Water Control Commission Approves Rain Garden Condition for Scenic Drive Accessory Dwelling Unit

The Croton Water Control Commission granted a wetlands activity permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 129 Scenic Drive West at its May 18 meeting, adding a condition that the project's rain garden must be built before construction of the addition begins.

The permit was requested by Christine and Vicente Fernandez for a property in the RA-40 residential district. The project adds a 282-square-foot addition and new impervious surface — a roof over the addition and deck — totaling about 510 square feet of new coverage. Martin Mastromonaco of Ralph Mastromonaco Consulting Engineers presented the stormwater management plan. The rain garden, located downslope from the house and between it and the wetland buffer, will capture gutter runoff through pipes, store water in a planted depression about a foot deep, and allow it to infiltrate slowly. Mastromonaco described it as a planted detention basin using wetland-type plants tolerant of extra moisture.

The wetland itself is about 120 feet from the house, beyond a stockade fence. The project extends slightly into the subdivision's building envelope — approximately two feet — but that is a Planning Board matter, not within the Water Control Commission's scope. Village Engineer Vincent Salanitro recommended the rain garden be required before construction begins, both so it can manage runoff during the construction process itself and to ensure it isn't deferred or forgotten. The commission agreed and made it a condition of the permit. Mayor Brian Pugh, who chairs the commission, visited the property two days before the meeting and confirmed the wetland was not visible from the building site, separated by a stockade fence and downslope.

Salanitro called the rain garden approach good practice near a wetland and consistent with what the village engineering department prefers to see for projects in wetland buffers. The commission approved the permit unanimously. The application goes next to the Planning Board, where the applicants will address the building envelope, site plan, and ADU approval. That hearing was held on May 26, eight days after the Water Control Commission's vote.