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