HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-11 CONCOM-min
MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION January 11, 2011
Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller-Chair, Philip Hamilton-Vice-chair, Charles Wyman, Duke
Bitsko, Stewart Kennedy, David Langseth (arrived at 7:45 pm)
Commissioners Absent: Dick Wolk
Staff present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator
Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:30 pm in Room G-15, Town Office Building.
7:30 pm Executive Session
The Commission voted by roll call vote to go into Executive Session for the purpose of
discussing land acquisition.
7:45 pm The Commission resumed the meeting in open session.
Presentation: Boulder Colorado’s Dog Voice and Sight Tag Program
Philip Hamilton summarized Boulder Colorado’s program for the Commission: a
good well-defined system with protocols and an educational component regarding control of
dogs. Commission watched presentation on the Boulder Colorado website.
Comments from the Commission followed: Overall, the Commission found the program had
good concepts that could be beneficial to adopt even without a permit system. Charlie Wyman
likes the permitting system for two reasons: 1. Provides education and has owners take
responsibility; 2. Keeps track of owners who are not using a leash and allows for education.
David Langseth expressed that he recently has had experience with managing three dogs, and
although he was able to control, he found it challenging. He definitely agrees with the not more
than three dog per person rule and identified a potential to revisit this regulation and reduce the
limit to two like Boulder, Colorado’s regulation. Commission discussed the March 1, 2011
sunset clause deadline for the on-leash on weekend regulation and some options for them to
consider when revisiting, which included renew the regulation on a permanent basis or adopt a
dog voice control permit system similar to Boulder, Colorado’s system. Other ideas the
Commission mentioned for consideration included switching a weekend on-leash day with a
weekday off leash day or adding morning off-leash hours on weekends and adopting a regulation
regarding on leash in parking areas and entrance ways until a defined demarcated location within
the conservation area to address dog excrement issues at trail heads and orchard area and
uncontrolled dogs venturing into abutting properties.
Commission discussed next steps to meet the March 1, 2011 sunset clause deadline. The
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Commission agreed to hold a special public meeting on February 15 to revisit the Willard’s
Woods regulations with a vote to adopt regulations at their February 22, 2011 regular scheduled
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meeting. In preparation of the February 15 public meeting, the Commission requested staff to
forward a compilation of reports received since the on-leash weekend regulation took effect.
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The Commission also requested staff to post the public hearing for the February 15 meeting. In
addition, Duke Bitsko and Philip Hamilton will meet to discuss and finalize recommendation to
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MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MEETING January 4, 2011
the Commission on permit system based on tonight’s comments and feedback from the
Commission.
Discussion: Wetland Protection Code (Bylaw) Regulation Amendments
Documentation: Draft Regulations for Buffer Zone Performance Standards Section 5(2), 5(5)(B),
5(5)(C), and 5(6).
Section 5(5)(B): Existing Structure Setback Performance Standard
The Commission reviewed the draft language provided by Philip Hamilton. Comments from the
Commission followed: Charlie Wyman is concerned that draft language is too prohibitive for
difficult sites. The Commission referred to the recent drafted waiver section to address Charlie
Wyman’s concern since the waiver section would be the default and next step if can’t comply
with this section. David Langseth, as well as other commissioners, expressed support for the
revised language and he provided edits for Philip Hamilton to incorporate and resend to the
Commission for vote at a Public Hearing.
Section 5(5)(C): Site Development and Landscaping Performance Standard
The Commission reviewed the draft language provided by Charlie Wyman. Comments from the
Commission followed: The Commission expressed support for the draft language amendments.
Duke Bitsko expressed interest in incorporating standards to address wetland restoration in
existing lawn areas. He would like to see standards regarding required plan details to submit and
who should prepare the plan. The Commission discussed the two extremes of lawn restoration:
less extreme is to stop mowing and allow reversion to wetlands over time and the most extreme
is to require a professional signed and stamped plan with planting type, quantity and size to be
implemented as part of the proposal. The Commission instructed Duke Bitsko to draft language
to create a performance standard for requiring wetland restoration in lawn areas. Stewart
Kennedy expressed a desire to incorporate demarcation of the critical edge/do not disturb limits,
which the Commission agreed and requested Duke Bitsko incorporate language into his draft or
into the existing commentary to address demarcation. Duke Bitsko will prepare draft as
discussed and send to the Commission for further review at a future meeting before bringing to a
vote at a public hearing.
Section 5(2) and 5(6): Peak Rate and Pre-development Conditions Performance Standards
The Commission reviewed updated draft language provided by David Langseth based on
feedback from previous review meeting. Comments from the Commission followed: Charlie
Wyman expressed his concern that draft language regarding pre-development conditions
requiring treating impervious surfaces to be removed as open space in good condition under
existing conditions is too prohibitive and may over reach the Commission’s authority. David
Langseth responded that he disagreed with Charlie Wyman’s statement about the Commission
not having authority and views it as a Policy decision of the Commission, which the other
Commissioners agreed with David Langseth.
9:40 pm Motion to adjourn 6-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted by,
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MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MEETING January 4, 2011
Karen Mullins
Conservation Administrator
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