During its Thursday, Feb. 27 meeting, the Inland Wetlands Commission unanimously approved ASML’s wetlands permit application as part of the company’s effort to construct an access road on residential property adjacent to its campus, a project that has been met with stiff opposition from neighbors. The granting of the permit is a requirement for the project to be able to proceed.
The vote was taken after ASML representatives gave a presentation that was substantively the same as that given to the Wilton Planning and Zoning Commission during a public hearing on Monday, Feb. 23. During both presentations, ASML’s attorney Matthew Mason of Gregory & Adams repeatedly stressed that the roadway would be used only as a temporary emergency route in the event the site’s main access point at 77 Danbury Rd. was closed, and that it was not intended to be used for routine purposes.
During the Inland Wetlands presentation, landscape architect Kate Throckmorton explained that the wetlands area covered by the permit is a roughly 200-square-foot area that serves as an open connection between a large quarry pond to the west of the ASML parking garage and the Norwalk River via an underground stone pipe. The wetland is not on the ASML property, but rather on the Eversource easement that runs north-south along the ASML property line.
While the wetland itself would not be impacted by the construction of the proposed access road, the upland review area, which extends from the wetland in a 100-foot radius circle, does reach a corner of the roadway where it would connect to the garage.
The proposed project includes the construction of underground stormwater runoff drainage structures within the upland review area, closer to the wetland.
ASML proposed several mitigation steps to safeguard the wetland, including sediment erosion controls, phased construction of the road and its associated drainage systems, and vegetation for ground stabilization.
“With these measures in place, we’re confident that the character and function of the on-site pocket wetland is expected to be maintained and will not be significantly impacted by this work,” Throckmorton said.
Inland Wetland commissioners asked whether ASML had considered alternative locations to the route proposed on 39 Arrowhead Rd., which would need to be rezoned from residential to commercial for the construction to proceed.
Tighe & Bond engineer Joe Canas said they had explored the use of an existing driveway in the Eversource easement, but the utility company had “reservations about the use of the driveway for any extended period of time” such as a two or more days. In addition, the Eversource easement route crossed other residential properties and other wetlands.
A second potential crossing over the Norwalk River was ruled out because it would have caused even more significant disturbances to wetlands and the flood plain.
Resident Opposition
Three local residents spoke out in opposition to the proposed access road during the public hearing.
Sabrina Gibbs, of 25 Arrowhead Rd., said she believed the proposed road is unnecessary for site safety and recommended not building another road. She also expressed concern that the new road would increase the flooding risk to the Arrowhead Rd. neighborhood.
“ASML has successfully evacuated their facility using the Eversource access road in the past and Arrowhead [Rd.] residents, myself included, have evacuated using that road as well,” Gibbs said. “The real purpose of this proposed emergency access road is so that ASML can avoid any business interruption whatsoever long after any emergency has subsided. This private business interest, however, does not justify disturbance in the regulated area.”
Pamela Musor, of 40 Arrowhead Rd., stressed that flooding has occurred multiple times along Arrowhead Rd., rendering it impassable. She also asked whether ASML had reviewed the permitted use documentation for the Eversource easement road.
Alyssa Brady, of 302 Belden Hill Rd., questioned the alternatives assessment conducted by ASML, which concluded that they would be unlikely to secure approvals for alternate routes.
“I don’t know if that means that ASML or any of their affiliates have even tried to secure those, but it seems like the alternatives assessment is not strong,” Brady said. “It seems like Arrowhead Rd. is a road that floods and would not be a very suitable emergency exit point.”
Following the public comments, Inland Wetlands Vice Chair Frank Simone said he favored the route proposed by ASML to the alternatives.
“I just want to make sure that we, as a commission, understand that from a wetlands perspective, going out Arrowhead is better, more friendly to wetlands than exploring further,” Simone said.
With that, commission Chair Jason Terry closed the public hearing. Commissioner Janis Sposato moved to approve the permit with normal and special conditions, and commissioner Russell Robbins seconded. The vote was 5-0 in favor.
P&Z’s public hearing on the change of zoning to 39 Arrowhead Rd. remains open and will continue at its next meeting on Monday, Mar. 9.