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Home My WebLink About2023-10-16-ConCom-minPUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Conservation Commission ___________________________________________________________________________ AGENDA Monday,October 16,2023,6:30 p.m. This Conservation Commission meeting was held remotely via Zoom,an online meeting platform.Public Participation via calling in or using your computer was encouraged. Commissioners Present:Kevin Beuttell,Duke Bitsko,Alex Dohan,Philip Hamilton (Chair), and Ruth Ladd (not present:Jason Hnatko) Staff Present:Karen Mullins,Conservation Director,and Meghan McNamara,Department Assistant 6:30 PM New Business/Pending Matters Discussion on 110 Hartwell Avenue proposed corrective actions Mr.Tim Power,Principal Engineer at PVI Site Design,presented to the Commission on behalf of the property owner,JHM Lexington LLC.At the commercial site,existing sidewalks and curbing were being replaced,and a concrete dumpster pad was removed.Staff notified the property owner because this site work falls within protected resource areas.Mr.Power proposed constructing a new trash enclosure in the same location with a new concrete pad,and a built-up enclosure to provide some mitigation for stormwater management.A crushed stone perimeter is also being proposed for the dumpster enclosure to capture just over 1-inch of runoff from the area.The Commission requests the Engineering department review the proposal to ensure the stone trench is appropriately sized. On a motion by Mr.Beuttell and seconded by Ms.Dohan,the Commission voted 5-0 by roll call vote to approve the proposed corrective actions,pending approval of the stormwater management system by the Engineering department. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko –Aye Kevin Beuttell –Aye Alex Dohan –Aye Ruth Ladd –Aye Phil Hamilton –Aye 6:39 PM Enforcement Compliance Update:14 Village Circle,discussion with property owner on pergola structure within wetland buffer zone Ms.Mullins stated that,through a previous enforcement order (2021),a landscaper had installed a patio and cleared some of the restoration area.The property owner has since followed through with the approved restoration plan,which involved increasing the setback with the patio, installation of plantings,and installation of a stone trench along the outer edge of the patio.The property owner is now requesting after-the-fact approval for the addition of a temporary canopy structure on top of the patio.It was confirmed that the structure is smaller in footprint than the patio,and is screwed into the pavers (no footings). On a motion by Ms.Ladd and seconded by Mr.Beuttell,the Commission voted 5-0 by roll call vote to approve the installation of the canopy structure and issue compliance for the previous enforcement action,with a stipulation that if the canopy structure is removed that it cannot be replaced. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko –Aye Kevin Beuttell –Aye Alex Dohan –Aye Ruth Ladd –Aye Phil Hamilton –Aye 6:49 PM Request for Certificate of Compliance:324 Marrett Road (Cumberland Farms),VPC# COC-23-19,DEP#201-685,BL#642 Additional time is needed to perform a compliance review of this request.This will be continued to the next meeting. Mr.Bitsko left the meeting. Request for Certificate of Compliance:99 Hancock Street (Diamond Middle School),VPC# COC-23-21,CDOA-21-13 On a motion by Ms.Ladd and seconded by Ms.Dohan,the Commission voted 4-0 by roll call vote to issue a letter of compliance for the Negative Determination. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell –Aye Alex Dohan –Aye Ruth Ladd –Aye Phil Hamilton –Aye 6:51 PM Request for Certificate of Compliance:453 Concord Ave (The Cotting School),VPC# COC-23-20,DEP#201-1155,BL#1111 Additional follow up is necessary by the applicant and this will be continued to a future meeting. Request for Extension to the Order of Conditions:0 Revere Street (Parker Meadow Conservation Area),OpenGov Permit#EXTO-23-6,CNOI-20-23,DEP#201-1193 On a motion by Ms.Ladd and seconded by Ms.Dohan,the Commission voted 4-0 by roll call vote to approve the one-year extension request for the Order of Conditions. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell –Aye Alex Dohan –Aye Ruth Ladd –Aye Phil Hamilton –Aye 6:54 PM Approve Minutes:10/2/2023 The Minutes were not ready and will be reviewed at the next meeting. Schedule site visits:10/30/2023 The site visits will take place on Saturday,October 28,2023 at 9:30 AM. Reports:Enforcement Updates,Bike Advisory,Community Gardens,Community Preservation Committee,Greenway Corridor Committee,Land Acquisition,Land Management,Land Steward Directors,Tree Committee,and Open Space &Recreation Plan Ms.Dohan stated that she attended a Greenway Corridors Committee meeting earlier in the day, and the main topic of discussion was what trails were feasible at the moment. 