HomeMy WebLinkAbout25IWC27-690 Rte 163 Staff Report 1 11-20-2025H:\IWC\Applications\2025\25IWC27 - 690 Route 163 (Timber Harvest; no regulated activities)\Staff\25 IWC 27 Staff Report 1 11-20-2025.docx
STAFF REPORT
APPLICATION# 25 IWC 27
REGULAR MEETING – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025
Prepared by Stacy Radford, Zoning & Wetlands Officer
Applicant: Donald Dubois – Dubois Forestry
Property Owner: Fox Hill Farm, LLC
Address: 690 Route 163 (Parcel ID: 038-001-000), Oakdale, CT
Date Submitted: October 30, 2025
Date Received by IWC: November 20, 2025 (DRD – January 24, 2026)
Applicant Request: As of Right Determination for Timber Harvest
Activity Description:
Wetland located on the property 13.00 Acres +/-, per Applicant Watercourse/Waterbody Disturbance Area 0 LF, per Applicant
Upland Review Disturbance Area 0 SF, per Applicant
STAFF COMMENTS:
• This Application is for an As of Right Determination for a Timber Harvest in accordance
with Montville Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations Section 4.1.a and C.G.S.
Section 22a-40.
• Under the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act C.G.S. Section 22a-40 and Montville
Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations (“Regulations”) Section 4.1.a, farming is
a “Permitted operation and use”. Forestry is defined as farming or agriculture under C.G.S.
1-1q.
• This property is located in the R-120 zone on about 40.34 acres, contains regulated
wetlands & watercourses and is currently developed with a single family residence.
• The Applicant states the proposed objective is to “improve forest health by removing trees
with disease, die-back and deformity.” “We will be removing mostly beech trees in decline
due to beech leaf disease, birch trees with nectria canker and red maple trees with defect.”
• Additionally, the Applicant states that there are no proposed stream crossing and there will
be no harvesting in the wetlands or upland review area. Access to the property will be via
the existing gravel driveway.
• The amount of forest products to be harvested is 10 +/- acres, 6,295 board feet, 40 cords
and trees to be harvested have been marked with blue paint.
• An estimated start date of the timber harvesting operation is December 1, 2025.
• There is no proposed harvesting within the wetlands or the upland review area and
therefore, staff recommends approval of this proposed Application as an “As of Right”
activity.
H:\IWC\Applications\2025\25IWC27 - 690 Route 163 (Timber Harvest; no regulated activities)\Staff\25 IWC 27 Staff Report 1 11-20-2025.docx
CONSIDERATIONS FOR ACTION:
If the Commission is inclined to approve this application, the following language for a motion of
approval is suggested:
M O T I O N # 1 (A Motion to Approve)
After giving due consideration to all relevant factors, including those in Section 4 of the
Montville Inland Wetland Regulations and Section 22a-40 of the Connecticut General Statutes, I
move that Application# 25 IWC 27, submitted by Donald Dubois – Dubois Forestry, on behalf
of property owner, Fox Hill Farm, LLC for a Timber Harvest and more fully described in the
Notification of Timber Harvest, dated October 10, 2025 with associated Timber Harvest Map is a
Permitted Use As of Right and, therefore, no permit is required.