Mixed-use Commerce Drive project disputed over wetland area; commission grants extension

Commissioners at the East Haddam Wetlands and Watercourses Commission meeting on Sept. 15, 2026 questioned a mixed-use Commerce Drive proposal after staff and plans produced differing estimates of wetland disturbance.

The applicant's representative described plan changes including lowering the main detention basin by one foot to sit below the high seasonal water table and converting it to a BOF filter/detention basin, adding buffer plantings, and clarifying that buildings 1–4 would have full basements while buildings 5–8 would be slab-on-grade. The representative said, "the impact on the wetlands in terms of filling the wetlands is about 2400 square f feet and my understanding is the trigger is 5,000 square ft. So we below we believe we're below that." This figure was immediately questioned when another participant read measurements from the overall site plan that indicated 5,800 sq ft proposed to be disturbed.

Commission members requested that the applicant provide the computations and supporting measurement work that produced the 2,400–5,800 discrepancy. Staff and the commission said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state regulators would have jurisdiction if local review determined the disturbance could reach federal thresholds. Commissioners also pressed the applicant to supply test-pit information and clarified foundation-drain and septic separation concerns raised by the town's engineer.

Because the plans require clarifications and a consultant double-check, the commission granted an extension to allow the applicant to revise and resubmit the drawings and supporting wetland-area calculations. The extension was recorded on the minutes; staff will circulate revised plans to the commission and coordinate any consultant review before the next regular meeting.