Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-26 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, March 26, 2013 7:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:32 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building. Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, Jane Warren, Stew Kennedy, Phil Hamilton, Dick Wolk, and Duke Bitsko Commissioners Absent: David Langseth Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Community Development Department Assistant 7:32 pm Ms. Miller opened the hearing for 9 Brigham Road, but delayed with the applicant’s consent to take up the informal request to place plaques on boardwalks and kiosks built by scouts. Informal – Request to place plaques on boardwalks and kiosks built by scouts, Maria Sagan, Boy Scout Troop 119 Documentation: Present for Discussion: Maria Sagan Ms. Sagan proposed the placement of plaques on boardwalks and kiosks where the Eagle Scouts Projects took place. The plaques would be about 2” x 5” and only placed in areas where there are existing structures. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Miller asked what the wording would be on the plaques. Ms. Sagan replied that it would say, “Eagle Scout Project, Troop 119, and a brief project description.” Mr. Kennedy stated that the stewards looked into this idea and asked what would be done if there were no structures in the area for the plaques to be placed. Ms. Sagan replied that they would not be able to put plaques up for all projects. Ms. Warren commented that a write-up could be placed on the kiosk for a year outlining the project. Mr. Hamilton stated that he is in favor of the proposal and asked if a standard plaque template should be approved. Motion made and seconded to approve the request to place plaques on boardwalks and kiosks built by scouts and for the administration to develop a plaque template, 6-0 in favor. 7:43 pm Hearing – AmendOOC, 9 Brigham Road DEP# 201-815, BL 773 Modify the landscape and 25-foot buffer enhancement plan within the 200-foot Riverfront Area and 100-foot Buffer Zone Documentation: Revised Plan Letter and Landscape Plan 2/11/13 Present for the Applicant: Andrew Leonard, Leonard Design Associates Mr. Leonard proposed the revised landscape plan with plantings across the backyard along the 25’ Buffer Zone. He explained that the invasive species would be removed by hand and a native garden would be planted. 95% of plantings are from the approved list. Mr. Leonard described the seeded lawn proposal and the mulch organic composts. The existing stone walk is to be removed and drainage improved. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Kennedy asked what the abbreviation, p.b. stands for. Mr. Leonard explained that it means planting bed and that the fieldstone wall will hold back the grade of the driveway and will not impact the swale in the area. Mr. Bitsko stated that the landscape plan was thorough and he appreciated the use of native plants. Mr. Bitsko commented that the plans need to be stamped by a professional. Ms. Warren pointed out that the invasive species will need to be managed for a few years. Ms. Mullins commented that machinery would need to be used for the initial removal and new erosion controls would need to be established. Mr. Bitsko asked what depth the machine would need to go to for pulling out the invasive species. Mr. Leonard replied that they would go down 2-3”. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor. 7:53 pm Informal – Request to place beehives at Idylwilde Community Garden, Eugene Ivanov Documentation: Emails from Emily Schadler and Eugene Ivanov Linda Plunkett has a community garden and commented that she is in favor of having honeybees. Ms. Plunkett stated that Belmont allows honeybees in the community gardens and the beekeepers are able to sell the honey. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Wolk commented that he was in favor of the honeybee proposal. Mr. Bitsko agreed and asked the Commission if they wanted to discuss issues because this may set a precedent for other requests. Mr. Hamilton stated that this would be a case by case basis, the approval would only be for honeybees, it would have a greater community benefit, and the sale of honey would be prohibited. Ms. Mullins asked the Commission if they wanted to pilot the proposal and then add beekeeping to the community garden plot registration next year. Marjorie and MaryAnn, other gardeners, commented that they are in favor of this proposal. Motion made and seconded to approve the request for Eugene Ivanov to work with Karen Mullins and Emily Schadler for the development of a policy for next year and to pilot the placement of beehives at Idylwilde Community Garden for one year, 6-0 in favor. 