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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-07 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION DRAFT MINUTES Tuesday, August 7, 2012 7:30 pm Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:35 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Offices Building. Commissioners present: Stew Kennedy, Joyce Miller, Jane Warren, and David Langseth Commissioners absent: Phil Hamilton, Duke Bitsko, and Dick Wolk Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Conservation Department Assistant 7:36 pm Trail Run on Dunback Meadow Conservation Area Present for the discussion: Lisa O’Brien Documentation: Special Event Permit Application with Proposed Route Ms. O’Brien proposed the Bowman 5K Trail Run, which will include 200 participants. The goal of this run is to take runners through and around the neighborhoods adjacent to Bowman School as well as incorporate trails and conservation land within Lexington and immediately accessible to Bowman. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Miller voiced her concern about 200 people running on the wetlands. Mr. Kennedy stated that almost all the wetlands contain boardwalks and the organizers of the run should go out beforehand with the conservation stewards to see what needs to be trimmed and cut back off of the trails. Ms. Mullins suggested the run be piloted because it sounded as if it was going to become an annual event. Mr. Kennedy recommended that Ms. O’Brien check with the owners of the private property regarding the path across Bacon St and take before and after pictures of the wettest areas. Motion made and seconded for trial run and report back to Conservation Commission within a month from October 28, 2012, 3-1 in favor. 7:44 pm Filming at Parker Meadow Present for the discussion: Matt Paley and Casey Regan Mr. Paley and Mr. Regan proposed shooting a low-budget short film in Parker Meadow near the bench across from Taylor Lane. There would be a crew of 10-12 people using a 6500 watt generator, a few lights, and an eco-friendly fog machine. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth inquired about how long the generator would be running and how they intended to refuel it. Mr. Kennedy asked the exact location of the filming and what equipment would be left on the bike path. Ms. Mullins stated that they needed to contact the abutters, Police Department, and Fire Department. Mr. Kennedy suggested that they also contact the DPW and Town Manager’s Office. Ms. Miller appointed Mr. Kennedy to be in charge of all the documentation when it comes in. Motion made and seconded to approve filming if the requirements of all departments necessary are met and they approve the project for 8:00 pm to 3:00 am on August 11, 2012, 4-0 in favor. August 9, 2012 at 11:30 am - Mr. Kennedy met with Matt Paley at Parker Meadow. Mr. Kennedy gave Matt a list of abutters that they should notify and contacted Marie McDonnell in the Town Manager’s Office, giving approval of the filming. 7:59 pm Cont. Meeting – RDA Conservation Land off Conestoga Rd/Katahdin Woods DET 12-15 Construction and maintenance of footbridges Documentation: Erosion Control Features and Landform Features Diagram Present for the discussion: Jay Sklar, Lexington Conservation Stewards Mike Tabaczynski, Greenways Corridor Committee Mr. Sklar described a proposal to construct a trail segment (shown in red on the plan) that will create a loop for conservation land trails. Mr. Sklar stated that the grassy area of the proposed trail will be mowed regularly and there will be benching on the rear of the slope for weed control. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth commented that the demarcation of the property lines needs to be clearly marked. Mr. Kennedy stated that he went on site after the last meeting and it is similar to Fairfield Dr where the homeowner mows the area and 4 x 4 posts were put in to demarcate the property lines. Mr. Kennedy suggested that as soon as a development gets approved, stakes be put in the ground. Shelley Scruggs of 7 Conestoga Road commented that she just recently moved in on August 1, 2012 and there is no protection to stop people from going onto her property. Steve Kline presented two petitions from Conestoga Rd. residents that are opposed to the trail and he inquired about a drain easement. Jacqueline Kline of 9 Conestoga Road commented that they were told it was a private road. Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 4-0 in favor. 8:30 pm Hearing – Amendment to Order of Conditions, 4 Alcott Road, William Smith DEP 201-838, BL 796 Installation of an in-ground swimming pool, patio, enclosure fence, and associated site grading. Documentation: Request Amended Order of Conditions and Revised Site Plan August 7, 2012 Present for the discussion: Brian Timm, Meridian Associates Mr. Timm proposed installing a swimming pool and a fence. The fence would be located on the top of the retaining wall along the back of the property. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth read the engineering report. Mr. Kennedy asked about the maintenance of the pool and if it would need to be drained. Mr. Langseth asked where they would store the chemicals and equipment for treating the pool. Mr. Langseth questioned the possibility of a structural issue of the retaining wall in respect to the pool and drainage infiltration system. Ms. Warren asked about the tree removal and planting schedule. John Wardwell the builder stated that he spoke with an abutter who had previous concerns, but they are okay with the new proposal. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 4-0 in favor. 