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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987_08_25 Coastal Zone Management Commission Minutes CL • 1,1 Town of Mamar ones Village of Larc hmont � C ASTAL ZO NE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION kp MINUTES A regular meeting was scheduled for Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC) on Tuesday, August 25, 1987, at the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Rd , Mamaroneck, N.Y. The meeting comnenced . at 8 : 09 P.M. Members present: Robert S. Schoenberger Bruce Allen Elinor Fredston Wallace Irwin, Jr. Arthur Katz Lawrence Lerner C. Alan Mason Howard McMichael Shirley W. Tolley Phyllis Wittner Others present: Geoffrey P. Young, liaison, Village of Larchmont Lawrence Lerman, liaison, Town of Mamaroneck Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator. Robert Matarazzo, Westchester County Dept. of Environmental Facilities Anthony Trelury, Westchester County Dept. of Environmental Facilities David Ohman, Blasland & Bouck St. Clair Richard, Soundview News Howard Sloane, Town resident Carolyn Chubet, Town resident Maxine K. Steffens, resident, 15 Briarcliff Tom Webler, resident, 35 Sheldrake Ave . William Maker, Jr. , attorney for Collins Bros. F.E. Webers, Collin Bros. Maria Mora, Recording Secretary Approval of Minutes Mr. Schoenberger suggested that minutes be handed in with corrections to Ms . Ng . Refferals County Sewer Project Maps and construction plans of this project was displayed. Mrs. 5 �. -� a n� n explained the sewer situation down between Rockland Avenue and Address Correspondence to CZM Commission, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY 10M3 (Phone 914-381-6133) CZMC minutes - 8/25/87 the Duck Pond. She stated th at the Count y O has finally agreed to fixthis sewer system pipes will be replaced not removed, she commented. Mrs. also noted that this is an expensive undertaking. There re was discussion on the pipe displayed in the map which elevates very close to the stream in several places. This pipe is a 30-inch pipe. It was suggested that inflow and infiltration be eliminated to decrease the overflow of sewage. Also, it was stated that the sewage upstream in Valley Road has been a problem for a long time. The pipe widens as you go downstream, but Mrs. aelaxisnu believes Gam`~ that the major feeder is coming from the Valley Road stream. Mr. Ohman believes that the size of the pipe increases because another county interceptor comes in. Mr. Matarazzo reported that they would like to start this project in January. He stated that this is a 10-month project; therefore, he would like to commence at the hardest time of the year which is the wintertime. It was commented that this is a very hard and messy job which the Town will be involved with. Mr. Irwin asked if one of the effects in this water pipe program would be to remove siltation in the coastal area. Mr. Matarazzo informed Mr. Irwin and CZMC that this had been outlined in the project handed out at the last meeting. Mrs. Tolley stated that this project was very thoroughly planned, but she feels that there might be a problem with enforcement and supervision of the construction. Mr. Matarazzo mentioned the fact that resident engineers would be present at all times. Rip-rapping will be done only if they cannot replace it on time. , QIt was stated that if this project is not started by March, the funds will be lost. There are certain specifications in the contract which state how close this pipe or work being done is to be to a house. If there is construction near a house, it is suggested that the resident take pictures or videotapes of his home before and after the construction. This way if there is any damage done to the property, it will be depicted. Some blasting and rock removal may also be necessary. Mr Matarazzo explained that the contractor is typically insured for any liability. Potential conflicts with the Army Corps of Engineer' s proposed flume project was briefly discussed. Dr. Mason proposed a possible alternative of eliminating the need for a flume by laying in another pipe on top of the new sewer line for stormwater by-pass capacity, since they were going down 6 to 8 feet deep. Mr. Matarazzo noted that it would be that simple. Mrs. Wittner recommended that the feasibility and cost of this project be investigated. Mr. Schoenberger questioned the matter of what if the people in this area do not want the Army Corps engineering project. He said that it seems to him like this Commission is recommending the flume, whether or not is the right thing, without taking into consideration the residents' feelings. Army Corps of Engineers proposed flume Dr. Mason expressed his concern on starting this project as soon as possible. He suggested the alternative of making a deal with the contractors to take advantage of the fact that there is an open date in case the flood flume doesn't work out (?) . Mrs. Fredston © recommended that the Town Engineer look into other a .grnatives besides the concrete flume. Mr. Schoenberger appointed Dr. Mason in a subcommittee with the Town Engineer and anyone who wants to join to -2- CZMC minutes - 8/25/87 C find out the feasibility of this project and