8:01 pm Hearing – NOI, Winthrop Road at Vine Brook Crossing DEP# 201-892, BL 851 Winthrop Road sidewalk construction project within the 200-foot Riverfront Area and 100-foot Buffer Zone Documentation: NOI Application and Plan 3/7/13 Present for the Applicant: Mike Carter, GCG Associates and Dave Cannon, Engineering Mr. Carter proposed the construction of a sidewalk within the right-of-way in Vine Brook jurisdiction. The southerly side of the roadway will be 5’ wide, with bituminous curbing, and a 2’ island with a grass swale strip. Mr. Carter explained that pavement will be removed to help offset increases. He stated that 6,000 square feet of pavement is within jurisdiction and 3,000 square feet of pavement will be removed. There will be an increase of 2,720 square feet within jurisdiction. Mr. Carter described a grass swale that would be constructed. He explained three alternatives to this plan: The sidewalk not being constructed, constructing the sidewalk on the northerly side of the road, in which there is not enough right-of-way and a retaining wall would be needed close to the resource areas, and removing the filter strip in which there is no stormwater management measures. Mr. Carter described the 9-11 shrubs that will need to be replanted within the right-of-way from 44 Winthrop Road. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Miller explained the meeting procedures stating that the applicant will present the project, the Commission asks questions, and then it is opened up to the audience. Mr. Hamilton commented that relocating the plants will require erosion controls. Mr. Bitsko asked for clarification on the swale and sizing. Mr. Cannon stated that it was 8” of gravel and 6” of loam. Mr. Bitsko asked who was in charge of maintenance of the grass strip. Mr. Cannon replied that the property owners take care of it, but the Town will do it if necessary. Mr. Cannon explained that porous asphalt was explored, but since they are not revamping the existing roadway, a situation could occur in which the water flows to the base beneath the road and impact the roadway surface. Ms. Mullins stated that DEP guidelines advise not to use pervious pavement in a resource area. MaryAnn of 41 Winthrop Road stated that the vegetation in front of the brook acts as a barrier to children. Catherine Bauer of 44 Winthrop Road raised concerns about safety for kids accessing the brook on her lot and erosion issues because of the steep grade. There is a post and rail fence in the area, which will need a hedge row barrier to keep people off from accessing the area. Tricia Green of 40 Winthrop Road asked if the fence could be moved back. Dan Crooke of 40 Winthrop Road asked if anyone had thought of a cap and trade to add sidewalk in this area, but remove some in another area. Mr. Bitsko commented that sidewalks are not as polluting as a road. Linda Levin of 15 Winthrop Road asked if the sidewalk could be narrower. Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to April 9, 2013 at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor. 8:46 pm Hearing – NOI, 19 Bellflower Street DEP# 201-891, BL 850 Construction of an addition to an existing single-family dwelling and associated site appurtenances within the 100-foot Buffer Zone Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to April 9, 2013 at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor. 8:46 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, 9 Vine Brook Road DEP# 201-890, BL 849 Demolition and construction of a new single-family dwelling within the 100-foot Buffer Zone Documentation: NOI Application and Plan 1/23/2013, Revised Plan 2/12/2013, Proposed Site Plan 2/19/13, and Wetland Border Report 2/26/13 Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to April 9, 2013 at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor. PENDING MATTERS 8:47 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 4 Turning Mill Road, DEP# 201-876, BL 834, 5-0 in favor. Mr. Wolk is unable to vote. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 18 Constitution Road, DEP# 201-884, BL 843, 6-0 in favor. The Commission decided not to issue an Amended Order of Conditions: 38 Adams Street, DEP# 201-819, BL 777 because the information they requested for the curve number was not submitted. Motion made and seconded to issue an Amended Order of Conditions: 9 Brigham Road, DEP# 201-815, BL 773, 6-0 in favor. Reports Mr. Kennedy stated that the Land Management Sub-Committee meeting would be in the Reed Room on March 28, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. A dog owner raised concern via letter of goat droppings on the sidewalk from the Diamond School as they walk to Chiesa Farm. In preparation for an upcoming Town Meeting article, Mr. Kennedy asked the opinions of the other commissioners about whether there was any merit to the concern raised by a town meeting member regarding possible basement flooding if some impervious pavement is removed and landscape planting is done in the alley next to the Bank of America building in Lexington Center. Mr. Bitsko stated that the DEP regulations and the Town’s building code require a 10-foot offset from foundations for infiltration systems, but since this project does not involve an infiltration system but merely the removal of impervious surface, it would not be a problem. Site Visits for meeting on 4/9/13: The Commission scheduled site visits for 219 Lincoln Street, 482 Bedford Street, Willard’s Woods, 4 Sherburne Road, Winthrop Road at Vine Brook Crossing, 9 Vine Brook Road, and 19 Bellflower Street on Sunday, April 7, 2013, starting at 1:00 p.m. Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from March 12, 2013 with minor changes, 6-0 in favor. 9:04 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 6-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Tassi Conservation Department Assistant