HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-31 CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Thursday, July 31, 2014
6:30 P.M.
Parker Room, Town Offices Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 6:33 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Offices
Building.
Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, Jane Warren, Duke Bitsko and David Langseth
Commissioners Absent: Phil Hamilton and Dick Wolk
Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Morelli, Community
Development Department Assistant
PENDING MATTERS
6:33 pm Plan change modifications for proposed addition: 82 Pleasant St, DEP# 201-909,
BL 869
John Noonan, Noonan & McDowell and Albert Huang, Homeowner were both
present for this discussion. Mr. Noonan explained the proposed changes to move
the location of the erosion control back to its original approved location, vegetate
the area disturbed beyond the approved limit of work boundary, and to remove
the rocks from the site. Mr. Noonan will inspect the infiltration trench on August
1, 2014 so they cannot proceed with backfilling. Ms. Miller asked about the
plantings. Mr. Huang replied that the area will be returned to original grade and
the lawn area replanted. The Commission would like a new erosion control
installed in the correct location.
Motion made and seconded to approve the plan changes as described with
conditions as noted to install a new erosion control, 4-0 in favor.
6:42 pm Plan change: 39 Arcola Street, DEP# 201-931, BL 891
Tim Walls, Applicant was present for this discussion. Mr. Walls explained the
front steps were originally proposed to stay along the side of the house. The
proposed plan change is to turn the steps out to the front of the house and move
the location of the pervious walkway.
Motion made and seconded to approve the plan change as described, 4-0 in favor.
6:45 pm Plan change: 7 Middleby Road, DEP# 201-906, BL 866
Michael Walsh, Applicant was present for this discussion. Mr. Walsh explained
that Mike Flamang, Town Engineer, had approved the tie in to the catch basin.
Motion made and seconded to approve the plan change as described, 4-0 in favor.
6:52 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 425 & 509
Woburn Street, DEP# 201-944, BL 902, 4-0 in favor.
6:53 pm Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 14 Middle
Street, DEP# 201-913, BL 873, 4-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 7 Middleby
Road, DEP# 201-906, BL 866, 4-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance with a correction
on the header for 28 Columbus Street, DEP# 201-650, BL 608, 4-0 in favor.
6:54 pm Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Preservation Committee, Land Steward
Directors, Housing Partnership, Tree Committee, Land Management, Land
Acquisition, etc.
The Commission gave no reports at this time.
6:55 pm Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from July 15, 2014, 4-0 in
favor.
7:00 pm Meeting – 17 Spring Street, RDA
DET# 14-13
Applicant: Dr. Mary Jane Hanlon
Installation of a shallow point well for irrigation purposes within the 100-foot
Buffer Zone
Present for the Applicant: Steve Turner, Representative for the applicant
Mr. Turner proposed the installation of a shallow point well for irrigation
purposes. The point well will be powered by an above ground pump plugged
into an electrical outlet on the house.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
The Commission discussed conditions for the site. The applicant will either need
to provide erosion controls if trenching occurs or remove the spoil piles daily.
Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions as
stated to install erosion controls or remove spoil piles daily if trenching occurs,
4-0 in favor.
7:05 pm Hearing – 24 Lincoln Street, NOI
DEP# 201-948, BL 906
Applicant: Josiah Willard Hayden Recreation Centre, Inc.
Reconstruction and improvement of an existing parking lot, access driveway and
stormwater management system within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering
Vegetated Wetland
Present for the Applicant: Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental Consultants, Mike
Novak, Meridian Associates, Gary Larson, Project Designer, and Donald
Mahoney, Applicant
Mr. Kirby gave a description of the area at the Hayden Recreation Centre.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth read the engineering report stating, “This project is improvement to
the parking lot of the Hayden Recreation Centre. Soil test results are shown on
the plans. The test pits are not in the area of the infiltration structure. This is
noted on the plans and the applicant proposes to do soils investigations at the
time of construction. This approach is reasonable for this project. Calculations
are responsive. The calculations show that the rates and volume of runoff after
construction are less than existing conditions for the design storms. A storm
water report using the Mass DEP checklist has been submitted. The information
appears to be correct. The construction should be inspected by a design
professional and as built drawing should be submitted to the Town Engineer.
During construction, erosion and sedimentation control procedures should be in
place. This should include a wheel-cleaning area for construction vehicles.” Mr.
