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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-11-05 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, November 5, 2013 7:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:31pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building. Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, Phil Hamilton, Stew Kennedy, Duke Bitsko, Dick Wolk (arrived at 7:38pm), Jane Warren, and David Langseth (arrived at 7:39pm) Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Community Development Department Assistant 7:32 pm Meeting – RDA, 16 Green Lane DET# 13-18 Installation of ground mounted solar within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland Documentation: RDA Application 10/16/13 Present for the Applicant: Tripp Bannister, Independent Power Systems and Debarshi Nandy, Homeowner Mr. Bannister proposed the installation of a ground mounted solar array that will be approximately 75’ at its closest point to the wetlands. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Hamilton stated that the wetland line is located off site and will not be approved under this determination. Mr. Kennedy questioned the soil removal and size of the solar array. Mr. Bannister commented that the lawn underneath the unit will be maintained. Mr. Langseth asked if the unit was run by oil and the quantity used. The Commission will condition submittal of information regarding the oil inside the unit referring to the kind and volume. Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 7-0 in favor. 7:47 pm Meeting – RDA, 4 Lake Street DET# 13-19 Delineation of the wetland resource area boundaries, removal of 15 trees, and native plantings within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland Documentation: RDA Application 10/16/13, Revised Application & Plan 11/4/13 Present for the Applicant: Andrew and Erica, Homeowners Mr. Chan proposed the delineation of the wetland line and removal of 16 trees due to poor health. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Hamilton stated that the applicant submitted a revised plan with the removal of an additional tree from the original 15 trees to be removed. Mr. Langseth asked if the stumps would be left in place. Mr. Bitsko pointed out that the applicant proposed two methods used to treat the stumps. One would be to grind the stumps and the other is to use an herbicide to prevent the Norway Maples from re-sprouting. Mr. Langseth asked if the applicant was replacing any trees. Mr. Chan replied that it is not subject to the tree bylaw and no trees will be replaced. Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 7-0 in favor. 7:59 pm Hearing – NOI, 14 Middle Street DEP# 201-913, BL 873 Raze and rebuild a single-family dwelling and associated site appurtenances within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland Documentation: NOI Application 10/17/13 Present for the Applicant: Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental, Al Gala, Gala Simon Associates and Ed Cain, Candlewick Properties Mr. Kirby explained the existing conditions and the proposed work. One infiltration system will be installed in the front of the property and one in the back of the property. A trench drain detail was added to the driveway and a planting plan was submitted with native species. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Miller read the engineering review. Mr. Langseth asked for a clarification of an abbreviation on the plan and if the infiltration system was sized to include a sump pump. Mr. Bitsko commented that the restoration plan proposed is acceptable. Mr. Bitsko asked for details to be added to the operations and maintenance plan regarding cracking in the infiltration system and sediment removal. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 7-0 in favor. 8:12 pm Hearing – NOI, 3 Page Road DEP# 201-914, BL 874 Raze and rebuild a single-family dwelling within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland and 200-foot Riverfront Area Documentation: NOI Application 10/17/13 Present for the Applicant: Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental, Al Gala, Gala Simon Associates and Kurt Miller, Page Road Development Mr. Kirby explained the existing conditions and the proposed work. Two infiltration systems are proposed, a trench drain detail on the driveway, a restoration area of 11,000 sq. ft., and bounds markers. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Miller read the engineering review. Mr. Langseth asked the reason for a restoration area and also stated that if the applicant needs a sump pump in the future, the Commission needs to be notified in order to give approval. Mr. Bitsko suggested that the Commission have a site visit in two to three years and that the applicant add shrub plantings in the restoration area. Albert Zabin of 1 Page Road asked if the white pines were proposed for removal. The Commission will condition no disturbance of the white pine area. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 7-0 in favor. 8:32 pm Hearing – NOI, 57 Albemarle Avenue DEP# 201-915, BL 875 Proposed addition, driveway expansion, and stormwater management improvements within the 200-foot Riverfront Area Documentation: NOI Application 10/16/13 Present for the Applicant: Daniel and Christina Alves, Homeowners Mr. Alves proposed an addition of 315 square feet, an increase in the size of the driveway, and stormwater management improvements. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Kennedy commented that the wetland line will not be approved by the Commission at this time because it is off of the property in which the work is being proposed. Ms. Miller read the engineering review. Mr. Langseth asked for clarification from the Administrator on infiltration before runoff goes to the Town drain. Mr. Bitsko asked if the infiltration system could be moved further away from the Oak tree. Ms. Mullins commented that a silt sock filled with compost is preferred by the Commission. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 7-0 in favor. PENDING MATTERS 8:43 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 990 Waltham Street, DEP# 201-912, BL 872, 6-0 in favor. Mr. Langseth could not vote due to absence from the meeting. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 53 Eldred Street, DEP# 201-911, BL 871, 6-0 in favor. Mr. Langseth could not vote due to absence from the meeting. Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance with a field change: 10 Holton Road, DEP# 201-827, BL 785, 7-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance: 22 Middle Street, DEP# 201-779, BL 739, 7-0 in favor. The Commission and homeowner of 119 Grant Street discussed the issues on site. The issuing of the Certificate of Compliance will be postponed to the next meeting. 8:53 pm Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Preservation Committee, Land Steward Directors, Housing Partnership, Tree Committee, Land Management, Land Acquisition, etc. Mr. Wolk commended the engineer being present for the hearings that were on the agenda and that it should be made known to the applicants that the engineer should attend the meeting. Mr. Hamilton reported that a workday is planned for Thursday to open up the fence giving public access to the upper pasture at Wright Farm. Mr. Langseth asked how other towns handle sump pumps being proposed for new single-family dwellings. Ms. Mullins commented that they are allowed to tie into the Town drains. 8:57 pm The Commission scheduled the site visits for End of Farm Road/7 Farm Road and Willard’s Woods on Saturday, November 15, 2013 at 9:30am. 9:00 pm Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from the meeting on October 22, 2013, 7-0 in favor. 9:02 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 7-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Tassi Community Development Department Assistant