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Staff Report
Application # 22 IWC 17
Regular Meeting – Thursday, August 18, 2022
Prepared by Meredith Badalucca, Zoning & Wetlands Enforcement Officer
Applicant: Town of Montville Conservation Commission
Owner: Town of Montville
Engineering Info: N/A
Soil Scientist: N/A
Attorney Info: N/A
Address: 836 Old Colchester Rd and Chesterfield Rd (029-068-000)
Submitted: August 5, 2022
Date Received by IWC: August 18, 2022 (DRD – 10//22/2022)
Applicant Request: As of Right determination for a maintenance of trail and parking lot.
Activity Description:
Wetland Disturbance/Activity 1,680 SF +/-
Watercourse/Waterbody Disturbance Area 0 LF
Upland Review Disturbance Area 0 SF +/-
Staff Comments:
Application is for an As of Right Determination for a trail maintenance and improvements to existing parking area in accordance with Montville Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations Section 4.2.b and C.G.S. Section 22a-40.
836 Old Colchester Rd is located on about 46.51 acres in the Government (G) zone and contains regulated upland & wetlands areas, a pond and an intermittent watercourse. The site is currently developed with the Montville Community Center.
The Conservation Commission is proposing to install “bog logs” to create a walkway in 6
locations along the trail that have become hard to navigate. The applicant states in part “the installation of the bog logs will create an easier walking path and will encourage users to stay on the path and deter people from creating new paths while avoiding boggy areas and prevent negative impacts to any additional regulated areas.”
The Conservation Commission is also proposing improvements to the existing parking area as
follows: replacement of 14 6 x 6 posts and realign the 2 x 6 railing to create a more defined parking area and access to the trail heads, replacing existing sign at the center of parking area entrance, a creating a new center island within the parking area and planting native species, as well as, placing a new picnic table on a mulch bed.
- The Commission will need to make a finding as to whether or not the proposed activities
are permitted non-regulated (“as of right”) activity and, therefore, do not require a permit.
Section 4.2 of the Regulations states “The following operations and uses shall be permitted
as non-regulated uses in wetlands and watercourses, provided they do not disturb the natural
\\planning\planningoffice$\IWC\Applications\2022\22 IWC 17 (836 Old Colchester Rd 029-068-000 As of Right Activity Conservation
Center\Staff\22IWC17 (Staff Report)8-18-2022.docx
and indigenous character of the wetland or watercourse by removal or deposition of
material, alteration or obstruction of water flow or pollution of the wetland or watercourses.
b. Outdoor recreation including the use of play and sporting areas, golf courses, field trails,
nature study, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, skin diving, camping, boating, water-
skiing, trapping, hunting, fishing and shell fishing where otherwise legally permitted and
regulated.”
Staff Recommendation:
- The proposed maintenance of the trail and parking lot improvements do not disturb the natural and indigenous character of the wetland or watercourse by removal or deposition of material or alter or obstruct of water flow or pollution of the wetland or watercourses. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the proposal as a permitted, non-regulated activity.
M O T I O N (A Motion to Approve)
After giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including those in Section 4.2 of the
Montville Inland Wetland Regulations and Section 22a-40 of the Connecticut General Statutes, I
move that Application # 22 IWC 17 - Applicant, Town of Montville Conservation Commission –
Property Owner, Town of Montville for proposed maintenance of trail and parking area
improvements at 836 Old Colchester Rd (029-068-000), Oakdale, CT as more fully described in
the Application, dated 8/5/2022 and supporting documentation is a Permitted Non-Regulated Use
and, therefore, no permit is required.