report it back to the Commission. Dr. Mason reported on thepros and cons f the�D, flume. A copy of 04x, is memo, "Stream Improvement Upper Sheldrake;West Basin" , was Jf distri uted to everyone present at this meeting. Mr. Webler reported that the walls of the stream are collapsing and that the Town of Mamaroneck might have to do something about it regardless of the approval of this project. It was noted that the Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a diversion tunnel for the Village of Mamaroneck, which will divert the entire Sheldrake River under Fenimore Road and out into Mamaroneck Harbor. Mr. Altieri explained the general timetable for this project; they would need to get CZMC' s comments and to notify the affected residents. Design would be started in 1988 and construction would probably begin 2 to 4 years later. This project is presently in the House of Representatives for appropriation. Mr. Irwin noted that in regard to the LWRP, the project is good for the reduction of flooding, but is aesthetically poor. Several members felt that the aesthetics will only affect bordering residents. Mr. Webler, an affected resident, stated that he already has a concrete structure above the bank, with a hedge around it, to keep the water back. Mr. Allen asked about the maintenance aspect and Dr. Mason replied that that had been detailed in`the origina Corps report. Mr. Altieri commented that the federal government is responsible for capital Cmaintenance and the Town for routine maintenance. Mr. Allen questioned about the flume's potential for erosion and sediment accumulation. Dr. Mason stated that he believes that it will have a 30-year life and that there will be very little sediment build-up. Mrs. Wittner questioned whether the Town had explored any other __ --possibilities. Mrs. Steffens, another concerned resident, commented that the Town talks a lot every time there is a bad flood but that they never do anything about it. The Chairman summarized that the general feeling of the Commission appears to be approval of the proposed flume subject to the following conditions: (1) there would be no increase in flooding downstream, (2) it would be made aesthetically pleasing as possible, and (3) there would be strict monitoring and maintenance. Mr. Irwin suggested deferment of CZMC response to next month' s meeting in order to obtain the opinion of the Soil and Water Board. By a 6 to 2 vote, the 4r commission decided to approve the project with the noted conditions without waiting for Soil and Water Board review. Collins Brothers Proposed Warehouse Construction Mr. Webers explained to the Commission that they wished to build a warehouse for "dead storage" down by the railroad tracks on the New Rochelle side of Chatsworth Avenue in the Village of Larchmont. A map of this project was displayed. They are proposing a 15,700 sq. ft. building with 4 loading docks and a 60-space parking lot. Mr. Webers and Mr. Maker noted that they want CZMC's advice and comments on this proposal. Mr. Maker stated that a site plan application has been Chanded to the Planning Commission of Larchmont. It was asked if the loading will be done in front or in back of the building to which they answered that all loading and unloading will be done at the back of -3- • CZMC minutes - 8/25/87 the building. Mr. Webers explained that this warehouse will be used 4c: simply to store items for companies and then after a period of time they would deliver them back. Mr. Irwin brought up the possibility of perhaps renting parking spaces to the people in the area, but Mr. Maker responded that they are not interested in that. He stated that this is not in their contract and that it wouldn't be worth it because they need all the room for loading and unloading the trucks when they come in. Mrs. Fredston questioned if there was going to be any kind of maintenance work performed there. Mr. Maker reported that the only maintenance work probably done would be the changing of tires. Mr. Webers and Mr. Maker were advised to consider drainage and oil �� pollution mitigation. The Commission requested the installation of an oil trap designed for 60 cars or the predicted magnitude of trucking use, whichever is greater, and noted that they could get- ideas of possible measures from the Acura dealership, the Volvo dealership, and Midland Construction Co. It was suggested that they may want to incorporate stormwater retention devices in the oil treatment system, but in any case, there must be zero increase in runoff. The applicants will hand in the additional plans to the Village of Larchmont Planning Commission for further consideration on September 14 . It was mentioned that there will be lights all around the building to help secure it. Mrs. Fredston expressed her concern for any nearby residents perhaps being disturbed by the lighting . Mr. Schoenberger informed Mr. Maker and Mr. Weber that CZMC will send a letter to the • Planning Commission according to what has transpired. CZMC suggested that they review their project for the next CZMC meeting in September. Gardens Lake Dredging Mr. Altieri noted that it had been decided that he would write a Oletter to the Board giving them in general the comments of CZMC. A p copy