HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-21 CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
7:30 pm
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:38 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Offices
Building.
Commissioners present: Joyce Miller, Phil Hamilton, Stew Kennedy, Jane Warren, David
Langseth, Duke Bitsko, and Dick Wolk
Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Conservation
Department Assistant
7:40 pm Hearing – NOI, 14 Whittier Road, Shaochun Zhu
DEP 201-847, BL 805
Construction of an addition and a deck to a single-family dwelling
Documentation: Proposed Site Plan
Present for the applicant: Zoltan Juhasz, Uniterra Consulting, LLC
Mr. Juhasz described the covered porch on the proposed deck with stone underneath,
totaling 180 square feet. He also described the patio, which would be 305 square
feet and the revised storm water plan that will increase the drywell size.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Ms. Miller read the engineering report. Mr. Langseth commented that the
drainage calculations were revised to include additional square footage. Mr.
Langseth asked for clarification of the buffer zone planting. Mr. Kennedy asked
for clarification of the cross-hatched area on the proposed site plan. Mr. Hamilton
suggested that the stone under the porch should be a condition or a new plan.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing and approve the Amended Order
of Conditions, 7-0 in favor.
7:48 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, Banks Avenue, Keith Dorrington
DEP 201-858, BL 816
Construction of a new single-family dwelling
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to September 4, 2012 at
7:30pm at the applicant’s request, 7-0 in favor.
Pending Matters
7:50 pm Request for modification to existing plan to remove trees and replant: 9 Tufts
Road (201-835, BL 793)
Documentation: Norse Environmental Services, Inc. Letter and Photocopy of Site
Map
Present for the Applicant: Miljana Bovan
Ms. Bovan proposed the removal of diseased Hemlock trees around the edge of
the lawn and the pool. Ms. Bovan provided a report from Norse Environmental
stating that the Hemlock trees are infested with woolly adelgid.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth commented that the proposed number of trees replacing the
diseased Hemlock trees (20 native trees) is greater than the number of trees being
removed (18 Hemlock trees). Ms. Warren asked about the 6 trees out front that
are outside of the 100 foot buffer zone and if Ms. Bovan planned on keeping
them. Mr. Kennedy commented that the Hemlock trees were badly infested and
some of the tree removal is beyond the limit of work line. Ms. Mullins asked if
Ms. Bovan would be digging up the stumps or grinding the existing trees to the
ground. Ms. Mullins and Mr. Langseth questioned the type of machinery that
would be used. Mr. Langseth stated that a plan needs to be submitted showing the
limit of work line. Ms. Mullins suggested that she do a site visit when the work is
completed.
Motion made and seconded to approve the proposed tree removal and
replacement with conditions, administrative review, and limit of work line plan,
7-0 in favor.
8:00 pm 2006 Enforcement Order Compliance Status - Rear of 7 Mass Ave, Mal’s
Documentation: Option C Plan August 21, 2012
Present for the Applicant: Bill Dailey, Sloane and Walsh, LLP
Mr. Dailey proposed a new plan (Option C), with the purple showing the new area
to provide a buffer and the yellow area, which will increase disturbance. The
guardrail would be erected 5 feet away from the back boundary and the trench
would be behind the guardrail. He stated that the guardrail would be in a better
position and farther away from the brook than the 2006 Enforcement Order called
for.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth questioned if the proposed plan would be complied with because
history shows that no orders have been complied with in the past. Mr. Kennedy
stated that out of all three options that were proposed, he did not see any more
protection than the Enforcement Order provided. Mr. Kennedy also commented
that the Conservation Commission should keep the 2006 Enforcement Order and
that Mal’s should comply. Ms. Miller stated that there was no reason for the
Conservation Commission to believe that Mal’s would be in compliance with any
orders issued. Mr. Hamilton agreed with Mr. Langseth that Mal’s has a history of
failing to comply with orders. Mr. Wolk described the plan having positive
aspects. Mr. Wolk also described three different site visits and the car parking lot
and wreckage he saw at Mal’s. Ms. Miller suggested that Mal’s comply with the
2006 Enforcement Order and then come back in front of the Commission with
any new plans or amendments. This would allow the Commission to have more
confidence that Mal’s would stay in compliance with orders. Mr. Kennedy read
condition #9 from the 2006 Enforcement Order about storage of vehicles on the
lot.
Mr. Dailey withdrew the new plan from consideration and will comply with the
2006 Enforcement Order.
8:30 pm Renew Farm License for Waltham St. and Hayden Woods for Dennis
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Wolk suggested that a formula be developed by which they charge. Mr.
Hamilton stated that the formula would not apply to everything.
8:35 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Amended Order of Conditions for 4 Alcott
Road, (201-838, BL 796), 7-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue and Order of Conditions for 17 Douglas
Road, (201-868, BL 826), 7-0 in favor.
Reports
1.Mr. Kennedy reported that the filming at Parker Meadow was successful.
They left the area immaculate and sent an email thanking us.
2.Ms. Warren reported that the Lexington Alive Field Guide was finished.
3.Ms. Mullins and Mr. Kennedy reported on the erosion issue at Estabrook
School. The Big Back Yard Trail relocation has been installed and completed.
8:54 pm Motion made by roll call vote to enter executive session for the purpose of
approving executive session minutes. The Commission will not return to open
session at the conclusion of executive session.
Motion made and seconded to approve the executive session minutes from July
24, 2012, 7-0 in favor.
8:55 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 7-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Tassi
Conservation Department Assistant