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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-23 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, April 23, 2013 7:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:34 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building. Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, David Langseth (arrived at 7:35), Stew Kennedy, Phil Hamilton, Dick Wolk, and Duke Bitsko Commissioners Absent: Jane Warren Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Community Development Department Assistant 7:35 pm Cont. Meeting – RDA, 4 Sherburne Road DET# 13-07 Construction of an addition, expansion of the footing drain system, and installation of an overflow drain line connected to the Town drainage system Documentation: RDA Application 3/20/13, Drainage Calculations and Proposed System Plan 4/22/13 Present for the Applicant: Stephen Poole, Lakeview Engineering Associates Mr. Poole described the soil type in the area consisting of Hydro Group C soils. A 395 square foot addition will be constructed with installation of an additional drywell. Mr. Poole explained that there will be 222 cubic feet of storage below the overflow point. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth asked about the pipe networking and an explanation from Mr. Poole on his rationale for networking. Specifically, why the trench was for the foundation drain and the drywell is for roof runoff. Mr. Poole replied that he is cautious of taking runoff from the roof and having it backup into the foundation drain. Mr. Bitsko commented on the inspection covers being at ground level and still not detailed. Mr. Langseth stated that he reviewed the drainage calculations this afternoon, but the Town Engineer should review it as well. Motion made and seconded to continue the meeting to May 7, 2013 at the request of the applicant to allow engineering reviews, 4-0 in favor. 7:46 pm 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 1/23/13, Revised Plan 2/12/13, Proposed Site Plan 2/19/13, and Wetland Border Report 2/26/13, Revised Plan 4/2/13, Proposed Site and Planting Plan 4/12/13 Present for the Applicant: Ian Rubin, Markey and Rubin, Inc. and Scott Goddard, Goddard Consulting, LLC Mr. Rubin stated that the sewer line connection was added on the site plan, the infiltration system was lowered by 1 foot, and a planting plan was submitted. The fencing will be relocated to remove it from the 25’ Buffer Zone, the bounds markers will be installed at the 25’ Buffer Zone, and the planting will have a specified size and native seed mix. Comments from the Commission as follows: The Commission discussed the use of straw wattles on the plan and reminded the applicant that they request the use of a silt sock with compost or a silt fence with haybales. Ms. Miller asked if the fence could be moved up to the proposed line of straw wattles. Mr. Bitsko commented that the 25’ bounds markers were requested at the previous meeting and the smaller 1 gallon plant containers with seed mix could be used on this property. Mr. Goddard stated that a revised site plan and planting plan will be submitted. Mr. Wolk voiced his concern about the project and footprint of the dwelling in relation to setbacks leaving minimal open space area for associated residential activities. The Commission discussed sump pumps and that they should not be an alternative, especially to an abutter on the town drain. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 5-0 in favor. 7:59 pm Ms. Miller opened the meeting for 9 Luongo Farm Road and the hearing for 12 Luongo Farm Road at this time. Meeting – RDA, 9 Luongo Farm Lane DET# 13-08 Construction of a single-family dwelling, driveway, and subsurface infiltration system within the 100-foot Buffer Zone Documentation: RDA Application and Drainage Calculations 4/3/13 Present for the Applicant: Mike Novak, Meridian Associates and Robert Phelan, Builder Mr. Novak proposed construction of a new single-family dwelling with a subsurface infiltration system and some grading within the 100’ Buffer Zone. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth asked how well the infiltration system was working because it had been installed four to five years ago. Mr. Phelan replied that the system works well, but Meridian could inspect all three before work begins. Mr. Kennedy commented that invasive species were going up the trees in the area and should be cut and stopped from spreading. Phyllis Yale of 14 Moon Hill Road asked how much the irrigation system would affect the area. Mr. Novak replied that most of the runoff from the irrigation system would be captured by the grass because it is a minimal amount. 7:59 pm Hearing – NOI, 12 Luongo Farm Lane DEP# 201-896, BL 855 Construction of a single-family dwelling and associated subsurface infiltration system within the 100-foot Buffer Zone Documentation: NOI Application, Site Plan, and Drainage Calculations 4/3/13 Present for the Applicant: Mike Novak, Meridian Associates and Robert Phelan, Builder Mr. Novak proposed construction of a single-family dwelling and subsurface infiltration system. Part of the structure is within the 100’ Buffer Zone. The small patio is 80’ away from the wetlands. There will be no disturbance within the 50’ Buffer Zone. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Langseth commented on the conservation easement. The open space was for development as part of the site. Ms. Miller read the engineering report for 9 Luongo Farm Lane and 12 Luongo Farm Lane. Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 6-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor. PENDING MATTERS 8:12 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 482 Bedford Street, DEP# 201-894, BL 853, 6-0 in favor. The Commission discussed the need for submittal of a planting plan detailing woody species from the bottom of the slope to the top of the slope. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 19 Bellflower Street, DEP# 201-891, BL 850, 6-0 in favor. The Commission discussed the submittal of a planting plan. Motion made and seconded to issue an Amended Order of Conditions: 38 Adams Street, DEP# 201-819, BL 777, 6-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance: 8 Douglas Road, DEP# 201-841, BL 799, 6-0 in favor. The Commission discussed that Certificate of Compliance for 145 Grove Street, DEP# 201-754, BL 712 should be on the agenda for the May 7, 2013 meeting. Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance: 4 Butterfield Road, DET# 12-01, 6-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: Dunback Meadow, Willard’s Woods, and Meagherville, DEP# 201-893, BL 852, 6- 0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: Winthrop Road at Vine Brook Crossing, DEP# 201-892, BL 851, 6-0 in favor. The Commission discussed the grass strip at the crossing from John Poulter Road to the driveway at 44 Winthrop Road. They discussed the removal of shrubs and installation of grass strip. Also, they stated that if plantings are proposed on the brook side of the fence, native species shall be installed. Motion made and seconded to issue a two year Extension Order of Conditions: 324 Marrett Road, DEP# 201-685, BL 642, 6-0 in favor. 8:26 pm Approval for plan modification and tree removal planting plan for 22 Hamilton Road, DEP# 201-866, BL 824 No applicant was present and the Commission decided to add this item to the May 7, 2013 meeting agenda. 8:28 pm The Commission discussed issuing the Order of Conditions for 9 Vine Brook Road, DEP# 201-890, BL 849, but failed to vote because there was no quorum. 8:41 pm Discussion for 219 Lincoln Street, Sketch Proposal Alton Day Stone; Enironmental Scientist and Engineer and Abbas Amiri; Applicant were present for this discussion. Mr. Stone presented the informal plan. He described filling in the isolated wetland and replicating it along Lincoln Street. Mr. Langseth commented that the overall concept makes sense, but there would be issues to overcome. He stated that the grading along the perimeter would be a difficult issue. Mr. Kennedy commented that replicating a wetland along a street does not make sense for the wildlife habitat. Mr. Hamilton stated that it would have to be proved that the replicated wetland provides interest and will succeed. Mr. Bitsko commented on increasing the replication area to separate replication from stormwater. Also, water quality swales do not work on steep grades. The Commission spoke about the need for more details that clearly show the proposal can be constructed without adverse impact to interests including abutter impacts. Mr. Wolk wants to be assured that abutters will not be impacted. Mr. Bitsko suggested using existing soils and plants for the replication. 8:41 pm Plan deviation discussion and compliance for 65 Munroe Road, DEP# 201-823, BL 781 Steve Marsh and Scott Goddard were present for this discussion. Mr. Kennedy asked how the Order of Conditions was not paid attention to. Mr. Marsh took full responsibility for losing the Order of Conditions and not reading the notes on the building card. Mr. Langseth read a structural engineer letter from Kanayo Lala that was submitted on 4/23/13. Mr. Goddard went over the six issues that were stated in Ms. Mullins’ email. The Commission stated that they want to revisit the site with the structural engineer on their next site visits. 9:28 pm After-hours usage at Paint Mine Conservation Area Bob Creech was present for this discussion. Mr. Creech proposed the installation of signs with information on parking regulations and littering. Mr. Hamilton agreed that signs should be posted with rules and regulations. Ms. Mullins stated that regulations should be posted at kiosks as well and the Police Department should be informed because they will be enforcing them. Ms. Mullins suggested contacting NEMBA to remind members that Lexington conservation land is closed for public access after-hours unless a permit is obtained. 9:37 pm Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Preservation Committee, Land Steward Directors, Housing Partnership, Tree Committee, Land Management, Land Acquisition, etc. Ms. Miller requested a meeting on May 14, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. for discussion on regulations. Mr. Kennedy reported that without being asked, the Department of Public Works had gone out to Idylwilde and put gravel on the trail entering the community gardens because it was extremely muddy. 9:40 pm The Commission scheduled site visits on May 4, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. for 12 Tufts Road, 183 Waltham Street, and 65 Munroe Road. Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from April 9, 2013 with minor changes, 6-0 in favor. 9:45 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 6-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Tassi Conservation Department Assistant