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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-10 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, July 10, 2012 7:00 pm Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:05 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Offices Building Commissioners present: Stew Kennedy, Joyce Miller, Duke Bitsko, Jane Warren, Dick Wolk , and David Langseth Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator; Emily Schadler, Conservation Stewardship Coordinator 7:05 pm Motion made by roll call vote to enter executive session under Exemption 6 to discuss the potential leasing of the Hartwell Avenue landfill site, 6-0 in favor. It is declared that an open session would have a detrimental effect on the Town’s negotiating position. The Commission will return to open session at the conclusion of executive session. 7:48 pm Meeting – RDA, 45, 55, & 65 Hayden Avenue, Cubist Pharmaceuticals DET 12-14 Install way finding and arrival signage within 100-foot Buffer Zone to BVW Documentation: RDA application Present for the applicant: Jesse Agelar, Highpoint Engineering Mr. Agelar presented a proposal to install 3 wayfinding and arrival signs within the 100 foot buffer zone to bordering vegetated wetland on the site. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth asked if spoils piles would sit overnight or if they would be removed in the same day. He asked that details about the lateral joints on the filter socks be added to the notes. Mr. Bitsko asked if the signs would be lit. Mr. Kennedy asked if the foundation holes are above groundwater and if dewatering would be necessary. He requested that any dewatering be done in a proper manner. Ms. Miller asked for clarification about the sign size. Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 6-0 in favor. 8:01 pm Hearing – NOI, 24 Constitution Road., John and Mary Nessel 201-865, BL 823 Construct addition within 100-foot Buffer Zone to BVW Documentation: NOI application Present for the applicant: Chris Williams, First Class Carpentry Mr. Williams described the proposal to construct a 1 story, 220 square foot addition to a single family home within the 100 foot buffer zone to the bordering vegetated wetland. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth asked about the infiltration system and whether it would be penetrating the peat, due to a concern that the peat could serve as a barrier and cause ponding if it is not penetrated. Mr. Langseth commented that more detail is necessary on the plan. Mr. Bitsko commented that a grading plan, the proposed contours, and an inspection plan be provided. . Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to July 24, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the applicant’s request, 6-0 in favor. 8:15 pm Hearing – NOI, 10 Vaille Avenue, David Moore 201-864, BL 822 Demolish and construct new SFH within 100-foot Buffer Zone to BVW Documentation: NOI application Present for the applicant: Mike Guiliano, Uniterra Consulting, LLC Mr. Guiliano described the proposal to demolish the existing house, garage, and driveway and construct a new single family home within the 100 foot buffer zone to the bordering vegetation wetland. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Kennedy asked for clarification about the issue with the wetland line. Mr. Langseth asked about the 3 bounds and the landscaping plan. He asked if the lawn could be brought back from the wetland edge and a proposal presented for that. Mr. Kennedy asked about damage to a tree close to the infiltration system. Mr. Bitsko asked about the placement of porous pavers over the recharge system. Mr. Langseth asked for a calculation that shows if the recharge system is sufficiently oversized to accept the porous pavers drainage. Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to July 24, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the applicant’s request, 6-0 in favor. 8:27 pm Hearing – NOI, 22 Hamilton Road, Cialdea Construction, J and M. Caporal and Watstein 201-866, BL 824 Demolish and construct new SFH within 100-foot Buffer Zone to BVW Documentation: NOI application Present for the applicant: Fred Russell. PE Mr. Russell described the proposal to demolish and construct a single family home within the 200 foot riverfront zone and the 100 foot buffer zone to the bordering vegetated wetland. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth asked about the long term maintenance of the proposed grates. Mr. Langseth asked about the preservation of the trees on the site. Mr. Langseth asked about the sufficiency of the alternatives analysis. Mr. Wolk asked about the drainage of the driveway. He also asked if there is a way to adjust the infiltration system so that the tree can remain in place. Mr. Kennedy asked if the elevation of the first floor would be raised. Ms. Mullins requested an elevation profile. Mr. Langseth asked for more details on the alternatives analysis, including more discussion about the location of the house and clarification that the alternatives are substantially equivalent. Mr. Bitsko asked about the infiltration rates. Ms. Miller reported that she had received comments from abutters and asked about the placement of the driveway on Ledgelawn Road. Bob Heingartner, 53 Ledgelawn Avenue, commented that the project concerned him and other neighborhood residents for various reasons, as presented in their letter to the Conservation Commission dated July 5, 2012. Robert Bacon, 51 Ledgelawn Avenue, commented that he is concerned that runoff will leave the property and enter his basement, that safety will be an issue during snow, and that the loss of shade trees will have an impact on the neighborhood. Betsy Sorrels, Town Meeting member, asked if the proposal could be rejected because of the placement of the driveway. Bill Sorrels, 54 Ledgelawn Avenue, asked if the Commission has any jurisdiction over the loss of afternoon sunlight in his backyard. Alexy Vikhlinin, 18 Hamilton Road, asked about the surface ratios and why the house can be built within 12 feet of his lot. Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to July 24, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the applicant’s request, 6-0 in favor. 9:09 pm Hearing – NOI, 52 Hartwell Avenue, NSTAR 201-863, BL 821 Construct mobile capacitor bank within BLSF, 200 foot Riverfront Zone, and 100- foot Buffer Zone to BVW Documentation: NOI application Present for the applicant: Matthew Verrill, VHB David Hallowell, NSTAR Mr. Verril described the proposal to construct a mobile capacitor bank within bordering land subject to flooding, the 200-foot riverfront zone, and the 100-foot buffer zone to border vegetated wetlands. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Miller asked about the size of the trench to be dug. Ms. Mullins commented that fill should be stockpiled outside of floodplain. Mr. Langseth commented that the Commission is not reapproving the line. Mr. Langseth asked about secondary containment. He requested more detail about spill control. Mr. Kennedy asked what purpose the capacitors would serve. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor 9:25 pm Accept Donation of Granite Memorial Bench at Parker Meadow Documentation: Stone Bench Proposal Eileen Entin of Citizens for Lexington Conservation presented a proposal for a donation of a granite memorial bench for Bob Whitman in Parker Meadow conservation area. Mr. Langseth commented that spoils piles would not be allowed to sit overnight. Ms. Mullins requested a pre-construction meeting with staff. Mr. Bitsko commented that he was concerned about setting a precedence regarding the placing of benches without a case-by-case consideration. Motion made and seconded to accept the donation of the granite memorial bench with conditions, 6- 0 in favor. 9:38 pm FY 2013 LAND Grant Application The Commission signed the FY 2013 LAND Grant Application for the acquisition of Wright Farm. 9:39 pm Pending Matters Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 94 Hartwell Avenue, LLC (201-859, BL 817), 6-0 in favor. Ms. Mullins reported that a new department assistant has been hired and will start on Monday. Ms. Mullins reported that she had received a request for an amendment to 4 Alcott Road’s Notice of Intent. Mr. Wolk commented that he would like to see written financial analyses for alternatives analysis when financial hardship is used as a justification for the project. 9:50 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 6-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Emily Schadler Conservation Stewardship Coordinator