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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987_07_28 Coastal Zone Management Commission Minutes TT1 M ( (c • Town of Mamaroneck: Village of Larc•. ► • U on _II ` __ COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT COMvk S� j a.E �0 MAMARONECK N.Y. MINUTES A regular meeting of the Coastal Zone Management Commission (CZMC) was held on Tuesday, July 28, 1987, at the Town Center, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting commenced at 8:05 P.M. Members present: Robert Schoenberger, Chairman Bruce Allen Wallace Irwin, Jr. Larry Lowy C. Alan Mason Howard McMichael Shirley Tolley Phyllis Wittner Others present: Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator Gary Trachtman, Consultant Engineer, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. Joseph T. Maloney, home owner, 7 Evergreen Lane William Maker, Jr. , attorney for Joseph Maloney John Coughlin, Coughlin Group Monte Pruzan, N. P. Associates, Inc. Tom McEvoy, Engineer 'for N.P. Associates, Inc. Elaine Price, Chairwoman of the Town Zoning Board Howard Sloane, Hommocks Property Owners Assocn. Claudia Ng, Environmental Coordinator Maria Mora, Recording Secretary Approval of Minutes - Minutes were handed in for corrections. Gardens Lake Dredging Project Mr. Altieri stated that he has received the copy of the final report by Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. , dated July 1978. He, along with Gary Trachtman, offered to answer any questions. Mr. Schoenberger asked Mr. Altieri to give a brief overview of what had been said at the last meeting because everyone had not been present. Mr. Altieri explained the current status of the dredging project. He stated that Malcolm Pirnie proposed that 6,000 yards of material from the lake be dredged to obtain a uniform depth of 4 feet. He stated that a sediment analysis had been conducted and the sediment was determined to be very fine. Mr. Altieri said that the one alternative that seems most cost effective is the method of excavating cavities in Hommocks 410 Field in the shape of an egg carton. The dredge spoils would be placed in these cavities, covered with fiberous material and then capped with the excavated soil with breaks in the berm to allow for surface drainage. Address Correspondence to CZM Commission, 740 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (Phone 914-381-6133) CZMC minutes - 7/28/87 Mr. Trachtman added that another alternative considered was pumping the sediment down the Sheldrake River to the Rockland-Thruway Pocket, but he believed it would be too difficult to contain it or remove it from there. This approach would also harm a number of trees, cause odors, and would not be conducive towards the drying of the sediments. Mr. Altieri mentioned that the County landfills will not take the spoils unless they are dry. The spoils would not be good for construction purposes even if it were dry because it is too fine. A question was raised as to whether there was a clause for special consideration to those contractors who propose to truck the material away. Mr. Trachtman agreed that that was a great idea, but that he was not planning at this moment for contractors to come in and take it with no purpose in mind for it. On request, Mr. Trachtman drew a map to illustrate the proposed use of the Hommocks as the dump site and explained that 12 1/2 cubic yards (c.y. ) of material would be trucked away 3 times a day per truck; that is, if there is 6,000 c.y. , it would total approximately 600 truckloads. The map drawn indicated 4 test pits. He commented that test pit B had one or two logs pulled out from it, but A, C, and D were fairly clean. He said that they had started digging these holes about 9:30 a.m. and they got to test pit D about 11:30 a.m. Test pit A was dry, B had stagnant water, C had about a foot or less, and D had about 4 feet of water.(pit A had been closed immediately due to its proximity to the school). He commented that at high-tide (C) was filled with water and (B) had stagnant water at low-tide. It was stated that the pits are fairly widely-spaced and it is conceivable that we find some conditions less satisfactory than others. This gives us some flexibility in the area which could be used for this excavation. Mr. McMichael raised the question if these contents were going to be harmful within the next 20 years. Mr. Trachtman responded that that question has not yet been answered because the only tests that have been done on this material have been physical tests; that they have not yet done any chemical testing, such as gases. Mr. Schoenberger asked Mr. Trachtman about heavy metal contents. Mr. Trachtman said that the metal contents may only be a problem when they are in an acidic environment. Mr. Irwin requested additional details to support the statement that metals are not hazardous to the environment. Mrs. Price questioned how the intensity between pits A and B and all the excavating material from the truckloads could affect the flooding and the freshwater wetlands. Mr. Trachtman replied that there should be no substantial impact due to its proportion to the rest of the flood plain. Mr. Irwin suggested lining the pits; not just laying plastic on top of the spoil. Mr. Trachtman said that the subcontracted firm had advised that it is would be unnecessary and too expensive. It was said that these pits would look like pyramids and that the total height above the water would probably