Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-30-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday May 30, 2017 6:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Ave Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:30pm in the Parker Room Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Alex Dohan, Kevin Beuttell, Duke Bitsko, Dick Wolk, David Langseth, Ruth Ladd Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant 6:30pm Review Restrictive Covenant for 435-439 Lincoln Street to determine compliance with Order of Conditions requiring a Conservation Restriction This will be taken up later in the meeting. 6:32pm Request for Insignificant Plan Change at 60 Hartwell Ave, DEP 201-1005, BL 962 Steve Wiehe, Weston and Sampson Engineering Mr. Weihe explained that they are proposing to change the location of the level spreader. He stated that they already have an existing trench open so it makes sense for them to follow that trench. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission asked for clarification regarding the rationale for this change. Mr. Wiehe stated that it is a matter of convenience since the trench is already open. It will follow the grade in that area. The commission asked for clarification regarding how far the level spreader will extend. Mr. Wiehe explained that it will extend 40 feet. The commission asked for clarification regarding the stormwater calculations for the gutters. Mr. Wiehe said he would follow up with that information. The commission asked for clarification regarding a pipe on the back of the pad that was not labelled. Mr. Wiehe said he would follow up with that information. The commission told the applicant that the site was not yet stabilized. The applicant will come back with more information on 6/12/2017. 6:49pm Issue Certificates of Compliance: 8 Milk Street, DEP 201-1028, BL 986 Motion to issue the Certificate of Compliance made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 6:50pm Approve restoration plan for 95 Hayden Ave, DET 17-3 This will be discussed later in the meeting. 6:50pm Approve minutes: 5/1/2017, 5/15/2017 Motion to approve the minutes of 5/1/17 made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 7-0 in favor. Motion to approve the minutes of 5/15/17 made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 6:51pm Mr. Hamilton introduced the new member of the Commission, Ruth Ladd. 6:51pm Schedule Site Visits for the 6/12/17 meeting The site visits were scheduled for 6/10/17 at 9am. 6:54pm There were no new reports. 6:54pm Arts Senior Living Project: Request to extend Order of Conditions (OOC, 201-938, BL 897) for three years (June 2017 to June 2020) Motion to extend the Order of Conditions for three years made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 6:58pm DET 17-12 RDA, Cataldo Reservation Applicant: Lexington Conservation Stewards Owner: Town of Lexington Representative: Holly Samuels Project: Invasive species removal and replanting of native species Holly Samuels, Landscape Architect Ms. Samuels explained that she has been working with the Conservation Stewards and the Invasive Species Task Force about doing a project along the Cataldo Reservation involving removing invasive species and planting native plants. She is focusing her efforts on a 100 yard strip along the walking path. They will be targeting specific invasive species and plant native species in clusters. This project will be used as a model for invasive species removal around town. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission requested that she make this information available to other local groups engaged in removing invasive species. Ms. Samuels stated that she will make this information public. The commission asked if she is removing roots. She explained that she is only removing the roots above the bank. The plants on the bank will just be trimmed. The commission stated that the plants along the trail will need to be resilient since people often walk off trail. Motion to issue a Negative Determination with Conditions made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 7-0 in favor. 7:07pm DET 17-13 RDA, 40 North Street Applicant/Owner: Daniela Rohne-Garlapati Project: Utility work and additional pavement Daniela Rohne-Garlapati, Homeowner Ms. Garlapati explained she is in the midst of a home addition project that was outside of the buffer, but they now need to do some utility work within the buffer zone. She explained that a trench will need to be dug to bring in the electrical service. She stated that they also may be adding some additional driveway area. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission stated that the plans for the driveway are unclear. Ms. Garlapati explained that she will come back with a more detailed plan. The commission discussed whether the whole project is now under their jurisdiction. The commission decided that if the driveway is to be expanded, that would bring the entire project under their jurisdiction. Motion to continue the hearing to 6/12/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 7:29pm DEP 201-1047, BL 1004 AOOC, 180 East Emerson Applicant/owner: Jan Bultman Project: Modification to approved plan Rich Kirby- LEC Environmental, Jan Bultman and Elizabeth Goodwin-homeowners Mr. Kirby explained that since they received the Order of Conditions, the architect has reviewed the project and has determined that it will be easier to demo the house down to the foundation rather than renovate the existing house. The scope of the work has not changed much and they have worked with the engineer to ensure that the new work is mitigated for. A new infiltration system is proposed. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that they were concerned about basement flooding because of the location of the infiltration system. They stated that they are also concerned about potential flooding of the neighbors if the system was moved. Mr. Kirby stated that he will talk with the engineer. Motion to continue the hearing to 6/12/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 7:42pm DEP 201-1059, BL 1016 ANRAD, 453 and 489 Concord Ave Applicant/Owner: The Cotting School Project: Resource Area Delineation Alyssa Jacobs- Epsilon Associates Ms. Jacobs explained that Epsilon submitted an ANRAD for several parcels owned by the Cotting School. At the site walk on Saturday, one flag location was moved. