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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-21-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday February 21, 2017 6:30 P.M. Hudson Room, Cary Hall 1605 Massachusetts Ave Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:34pm in the Hudson Room of Cary Hall Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Duke Bitsko, Alex Dohan, Dick Wolk, David Langseth Others present: Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant 6:34pm Informal Hearing: 19 Douglas Road Mike Capichetti of Meridian Associates explained that his client is exploring the possibility of expanding the pervious paver patio on their property. The proposed patio would be expanded by 400 sq. ft. and will stay outside of the 25 ft. buffer. A small retaining wall would be added along the patio. Questions and comments from the Commission: The Commission asked for clarification regarding the surface of the patio. Mr. Capichetti explained that they will be resurfacing the existing part of the patio as well so that the patio has a uniform look. The commission asked if a Certificate of Compliance was issued for the project in 2007. Mr. Capichetti stated that he was unsure and will check into it. The commission stated that they have some concerns about the patio going all the way up to the 25 ft. buffer. The commission said it would be difficult to navigate around the patio without entering into the Do Not Disturb area. 6:45pm Compliance discussion regarding 9 Luongo Farm Road, DET 13-08 Mr. Hamilton explained that the project has been reviewed by the Engineering Department and they did not see any problems with the changes that were made. Motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:47pm Certificates of Compliance The remaining Certificates of Compliance will be addressed at the next meeting. 6:47pm Acknowledgement of Donation to the Lexington Nature Trust Fund in the amount of $750.00 from the Parker Family Fund at the Boston Foundation Mr. Hamilton explained that the Lexington Nature Trust has received a donation from the Parker Family Fund for $750. Motion to accept the donation made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:48pm Extend Order of Conditions for 3 years at the Old Reservoir, DEP 201-437, BL 393 The Commission will take this matter up after reviewing the monitoring reports. 6:50pm Issue Order of Conditions for 180 East Emerson, DEP 201-1047, BL 1004 Motion to issue the Order of Conditions for 180 East Emerson Road made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Bitsko. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:51pm Approve minutes: 2/6/2017 This matter will be taken up at the next meeting. 6:51pm Schedule Site Visits for the 3/6/2017 Meeting Site visits were scheduled for March 4, 2017 at 9:30am. 6:52pm Reports There were no new reports. Certification of Understanding Regarding Modification of Plan Mr. Hamilton explained that the Commission is looking into ways to help applicants understand that any changes in the proposed work must go in front of the Conservation Commission for approval no matter how small in nature they may seem. The commission stated they will review this statement and discuss it further at the next meeting. 6:55pm Steep Slope Performance Standards Regulation Discussion The commission is reviewing more stringent language for this regulation. 7:00 pm DEP 201-1049, BL 1006 NOI, 99 Hancock Street, the Diamond School Applicant/owner: Town of Lexington Project: Hancock Street Driveway expansion Ken DiNisco- DiNisco Associates and Fred King- Schofield Brothers Engineering Mr. DiNisco explained that, as part of the Diamond School renovation, the Town wants to add a third lane on the driveway to the school to help alleviate traffic concerns. The road will be expanded by nine feet away from the wetlands. Mr. King explained the existing conditions regarding the road. The road is currently draining directly to the wetlands and not toward the catch basins. They will be able to meet all of the MassDEP stormwater standards as well as the Town of Lexington standards through a series of drainage systems. The proposed drainage systems have simple maintenance requirements. The landscape plan for the project will be the same as for the rest of the site. Questions and comments from the Commission: Mr. Hamilton entered the Engineering Report into the record. The commission asked for some details regarding the type of infiltration system that is being proposed. The commission clarified that inspection ports are being added to the infiltration system. Mr. King stated that there will be inspection ports. The commission asked the applicant to look into the use of porous pavement for the sidewalk that is proposed. Mr. King said he would look into this option, but it would likely mean they would cut back on an infiltration system. Questions and comments from the audience: Jim Lane, 6 Victory Garden Way, asked for clarification regarding the property lines shown on the plan. Mr. King said that all work will be done within the town property. Mr. Lane also stated concern about whether this project is necessary. Mr. Hamilton explained that the question was not within the purview of the Conservation Commission and he should discuss that issue with other boards. An abutter present explained that there are many more abutters who wish to discuss this project but are not present because it is school vacation week. Motion to continue the hearing to 3/6/17 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:18pm DEP 201-1050, BL 1007 NOI, Route 2 Applicant/owner: Mass Department of Transportation Project: Stormwater management improvements Brian Cacavoro- Mass DOT, Jay Quattrocchi and Lori Manning- VHB Mr. Cacavoro explained that as part of a statewide program, DOT is assessing their impact on affected waterways. In Lexington, the waterways they are focusing on are Beaver Brook and the Charles River Watershed. Ms. Manning stated that they are proposing 11 BMPs along a stretch of Rte. 2 from the Pleasant Street on/off ramps to the Lexington/Arlington Line. Six of the BMPs are within the jurisdiction of the conservation commission. The six areas within jurisdiction have good soils for infiltration. Thus their BMPs focused on this method. Ms. Manning walked the commission through each BMPs and explained the details. The typical MassDOT landscape plan will be used in the areas and the MassDOT invasive species management plan will be implemented. Questions and comments from the Commission: Mr. Hamilton entered the