HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-17-CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
6:30 P.M.
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:32 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office
Building.
Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Alex Dohan, Dick Wolk, Joyce Miller, David Langseth,
Kevin Beuttell, and Duke Bitsko (6:32pm).
Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator, Casey Hagerty, Conservation
Department Assistant
Pending Matters
6:32 pm
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Site visits for the November 30 meeting were scheduled for Sunday November 22, 2015
6:33
Issue Order of Conditions for 63 Winter Street DET File No. 201-1003 BL 960
Issue Order of Conditions for 65 Winter Street DET File No. 201-1004 BL 961
The Commission discussed the restoration of the 25 foot buffer area. They stated they would like
trees to be planted in the 25 foot area.
Motion to issue an Order of Conditions to 63 Winter Street made by Mrs. Miller and seconded
by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Mr. Langseth and Mr. Wolk did not vote
Motion to issue an Order of Conditions to 65 Winter Street made by Mrs. Miller and seconded
by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Mr. Langseth and Mr. Wolk did not vote
Issue Order of Conditions for 139 Grove Street DET File No. 201-1002 BL 959
Motion to issue Order of Conditions for 139 Grove Street made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by
Mr. Wolk. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Mr. Wolk stated that he watched the video from the October 19, 2015 hearing previous to this
meeting.
Mrs. Miller, Mr. Langseth, and Mr. Beuttell did not vote.
Issue Order of Conditions for 16 Summer Street DET File No. 201-996 BL 953
Motion made by Mrs. Dohan to issue an Order of Conditions and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote:
4-0 in favor.
Mrs. Miller, Mr. Beuttell, and Mr. Langseth did not vote
Issue Order of Conditions for 255 Worthen Road East DET File No. 201-1006 BL 963
Motion made by Mrs. Dohan to issue an Order of Conditions and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote:
5-0 in favor.
Mr. Langseth and Mr. Beuttell did not vote.
Issue an amended Order of Conditions for 4 Lake Street DEP File No. 201-940 BL 899
The commission stated that they want the Order to state that there be no deck built in the back of
the house.
Motion made by Mrs. Dohan to issue an Order of Conditions and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote:
5-0 in favor.
Mr. Langseth and Mr. Beuttell did not vote.
Issue an amended OOC 44 Hartwell Ave DEP File No. 201-903 BL 863
Motion made by Mr. Wolk to issue an Order of Conditions and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote:
4-0 in favor.
Mr. Langseth, Mr. Buettell, and Mrs. Miller did not vote
6:47pm
Mr. Hamilton reported that a site walk took place with the Community Garden Commission at
Dunback Meadow. He stated that there will be a meeting in January regarding this subject.
6:48pm
The commission stated they would approve the minutes at the following meeting.
6:51pm
The commission discussed the 2016 calendar and stated that they would approve the calendar at
the following meeting after the discussed changes were made.
6:55 pm Meetings and Hearings:
RDA, Colony Road Drain Connection
DET 15-29
Applicant: James Anderson and Shirine Boulos Anderson
Project: Drainage Connection
Mike Cosmo- Ever Brooks Company
Documents: RDA, Drainage Calculations, Drainage Plans, Engineering comments
Mr. Cosmo explained that this subdivision project has gotten approval through the planning
board, but per their approval they need to do road upgrades. The project would involve two catch
basins and leaching. There would be a 135 sq ft. increase in impervious surface and no increased
runoff with the one year storm.
Comments from the commission:
Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record.
The commission stated that the applicant must do soil testing at test pit two.
The commission asked about how the leaching basins were included in the stormwater
calculations. Mr. Cosmo explained that he did not include the leaching basins in the calculations
so the estimates were more conservative.
The commission asked who would be responsible for cleaning the leaching systems. Patricia
Nelson, the lawyer representing the applicants, stated that the owner for the undeveloped lot
would be responsible for the caring for the system and that an O and M plan is an on-going
condition that was recorded with the deed at the registry.
The commission questioned what would happen if the second leaching system was sitting on
bedrock. Mr. Cosmo said that there are ways to adjust the system based on the site soils.
The commission stated that the planning board requirements must be included in the language of
the determination.
Motion to issue a negative determination with conditions made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by
Mr. Wolk. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
7:10pm
RDA, Bridge School Disc Golf Project
DET 15-30
Applicant: Peiter Svenson
Owner: Town of Lexington
Project: Disc Golf Course Installation
Pieter Svenson- Eagle Scout Candidate, Steve Mattingly
Documents: RDA Package 10/27/2015, Presentation 10/27/2015
Mr. Svenson explained that he wishes to build a disc golf course at the Bridge School for his
Eagle Scout Project. He stated that the Recreation Office has already approved the project, but
two of the nine baskets fall within jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission.
Comments from the commission:
The commission questioned how the concrete used to secure the baskets would be transferred.
Mr. Svenson told the commission that it will be carried across the field or put in a wagon.
The commission stated they were concerned about future maintenance of the course. The
commission requested that more research be done into more durable types of metal for the basket
posts.
The commission stated they were concerned with participants wandering into the wetland during
the game. Mr. Svenson stated that disc golf players tend to be very respectful of nature and
would follow any instructions or signs that were placed there.