Langseth asked if grading is proposed for the access drive area. Mr. Novak
replied that the location was chosen to minimize grading. Mr. Langseth asked
where snow would be stored. Mr. Kirby responded snow would be kept in the
flat grassy area along the southeastern edge of the property. Mr. Bitsko raised
the question of the number of existing parking spaces versus proposed. Mr.
Larson replied approximately 15 parking spaces will be added. Mr. Bitsko stated
a planting plan needs to be submitted and a note added to the plan showing the
high point in the area of the 6 parking spaces to be added. Mr. Bitsko asked for
language to be added in the operation and maintenance plan.
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to August 18, 2014 at 7:00
pm at the request of the applicant, 4-0 in favor.
7:43 pm Hearing – 40 Ingleside Road, NOI
DEP# 201-947, BL 905
Applicant: Joseph Simon
Construction of a garage addition and expansion of an existing driveway within
the 200-foot Riverfront Area
Present for the Applicant: Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental Consultants, Joseph
Simon, Applicant and Bill Farnsworth, Project Designer
Mr. Kirby gave a description of the proposed work and area. The proposed work
includes construction of a garage addition and expansion of an existing driveway.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Ms. Miller read the engineering report stating, “This project is an addition to a
single-family dwelling including garage and driveway. The proposal shows
construction on a sanitary sewer easement. It is not clear on the plans the amount
of cutting or filling of earth cover over the sewer pipe is contemplated. The
construction plans should be reviewed by the Town Engineer before start of
construction. The applicant will be responsible for any damage to the sewer pipe
caused by the construction. If at any time, the town needs access to the sewer,
the town will not be responsible for restoring structural features or pavement
placed within the easement. Soil test results are shown on the plan. Calculations
are responsive. New impervious area is offset with a subsurface infiltration
system. The calculations show that the rates and volume of runoff after
construction are less than existing conditions for the design storms. The design
provides greater than 2 feet distance between the bottom of the infiltration
structure and the estimated seasonal high water table. The construction should be
inspected by a design professional and as built drawing should be submitted to
the Town Engineer. During construction, erosion and sedimentation control
procedures should be in place. This should include a wheel-cleaning area for
construction vehicles.”
Mr. Bitsko asked for additional information in the operation and maintenance
plan including better detail for each best management practice.
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to August 18, 2014 at 7:00
pm at the request of the applicant, 4-0 in favor.
7:50 pm Hearing – 66 Munroe Road, NOI
DEP# 201-946, BL 904
Applicant: Ying Chen
Raze and rebuild a single-family dwelling and paved driveway within the 100-
foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland
Present for the Applicant: Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental Consultants and Ying
Chen, Homeowner
Mr. Kirby proposed demolition and construction of a single-family dwelling.
The proposed house would be further away from the wetland to remove the
house from the 25-foot buffer zone. A portion of the house is within the 50-foot
buffer zone and the 100-foot buffer zone. An infiltration system and re-
vegetation plan are proposed under this project. Mr. Kirby explained the house
shifting to the north about 8 feet to avoid any issues with the sewer easement on
site. Also, the shed will be removed from the site.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Ms. Miller read an interdepartmental comment from zoning that this project
proposal will be going in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals on August 14,
2014. Ms. Miller read the engineering report which states, “This project is a
single-family dwelling, to be razed and replaced. The proposal shows
construction on a sanitary sewer easement. Engineering recommends against
approval of this project as shown. The building envelope appears to be on the
easement line. This entails a substantial embankment on the easement. The
sanitary sewer is relatively shallow. It does not appear that this work could be
done without damaging the sewer. Soil test results are shown on the plan.
Calculations are responsive. New impervious area is offset with a subsurface
infiltration system. The calculations show that the rates and volume of runoff
after construction are less than existing conditions for the design storms. The
design provides greater than 2 feet distance between the bottom of the infiltration
structure and the estimated seasonal high water table. If approved, recommended
conditions follow. The construction should be inspected by a design professional
and as-built drawing should be submitted to the Town Engineer. During
construction, erosion and sedimentation control procedures should be in place.
This should include a wheel-cleaning area for construction vehicles.
Mr. Langseth will do a site visit. Mr. Kirby will investigate additional mitigation
in other areas around town and submit a revised plan.
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to August 18, 2014 at 7:00
pm at the request of the applicant, 4-0 in favor.
8:03 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 4-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Morelli
Community Development Department Assistant