sedges and rushes along the watercourse.

New Application Received

The board formally received an application for grading and site work at 160 Wilton Road West and scheduled it for discussion at the April 9 meeting.

Members said they would conduct individual site visits rather than a formal group site walk.

Other Business

No enforcement actions were reported. The board plans to continue discussion of proposed wetlands regulation updates at its April 9 meeting.

Next Steps

The Inland Wetlands Board will reconvene April 9 for continued application reviews and regulatory discussions, with the Branchville Road public hearing scheduled to resume April 23.