The commission provided Mr. Svenson with some suggestions as to how he could move the
course further from the wetland. Mr. Svenson said he would look into it, but is confined by the
restraints that the recreation department placed on him.
The commission asked how many people play at one time. The applicant answered that usually
groups of 2-3 play at a time.
Motion to issue a negative determination with conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by
Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
Continued Meetings/Hearings:
7:27pm
DEP File No. 201-1005, BL 962
NOI, 60 Hartwell Ave
Applicant: Solar City
Owner: Town of Lexington
Project: Solar PV Project
Steve Weihe- Weston and Sampson
Documents: Stormwater Management 11/10/2015, Site plan 11/12/2015, Supplemental
Information 11/12/2015
Mr. Weihe explained that he submitted an updated stormwater report and that the amount of
impervious area will be diminished in terms of peak flow and volume. Mr. Weihe went on to
show to the commission pictures of solar panels located at landfills and with grass successfully
growing below the panels. He stated that the grass must be maintained and it will act as an
erosion control. He told the commission that using silt socks filled with compost would not be a
problem. Additionally, Mr. Weihe says that he has been working with a Licensed Site
Professional to determine if contamination is a concern. An ALU report was submitted in the
supplemental information.
The manufacturer of the canopies provided more information to the applicant regarding their
structures. The manufacturer explained that the canopies are not water tight, but they provide
shade. There are some gutters to help with stormwater runoff as well as a snow guard.
In terms of the alternative analysis, Mr. Weihe explained that they looked at many options, but
the main goal of the site is for composting. He explained a great deal of thought went into where
each footing for the canopies would go based on the operations that go on there.
Comments from the commission:
The commission stated that they were unsure that the performance standards for the town by-law
were being met. They were concerned that the resource area was being greatly affected. The
commission stated they wanted to see a full alternatives analysis that takes the resource area into
consideration, not just the operations of the DPW.
The commission questioned whether a different kind of panel could be purchased that could put
out more energy, thus cutting down on the number of panels needed. Mr. Weihe explained that
that is not financially viable. The road can also not be relocated to shift the panels away from the
wetland.
The commission questioned what type of seed mix would be used on the ground mount area. The
applicant explained that it is a paved area right now and it will be replanted with a foot of soil.
They would be happy to use a more ecologically functional seed mix.
The commission asked if the hazardous waste collection shed and dumpster could be moved.
The applicant stated that they would have to look into that.
The commission stated that the performance standards needed to be enhanced and there needs to
be more mitigation.
The commission asked where the level spreader would be located. They asked for it to be located
at the top of the bottom of the slope rather than the top.
The commission asked if the plan had been reviewed by the town engineer. The applicant stated
that the stormwater modeler had been in contact with the engineer.
The commission asked what will be done to stop the rest of the town operations from extending
into the wetland. Mr. Hadley, DPW director, stated that boulders will be placed along the
perimeter of the limit of work and it will be done within a month.
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Motion to continue the hearing at the applicant’s request to November 30 made by Mrs. Miller
and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
8:19pm
DEP File No. 201-984, BL 942
NOI, 151 Grove Street
Applicant/Owner: Marcel P.J. Gaudreau
Project: Demolish and reconstruct a new single-family dwelling within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands
Mr. Bitsko stated for the record that he watched the hearing from 6/29/2015 on LexMedia.
The applicant did not provide any additional information or request a continuance.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 7-0 in
favor.
8:22pm
DEP File No. 201-986, BL 943
NOI, 6 John Hosmer Lane
Applicant/Owner: Arjun Rao
Project: Construction of a single-family dwelling and associated appurtenances within the 100-
foot Buffer Zone of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands
Mike Novak- Meridian Associates
Documents: Engineering review 11/17/2015, Site plan 10/29/2015, Stormwater report
10/29/2015
Mr. Bitsko stated for the record that he watched the hearing from 6/29/2015 on LexMedia.
Mr. Novak stated that the updated proposal for the project at 6 John Hosmer Lane would have a
common driveway with 5 John Hosmer rather than two separate driveways. There would be a
reduction in total disturbed area. Mr. Novak told the commission that soil testing was done in the
back of the house and the results were sand and that he expected the same results in the front of
the house as well. He explained that they are going to do 3,000 sq ft of buffer zone restoration
and pull some structures away from the wetland. The proposed plan included a plan to soften
some grading to make erosion less of an issue as well as put in a bigger drainage system.
Comments from the commission:
Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering review into the record.
The commission stated that the entire driveway should be brought into compliance.
The commission asked whether the current house meets the performance standards of current
time. Mr. Novak explained that the empty lot was to remain empty as mitigation for the paved
driveway not the construction of the house. By bringing the driveway into compliance, the empty
lot can be built upon.
The commission stated that they were concerned about the grading and the slope towards the
wetland. The commission stated that they would want a barrier there to protect snow and other
debris from washing down the slope into the wetland. Mr. Novak stated that they could build a
rock wall there.
The commission asked about a planting plan. They said that they got one for the restoration area
but not for the remainder of the proposed house. Mr. Novak said that they would be willing to do
native plantings and they will submit a planting plan. The commission stated that a planting plan
would be added as a condition.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote: 7-0 in
favor.
8:48pm
Motion to close the hearing made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 7-0 in
favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Casey Hagerty
Conservation Department Assistant
Approved 12/14/2015