HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS Comments #2 7-12-2025
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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
July 12, 2025
Ms. Stacy Radford
Zoning & Wetland Officer
Department of Land Use & Development
Town of Montville
310 Norwich-New London Turnpike
Uncasville, CT 06382
Re: 25 IWC11 – 375 MAPLE AVE
TRAILER STORAGE FACILITY
Dear Ms. Radford and Commission Members:
On behalf of the Town of Montville, I coordinated review efforts with Boundaries LLC
for the above referenced wetland application. I completed a site visit last year on January
3, 2024, for the previous 2024 Trailer Storage Facility application that was withdrawn,
and I have reviewed the current June 2025 revised site plans and updated wetland
application materials to construct a new trailer storage facility by the Rand-Whitney
Company at 375 Maple Avenue. I offer the following comments for the Town of
Montville Inland Wetland Commission consideration relating to assessing the
significance of impacts to the regulated areas.
The following June 2025 documents were reviewed:
• Inland Wetlands Application.
• Project Cover Letter.
• Stormwater Management Plan.
• Wetland Delineation Report.
• Site Improvement Plan, 375 Maple Avenue/Route 163, Town of Montville,
Connecticut 06382, Prepared for 349 Maple Ave. LLC, 410 Maple Avenue,
Montville, Connecticut 06382, Dated 6-2-2025
• Town of Montville Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Regulations (October 19,
2017)
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• Staff Comments 6-12-2025
• Revised Application 6-20-2025
The following comments or questions are based on a site visit completed on January 3,
2025, discussions with Boundaries, LLC, town staff and the above documents:
In concept, the proposed June 2025 Trailer Storage Facility is substantially similar to the
2024 application with the notable difference in how the relocating of the man-made
watercourse that is discharged from Sharp Hill will be redirected through the proposed
development. The previous application proposed to pipe the drainage around the
development, and the revised 2025 application now takes a more direct linear route under
the middle of the site. The applicant has incorporated all previous environmental and
wetland related comments and includes all previously requested Best Management
Practices (BMPs) including requested plantings & vegetation management to protect the
wetland resources both during construction and long-term.
As with the previous application, the 2025 submittal is a significant activity on the bases
of the Town of Montville’s definition of a “Significant Activity” in that the relocation of
the Sharp Hill Drainage will require filling a man-made intermittent watercourse is a
significant activity, as the proposal is significantly changing the dynamics of the
watercourse, albeit one that is man-made. It should be acknowledged that while the
proposed activity is significant in the fact it will be relocating a man-made watercourse
and will result in the permanent filling of a watercourse it likely will not have a major
effect or negative impact due to the nature of the subject feature and the inclusion of
design features which will replace and/or has the opportunity to enhance the existing
functions of the watercourse slated to be relocated.
It is my opinion that the applicant has provided satisfactory information for the
commission to make both a determination of significance and has the necessary wetland
related information to make a ruling on the application.
The Project has formally requested a Jurisdictional Determination (JD) from the United
States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). It has been my experience that the JD process
can take upwards of 1 year or more to receive a formal ruling from the USACE. I would
suggest to the commission that the USACE JD process is a separate regulatory process
and should not delay the local permit approval process. If the commission approves the
application to allow the project to move forward with a Planning and Zoning application
the Project will still need to secure all applicable state and federal regulatory approvals
prior to Construction.
In closing, while the proposed activity is significant in the fact it will be relocating a
man-made watercourse and will result in the permanent filling of a watercourse it likely
will not have a major effect or negative impact due to the nature of the subject feature
and the inclusion of design features which will replace and/or has the opportunity to
enhance the existing functions of the watercourse slated to be relocated.
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In my professional opinion the proposed regulated activities:
1. Should not result in an adverse impact to Rockland Pond or Oxoboxo Brook;
2. Are consistent with and satisfy the statutory factors for consideration provided by
Section 22a-41 of the Connecticut General Statutes; and
3. Are consistent with and satisfy the criteria for consideration provided by the
Town of Montville’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Regulations.
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