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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-06-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday March 6, 2017 6:30 P.M. Hudson Room, Cary Hall 1605 Massachusetts Ave Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:31pm in the Hudson Room of Cary Hall Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Duke Bitsko, Alex Dohan, Dick Wolk, David Langseth, Kevin Beuttell Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant 6:31pm Plan Change at 435-439 Lincoln Street, DEP 201-1015, BL 972 Jack Sullivan, Project Engineer, explained that there have been some minor changes to the approved plan that they would like to implement. On two of the houses, the proposed patios would be changed to open decks. Questions and comments from the Commission: The Commission commended the applicant for coming before them for the plan change before the work was done. Motion to approve the plan change made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Bitsko. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:34pm Issue Certificate of Compliance at 6 Bryant Road, DEP 201-1019, BL 976 The applicant will be attending the next meeting to discuss this. Issue Certificate of Compliance at 20 Victory Garden, DEP 201-967, BL 925 Motion to issue the Certificate of Compliance made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Buettell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Issue Certificate of Compliance at 44 Hartwell Ave. DEP 201-903, BL 863 This will be discussed at the next meeting. 6:35pm Mr. Langseth arrived. Extend Order of Conditions for 3 years at the Old Reservoir, DEP 201-437, BL 393 The commission reviewed the monitoring reports submitted by the applicant. The commission stated that they would like to see more detail in future reports. Motion to Extend the Order of Conditions of 3 years made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 6:39pm Issue Order of Conditions for DEP 201-1044, BL 1001 at 45, 55, 65 Hayden Ave The commission discussed the special conditions that they would like to see in the Order. They included invasive species removal, monitoring and fulfillment of the payment requirements prior to the preconstruction meeting. Motion to issue the Order of Conditions made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Bitsko. Vote: 5-1 with Mrs. Dohan voting against. 6:43pm Ratify Emergency Certificate for 60 Hartwell Ave Beaver Dam Modification Ms. Mullins explained that the beaver has built a dam in a part of the brook that is in danger of overflowing into the sewage system. They will have to breach the dam in order to remove the beaver so they are requesting permission from the commission. Motion to issue the Emergency Certificate made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 6:45pm Approve minutes from 1/23/17 This will be discussed at the next meeting. Approve minutes from 2/6/2017 Motion to approve minutes made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Approve Minutes from 2/21/2017 Motion to approve minutes made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 6:53pm Schedule Site Visits for the 3/21/2017 Meeting Site visits were scheduled for Saturday 3/18/17 at 9:30am. 6:53pm Vote to extend date of Dunback Meadow Garden Closing Mr. Hamilton explained that the process of expanding the Community Garden has taken longer than initially proposed. The Community Garden subcommittee has suggested that they keep the Dunback Meadow Garden open through the growing season of 2018 in order to properly prepare Idylwilde. Motion to extend the date of the Dunback Meadow closure made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 6:57pm Reports There were no reports. 7:00 pm CONTINUED MEETINGS/HEARINGS DEP 201-1049, BL 1006 NOI, 99 Hancock Street, the Diamond School Applicant/owner: Town of Lexington Project: Hancock Street Driveway expansion Ken DiNisco- DiNisco Associates, Fred King- Schofield Brothers Engineering Mr. King explained that the Conservation Commission did a site visit to the school the past weekend. He added that the Engineering department has signed off on the project as well. At the last meeting, the Commission had asked for more information regarding permeable pavers or asphalt for the sidewalk. Mr. King explained that on this site, they had ideal soils for infiltration so that was a preferred method. Permeable pavement was explored in the design process but was ultimately ruled out. Mr. King explained that there are a great deal of utilities that run under the driveway and they would have to be removed if porous pavement was used. Porous pavement would also significantly increase the cost of the project. A porous sidewalk was ruled out because it would be more maintenance for the School Department and they were unsure how the additional water would interact with the drainage system. Questions and comments from the Commission: The Commission asked who maintained the porous pavement walkway behind the school. Ms. Mullins explained that the Victory Garden HOA is responsible for that path. The commission asked if they would be doing invasive species removal. Mr. DiNisco stated they are proposing to remove the Oriental Bittersweet in the area. They will be cutting and painting it. Mr. DiNisco added that his team will be meeting with the concerned abutters in the coming weeks. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 6-0 in favor. NEW MEETINGS/HEARINGS DEP 201-1051, BL 1008 NOI, 85 Grant Street Applicant/owner: Wilson Project: Home addition Peter Gammie, Civil Engineer and Joan Wilson, Homeowner Mr. Gammie explained that there is a resource area across the street from the applicant’s property. The 100 ft. buffer extends into the property and 25 sq. ft. of the addition will be within the buffer. Mr. Gammie explained the two watersheds on the property and demonstrated to the commission that none of the water is running into the wetlands across the street. Mr. Gammie is proposing a net decrease in overall runoff to Grant Street. Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record. Questions and Comments from the Commission: The commission commented that they did not get a plan detailing the stormwater system. Mr. Gammie explained that it was a mistake and it will be delivered to them. The commission and the project engineered discussed the jurisdiction of the commission because only 25 sq. ft. of the proposed addition was within the buffer zone. The commission explained that because a portion of the project is within the buffer, the project falls under their jurisdiction and requires stormwater attenuation. The commission discussed whether the Vine Brook, which is culverted under the property, is within their jurisdiction. Ms. Mullins explained that because the culvert is uninterrupted for over 200 liner feet, it is outside of their jurisdiction in this area. The commission explained that the proposed infiltration system is within the town easement for the culverted Lower Vine Brook, and that placement could not be approved. Motion to continue the meeting at the Applicant’s request to 3/21/2017 made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 7:39pm DEP 201-1045, BL 10002 NOI, 288 Concord Ave Applicant/owner: Thomas and Donna Denoto Project: Home addition and driveway expansion Dave Crossman- B and C Associates Mr. Beuttell stated for the recorded that he has watched the LexMedia Video and signed the Mullens affidavit for a missed hearing on 2/21/17. Mr. Crossman explained that he submitted a new plan showing the proposed FENO markers, the trees to be removed on the entire site, and additional language regarding the replanting in the area where the shed is to be removed. He stated that in that area, they will be using a seed mix and erosion control blankets until the area is stabilized. The commission stated for the record that they are considering the stream on site perennial for this filing. The commission stated that as a condition, they want to know what seed mix will be used on the Conservation land. The applicant agreed to this. Motion to close the hearing made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Motion to issue the Order of Conditions made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 7:49pm DEP 201-1046, BL 1003 NOI, 52 Turning Mill Road Applicant/owner: Jeong- Ju Cho Project: Garage Addition Scott Henderson- project engineer Mrs. Dohan recused herself from this hearing. Mr. Henderson explained that an alternatives analysis has been submitted and he provided the commission with some additional materials. He walked the commission through each alternative and explained that their goal was to keep the project on the existing pavement. Because of the need to turn the cars around, they had to increase size of the garage. Six alternatives were shown with only one being a preferred option for the client. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission stated that they felt there were other alternatives that could be explored. The commission stated that they did not think it was necessary to stay within the existing driveway footprint. The commission asked whether the applicant had looked into the possibility of a green roof. Mr. Henderson stated that architecturally, this plan was not feasible. He added that the area is also very vegetated and the roof would not get enough sunlight. The commission stated that there should be something along the edge of pavement such as a curb to block a driver from going into the wetlands while making a three point turn. The commission also discussed if the three point turn would be necessary or if the applicant could back down the driveway. The commission discussed the shed on the property and whether it is considered a structure. The commission stated that they typically do consider sheds structures. However, when considering an existing structure’s proximity to a wetland, they measure from the structure itself and not from an unattached shed. The commission debated whether having the cars protected from the wetlands is a sufficient benefit to justify a new structure close to the wetlands. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:26pm DEP 201-1048, BL 1005 NOI, 85 Kendall Road Owner/applicant: Feng Gao Project: Home addition Scott Smyers- Oxbow Associates Mr. Langseth stated for the record that he has watched the LexMedia video of this hearing and have signed the Mullens Affidavit for a missed hearing on 2/6/2017. Mr. Smyers stated that since the last hearing they have resubmitted the project with the stream defined as perennial. A vegetation plan has been submitted for both sides of the brook. On the far side stream they have increased the size of the restoration area. Total, there will be 1,800 sq. ft. of restoration. A planting plan for the restoration area has been submitted. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission asked what size plants were proposed. Mr. Smyers stated they are proposing 24- 36 inch shrubs and 6ft. tall trees. The commission asked for some clarification regarding the shape of the restoration area. Mr. Smyers explained that because they want to maintain some lawn area on the side closest to the house so they are offering up a larger portion of the back half of the lot. The commission stated that they are ok with this approach, but would like to see the path pulled back slightly from the river. The applicant agreed to this. The commission stated that they would like to see some sort of demarcation to delineate the restoration area. Mr. Smyers stated he would look into this. Motion to continue the hearing to 2/21/2017 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:53pm Pending matters continued Discussion of Planning Board report regarding land appraisals Ms. Mullins explained that she is waiting to hear back from the Planning Department regarding this report. Steep Slope Performance Standards Regulation Discussion The commission reviewed Mr. Beuttell’s edits to the regulation. Some changes were discussed regarding the threshold jurisdiction. The commission discussed how the slopes should be measured and what contours they should require on a plan. The commission decided that they would do some research into prior filings to get a better understanding of how they would implement this regulation. 9:19pm Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved 3/21/2017