HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-18 CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
7:30 pm
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:33 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Offices
Building.
Commissioners present: Joyce Miller, Phil Hamilton, Jane Warren, David Langseth, Duke
Bitsko, and Dick Wolk
Commissioners Absent: Stew Kennedy
Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Conservation
Department Assistant
7:33 pm Meeting – RDA, 44 Eldred Street
DET# 12-19
Installation of a new enclosed fence, master bedroom, small porch, and small dormer
within the 200-foot Riverfront Area and 100-foot Buffer Zone
Documentation: RDA Application
Present for the Applicant: Tuan Le - Homeowner
Mr. Le proposed new house renovations including an enclosed fence in the back, a
small porch in front, a small dormer, and an additional room above the garage.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth questioned the type of fence being constructed due to excavation
and footing and soil piles. He requested that a condition for erosion control and no
overnight stockpiling be set. Mr. Langseth discussed the location of the fence and
if it should be set back. Ms. Mullins suggested that a condition be written for no
dumping of lawn debris. Mr. Langseth suggested that the homeowner be able to
mow a 3’ or 4’ wide strip along the wetland side of the fence.
Linda Kukolich of 42 Eldred Street asked the height of the proposed fence.
Steve Kukolich of 42 Eldred Street stated that he was in favor of the project.
Geoffrey Xiao of 46 Eldred Street commented that he was okay with the project.
Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 6-0
in favor.
7:49 pm Hearing – NOI, 60 Hartwell Avenue & Concord Ave at Beaver Brook
DEP# 201-870, BL 828
Documentation: NOI Application
Redesign and replacement of two stream culverts within the 200-foot Riverfront
Area, Bank, and Land Under Waterbodies and Waterways
Present for the Applicant: Stephanie Hanson - CEI, Scott Salvucei - CEI and Mike
Flamang - Town of Lexington Engineering
Mr. Salvucei described the redesign and replacement of two stream culverts that will
improve roadways, reduce erosion, and promote wildlife passage.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth questioned how the 2 foot depth of the culvert was determined. Mr.
Langseth asked about the material of the stream bed and how it would be filled. Mr.
Langseth commented on erosion controls for the coffer dam and jersey barrier. He
suggested that more specifications need to be provided on the bypass and erosion
controls. Mr. Langseth requested more comparison of the alternatives in the
alternatives analysis. There was a discussion about the stream crossing standards.
Five out of seven standards are being met. The two standards not being met are span
and width due to the hydrology. Mr. Bitsko asked for clarification on flooding
conditions. Mr. Bitsko questioned when the projects would take place due to
different water flow periods. Mr. Bitsko suggested that a long reach profile be done
to see the natural stream gradient from upstream to downstream. He also asked the
Commission if they value streams for improving the wildlife habitat and stream
health. Mr. Langseth asked for measurements at the railroad crossing and
downstream at Hartwell Ave.
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing, at the applicant’s request, to
the next meeting, on October 2, 6-0 in favor.
8:35 pm Hearing – NOI, 177 Waltham Street
DEP# 201-872, BL 830
Documentation: NOI Application
Proposed expansion of the landscaped lawn within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
Present for the Applicant: Scott Smyers - Oxbow Associates
Mr. Smyers proposed restoration of the backyard to lawn and native plants.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Ms. Warren stated that the white fringe tree and the rhododendron carolinianum
are not native to Massachusetts. Mr. Hamilton wanted confirmation that there were
no proposed plantings within the 25 foot buffer. Mr. Bitsko suggested markers be
placed at the 25 foot mark to show where the property ends and where the town
property begins. Ms. Mullins asked for clarification on the soil data because the
profiles were similar. Mr. Wolk asked Mr. Smyers to show an approximation of
where the soil samples were taken.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor.
8:58 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, 10 Vaille Ave
DEP# 201-864, BL 822
Documentation: NOI Application
Demo and construction of a new single-family home within the 100-foot Buffer
Zone
Present for the Applicant: David Moore – Homeowner, Zoltan Juhasz – Uniterra
Consulting, Steven Eriksen – Norse Environmental
Mr. Moore, Mr. Juhasz, and Mr. Eriksen discussed the original submission of a tear
down and a larger home being built. Mr. Eriksen explained the wetland line
revision.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth asked for a reminder about the project. Mr. Wolk asked for a refresher
on the drainage plan. Mr. Langseth suggested researching a smaller house size. Mr.
Wolk stated that there are other options instead of a waiver from the 50 foot no build
area and the 25 foot no disturb zone.
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing, at the applicant’s request, to
the next meeting, on October 2, 6-0 in favor.
9:35 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, 18 Cooke Road
DEP# 201-869, BL 827
Documentation: NOI Application & New Drainage Calculations September 6, 2012
Construct an addition to a single-family dwelling, greenhouse, wooden deck, and
shed within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
Present for the Applicant: Brian Timm – Meridian Associates and Robert Titemore -
Homeowner
Mr. Timm proposed a driveway trench and fencing for the new single-family
dwelling.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth commented on the grade at the end of the street and asked if it could
be constructed that accurately.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor.
Pending Matters
9:42 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for: 18 Cooke Road
(201-869, BL 827), 6-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to approve the plan change to extend a boardwalk for
the Paint Mine Conservation Area (201-834, BL 792), 6-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue permit to Craig Weeks for BSA training in
Willard’s Woods, 6-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for: 29
Fairbanks Road (BL 767), 6-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from September 4, 2012 with
a minor change, 6-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to approve the plan modification for the Inn at
Hastings Park: 2013 & 2027 Mass Ave (201-837, BL 795), 6-0 in favor.
Reports
Mr. Langseth reported that a man walking in Willard’s Woods commented on the
dog waste issue, which has shown great improvement. Ms. Mullins reported that
the Town Manager met with abutters to address concerns about Conestoga Road.
Budget
Ms. Mullins gave a full report on budget updates.
10:04 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 6-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Tassi
Conservation Department Assistant