be 3 feet. The size would be determined by the coordination of each truck. The sizes have not yet been decided. It was said that if it was 8,000 c.y. , it had been planned to be approximately 5 ft. deep X 70 ft. wide X 630 ft. long. If it was less, it would be cut down. There were comments on the problems with the displacement of substrate into the marsh; expecially, if it went any deeper. Mrs. Price commented on the inconsistency with LWRP as well as with the recreational facilities. She said this could result in a possible cut-back in state funding. Residents are very concerned with this situation. She added that they need to document everything, including alternatives, very carefully before giving a decision. Mr. Altieri noted that he has sent the -2- CZMC minutes - 7/28/87 study to the Soil and Water Board and will meet with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on it. Mr. Irwin expressed his support for other proposed measures in connection with this project; such as, catch basins, silt traps, and retention. He cautioned against neglecting the SEQR process and alternatives. Alternatives of barging are being looked into at prior request. Mr. Trachtman estimated the capacity of barges to be 2,000-3,500 c.y. and costing as much as $1,200-1,500 per day for drafts of 10-13 feet. Mr. McMichael feels that it may be feasible if a smaller barge was used and someone would be hired to tow and dump it away. Mr. Trachtman mentioned that it varies because material might not be accepted in the Sound. Also, that it is an estimated cost of $800 per trip to tow out the material. Mr. McMichael asked how Gardems Lake will be maintained in the future. He calculated that approximately 600 c.y. of sediment would have to be cleaned out of a catch basin for the Lake per year. In other words, the lake will always serve as the best catch basin since the artificial ones cannot retain that much. He stated that this process benefits the Village of Mamaroneck Harbor. Mr. Irwin pointed out that silt traps may be used instead. However more space would be required. It was mentioned that the lake was last dredged in 1971 and that the dredge material had been placed in Hommocks Field. Mrs. Wittner noted that Hommocks Field is not included in the CEA and therefore other activities for it may be acceptable. Mr. McMichael suggested the formation of a subcommittee. Mr. McMichael and Mr. Schoenberger were appointed in charge of the subcommittee. Mr. Schoenberger stated that this committee will focus on long term maintenance and the use of the Hommocks as a dumpsite. Mr. Lowy added that the Town should view this as a recurring problem that needs a long-term plan. Mr. Altieri said that CZMC should write any suggestions they may have to the Town Board. Mr. Irwin feels the need for a formal designation under SEQR and a formal referral since the proposed project is substantially contiguous to a CEA, and therefore, a Type I action. . Referrals Freshwater Wetlands and Water Courses application by Mr. Maloney - Mr. Maloney and Mr. Maker presented a proposal to pipe the section of stream that runs from Winged Foot Golf Club, across his property and into a retention basin at lots 19 and 20 of the Fenbrook Subdivision. The channel is approximately 40 feet behind the house. The pipe proposed is 30" in diameter (wheareas Winged Foot has just a 12" drainpipe). Any surface filled will be inclined toward the retention area. Mr. Scheuer expressed his concern over the silting up of a culvert at the border of his property. Mr. Maloney replied that his engineer is designing a screen which would help alleviate that problem. Mr. McMichael commented that the pipe should have no effect on the silting of culvert and that the silt probably comes from the disturbed ground and construction. Mr. Scheuer also noted that water had been diverted to lots 24 and 25 and cut across to the stream causing the erosion of his wall and the ground cover there. Dr. Mason commented that the project would have a negative impact while the ground is still raw, but once there is seeding it should have a positive impact. The Commission, therefore, gave its approval to the proposal. -3- CZMC minutes - 7/28/87 Five-lot Subdivision application by N.P. Associates, Inc. - Mr. McEvoy, a surveyor, presented the proposal to subdivide the property at 1160 Old White Plains Road. He reported that it will drain into the existing storm drain system that empties into Saxon Woods which leads to the Mamaroneck River. The Planning hoard designated it as a Type I action because it abuts the Winged Foot Golf Club, part of a Critical Environmental Area (CEA), and therefore referred it to the CZMC. It was noted that there would be no drainage impact to Winged Foot because of its topography. Ms. Ng asked what they were planning to do with the vegetation in that area; for instance, the trees. The applicant replied that their plan concerns just the subdivision for the present, but it was anticipated that some trees would be removed. Dr. Mason expressed the need for making developers aware of the Town's Tree Ordinance. Although there would no significant negative impacts of the subdivision per se, the Commission noted that they would need to see the site plans in order to make any appropriate comments on the potential impacts. Mrs. Tolley will write the letter noting the above concern to the Planning Board. Site Plan Re-submittal by Couglin Realty Corp. - Ms. Ng reported on the resubmission of site plans for