8:41 pm Hearing – NOI, 17 Douglas Road, 17 Douglas Road LLC DEP 201-868, BL 826 Removal of existing house and building of a new home and associated work Documentation: Tree Cutting Plan August 7, 2012 Present for the applicant: Scott Smyers, Oxbow Associates Mr. Smyers proposed razing of a current single family house and construction of a new home and associated work. The corner of the home will be moved from 72 feet to 80 feet away from the wetlands and three oak trees will be removed in the buffer zone. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth read the engineering report. Mr. Kennedy commented on the number of trees being lost. Mr. Langseth stated that the drain needs to be in a depressed area and that the driveway needs to meet the performance standards. Jerry Chen of 18 Douglas Road voiced his concern about groundwater issues. His basement currently gets wet and he suggested a bigger infiltration system. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 4-0 in favor. 9:00 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, 49 Fottler Ave, Naplex Construction, LLC DEP 201-867, BL 825 Demolition of existing single family home and driveway and construction of a new single family home Documentation: Revised Plan July 30, 2012 Present for the applicant: Anthony Busa Mr. Busa proposed the location of the siltation barrier consisting of bales of hay. He also stated that the dirt will be pushed aside during the demolition. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Mullins stated that the limit of work line needed to be a part of the conditions. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing and issue an order of conditions, 4-0 in favor. 9:12 pm Pending Matters Request for modification to existing plan – 9 Tufts Road, Miljana Bovan DEP 201-835, BL 793 Documentation: Norse Environmental Services, Inc. Letter and Photocopy of Site Map Present for the applicant: Miljana Bovan Ms. Bovan proposed to remove 18 diseased Hemlock trees and replace them with 20 native and sustainable trees. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth asked if the pool was in the original plan. Ms. Miller suggested the scheduling of a site visit. Ms. Mullins questioned whether the proposal was a small field change or something bigger because the work was down-gradient of the limit of work line. Motion made and seconded to schedule a site visit, 4-0 in favor. 9:20 pm 2006 Enforcement Order Compliance Status - Rear of 7 Mass Ave, Mal’s Documentation: Option A and Option B Plans August 7, 2012 Present for the Applicant: Brian Timm, Meridian Associates Bill Dailey, Sloane and Walsh, LLP Mr. Timm proposed Option A, which would keep parking 25 ½ feet away from the brook because the guardrail will be 1 foot inside the back boundary of the property line. This would allow 50 overnight parking spaces and 30 additional parking spaces for the daytime. There would be a minimum travel aisle of 22 feet. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth asked for clarification of the line on the plan that represented the guardrail. Ms. Miller commented that the guardrail was installed per 2006 enforcement order, but it is still not in compliance. Mr. Langseth questioned the need of the amount of space for two-way traffic and emergency vehicles. Mr. Kennedy asked for clarification of the gate that was proposed on the plan. Mr. Langseth asked where the drainage was located in relation to the guardrail because of the opportunity for compaction and damage due to trucks. Ms. Miller read an email from Richard Wolk. Ms. Miller and Mr. Kennedy stated that they want the enforcement order complied with. Mr. Timm proposed Option B, in which the guardrail would be 5 feet away from the back boundary of the property line and the trench would be located behind the guardrail. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth stated that Plan B is a step in the right direction and he is willing to listen because he believes more can be done to improve the plan. Mr. Langseth requested a refreshing of the original enforcement order. Ms. Mullins provided a brief history. Mr. Timm asked for an amendment to the enforcement order. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Mullins stated that Commission would need to issue an Amendment Enforcement if anything other than the 2006 enforcement order was approved. Mr. Langseth commented that he sketched out the proposal on Option B and is willing to listen to an alternative design for protection of the environment. Ms. Mullins suggested submitting something in writing along with a plan. Motion made and seconded to adjourn the hearing, 4-0 in favor. 10:15 pm Ms. Miller read the motion for Wright Farm, Grove Street. Motion made and seconded to approve and sign the Purchase and Sales Agreement for Wright Farm, Grove Street, 4-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions with standard conditions for erosion control and drainage for 24 Constitution Road, (201-865, BL 823), 4-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 22 Hamilton Road, (201-866, BL 824), 4-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 49 Fottler Ave, (201-867, BL 825), 4-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to sign the Certificate of Compliance for 5 Brookwood Road, (201-508, BL 467), 4-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to sign the Certificate of Compliance for 17 Vinebrook Road, (201-798, BL 756), 4-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to approve minutes from July 24, 2012, 4-0 in favor. 10:30 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 4-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Tassi Conservation Department Assistant