HomeMy WebLinkAbout26IWC8-Old Colchester Rd (3 parcels) Staff Report 1 6-18-2026
Town of Montville, Connecticut
Department of Land Use & Development
Planning & Zoning Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Economic & Community Development
310 Norwich-New London Turnpike Uncasville, CT 06382
www.montville-ct.org www.townofmontville.org/department-services/planning-department/ P: 860.848.6779 F: 860.848.2354
Planning & Zoning Commission
STAFF REPORT APPLICATION# 26 IWC 8 REGULAR MEETING – THURSDAY, June 18, 2026 Prepared by Stacy Radford, Zoning & Wetlands Officer
Applicant: Sustainable Forestry Solutions, LLC - Logan Thompson Property Owner: Nicholas Manavas & The Estate of Benjamin Sostre Address: Old Colchester Road (Parcel ID: 022-008-000) Property Owner: Charlene and Michael Pachiodo
Address: Old Colchester Road (Parcel ID: 022-001-000 & 022-009-000) Submitted: June 8, 2026 Date Received by IWC: June 18, 2026 (DRD – August 22, 2026) Applicant Request: Regulated activities with the upland review area in conjunction with a roadway
improvement project.
Activity Description:
Wetland Disturbance Area 25.5 Acres +/-., Per Applicant
Watercourse/Waterbody Disturbance Area 0 LF (Per Applicant) Upland Review Disturbance Area < 25,000 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- lq.
• This Application is for 3 individual vacant parcels which are defined on the attached Map. Parcel# 1 is located at Old Colchester Road (Parcel ID: 022-008-000), is currently owned by Nicholas Manavas & The Estate of Be1tjamin Sostre and contains 68.09 acres. Parcel #2 is located at Old Colchester Road (Parcel ID: 022-001-000), currently owned by Charlei1e and Michael Pachiodo and contains 32.91 acres. Parcel #3 is located at Old Colchester Road (Parcel ID: 022-009-000), currently owned by Charlene and Michael Pachiodo and contains 35.37
acres.
• The properties are located in the R-120 zone on about 136.37 acres in total, contain regulated wetlands & watercourses and all (3) parcels are currently undeveloped.
• The Applicant states the primary goal of this timber harvest is to "maintain and promote a healthy, oak-dominated forest. The harvest will focus on removing
mature tulip poplar, along with lower-quality birch and maple, to create additional
growing space and increase light availability for developing oak regeneration. Selective removal of some oak will also occur in areas where overcrowding is
limiting growth, allowing higher-quality trees more room to develop."
• The Applicant further states that "this treatment follows a shelterwood system, designed to establish a new generation of forest beneath the partial canopy of the existing stand. By retaining the healthiest and more desirable trees, this approach mimics natural disturbance patterns while maintaining a continuous forest cover.
The remaining overstory will provide both seed source and protection, supporting
the gradual establishment and growth of a new, well-structured forest over time."
• The Applicant finally states that "this harvest will be a traditional harvest where all the trees designated for harvest will be felled by a chainsaw, a skidder will be used to pile the trees in the forest, then a forwarder will transport the trees to the log
landing area. The tops of the trees and residual branches will be slashed three feet
from the forest floor or lower."
• Pursuant to the Applicant's Narrative, there will be two stream crossings, which will be traversed using bridge mats arranged to prevent equipment from coming into contact with the wetland soils and "Conn, 2012 field guide of Best Management
Practices will be used as reference for the timber harvest."
• The amount of forest products to be harvested is 136 +/- acres, approximately 200,000 board feet, and approximately 160 cords.
• No estimated start date of the timber harvesting operation has been determined but the Applicant states that it will be done during the driest possible time and duration
will be approximately 2-3 months.
• There is no proposed harvesting within the wetlands and therefore, staff recommends approval of this proposed Application as an "As of Right" activity.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR ACTION:
If the Commission is inclined to approve this application, the following language for a motion of approval is suggested:
MOTION #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# 26 IWC 8, submitted by Sustainable Forestry Solutions, LLC - Logan Thompson, on behalf of property owners, Nicholas Manavas & the Estate of Benjamin Sostre and Charlene and Michael Pachiodo, for a Timber Harvest and more fully described in the Timber Harvest Notification forms, dated May 15, 2026 with the associated Timber Harvest Map is a Permitted Use As of Right and,
therefore, no permit is required.