HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-19 CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
7:30 p.m.
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:35 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Offices Building
Commissioners present: Stew Kennedy, Joyce Miller, Duke Bitsko, Jane Warren, and David Langseth
(arrived 7:41 pm)
Commissioners absent: Phil Hamilton, Dick Wolk
Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator; Emily Schadler, Conservation
Stewardship Coordinator
7:35 pm Continued Hearing – Community Garden Policies and Fees, Conservation Commission
Documentation: Lexington Community Gardens Policy Draft, June 14, 2012
Ms. Schadler presented the changes in the community garden policies draft since the
last meeting.
Motion made and seconded to adopt the Community Garden Policies as presented, 4-0
in favor.
7:40 pm Continued Hearing – Katahdin Woods Land Management: Conestoga Road trailhead
and trail connection, Lexington Conservation Stewards
Present for the applicant: Jay Sklar, Lexington Conservation Stewards Directors
Mr. Sklar summarized the site visit that recently took place to look at entryways into
conservation land off of Conestoga Road.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth would like in the future to see demarcation of public access at both
entrances off of Conestoga Road. Mr. Bitsko commented that Lexington has many
accesses to conservation land from small private cul-de-sacs such as this that work very
well. Ms. Miller commented that conservation land provides a benefit to neighbors and
that conservation land is open to everyone.
Vincent Graceffa, resident of Conestoga Road, commented that he is concerned about
increased traffic of cars and people due to the trail.
Steve Kline of 9 Conestoga Road commented that he is concerned about people entering
during the night and expressed his opposition to the project.
Jacqueline Kline of 9 Conestoga Road commented that she would like to see the trail be
installed elsewhere, such as on Wood Street.
Motion made and seconded to approve this land management proposal, 5-0 in favor.
8:01 pm Meeting – RDA, 3 Rolfe Road, R. Doyle
DET 12-13
Documentation: RDA application
Present for the applicant: Rebecca Doyle
Ms. Doyle described a proposal to landscape the front yard of her single family home
by removing 4-6 inches of soil, replacing it with new soil, and replanting desirable
native species. She would also like to make a change to the shape of the patio area and
change the surface from crushed stone to pervious pavers.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Ms. Warren commented that she would like to see a native holly replace the non-native
holly on the planting plan. Mr. Langseth noted that the Commission should not include
a formal approval of the informal wetland line shown on the plan in their vote. He also
asked if the applicant would be willing to moving the shed out of the wetland area. Mr.
Bitsko asked about the path going to the wetland.
.
Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 5-0 in
favor.
8:15 pm Hearing – Amend Order of Conditions 2013 & 2027 Massachuestts Ave.,
201-837, BL 795
Inn at Hastings Park, Applicant/Owner: Trisha Perez Kennealy, AB Holdings, LLC
Modify Worthen Rd driveway and footprint of existing building for accessibility
Documentation: Amend Order of Conditions application
Comments from Kim Woodard – 6/19/12
Present for the applicant: Tricia Perez-Kennealy, owner, and Zoltan Juhasz, Uniterra
Consulting
Mr. Juhasz explained a proposal to amend the order of conditions for 2013 & 2027
Massachusetts Avenue due to minor changes made during permitting with other boards
in the town. He summarized the items that were added to the plan since the last
discussion with the Commission.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth asked for clarification about the amount of driveway to be added and the
catch basin at the end of the driveway. Ms. Warren asked about the use of non-native
plantings.
Jim Williams, Stratham Road, asked if parking spaces had been lost due to the driveway
changes.
Kim Woodard, 2030 Massachusetts Avenue, asked for clarification about impervious
surface addition and read written comments that she provided regarding impervious
cover and stream quality.
Mr. Langseth and Mr. Bitsko responded to Ms. Woodard’s comments.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 5-0 in favor.
8:47 pm Continued Hearing – NOI, 94 Hartwell Ave, Ashok Patel, Hartwell Hospitality, LLC
DEP 201-859, BL 817
Construct an outside patio
Present for the applicant: Jack Sullivan, Sullivan Engineering Group
Mr. Sullivan summarized changes since the last discussion with the Commission.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Kennedy asked about how the tree roots will be protected with the proposed
footprint of excavation. Ms. Miller asked for clarification of the plan. Ms. Mullins
asked for square footage of bordering land subject to flooding. Ms. Miller commented
that the Commission should not approve the wetland lines shown on the plan. Mr.
Bitsko requested plantings in the 25 foot buffer to the pond between the building and
the drainage basin.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing 5-0 in favor.
9:07 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, Banks Avenue, Applicant: Keith Dorrington
201-858, BL 816
Owner: Meg Intervivos Irrecovable Trust
Construction of new single family dwelling
Motion made and seconded continue the hearing at the request of the applicant until July
24, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
9:08 pm Pending Matters
Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 63 Ledgelawn Avenue,
5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 138 Laconia St/504
Lowell St, 5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 17 Bryant Rd, 5-0 in
favor.
Motion made and seconded to approve June 5, 2012 minutes, 5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to amend the Order of Conditions for 2013 and 2027
Massachusetts Avenue, 5-0 in favor.
Ms. Schadler reported that the Local Lexington guide received funding and so will be
produced this fall. She also reported that the summer conservation interns started last
week.
Ms. Schadler updated the Commission on progress on the plan for the Hennessey Field
barn.
Mr. Kennedy reported that the long boardwalk through Paint Mine has been completed
and that the whole project is over halfway finished at this point.
Ms. Warren asked the Commission if it would be appropriate for her to add her
designation as a member of the Conservation Commission to her tagline on articles that
she writes for local media.
Ms. Miller reported that a resident requested the removal of rocks in Reeds Brook on an
armored bank.
Ms. Miller commented on conservation land demarcation for projects that abut
conservation land.
9:20 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 5-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Schadler
Conservation Stewardship Coordinator