7:00 PM New Public Meetings/Hearings Notice of Intent:320 Concord Avenue ViewPoint Cloud Permit#CNOI-23-23,DEP#201-1300 Applicant/Property Owner:Maria Veiga Project:Raze and rebuild of a single-family dwelling within the 100-foot buffer zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Documentation Submitted: ⎯Cover Letter,WPA For 3 application and attachments;Prepared by:Devon Morse, Hancock Associates;Date:9/22/2023; ⎯Stormwater Report;Prepared by:Hancock Associates;Date:September 2023; ⎯Plans:Sheet C0 “Title Sheet”,Sheet C1 “Site Preparation and Erosion Control Plan”,C2 “Site Plan”and C3 “Detail Sheet”;Prepared by:Hancock Associates;Stamped and signed by:Charles E.Wear,III,PE Civil No.37876;Date:9/21/2023; ⎯Photographs of site (4 pages);Not dated; ⎯Town Engineering Comments;Date:10/11/2023; Ms.Devon Morse,Wetland specialist with Hancock Associates,and Mr.Jay Polakiewicz, Project engineer,presented to the Commission.The eastern driveway was originally proposed to be bituminous concrete and was revised to be permeable pavers.A crushed stone infiltration trench was added to the lowest elevation end of the western driveway. Questions and Comments from the Commission: ⎯Is there a shed in the southwest corner of the property? ⎯Can you relocate the erosion control closer to the work area? ⎯What stormwater treatments does the existing dwelling and driveway have? ⎯The shared driveway does not meet current zoning setbacks. Responses from the Representative: ⎯It is the abutting property owner ’s shed. ⎯The property owner expressed that they want to plant more within the wetland buffer zone,and also arborvitaes along the property line.A revised plan will be presented at the next meeting that also includes the removal of a tree at the end of the concrete driveway. ⎯There is no stormwater treatment for the existing site.Most of the site,through gutters, daylights onto the ground.The subsoils are pretty good,sandy soils.The infiltration system will help cut down those peak rates. ⎯Not able to find a written agreement on record of the shared driveway. Mr.Polakiewicz responded to abutter comments submitted in writing prior to the meeting from Mr.Jeffrey Cheng,owner of 324 Concord Avenue.Mr.Cheng is concerned that the development of 320 Concord Avenue will alter the flow of runoff onto his property that is downgradient and leads to a drainage pipe close to his basement.Mr.Polakiewicz stated that the new construction proposal is meeting the stormwater standards and that there should be less runoff when the project is completed.Mr.Cheng was also present at the meeting and reiterated his concern for the steep slope of the driveway.Mr.Polakiewicz stated that the proposed driveway will match the existing slope,however they are proposing the infiltration trench at the end of the driveway and removing the wall that currently directs driveway runoff to the shared property line. Ms.Rena Maliszewski,owner of 310 Concord Avenue,is concerned about the tree removal because the large tree is home to bats and birds,and she is also concerned about blasting of the ledge.Ms.Morse responded that they do intend to plant a new tree and is open to discussion on the species of the tree.Mr.Polakiewicz stated that there shouldn’t be much blasting since the proposed house is slab on grade,and jackhammering will be used instead.He added that the location of the house can’t move too much. Mr.Steve Curtis,owner of 314 Concord Avenue,stated that he is concerned about the tree removal because about one-third of the tree canopy is on his property. On a motion by Mr.Beuttell and seconded by Ms.Ladd,the Commission voted 4-0 by roll call vote to continue the hearing to the October 30,2023 meeting at the applicant’s request. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell –Aye Alex Dohan –Aye Ruth Ladd –Aye Phil Hamilton –Aye 7:34 PM Notice of Intent:9 Cliffe Avenue ViewPoint Cloud Permit#CNOI-23-24,DEP#201-1301 Applicant:Lauren Mitchell,Bechtel Frank Erickson Architects Property Owner:Elizabeth Higgins Project:demolition of a detached one-car garage,construction of an addition,and relocation of the driveway,within the 200-foot Riverfront Area Documentation Submitted: ⎯WPA Form 3 Notice of Intent application;Prepared by:Lauren Mitchell,Bechtel Frank Erickson Architects;Date signed:9/28/2023; ⎯Plans:Sheet C-1 “Title Sheet &General Notes”,C-2 “Site Preparation Plan”and C-3 “Proposed Site Plan”;Prepared by:Quetti Design Group;Stamped and signed by:Kevin