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that they also wanted to see the stream channel connected to the BVW. Ms. Jacobs stated she will have the surveyor make that change. The commission stated that they will need the updated plan before issuing the Order. The commission asked if there were any improvements to the gravel walkway. MS. Jacobs stated that it is an existing pathway with no changes. Motion to continue the hearing to 6/12/17 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 7:51pm DEP 201-XXXX, BL XXXX NOI, 420/430 Bedford Street Applicant: Leslie Knowles, Boston Properties Owner: Elandzee Trust c/o Boston Properties Project: Parking Lot Improvements Chris Thompson- BSC Group Mr. Thompson explained that this site has two existing office buildings on it. They are proposing to mill and repave the existing parking lot. They are proposing to do some stormwater upkeep such as cleaning out the catch basins. They will be meeting the DEP standards as a redevelopment project. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that they understand the site is very constrained, but they would like to see an effort to bring the project into compliance. The commission asked if there were any conditions regarding maintenance from when the building was constructed in the 80s. Mr. Thompson said he would look into this. The commission asked the applicant to research options for bringing the site more into compliance than it currently is. The commission asked for details regarding the snow storage plan as well as the O and M plan for the oil pillows. The commission asked for more details regarding how the work will be done and the timeline. The commission stated that they will need an as-built for the project to ensure that there was no filling in the floodzone. Motion to continue the hearing to 6/26/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 8:17pm Continued Meetings/Hearings DET 17-9 RDA, 19 Baskin Road Owner/applicant: Nick Yang Project: Home addition Motion to continue the hearing to 6/12/17 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 7-0 in favor. DET 17-10 RDA, 27-31 Mass Ave Owner/applicant: Mass Ave Realty Trust Project: Site improvements including paving expansion and retaining walls Motion to issue a Negative Determination with conditions made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 7-0 in favor. 8:20pm DET 17-11 RDA, 191 Spring Street Owner/applicant: 191 Spring Street Trust Project: Site improvements including loading dock relocation and patio addition Motion to continue the hearing to Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 7-0 in favor. 8:21pm DEP 201-XXXX, BL XXXX NOI, 758 Marrett Road Owner/Applicant: Minuteman Vocational Regional and Technical High School Project: Raze and rebuild of existing school building and associated site work Motion to continue the hearing to 6/12/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 8:22pm DEP 201-1022, BL 979 NOI, 138 Laconia Street Owner/Applicant: DEBCO Properties, David Burns Project: New Single Family Home Motion to continue the hearing to 10/2/17 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 8:23pm Review Restrictive Covenant for 435-439 Lincoln Street to determine compliance with Order of Conditions requiring a Conservation Restriction Michael Rosen- Attorney for North Shore Residential Development Mr. Rosen explained that his client is looking to ask the commission for a change in the language of the Order of Conditions. His client is proposing a restrictive covenant rather than a Conservation Restriction. He explained a restrictive covenant is just between the Commission and the applicant rather than with the state as a third party. Ms. Mullins explained that she has talked with Town Counsel about this option and he has agreed that the Restrictive Covenant should be sufficient for the Commission's purposes. Town Counsel stated the Commission should add an ongoing condition regarding the perpetuity of the restriction. Mr. Rosen agreed to this. The commission stated that North Shore Residential Development should file an Amendment to the Order of Conditions to request this change. 8:29pm DEP 201-1057, BL 1014 NOI, Old Mill Road Owner: North Shore Residential Development and City of Cambridge Applicant: North Shore Residential Development Project: Improve an existing trail Michael Rosen- attorney, Rich Kirby- LEC Environmental, Jack Sullivan-project engineer Mr. Rosen explained that multiple memos have gone back and forth between his office and the City of Cambridge. He explained that there is a property dispute between North Shore and the City of Cambridge. Mr. Rosen went onto explain in more the detail why he believes North Shore has rights to develop the trail on the paper trail. Mr. Sean McKendry, a lawyer for the City of Cambridge, explained the City's point of view. Mr. Hamilton explained that it is not the Conservation Commission's position to determine whether a party has property rights. The commission just needs to be persuaded that a party has a colorable claim to develop the project. The commission will check with Town Counsel to ensure that North Shore's claim is sufficient to enable the Commission to permit the project. The issuance of the permit does not affect the underlying property rights. The two parties will have to seek a determination of the property rights in another forum. Mr. Kirby then proceeded to explain the details of the project itself. He stated that the trail will extend beyond Hobbs Brook and meet up with a trail in Lincoln. They will revise the plan to show the flood elevation. The trail will be surfaced with woodchips and there will be a bridge crossing over Hobbs Brook. Questions and comments from the Commission: The Commission asked for details about how the bridge will be brought into the site. Mr. Kirby explained that bridge will be built on site. The commission asked for details regarding how the stream will be protected during construction. Mr. Kirby stated that there will be erosion controls in place and they have a dewatering plan. They will be doing the construction during the low flow season. Mr. Lopez stated that his crew will also be conscious of weather. He added that there will be no bank disturbance. The commission discussed who will be responsible for maintaining the trail. Mr. Lopez stated the Condo Association will have a fund to maintain the trail. There are no specific details about what this entails however. The commission asked for more details regarding the temporary stream crossing. Motion to continue the hearing to 6/12/17 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in favor. 9:09pm Pending Continued Steep Slope Regulations The commission continued their discussion regarding the potential steep slope discussion. The commission is going to work on editing their proposed regulations. The commission is also going to do some research into how common a steep slope into a wetland is in town. 9:54pm Approve restoration plan for 95 Hayden Ave, DET 17-3 Motion to approve the planting plan made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 7- 0 in favor. 9:56pm Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved 6/26/2017