Engineering report into the record. The commission asked if the existing and proposed catch basins have deep sumps. Ms. Manning explained that they do not have deep sumps or hoods but they have sediment bays. She stated that this improvement project is focused on phosphorous and they have other projects for pathogen removal. The commission asked the applicant to look into the option of hoods on the catch basins. The commission asked for more details regarding landscaping plan and the invasive species management plan. The applicant stated they will provide the commission with the MassDOT plan. The applicant confirmed that this project is outside of the Cambridge Reservoir Watershed. Motion to continue the hearing to 3/6/2017 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. CONTINUED MEETINGS/HEARINGS 8:18pm DET 17-3 RDA, 95 Hayden Ave Applicant: 95 Hayden LLC Project: New light poles installation and corrective actions for previous work Chris Gajeski- Meridian Associates Mr. Gajeski explained that at this point, they are asking for permission to install the footings and the new light fixtures. He submitted photos that demonstrated that the restoration areas are all within existing lawn areas. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that compost filter socks are their preferred method of erosion control, but in this situation the straw waddles were acceptable. The commission asked for clarification regarding the restoration area. The commission was under the impression that the full area was being restored. Mr. Gajeski explained that they did not propose restoration for the entire disturbed area because it was existing lawn. The commission stated that the applicant should come back to the commission with a full restoration plan. The commission stated that they will allow the applicant to install new light fixtures and footings and remove the old light fixtures in both areas, but the will need to come back to the commission with a full restoration plan. Motion to continue the hearing o 4/4/2017 at the applicant’s request made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:50pm DEP 201-939, BL 898 30 Oakmount Circle, Amended Order of Conditions Applicant/owner: Copley Design Modification to the house footprint and watershed areas and realign drainage systems Motion to continue the hearing to 3/21/17 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:51pm DEP 201-1045, BL 10002 NOI, 288 Concord Ave Applicant/owner: Thomas and Donna Denoto Project: Home addition and driveway expansion Dave Crossman- B and C Associates and Project engineer from Stamsky and McNary Mr. Crossman explained that since the last meeting, they have provided an updated plan showing the requested changes. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that all trees to be removed on the property should be labeled. The commission asked for more details regarding the planting in the area where the shed is to be removed. The commission explained that they typically see FENO markers along the 25 ft. buffer. Mr. Crossman stated he would add them to the plan. Motion to continue the hearing to 3/6/2017 at the applicant’s request made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:08pm DEP 201-1046, BL 1003 NOI, 52 Turning Mill Road Applicant/owner: Jeong- Ju Cho Project: Garage Addition Mary Trudeau- wetlands scientist and Scott Henderson- project engineer Ms. Dohan recused herself from the hearing. Mr. Henderson explained they are proposing to add no impervious surface closer to the wetlands than what is already existing. They have added an additional BMP along the driveway outlined in the revised plan. Mr. Henderson explained that they looked on the property for other areas to do infiltration, but the rest of the property was not suitable because of ledge and high ground water. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission stated that although this project does meet all of their performance standards, the project would benefit the wetlands because cars would no longer be parked directly next to wetlands. Despite the benefit to the wetlands, the commission felt that they needed to see an alternatives analysis because the project does not meet their standards. Motion to continue the hearing to 3/6/2017 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:29pm DEP 201-1043, BL 1000 NOI, 98 East Street Applicant/owner: Sean and Jennifer Kennedy Project: New covered entryway, woodshed, patio, and sports court Motion to continue the hearing to 3/21/17 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:29pm DEP 201-1048, BL 1005 NOI, 85 Kendall Road Owner/applicant: Feng Gao Project: Home addition Motion to continue the hearing to 3/6/17 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:30pm DEP 201-1044, BL 1001 NOI, 45, 55, 65 Hayden Ave Applicant/owner: CRP/King Hayden Owner LLC, c/o King Street Properties Project: Surface parking spaces expansion Mike DiMinico- King Street Properties, Doug Hartnett- High Point Engineering, Project Landscape Architect Mr. Hartnett explained that they have met with the Engineering Department to review the plans. They have done an inventory of all the mature trees on the site and have adjusted curb lines to protect some trees. Additional area has been put aside as a “Do no mow” area and will be planted with a Conservation seed mix. The snow management plan has been updated to include a few more areas. The stream channel restoration area has been modified to provide more detail. The planting pan for the channel has been modified and a third check dam has been added. The initial culvert sections will be inspected by hand and a jet would be used for the areas they are unable to reach. The area that was in question by the Cambridge Water department has been adjusted to reflect the use of pervious pavement so that a higher amount of phosphorous materials will be removed. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission asked for additional details about cleaning out the stream channel. The commission stated that this project was an opportunity for the property owner to take steps to do a more environmentally project such as a parking garage despite the fact that the project meets the performance standards. The commission asked for clarification regarding the plantings in the stream channel. The commission asked for clarification regarding the invasive species removal. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Bitsko. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 10:02pm Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved 3/6/2017