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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-28-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, September 28, 2015 6:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:35 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building. Commissioners Present: Kevin Beuttell,Phil Hamilton, Joyce Miller, Alex Dohan, Dick Wolk, David Langseth (6:31 pm). Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator, Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant Pending Matters 6:31pm Land Use Permit Application Dan 011endorf Cub Scout Pack 137 Ms. Mullins presented a Land Use Permit Application for a Cub Scout Pack 137 for am overnight camping trip in Willard's Woods on October 24th, 2015. Ms. Mullins explained that this group has done this in the past. Motion to approve offered by Mr. Buetell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in favor 6:33pm Informal Presentation- School Marsh Jim Williams Former Lexington High School science teacher Mr. Williams explained that he is concerned about the marshes at Lexington High School. He has noticed that since construction has been done there, the marshes have dried up. He requested that the commission do a site visit to see if they can notice this change. The commission stated that they would organize a visit and consult with DPW about the previous construction. 6:40 pm Informal Presentation 18 Sanderson Road Rich Kirby, LEC environmental Mr. Kirby presented on behalf of the owner of the property. He explained that his client is proposing building an additional house on their lot so that the whole family can live together. Mr. Kirby stated that the potential applicant has agreed to 10,000 sq feet of wetlands restoration in the yard. Concerns and comments from the commission: The commission stated that they would like to see mitigation for the existing driveway as well as the new driveway. There appeared to be a lot of impervious areas in the 50ft buffer. The driveway extending into the 25ft no build zone could be a problem. 6:55pm Enforcement, 7 Fulton Road 6:55pm Lawrence Schwartz, owner Mr. Schwartz presented his restoration plan for his encroachment into the abutting Shaker Glen Conservation land. He stated that this year his family had problems with ticks and they wanted to do some landscaping to try to curb the problem. He thought the property line was further back and did not realize the landscaper encroached onto conservation land. He said he would cluster three or four different varieties of plants in the cleared area of conservation land. Concerns and comments of the commission: The commission wanted to ensure that the plantings would go on town property The commission stated they do not want the plants cared for or mowed after planting The density of the plants appeared to be low therefore a seed mix would be necessary. Motion to approve restoration plan offered by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 7:05pm Plan Change 279 Emerson Road Bob Phelan (owner), Mike Novak(engineer) Mr. Novak presented a proposed plan change for an already approved project at 279 Emerson Road. The changes would include moving an infiltration system 20 feet, shifting the patio to the side of the house, and a proposed gravel parking lot. In terms of the parking area, Mr. Novak explained that the drainage plans would not be changed and the infiltration system would still be outside of the 200 ft river front zone. Concerns/comments from the commission: The gravel on the driveway should be clean crushed stone with metal edge border to retain it in place. The potential for potential erosion of fines from the crushed stone was addressed. Movement made by Mrs. Miller to approve the plan change and Mr. Langseth seconded. Vote: 6- 0 in favor. New Hearings 7:14 DEP File No. 201-997, BL 954 NOI, 9 Blodgett Rd Applicant: Joel Werrick Project: Raze and rebuild existing single family home Documents: NOI package dated , Stormwater management plan, building plans Rich Kirby, Fred Russel, and Joel Werrick Mr. Kirby presented a proposed project for a new single family house on Blodgett Road in which they would tear down the existing home and build a larger one. The project would include an infiltration system to handle storm water as well as a shallow swale. Comments/concerns from the commission: The commission expressed concern about how the driveway drainage was being handled. The use of a sump pump is confirmed. The geotextile detail on the plan should be clearer. Comments from the audience: Luanna Devennis of 7 Blodgett Road expressed concern about water flowing into her lot. A motion to close the hearing was offered by Mrs. Miller and was seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote 6-0 in favor. 7:30pm DEP File No. 201-998, BL 955 NOI, 14 Hamblen St. Applicant: Stephen Macchia Project: Raze and rebuild existing single family home Documents: NOI Package, Stomwater Management Plan, Building plans Rich Kirby, LEC and Mike Novak from Meridian Engineering Mr. Kirby presented a proposed project for a raze and rebuild of a single family home. There will be a trench drain with a sump box to collect runoff as well as a storm water management system that will bring water to an infiltration system. The proposed project would include tree protection and tree replacement. Concerns and comments from the commission: A question was raised as to how the wetland was delineated. Mr. Kirby responded that LEC and other wetlands scientists had changed the way they have determined the presence of hydric soilsare told that the way wetlands are delineated has changed in recent years The commission requested that the detail on the infiltration should be showed as well as the detail on the crushed stone. The commission requested double washed stone Comments from audience: Tracy Boruta of 136 Cedar Street expressed concern about the trees running along the property line next to the proposed project. She