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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-04 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, September 4, 2012 7:30 pm Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:33 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Offices Building. Commissioners present: Joyce Miller, Phil Hamilton, Stew Kennedy, Jane Warren, David Langseth (arrived 7:37), Duke Bitsko, and Dick Wolk Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Conservation Department Assistant 7:35 pm Meeting – RDA, 45 Winthrop Road, Lewis W. & Constance D. Counts DET# 12-17 Invasive species management within the 200-foot Riverfront Area Documentation: RDA Application Present for the Applicant: Lewis W. Counts, Homeowner Mr. Wolk recused himself due to the fact that he is a long-time friend of the owner. Mr. Counts proposed the removal of invasive species and replacing them with natives, the removal of Norway Maples as marked on the plan, the removal of burning bush within the 100-foot buffer zone in the northwest corner of the lot, construction of a 2 foot high stone wall, and replacement of the walkway. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Kennedy asked about the size of the maple tree and if the stump would be left. Mr. Kennedy requested details and dimensions of the decorative wall. Mr. Langseth asked what the letters “r” and “a” stood for on the plan. Ms. Warren inquired about the other invasive species near the property. Mr. Langseth asked the Commission how they felt about the applicant removing two trees on town owned land. Mr. Bitsko commented that the applicant should be aware that the Norway Maple is known to re-sprout, even from a stump. Ms. Miller asked if there would be excavation on the walkway and requested details on the removal process. Ms. Mullins asked if the Commission wanted a fully pervious walkway. Mr. Langseth suggested that a condition be written for the management of the excavated soil. Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 7-0 in favor. The applicant must provide greater details on soil management and excavation as a condition. 8:08 pm Meeting – RDA, 4 Hartwell Place, King Street Properties Investments LLC DET# 12-18 Documentation: RDA Application and Sign Diagrams August 15, 2012 Construction of two signs within the 100-foot buffer zone of wetlands Present for the Applicant: Hilde Karpawich, Kelly Engineering Group Ms. Karpawich proposed the construction of an 80”L x 9”W x 60”H sign near the entrance to list the tenants of the property and a 40”L x 3”W x 48” H sign to direct traffic to the shipping and receiving area. Ms. Karpawich stated the footings of the signs will consist of 3” x 3” aluminum tubes that will project from the bottom of the sign and be set a minimum of 30” below grade in concrete. The footings will be dug by hand, 12” in diameter, and 30”deep. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Kennedy suggested that the excavated soil be placed away from the parking lot. Mr. Langseth asked for clarification about one of the signs being flush to the ground. Mr. Langseth asked for more details on managing the soil piles and the equipment being used for the concrete. Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 7-0 in favor. 8:17 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, Banks Avenue, Keith Dorrington DEP# 201-858, BL 816 Documentation: NOI Application, Sedimentation Control Plan August 28, 2012, and Abutter Letter from Liberty Heights Citizen Group September 4, 2012 Construction of a new single-family dwelling within the 100-foot buffer zone of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Present for the Applicant: Scott Goddard, Goddard Consulting, LLC Mr. Goddard proposed the construction of a new single-family dwelling with a garage. Mr. Goddard stated that half of the garage, the front of the house, and the access driveway are within the 100-foot buffer zone. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Miller read the engineering report. Mr. Bitsko questioned the groundwater elevations and asked if there was going to be a 2-foot separation. Mr. Langseth commented that if the driveway trench fails, it should flow back onto the property and not the street. Ms. Miller asked where test pits were made and suggested that they be submitted in the calculations. Mr. Kennedy stated that a lot of trees look like they would be removed and suggested the applicant pay attention to the tree by-law. Mr. Langseth asked if there was a proposal for a sump pump. Mr. Langseth asked for a summary of calculations showing compliance with the 2, 10, 100, and 1 year volume. Mr. Langseth suggested that the representative should search for alternatives to reduce the depth of the infiltration system. Susan Adams, Treasurer of the Lexington Heights Concerned Citizens Group, of 33 Banks Ave represented abutters in Liberty Heights. Ms. Adams read a letter from the Citizens Group discussing the filling of a pond and construction of the Lex HAB house. Ms. Adams stated that drainage calculations and the engineering reports are missing from the Department of Public Works records. Gary Markowitz of 37 Baker Avenue stated that his house never flooded because he is at a higher elevation. Mr. Markowitz commented that water drains from Baker Ave and the higher elevated properties, to lower areas on Banks Ave. Mr. Markowitz stated that this is the first time his basement has flooded and significant flooding would occur due to the removal of trees and the building of a foundation. Ralph Musto of 25 Tucker Ave suggested that extensive photographs should be taken to see the negative effects that building has had on the neighborhood. James Anderson of 17 Tucker Ave commented that he had 6” of water in his basement because the drywell system does not mitigate. Ms. Miller suggested that the Commission do a site visit on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 9:30 am. Shawn Panepinto of 17 Tucker Ave stated that there was no flooding in the Lex HAB neighborhood before the Lex HAB house was built. Mr. Wolk suggested that the representative should not count on a waiver for new construction, but rather look for alternatives such as downsizing or redesigning. Matthew Schreibman of 18 Ames Ave commented that when it rains his yard always fills up with water, sometimes up to 8”. Ron Pounder of 29 Tucker Ave made an analogy that the property is a bowl and acts as a storage area. When anything is added to the bowl, the water inside gets displaced. Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the request of the applicant, 7-0 in favor. 9:13 pm Hearing – NOI, 18 Cooke Road, Robert Titemore DEP# 201-869, BL 827 Documentation: NOI Application, Drainage Report Revised, Permit Site Plan Revised, and Planting Plan August 4, 2012 Construction of an addition to a single-family dwelling, greenhouse, wooden deck, and shed, within the 100 foot buffer zone of wetlands Present for the Applicant: Brian Timm, Meridian Associates and Rich Kirby, LEC Mr. Timm proposed construction of a single-family dwelling, greenhouse, 3-bay garage, a bigger infiltration system in the front and the back of the house, and removal of the leaf pile in the wetlands that was dumped there by the previous owner. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth asked if a 1 year volume calculation could be provided and suggested that there be a backup in case of trench drain failure. Ms. Mullins suggested that conditions be made for the trench drain details, details for the fence location, and that a 1 year volume calculation be submitted. Ms. Miller read the engineering report. Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the request of the applicant, 7-0 in favor. Pending Matters 9:40 pm Request for plan change for 25 Robinson Road (201-831, BL 789) Motion made and seconded to approve plan changes subject to the following conditions: Submission of a soil log for the south side of the dwelling and splitting the drainage on the south side to reduce filling; two chambers to the east and two to the south, 7-0 in favor. 9:58 pm Request by Willow Tree Coop for fire-pit use in Willard’s Woods Motion made and seconded to approve for 3 months with an outreach on Lexington resident access and allowance of 10 cars in the North Street parking lot, 7-0 in favor. Budget Mr. Wolk asked for an update on trust funds to be provided at the next meeting. Reports Mr. Kennedy reported that the trail at Diamond School to Chiesa was completed and the Victory Garden Way path was installed. Motion made and seconded to approve the August 21, 2012 minutes with a minor change, 7-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to approve the August 28, 2012 minutes, 7-0 in favor. 10:16 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 August 28, 2012, 7-0 in favor. 10:17 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 7-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Tassi Conservation Department Assistant