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