wanted to be ensured that the builder will cooperate with her regarding plantings Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote 6-0 in favor. Continued Hearings: 7:55pm DET 415-21 RDA, 48 Bartlett Ave Applicant: Ryan Patric, Lexington Christian Academy Project: Replace paver path at Munroe Brook crossing within 200 foot Riverfront Area, Bordering Land Subject to flooding, and 100-foot BVW buffer zone Documents: Cross sectional view of brick pavers Ryan Patric and David Allen Mr. Patric explained to the commission that he submitted to the commission the requested side view of the brick pavers. Comments and concerns from the commission: The commission wanted to ensure that erosion controls would be used if there was going to be stockpiling of stone dust. Motion to issue a negative determination made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr.Langseth. Vote 6-0 in favor. 7:58pm DET415-20 RDA, 20 Maguire Road Applicant: Boston Gas Co. d/b/a National Grid Owner: WLC Five Properties VI, LLC Project: Installation of gas utility extension from Maguire Road to 20 Maguire Road office building within the Mean Annual High Water Line to Kiln Brook, the 200-foot Riverfront Area, Bordering Land Subject to Flooding, and 100-foot BVW Buffer Zone Documents: Site plan 9/28/2015 Andrea Kendall, LEC Environmental and Andrew Kelly from National Grid Ms. Kendall explained the details of the project. The whole project has been completed except for the crossing of Kiln Brook because the applicant did not realize that they required conservation approval. She explained that there is enough coverage to embed the pipe in the road way and they did obtain the Conservation Restriction details. She stated that the remaining question regarding the project is whether the gas line can remain or whether it must be removed. They would prefer to put the remainder of the pipe in the lawn rather than the parking lot. Ms. Kendall explained that trenching activities would be kept to a minimum. Comments and concerns from the audience: The commission is concerned about the oversight on National Grid's part. The commission questioned National Grid's interpretation of the language in the Conservation restriction. The commission wants to be ensured that National Grid will abandon the pipe in the Conservation Restriction and it will not be used in the future. The commission stated that they want to be provided with an as built plan. The commission stated that there should be no stock piled soils. Mrs. Miller moved to issue a negative determination with conditions and Mrs. Dohan seconded. Vote 6-0 in favor. 8:25pm DEP File No. 201-986, BL 943 NOI, 6 John Hosmer Lane Applicant: Arjun Rao Project: Construction of a single-family dwelling and associated appurtenances within the 100- foot Buffer Zone of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Documents: Mike Novak, Meridian Associates Mr. Novak presented a potential project. He explained that he is not looking for a vote at the meeting. Mr. Novak told the commission that he did some research into the meeting minutes from the last time this property was in front of the commission and he did not find anything specifically stated that lot 5 would not be developed. Mr. Novak explained that two new driveways would be built. Comments and Concerns from the Commission: The commission is concerned with the language of the minutes from 1993 when the house on 5 John Hosmer Lane was built. Serious concern was expressed over the elevation and slope of the potential project. Concern was expressed over the concessions that were made in 1993. The commission would like to see 5 John Hosmer Lane brought up to current standards. The commissioner expressed concern over the width of the driveways. Motion to continue to October 19th at applicants request moved by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote 6-0 in favor. 8:46pm DEP File No.201-996, BL 953 NOI, 16 Summer Street Applicant: Gabler Realty Trust Project: Proposed completion of landscape work, construction of a shed, extension a driveway within the 100-foot Buffer Zone of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands and Bank, and conduct restoration activities Motion to continue the hearing until October 5th at the applicants request offered by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. 8:47pm Enforcement Order 85 Reed Street Mrs. Mullins explained that the previous owners of 85 Reed Street applied for an amendment, but pulled it at the request of the new owner. The current owner hired a landscaper and constructed an unpermitted patio. Comments and concerns of the Commission: The commission expressed concern over the fact that the current owner was aware of the ongoing Order of Conditions and still did the work. The commission stated that they would want to fine the owner for the work that she did. A motion issued an enforcement order moved by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote 6-0 in favor. 8:54 pm Issue Order of Conditions 32 Hartwell Avenue DEP# 201-969, BL 927 Motion to issue Order of Conditions offered by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote 6-0 in favor. 8:55pm Issue Order of Conditions 23 Oxbow Road DEP File No. 201-993, BL 950 Motion to issue Order of Conditions offered by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote 6-0 in favor. 8:56pm Issue Order of Conditions 230 Lincoln Street DEP File No. 201-995, BL 952 Motion to issue Order of Conditions offered by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote 6-0 in favor. Discussion: Mr. Wolk discussed the criteria that he believed should be necessary for a project to connect to the town drainage system. He stated that he did not want the project at 27 Woodpark Circle to be considered a precedent for future projects. 9:O1pm Motion to close the hearing moved by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote 6-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved: October 26, 2015