HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-22 CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
6:30 P.M.
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 6:31 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office
Building.
Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, Phil Hamilton, Stew Kennedy, Dick Wolk, David Langseth
(arrived at 6:35 pm), and Jane Warren
Commissioners Absent: Duke Bitsko
Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Community
Development Department Assistant
PENDING MATTERS
6:32 pm Plan change: Install pervious paver front walkway: 486 Lowell Street, DEP#
201-910, BL 870
Chris Visocchi was present for this discussion. Mr. Visocchi presented the
revised plan with the front walkway included.
Motion made and seconded to approve the plan change as described at 486
Lowell Street, 5-0 in favor.
6:33 pm Motion made and seconded to extend the Wright Farm license for the 2014
season in exchange for meadow mowing, 5-0 in favor.
6:34 pm Compliance order: 20 Banks Avenue, DEP# 201-858, BL 816
Ms. Mullins reported that there have been issues with flooding and pumping to
an abutting lot. The Commission discussed the water table and basement floor
elevation. Mr. Langseth commented that he is not in favor of the solution to add
concrete to the basement floor and wants to hear from the engineer.
7:53 pm Ian Rubin, Markey and Rubin, Inc. was present for the compliance discussion.
Mr. Rubin presented the proposal to add 7.5 inches of concrete to the basement
floor elevation to match the bottom step riser. Mr. Langseth asked why the
existing concrete floor would not be removed, filled with stone, and replaced
with additional concrete for a new floor. Mr. Rubin explained that the concrete is
needed to withhold the pressure from the high water line. Mr. Langseth voiced
his concerns about this proposal and asked if having no basement would be a
better solution. Mr. Wolk commented that there is no absolute surety of water
proofing and effective sealant. Mr. Hamilton raised concerns of the solution not
working because the structure is taking up the area where water used to be.
Gary Markowitz of the Liberty Heights Concerned Citizens Group voiced his
concerns of the water table and flooding in the neighborhood.
Mr. Rubin commented that the house was sold with a basement so it cannot be
removed. The Commission suggested that the builder present more information
at the next meeting on May 6, 2014.
6:42 pm Compliance order: 219 Lincoln Street, BL 861
Ms. Mullins updated the Commission on the lack of compliance with the Order
of Conditions issued to this property.
6:45 pm Ratify enforcement order issued to 442 Marrett Road and rear of 15 Spring Street
Ms. Mullins reported that there have been ongoing issues since the early 1980s
with this area. The guardrail was removed and fill has been continuously
dumped on site. An enforcement order was issued in 2002, as well as in 2009.
Motion made and seconded to ratify an enforcement order issued to 442 Marrett
Road and rear of 15 Spring Street, 6-0 in favor.
6:47 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 21 Valley Road,
DEP# 201-933, BL 893, 6-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 39 Middleby
Road, DEP# 201-875, BL 833, 6-0 in favor.
6:48 pm Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Preservation Committee, Land Steward
Directors, Housing Partnership, Tree Committee, Land Management, Land
Acquisition, etc.
Mr. Kennedy reported that the lumber for the project at Whipple Hill will be
rd
delivered on April 23.
Ms. Mullins reported on sewer easement maintenance with the engineering
department.
6:50 pm Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from April 8, 2014, 6-0 in
favor.
6:51 pm Meeting – 16 Solomon Pierce Road, RDA
DET# 14-01
Applicant: Bernard Huang
Construction of an irrigation well within the 200-foot Riverfront Area
Present for the Applicant: Bernard Huang, Applicant/Homeowner
Mr. Huang proposed an irrigation well for watering plants on his property.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth stated that the spoils need to be stored on the house side of the
boulders, large trucks need to stay in close proximity of the house, and a settling
pit made for back water from drilling operations.
Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination of applicability
with conditions as stated, 6-0 in favor.
7:00 pm Hearing – 200 Hanscom Road, NOI
DEP# 201-936
Applicant: MassPort Authority
Implementation of a vegetation management plan that addresses vegetative
obstructions to protected airspace surfaces at the four runway ends within the
200-foot Riverfront Area
Present for the Applicant: Tom Ennis, MassPort Authority and Randall
Christensen, Stantec
Mr. Ennis gave a description of the area at Hanscom Field. Mr. Christensen
explained the proposed vegetation management plan is the third phase of
vegetation management that has been completed in previous years. Mr.
Christensen stated the proposed plan will cover approximately 35 acres over the
next five years.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
The Commission discussed the approach light plane which will be converted to
meadow during growing season. Mr. Langseth asked for clarification on the
influence of the Advisory Circular versus the Federal Aviation Administration
regulations.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor.
7:42 pm Hearing – 8 Holton Road, NOI
DEP# 201-935, BL 895
Applicant: Amy Wrenn
Raze and rebuild a single-family dwelling and associated site appurtenances
within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland
Present for the Applicant: Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental Consultants, Inc., Al
Gala, Gala Simon Associates, Inc., and Amy and Joe Wrenn, Ravenscroft Homes
Mr. Kirby gave a brief description of the site and stated that the wetland
delineation from 10 Holton Road was used for this proposed project with the
exception between A-2 and the culvert. Mr. Kirby explained that the footprint of
the house was reduced and its closest point is 91’ away from the wetlands.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Kennedy asked about construction sequencing regarding the demolition of
the house and drainage construction to minimize tree removal. Mr. Kirby
submitted a revised plan with a minor change for a bump out on the house. Ms.
Miller read the engineering review into the record.
Mary Frey of 6 Holton Road asked when the project is planned to begin and end.
Amy and Joe Wrenn replied ideally the project will start as soon as the permits
can be issued and the average build time would be from four to six months for a
projected sale in September.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor.
8:44 pm Cont. Hearing - 79 Maple Street, NOI
DEP# 201-921, BL 881
Applicant: Ronald Smith
Raze a single-family dwelling and driveway and construct a new single-family
dwelling, deck, driveway, rooftop infiltration, associated grading and utilities
within the 100-foot Buffer Zone and 200-foot Riverfront Area
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to May 6, 2014 at 7:00 pm at
the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor.
8:45 pm Cont. Hearing - 85 Reed Street, NOI
DEP# 201-925, BL 885
Applicant: Brian Powderly
Raze and rebuild a single-family dwelling
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to May 6, 2014 at 7:00 pm at
the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor.
8:46 pm Cont. Hearing – Concord Avenue between Spring and Waltham Street, NOI
DEP# 201-930, BL 890
Applicant: Town of Lexington Department of Public Works
Construction of a new sidewalk along the southern side of Concord Avenue
between Spring and Waltham Street, replacement of the culvert under Concord
Avenue at Hardy’s Pond Brook, installation of a driveway for the Town to access
the existing pump station, milling and repaving of Concord Avenue in the project
area, and demarcation of a bicycle lane within Bank, Land Under Waterways and
Waterbodies, 200-foot Riverfront Area and 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering
Vegetated Wetland along Concord Avenue
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to May 20, 2014 at 7:00 pm
at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor.
8:47 pm Cont. Hearing – 48 Valley Road, NOI
DEP# 201-907, BL 867
Applicant: Brian Drohan
Construction of an addition and site work
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to June 17, 2014 at 7:00 pm
at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor.
8:48 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 6-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Tassi
Community Development Department Assistant