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Home My WebLink About2014-03-25 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, March 25, 2014 6:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 6:36 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building. Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, Phil Hamilton, Stew Kennedy, Dick Wolk, David Langseth (arrived at 6:37), Duke Bitsko and Jane Warren Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Community Development Department Assistant PENDING MATTERS 6:36 pm Renew permit to place beehives at both the Idylwilde and Dunback Meadow community gardens, Eugene Ivanov The Commission discussed the success of the beehives in the previous year at the community gardens. They stated that the public had no complaints or issues with the beehives. Motion made and seconded to extend the placement of beehives for one year in the Idylwilde and Dunback Meadow community gardens by Eugene Ivanov, 5-0 in favor. 6:38 pm Land Use Permit Application – Chiesa Farm, Lex Fly a Kite, Lexington Tourism Committee Dawn McKenna was present and gave a brief description of the kite flying event on Mother’s Day. A small table for selling kites will be along the parking area at Diamond Middle School. The Recreation Department has already issued a permit for the kite flyers to use the lower field. Ms. McKenna stated that about 400 people attend the event, but they do not come all at once. Mr. Langseth asked if there were any issues with cleaning up the area and Ms. Mullins answered that none have been reported. Motion made and seconded to approve the event Lex Fly a Kite at Chiesa Farm on Sunday, May 11, 2014 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, 6-0 in favor. 6:41 pm Land Use Permit Application – Hennessey Field, Birthday Party, Katie and Adam Blauer Katie Blauer was present for the approval of a birthday party at Hennessey Field. Ms. Blauer explained that she plans on setting up a tent, tables, and chairs for the guests. Ms. Miller voiced her concern about having a private event and closing Conservation Land to the public. Mr. Langseth discussed the tent posing an issue. Mr. Wolk suggested the use of blankets and chairs to have a picnic as it would not need approval from the Commission. Mr. Hamilton was concerned with other small groups closing off public land for a private event. The Commission did not approve a birthday party at Hennessey Field on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. 6:38 pm Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 10 Stedman Road, DEP# 201-792, BL 752, 6-0 in favor. 6:49 pm Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from the meeting on March 11, 2014, 6-0 in favor. 6:50 pm Cont. Hearing – Concord Avenue between Spring & Waltham Street, NOI DEP# 201-930, BL 890 Applicant: Town of Lexington Department of Public Works Construction of a new sidewalk along the southern side of Concord Avenue between Spring and Waltham Street, replacement of the culvert under Concord Avenue at Hardy’s Pond Brook, installation of a driveway for the Town to access the existing pump station, milling and repaving of Concord Avenue in the project area, and demarcation of a bicycle lane within Bank, Land Under Waterways and Waterbodies, 200-foot Riverfront Area and 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland along Concord Avenue Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to April 22, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor. 6:51 pm Cont. Hearing – 12 Dunham Street, NOI DEP# 201-932, BL 892 Applicant: Ping Chen Construction of an addition, deck, infiltration system, associated grading and utilities within the 100-foot Buffer Zone and/or any resource areas Present for the Applicant: Steven Eriksen, Norse Environmental Services, Inc. Mr. Eriksen explained the revised details for this project. The revised details on the plan include a trench drain detail, movement of the stockpiling area from the back of the property to the front outside of the buffer zone, FENO survey markers were along the 25-foot buffer zone, planting of native shrubs along the 25-foot buffer zone, clarification on the elevation for the basement floor, inspection ports, and submittal of an operation and maintenance plan. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth commented that a sump pump needs to be installed between the trench drain and the infiltrator unit. The Commission is not approving the wetland line at this time. Mr. Bitsko asked for inspection port details and if there was an update whether trees were proposed to be removed or pruned. Mr. Eriksen stated that the arborist needs to visit the site. Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to April 8, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the request of the applicant 6-0 in favor. 7:09 pm Cont. Hearing – 79 Maple Street, NOI DEP# 201-921, BL 881 Applicant: Ronald Smith Raze a single-family dwelling and driveway and construct a new single-family dwelling, deck, driveway, rooftop infiltration, associated grading and utilities within the 100-foot Buffer Zone and 200-foot Riverfront Area Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to April 8, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor. 7:10 pm Hearing – 21 Valley Road, NOI DEP# 201-933, BL 893 Applicant: DEBCO Propoerties Expand a portion of the driveway and install utility connections within the outer portion of the 200-foot Riverfront Area associated with North Lexington Brook Present for the Applicant: Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental Consultants, Inc. Mr. Kirby proposed to raze and rebuild a single-family dwelling at 21 Valley Road. The builder is in the process of having the stormwater management design completed and requested a continuance to the next hearing date on April 8, 2014. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Mullins suggested inclusion of elevations on the plan. Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to April 8, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor. 7:13 pm Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Preservation Committee, Land Steward Directors, Housing Partnership, Tree Committee, Land Management, Land Acquisition, etc. Mr. Wolk reported that David Williams commented on mowing at Chiesa Farm. Mr. Wolk asked if a contract had been drawn up for bidding. Mr. Bitsko suggested the Commission set a goal and then figure out a maintenance plan. Ms. Mullins stated that Mass Audubon is looking at mowing. Ms. Mullins reported that she met with Woodard & Curan at Willard’s Woods for the stream restoration project. 7:24 pm Hearing – 40 Fern Street, NOI DEP# 201-934, BL 894 Applicant: Stephen Schrodel Install a post-and-rail fence and alpaca shelter within an existing lawn and meadow area within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland Present for the Applicant: Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental Consultants, Inc. and Steve Schrodel, Applicant/Homeowner Mr. Kirby submitted a revised plan for an alpaca shelter and fence at 40 Fern Street. The fence is proposed to be located outside the 25-foot buffer zone and the alpaca shelter outside the 50-foot buffer zone. Mr. Kirby explained that the homeowners have been removing invasive species and maintaining an open meadow type habitat. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth asked what kind of damage the alpacas would do to the turf and if they were a noisy animal. Mr. Schrodel replied that alpacas are smaller than llamas and they have a soft padded foot with a quiet humming sound. Ms. Schrodel commented that alpacas graze and only nibble the surface of the grass, which does not pull the roots up. Mr. Bitsko asked if any trees would be impacted. Mr. Kirby replied that a few Spruce trees may be affected. Mr. Bitsko and Mr. Langseth discussed mowing versus letting the area go fallow and planting native species. Mr. Bitsko suggested a buffer for protection of the resource area and a native seed mix. The homeowners of 43 Fern Street are in support of this project. Jim Wilson of 36 Fern Street stated that the alpaca shelter would add character to the neighborhood and is in support of it. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor. 7:41 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 6-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Tassi Community Development Department Assistant