of the Army Corps of Engineers ' letter was distributed to everyone present. Mr Altieri reported on this letter stating that the legislation does not allow any dumping in the Sound. He also reported that Ms. Ng, Mr. Trachtman, and himself had met with DEC at New Paltz . He stated that Ms. Ng has drawn up a letter to send to them to request their comments on the project. Mr. Altieri commented that the EP (Extraction Procedure) Toxicity Tests are being considered. He /said that landfills require toxicity tests_to be performed on any ma 'r-ra-ls,o be used for land_fil_1 cover. He noted that it would be difficult to get commitments for future acceptance of the material , giving the example of a similar dredging project in Wilton, Connecticut, which took the spoils four to six months to dry on a field. The Town Board is considering other tests . There were two alternatives mentioned: (1) drying on banks of the lake in containment pens; and (2) cutting off the backside of the lake near the thruway and using that to contain the dredge spoils. Mr. Schoenberger spoke about his memorandum to the Town Council with the concerns over spoil transportation and the use of the Hommocks Marsh as a dumpsite. CZMC gave their comments about Mr. Schoenberger 's memo. Mr. Schoenberger decided that he would withdraw this memo from the Town Council and issue a new one which would more accurately convey CZMC opinions. The revision of this memo was done during this meeting. Mr. Sloane distributed his memo to the CZMC, dated August 25, 1987 (copy on file) . -4- CZMC minutes - 8/25/87 • Legislative Matters Freshwater Wetlands and Water Courses Code Revision Ms. Ng reported that the building inspector has expressed his desire to try to weed out the insignificant building applications from the review process. He suggested using a provision similar to what is ; found in the State Freshwater Wetlands regulations. Mrs. Tolley asked ' if there was a time limit on this. Mrs. Tolley feels that this should be said in writing because it is very difficult to know and remember what is being said. Ms. Ng related the fact that all the building inspector wants is their opinion on any other alternatives. Mr . Schoenberger stated that he agrees with Mrs. Tolley that he should present his request to CZMC in memorandum form. Ms . Ng suggested perhaps CZMC appointing a subcommittee to work with the building inspector. It was decided that the building inspector should write a imemorandum to CZMC before they would take any action. Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat Designation Mrs. Wittner reported on the status of the current 'tate designations. She explained that the state agency had omitted the Pryer Manor Marsh from the Premium Wetland Complex submitted for designation. At the public hearing on August 18 , there were many speakers, including the Town Supervisor and the Village Mayor, who spoke on behalf of the designations and even requested the expansion of the boundaries. LWRP Projects Premium Feasibility Study Mrs. Wittner reported that she has been made aware of the fact that there is some oil spillage getting into the Premium. She stated that she called and spoke to the Coast Guard and other people about this. She was informed that the original oil spill of November or December last year involved a 30,000 gallon underground tank of oil. She noted that it has been repaired and is above ground now. Mr. Irwin asked whose tank it was and Mrs. Wittner replied that it was the New Rochelle Housing Authority' s. Mrs. Wittner reported that she has written to the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of New Rochelle and sent a copy to the Coast Guard, Syrette Dym and John Heller, to make them aware that the Premium has been designated as a Critical Environmental Area. CZMC expressed their thanks to Mrs. Wittner for her initiative. Annual Report Mr. Irwin distributed the first draft of the CZMC' s first annual report. It was longer than had been expected, but he did his best to report exactly what has happened with CZMC in the past year. Mr. Irwin mentioned that he had left blank spaces in the report for the commission members to help fill in with the correct information. He also distributed a matrix which helps to show the relationships between the LWRP proposed actions and its various policies. He stated -5- CZMC minutes - 8/25/87 that if the members could have their comments in by September 10th, he will be able to prepare the final draft before the next meeting. New or Other Business rs „crrt, 5e1,1q--0d,4- 1 . It was reported that Coast week and that the Premium Tour might be good to have at this time. '^ d074-AS- 2. Mrs. Wittner, Mrs. Tolley and Mrs. Fredston were appointed to be in a subcommittee to find out about employing the services of a professional consultant for the Commission. 3 . It was noted that the Village of Larchmont will be holding a public hearing on the proposed additions for Tony' s Nursery on September 14 . 4 . Mr. Irwin will write a letter to find out if the state has appropriated any funds for the coastal zone management program. Next Meeting The next CZMC meeting will be on September 22, 1987. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11 : 10 P.M. -6-