HomeMy WebLinkAbout25IWC7-SilverFallRd-SS Comments #2 5-24-2025
Wetland Delineations Wetland Evaluations Soil Evaluations
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____________________________________________________________________
Ian Cole, LLC
Professional Registered Soil Scientist / Professional Wetland Scientist
PO BOX 619
Middletown, CT 06457
Itcole@gmail.com
860-514-5642
May 24, 2025
Ms. Meredith Badalucca
Assistant Planner
Department of Land Use & Development
Town of Montville
310 Norwich-New London Turnpike
Uncasville, CT 06382
Re: 25SUB3 – Daniela Gjergjaj
Map 001 Block 007 Lot 00A
Silver Falls Road
Montville, CT
Re-Subdivision Plan Review
Dear Ms. Badalucca,
At the Town of Montville’s request, Ian Cole LLC completed a review of the updated
CLA site plan and additional information provided by CLA and the Applicant on May
8, 2025, and I offer the following additional comments for the Town of Montville
Inland Wetland Commission consideration.
To offset the permanent filling of 4,950 SF of wetlands to facilitate the proposed shared
driveway connection the applicant is proposing to plant 19 Highbush blueberry and 18
Common winterberry shrubs in 1-gallon containers. No other mitigation details were
provided. 1 gallon- containers are inadequate to offset the proposed impact. The size of
the plantings should be minimally 3-4’ landscape quality shrubs to ensure survivability
and vigor. To provide a well-functioning self-sustaining buffer. The applicant should
provide additional planting details that minimally include location of plantings, ground
and soil preparation, as well as what performance metrics will be included to ensure the
planted area is established and shrubs survive past the vulnerable post planting stage.
The wetland restoration plan should include post-construction monitoring, reporting and
Wetland Delineations Wetland Evaluations Soil Evaluations
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should address measures that ensure invasive species are not introduced or propagate
within the mitigation plantings.
The applicant has updated the plans to correct the proposed future emergency access
roadway extension into Waterford. The proposed emergency access appears to have
additional wetland impacts in the abutting town of Waterford that have not been
accounted for under a single and complete project. As a single and complete project
crossing a town boundary does not alleviate the project from including these impacts,
even if the impacts cross a town boundary, a project cannot phase total impacts. While
the unaccounted impacts might not have to be mitigated for in the Town of Montville,
they should be included in the total project disturbance. The applicant should quantify
the impacts of this crossing site and provide clarification on the regulatory permitting of
this “emergency access”. With these additional impacts accounted for the project should
confirm the total project SF of wetland disturbance. If the applicant is proposing more
than 5,000 SF of wetland disturbance additional State and Federal wetland permits may
be required.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at
itcole@gmail.com or (860) 514-5642.
Sincerely,
Ian T. Cole
Professional Registered Soil Scientist
Professional Wetland Scientist #2006