an office building at 178 Myrtle Blvd. and a parking lot across the street by Coughlin Realty Corp. Mrs. Wittner explained that two parking lot alternatives had been presented to the Planning Board. It was noted by Mr. Schoenberger that the office building proposal had already been commented on in a prior letter to the Planning Board. Ms. Ng explained in detail how each of the 2 proposals for the parking lot would function. The Commission expressed their approval of the stormwater treatment system. Mr. Coughlin requested the CZMC to notify the Planning Board before August 12th. Inter-municipal Matters Tri-municipal Study on the Weaver Street Corridor - Mr. Altieri introduced the study on the Weaver Street Corridor. He commented that the guidelines for the study are still being developed but that it emphasizes mainly on traffic, although water and land use will also be looked at. The strip in question is from Boston Post Road to Heathcote Road. A series of traffic concerns on this road will be addressed. Mr. Altieri thinks that widening the street is not the answer because it will just encourage more traffic. Mr. McMichael suggested digging in Briarcliff and inserting the pipe there for the upstream project and this would reduce traffic (?). Mr. Altieri agreed that it was a good suggestion but that another extensive development is being proposed along Weaver Street. The possibility of a generic impact was mentioned. Also, a method for the three communities to stay in contact with each other when there is an impact was discussed. Scarsdale's major concern is the traffic. New Rochelle is concerned about the traffic, but since they also receive some downstream effects, they are also concerned partly with the water aspects. The Town of Mamaroneck is very concerned with both traffic and water. Dr. Mason commented that if widening the road were ever to be taken into consideration, there would be a need to pipe water directly out to sea, because the Bonnie Briar Country Club property flushes out a lot of water after a rain as it is. The plans to build the cloverleaf intersection for the Hutchinson Parkway and Weaver Street are already in progress. -4- CZMC minutes - 7/28/87 The County Soil and Water Board have already reviewed this study. They questioned whether any other studies existed that should be incorporated. Mr. Altieri stated that he will keep CZMC updated. Davids Island Project - The inclusion of Davids Island in the New Rochelle sewer district is being considered. Also, it was suggested that the bridge be raised to 65 feet. Army Corps of Engineers proposed flume Mr. Altieri introduced the project and reported that it had been scaled down significantly from their initial proposal. The cement flume will be approximately 1,800 feet long with a levee at the beginning and a stilling basin at the end. He said that we are still eligible for a funding by the federal government. He noted that a masonry flume may not be effective enough for federal standards. There were concerns about the downstream effects from the project as proposed, but Mr. Altieri reported that in the Corps' opinion, the impacts immediately downstream would be insignificant. He further indicated that beyond Gardens Lake, the Corps is planning to pipe the entire Sheldrake River straightway to the Sound. The state would own the flume and would repair any major problems with it. The Town will be responsible for routine maintenance only. Any liability will be split between the State and the Town. Mr. Irwin mentioned two LWRP projects which recommended use of more natural measures. Dr. Mason commnented that the portion proposed is already very unnatural. Mr. Altieri reported that the Town Board has reviewed the 4( proposal and questioned whether better Reservoir control would be sufficient. Dr. Mason feels that this needs all the help it can get because of continuing development and continuing loss of Reservoir capacity due to siltation. Mr. Irwin felt that this would be just a quick fix and does not really address the whole flooding problem. Mr. Altieri explained that any work that we put into this project could be credited to our share of the funding. Dr. Mason will write the pros and cons of this project and hand them over to Ms. Ng for circulation before the next meeting. LWRP Projects Premium Habitat Designation - Mrs. Wittner reported that the Premium Marsh Complex has been accepted for possible designation as a significant fish and wildlife habitat. The next step is a public hearing, which will be held on August 18, 1987 at 7:00 p.m. at the White Plains Public Library. Preliminary Proposals for 1988 - Ms. Ng reported that she had sent the preliminary list of proposed projects to Randy Lanza of the State. She will send out copies to each CZMC member in the the next mailing. Annual Report Mr. Irwin handed out a preliminary outline for CZMC's annual report. He will send out a draft for review and comments in the near future. -5- CZMC minutes - 7/28/87 Other Business Larchmont Planning Commission - Mr. Irwin reported that four applications had been submitted to the Planning Board for their approval: 1) an application from Collins Bros. , Inc. , to build a warehouse; 2) an application for a 3-lot subdivision near East Creek; 3) an application for a new greenhouse at Tony's Nursery; 4) an application for an minor extension of an office building. He predicted that only two would be referred. The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 p.m. -6-