A.Quetti,PE Civil No.55455;Date:9/26/2023; ⎯Stormwater Mitigation Report;Prepared by:Quetti Design Group;Stamped and signed by:Kevin A.Quetti,PE;Date:10/3/2023; ⎯Town Engineering Comments;Date:10/11/2023; Mr.Kevin Quetti,project engineer,presented to the Commission.Ms.Elizabeth Higgins, property owner,was also present.Ms.Higgins stated that a stormwater management system was installed about 10 years ago to keep water away from the house,but it was not required through any past permitting. Questions and Comments from the Commission: −How close is the driveway to the tree?Concerned about the root system. −How do you know where the existing infiltration system is located? Responses from the Representative: −The minimum distance from the driveway to the center of the tree is 6 feet and it’s an 18-inch tree.Not sure what the current conditions of the roots are but I did my best to keep the driveway as far from the tree as possible,and it’s only a 12-foot wide driveway. −There are four downspouts on the side of the house where the existing infiltration system is located and the homeowner is aware of the system's location because she had it installed 10 years ago. −Added a one-inch asphalt berm at the property line so the driveway runoff can be directed towards the new catch basin. Spot elevations will be required on the as-built plan to verify that driveway runoff is directed towards the catch basin. On a motion by Mr.Beuttell and seconded by Ms.Ladd,the Commission voted 4-0 by roll call vote to close the hearing. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell –Aye Alex Dohan –Aye Ruth Ladd –Aye Phil Hamilton –Aye 7:42 PM Continued Public Meetings/Hearings Notice of Intent:28 Reed Street ViewPoint Cloud Permit#CNOI-23-21,DEP#201-1298 Applicant/Property Owner:Peter Jones Project:Demolition of a one-car garage and construction of a two-car garage within the 100-foot buffer zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Previous Meeting Date:9/18/2023 Supplemental Documentation Submitted:None On a motion by Mr.Beuttell and seconded by Ms.Dohan,the Commission voted 4-0 by roll call vote to continue the hearing to the October 30,2023 meeting at the applicant’s request. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell –Aye Alex Dohan –Aye Ruth Ladd –Aye Phil Hamilton –Aye 7:43 PM Notice of Intent:75 Kendall Road ViewPoint Cloud Permit#CNOI-23-18,DEP#201-1296 Applicant/Property Owner:Saurav Khandelwal and Seema Badaya Project:demolition of carport and construction of garage with second-story living space within the 100-foot buffer zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands and 200-foot Riverfront Area Previous Meeting Dates:8/7/2023 and 8/21/2023 Supplemental Documentation Submitted:None −Stormwater Report;Revised:10/10/2023; −Site Plan;Revised:9/6/2023; −Delineation Report;Prepared by:Leah Basbanes,Basbanes Wetland Consulting;Date: 9/25/2023; Ms.Mary Trudeau,wetlands consultant,and Mr.Scott Henderson,project engineer,presented the revisions made on the site plan.The paved and gravel driveway to the rear of the house is proposed to be removed,a permeable paver driveway is proposed in the front of the house,a rain garden is no longer being proposed,and the existing driveway that accesses the greenhouse is to be narrowed.Ms.Trudeau presented the new wetlands line for the entire property as well as the proposed mitigation area. Questions and Comments from the Commission: −Was the stormwater modeling done for the entire site? −What are you planning to put in the planting mitigation area? −Would like to see the Feno markers relocated but then they would be within the existing lawn area.Want to make sure the homeowner is okay with letting the area beyond the Feno markers go fallow. Responses from the Representative: −The stormwater analysis is limited to the front of the house. −The proposed mitigation area will contain Witch Hazel,Highbush Blueberry, Winterberry,Black Chokecherry,and Serviceberry −I will discuss with the homeowner on the Feno marker locations and the edge of the lawn. On a motion by Ms.Ladd and seconded by Ms.Dohan,the Commission voted 4-0 by roll call vote to continue the hearing to the October 30,2023 meeting at the applicant’s request. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell –Aye Alex Dohan –Aye Ruth Ladd –Aye Phil Hamilton –Aye 8:03 PM On a motion by Ms.Dohan and seconded by Ms.Ladd,the Commission voted 4-0 by roll call vote to adjourn the meeting. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell –Aye Alex Dohan –Aye Ruth Ladd –Aye Phil Hamilton –Aye 8:08 PM Respectfully Submitted, Meghan McNamara LUHD Department Assistant Approved:10/30/2023 Archived:10/31/2023