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08/14/2018 12:00 AMThe Conservation & Inland Wetlands Commission (CIWC) approved the Valley Railroad Company’s application for parking and access way improvements to the existing parking/storage area at Deep River Station Depot, 152 River Street, based on what it found to be insignificant impact to wetlands. While opposition to the proposal has been heated and the venue for the meeting moved to accommodate the large anticipated crowd, public input was not required or given for the application.
Upwards of 45 people showed up to the Aug. 9 meeting. The meeting was originally set to be held at the Town Hall, however, the meeting was moved to the Deep River Elementary School gymnasium to accommodate the high turnout. The move was the first unpopular decision made by the CIWC that night as the gymnasium lacks air conditioning.
“We understand that it was hot, but we moved the meeting to accommodate everyone because the public is always welcome at our meeting,” explained CIWC Chair Tanner Steeves.
The meeting began at 7:30 p.m., though by the time the parking area discussion began at about 8 p.m., some residents had already left due to the overwhelming heat in the room. Others stayed and braved the heated conditions (outside temperatures were 85 degrees), fanning themselves with whatever they could find, and trying hard not to stick to the metal chairs.
In the end, after a 30 minute presentation given by Tom Metcalf, the consulting engineer and surveyor for Valley Railroad, the board asked a few questions before deciding that the application, which was tabled at the June meeting and not discussed at the July meeting (which was canceled due to a lack of a quorum), was approved with a detailed list of revisions and changes.
The CIWC changes and condition include modification to the drainage plan, a move of added street lights from the west (street) side of the project to the east side, and replacement of a planned five-foot paved strip, with wheel stops, to indicate parking places.
In addition, the fencing that was listed on the original application will be changed to wooden guardrails along the parking area. There will also be the inclusion of six trees of two- to four-inch trunk diameter that will planted along the southern edge of the parking area. The CIWC also stipulated that the material used for the project will be three-quarter-inch crushed stone, not recycled cement.
The CIWC received a petition for a public hearing on the application. After the applicant’s presentation, however, the board members discussed whether they felt a public hearing was warranted; they agreed it was not.
“Regarding the wetlands, I don’t deem the impact to wetlands as a significant issue,” said Steeves.
Outside the meeting, several cars took part in a community conversation, adorned with large signs that read, “Preserve Deep River Landing, No more commercial development!”
The CIWC approval is not the end of the issue, which will be discussed further at the next Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Deep River Town Hall.