Old Lyme Wetlands Commission Approves Wolcott Lane Pool, Reviews Mile Creek Work

OLD LYME, CT — The Old Lyme Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission unanimously approved plans for an in-ground pool, pool deck and storage pavilion at Wolcott Lane on Sept. 22, while commissioners scheduled a site visit before continuing their review of a Shore Drive seawall project.

The commission also received an update on work at Mile Creek, where a wetlands order has been lifted and the property owners have obtained a state discharge permit, according to the meeting minutes.

The commission met at Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme St.. Seven members attended, with Todd Crolius absent.

Wolcott Lane Pool Approved

The commission unanimously approved an application from Jared Bombaci for an in-ground pool, pool deck and storage pavilion at 10-1 Wolcott Lane.

Bombaci presented an updated plan showing a new location for the property's septic system. According to the minutes, the revised location did not affect the wetlands.

Chair Tom Machnik moved to approve the application as submitted and Rob Janes seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Site Walk Set For Shore Drive Seawall Proposal

Commissioners also began reviewing a case at 31 Shore Drive, where applicants Paul A. Dean and Laura Dean-Frazier are seeking approval to replace an existing retaining wall and seawall and construct a patio and accessible stairs.

H. Frazier, representing the applicants, told commissioners the existing retaining wall was in disrepair and that a recent survey had been completed. Two possible methods were presented for restoring the wall: installing steel or vinyl sheet piling or replacing the existing structure with concrete. The proposal would also extend the existing wall.

The commission scheduled a site walk for Oct. 6 at 5:30 p.m. No vote on the application was recorded Sept. 22.

Mile Creek Work Continues After Wetlands Order Lifted

Land Use Coordinator Eric Knapp updated commissioners on activity at 308-1 Mile Creek Road.

According to the minutes, Knapp issued a zoning permit allowing activity to continue after the wetlands order was lifted and the owners obtained a service discharge permit from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

A neighbor appealed the zoning permit to the Zoning Board of Appeals at its Sept. 17 meeting. The minutes say the matter will continue following an Oct. 15 meeting.

Knapp told the commission he visits the property weekly and that a silt fence surrounds the work area. He reported no evidence of current damage to wetlands or watercourses. The culvert was described as undersized, and the minutes state that gravel had not been installed. DEEP representatives also made an unannounced visit to the property during the previous week.

No updates were reported concerning 16 Neck Road and 2 Sharon Drive.

The commission also approved its Aug. 25 special site walk meeting minutes as submitted and adjourned at approximately 6:15 p.m.