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Home My WebLink About2024-01-29-ConCom-min PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Conservation Commission Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia ___________________________________________________________________________ AGENDA Monday, January 29, 2024, 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), Ruth Ladd (Vice-Chair) and Tom Whelan; Not present: Jason Hnatko Staff Present: Amber Carr, Conservation Coordinator 6:30 PM Tree Committee to present proposed amendments to the Tree Bylaw. Nancy Sofen Ms. Nancy Sofen, member of the Tree Committee, presented an overview of the current tree bylaw and the proposed amendments under Articles 34, 35 and 36 to be presented at the upcoming 2024 Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Sofen stated that the Tree Management Manual contains a list of replacement species, however, it is out of date. Ms. Sofen also stated that the protection and enforcement under the Tree Bylaw does not apply to trees on town-owned property, and the Tree Warden makes a determination on the health of such trees. Mr. Bitsko commented that it would be beneficial for tree protection to remain in place until after final landscaping is complete for a project because heavy equipment could damage the tree roots and understory. Ms. Sofen stated that the stop order recommendation is still under discussion with the Tree Committee and that the Town Manager and Town Council are reviewing another topic. Ms. Sofen will return to a future meeting with a final version of the amendments prior to Town Meeting. Approval and Renewal of Bee Permit at Cotton Farm and Idylwilde Conservation Areas Ms. Carr and the Commission reviewed the proposed updates made to the annual apiary permit for Ms. Alexandra Bartsch, 205 Follen Road. Mr. Hamilton stated that he had a phone conversation with Ms. Bartsch earlier in the day, during which she stated she cannot predict how many times she has to drive a vehicle onto the site throughout the year. Members of the Commission agreed with updating the wording of the permit to allow Ms. Bartsch to drive her vehicle onto the site a minimal number of times during the year. On a motion by Mr. Whelan and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call vote to approve the renewal of the permit for apiaries at Cotton Farm and Idylwilde Garden for the 2024 calendar year. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko – Aye Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Approval of Forest Stewardship Plan and Bird Assessment at Dunback Meadow On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Whelan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call vote to adopt the Forest Stewardship Plan and Bird Assessment at Dunback Meadow. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko – Aye Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Vote to Issue the Order of Conditions: 23 Turning Mill Road, OpenGov Permit# CNOI-23-32, DEP# 201-1305 On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Whelan, the Commission voted 5-0 by roll call to issue the Order of Conditions for 23 Turning Mill Road. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko – Aye Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Recused Ruth Ladd – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Schedule site visit for 2/12/24 Meeting: 2/10/24 (1 NOI – 9 Young St) The site visits will take place on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 9:30 AM. Approve Minutes: 1-16-2024 On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call vote to approve the Minutes of the January 16, 2024 meeting. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko – Aye Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye 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 None New Public Meetings/Hearings Notice of Intent: 251 Waltham Street (Connector Path from Worthen Rd to Park Dr) OpenGov Permit # CNOI-24-1, DEP File No. 201-XXX Applicant/Property Owner: Town of Lexington, DPW Project: Replace an existing compacted gravel walkway with a porous asphalt walkway within the 100-foot buffer zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands. This project is part of the Town’s initiative to provided ADA accessible recreation and athletic facilities. Documentation Submitted:  Stormwater Report; Prepared by: Megan Buczynski, PE; Date last revised: 1/9/2024;  Proposed Site Plans and Attachments; Dated 1/9/2024  Wetland resource Delineation; Prepared by: Epsilon Associates, Inc.; Dated 5/19/2023  Notice of Intent application; Prepared by: Megan Buczynski, Activitas; Prepared for: David Pinsonneault, Lexington Public Works; Received 1/9/2024 *NOTE: Applicant requested a continuance without testimony until 2/12/2024 On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call vote to continue the hearing to February 12, 2024 at the applicant’s request. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko – Aye Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Continued Public Meetings/Hearings Notice of Intent: 12 Cedar Street OpenGov Permit# CNOI-23-30 (Local Bylaw Only) Applicant/Property Owner: Katy Finkenzeller Project: demolish the existing detached garage and portions of the existing single-family dwelling, and construct a new detached garage and addition to the existing dwelling, within the 10-foot buffer zone to Isolated Vegetated Wetland Documentation Submitted:  Topographic Plan of Land; Prepared by: Stamski and McNary, Inc.; Date last revised: 1/20/2023;  Stormwater Management Plan; Prepared by: Stamski and McNary, Inc.; Date last revised: 12/19/2023;  Proposed Site Plans and attachments;  Notice of Intent applications; Prepared by the Property Owner: Katy Finkenzeller; Previous Meeting Date: 1/2/2024 Supplemental Documentation Submitted: None On a motion by Mr. Whelan and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call vote to continue the hearing to March 11, 2024 at the applicant’s request. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko – Aye Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Request for Determination of Applicability: 149-151 Old Spring Street (Chinese Bible Church of Greater Boston) OpenGov Permit# CDOA-23-12 Applicant/Property Owner: Chinese Bible Church of Greater Boston Project: connection to the municipal drainage system associated with construction of a new building Supplemental Documentation Submitted:  Drainage Calculations and Stormwater Management Plan; Prepared by: McKenzie Engineering Group; Stamped and signed by: Bradley C. McKenzie, PE Civil No. 36917; Date last revised: 12/20/2023;  Site Development Plan; Prepared by: McKenzie Engineering Group; Stamped and signed by: Bradley C. McKenzie, PE; Date last revised: 12/20/2023;  Previous Meeting Dates: 10/30/2023; 1/2/24 On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call vote to continue the hearing to the February 12, 2024 meeting at the applicant’s request. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko – Aye Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call vote to adjourn the meeting. Record of Vote as Follows: Duke Bitsko – Aye Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Respectfully Submitted via Video Recording Meghan McNamara, Planner Approved: 2/12/2024 Archived: 2/22/2024