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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-26-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, October 26th 2015 7 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 7:01pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building. Commissioners Present: Kevin Beuttell, Phil Hamilton, Alex Dohan, Dick Wolk, Joyce Miller, and Duke Bitsko Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator, Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant Pending Matters 7:02pm RDA, Dunback Meadow DET 15-25 Applicant: Greenway Corridor Committee Owner: Town of Lexington Conservation Project: Installation of memorial plaque and benches Documents: Supporting letter from the Greenway Corridor Committee 10/26/2015 Mrs. Dohan recused herself from this hearing. Comments and concerns from the commission: Mr. Hamilton explained that another site visit was conducted. Motion to issue a negative determination with conditions made by Mrs. Miller and Seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 7:03pm DEP File No. 201-1005, BL 962 NOI, 6o Hartwell Ave Applicant: Solar City Owner: Town of Lexington Project: Solar PV Project Steve Weihe- Weston and Sampson Engineering. Documents: NOI Package 10/14/2015, Storm water Management 10/8/2015, Plans dated 10/14/2015, Addendum to plans dated 10/21/2015, Engineering report 10/26/2015 Mr. Weihe explained the proposed solar project at the Lexington town Compost Center on behalf of Brightfields Solar City. He stated that the town would lease the land to Brightfields and the town would benefit from the energy produced. Two sections of the project would consist of a solar canopies. The upper canopy would have a rain management system while the lower canopy would not have one. The third portion of the project would consist of a ground mounted system on 7 acres of land. The units would be spaced apart and tilt towards the sun. He stated that there would be a chain link fence around that section to adhere to electrical code. He explained that storm water models have not been run. He said he does not expect an increase in runoff or erosion. He said no work will be done in the riverfront area and it will all be done in previously disturbed areas. Comments and concerns from the Commission: Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record. The commission stated that there was some lack of clarity in the engineering report. The commission expressed concern about the runoff from the structures after they are installed. The commission raised concern about how the town operations at the facility will be impacted by this project. They would have to do more with less available space. They stated that there is concern the projects would start encroaching on the wetlands. Bruce Hascall, from the town DPW, stated that the town DPW is working with the constraints of the project to try to keep existing operations in place. Some of the operations will be moved to other parts of the site and that the DPW is investing in a new windrow turner, which will allow the town's composting operations to be performed in a smaller area. The commission stated that they wanted to see a plan that indicated where current operations will be located after installation of the solar arrays. The commission stated that storm water treatment would be helpful in this situation. Motion to continue the hearing to November 2, 2015 at the applicant's request made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:O1pm DEP File NO. 201-903, BL863 Amendment to Order of Conditions, 44 Hartwell Ave Applicant/owner: Alexandria Realty Trust Project: New entrance including ramp and stairs David Kelly- Kelly Engineering Group Documents: Amended Plans dated 10/9/2015, Engineering Review dated 10/26/2015 Mr. Kelly explained that the use for the building at 44 Hartwell has changed and a new entrance has to be added to the back of the building. The proposed project would include a new stairway and handicap ramp. The project would add 150 sq feet of impervious surface. He explained that the area is in a flood plain and there would be a small compensatory storage area. They would be filling less than a foot. Comments and concerns from the commission: Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record. The commission stated that they want to see a plan that shows greater detail regarding the compensatory storage area. The commission wanted the contour lines shown on the plan. The commission requested that the plans show how the increased impervious surface will affect the storm water management system. Motion to continue the hearing at the applicant's request to November 2nd 2015 made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:19pm DEP File No. 201-1004, BL NOI, 65 Winter Street Applicant: Barons Custom Homes LLC Owner: Anna E. Rogers Project: Raze and rebuild existing single family home DEP File No. 201-1003, BL NOI, 63 Winter Street Applicant: Barons Custom Homes LLC Owner: Anna E. Rogers Project: Raze and rebuild existing single family home Rich Kirby- LEC Environmental Documents: Revised proposed site plan 10/20/2015 Mr. Kirby explained that the requested changes were added to the plans. The grading behind the house was changed to be more flat at 63 Winter Street. The removal of the satellite dish will be removed in the same way that the barn will be removed. A layer of topsoil with a conservation wetland mix will be used. The existing stonewall will be removed and the land will be sloped down. He explained that a slight hump was added to the trench in the driveway and the filter fabric was removed. The O and M plan was also modified per the commission's request and an annual mowing program was put into place. Questions and concerns from the commission: The commission requested that replacement trees be added to planting plan within the 100ft buffer zone. Motion to close the hearing for 63 Winter Street made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Motion to close the hearing for 65 Winter Street made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:26pm DEP File No. 201-1002, BL NOI, 139 Grove Street Applicant: Douglas Orr Project: Raze and rebuild Single Family home Scott Smyers- Oxbow Associates and Doug Orr- owner/builder Documents: Amended plan dated 10/21/2015 Mr. Smyers explained that all four corners of the lot were demarcated. He stated that the limit of work line had been expanded and the geo-textile detail had been added as requested. The seeding detail was also added to the plan. Mr. Orr explained that he spoke with the Building Commissioner, Fred Lonardo, and he explained that the permit would not be accepted without a structural report. He stated he is willing to risk having to come in front of the commission for an amendment based on the engineers report at a later time. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission stated that they want the detail of the retaining wall added to the plan. The commission stated that they want the engineering report before they make a decision. The commission questioned whether the driveway swale would be sufficient for directing the water towards the catch basin and infiltration trenches. The commission stated that they would not need an engineering report if the retaining wall was under four feet. The commission requested that spot grades be shown on the drainage. Motion to continue the hearing at the applicant's request to November 2, 2015 made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Pending Matters 8:44pm Motion to approve minutes with edits from September 21, 2015 made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Bitsko. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Motion to approve minutes with edits from September 28, 2015 made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:52pm Site visits were scheduled for November 2, 2015. 8:54pm The commission discussed the annual report and the scheduled the group picture. 8:56pm Mr. Hamilton reported that the Stewards' Open House this past weekend was a great success and was a very impressive accomplishment. 8:58pm Motion to adjourn made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote 6-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved: 11/30/2015