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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-04-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday April 4, 2017 6:30 P.M. Hudson Room, Cary Hall 1605 Massachusetts Ave Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:36pm in the Hudson Room of Cary Hall Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Duke Bitsko, Alex Dohan, David Langseth Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant 6:36pm Request for Insignificant Plan Change at 91 Woburn Street DET 16-26 Gary Larson, Landscape Architect Mr. Larson explained the applicant’s proposal to the Commission.. Some of these changes include softening lines on the driveway, removing the asphalt curving on the driveway, porous pavers being added to a portion of the driveway, a fence addition, and a low timber retaining wall along the western edge of the property. Mr. Larson stated that the wall would start at a height of 0 inches and end at 36 inches. Questions and comments from the commission: The Commission stated that they were concerned about trees in the area where the retaining wall was being proposed. Mr. Larson explained that he has created a tree protection area around the trees of concern and stated that they should not be affected. The Commission asked for clarification regarding the contour lines along the area where the wall will be located. Mr. Larson explained that the proposed conditions will be shallower than the existing conditions and create a better situation for preventing erosion. The commission expressed concern that there would be disturbance on the neighbor’s property during the construction of the wall. Mr. Larson explained that they will offset the wall six inches off the property line so damage will be minimal. The applicant also agreed to repair any damage to the abutter’s property if it does take place. The commission asked if there will be some sort of drainage associated with the wall. Mr. Larson told the commission there will be no drainage needed. Questions and comments from the audience: Phyllis Scott, 85 Woburn Street, stated that she was concerned about her trees along the property line. She was also concerned about increased flooding in that area. Motion to approve the insignificant plan change made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-0 in favor. 7:03pm Informal Meeting Request: Brookhaven Rezoning Article 44, Update on proposal and plans William Dailey- attorney and Jim Burabach- project engineer Mr. Dailey explained that they are scheduled to go before Town Meeting in a week and they want to give the commission an update on some of the changes to the proposed Brookhaven expansion. They want the commission to be comforatable with what they are proposing to town meeting. Mr. Burabach stated that that they are proposing to have an access road cross over the intermittent stream. He explained that they will be spanning the existing culvert to attempt to reduce disturbance in the area. They explained that the will be replicating this disturbance 2:1 somewhere else on the site. The detention basin has also changed slightly in size since the last time they came to the commission. Mr. Dailey explained that they will also be going before the planning board for approval. The planning board has requested that they change the look of the retaining wall along the front of the property to be more aesthetically pleasing. However, that change would lead to more disturbance in the wetland area. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission asked for clarification as to where the replication area will be. Mr. Burabach explained that the replication will be done at the site of the disturbance. The commission stated that they understood why they were trying to keep the existing culvert crossing, but they would like the applicant to look into upgrading the crossing to current stream crossing standards. The commission stated that they are in favor of the retaining wall that would keep the wall as far as possible from the wetlands. They will write a memo to the planning board expressing their preference. 7:19pm DEP 201-1053, BL 1010 NOI, 32 Worthen Road Applicant: Town of Lexington, Department of Public Works Owner: Hamilton Battle Green LLC Project: Upgrade of a wastewater pump station Dave Pavlik, Town Engineer and Barry Atchinson, Wetlands Scientist Mr. Pavlik explained that they town is in the process of updating some of their pump stations. The pump station on Worthen Road is within the jurisdiction of the commission. The existing station is 53 years old and needs to be upgraded. The new system will not increase wastewater runoff and will have an emergency generator to help in emergency situations. Mr. Atchinson explained that they will be trying to keep the area grassy and will only be adding 60 sq. ft. of impervious surface. One tree and a few shrubs and bushes will be removed. Some dewatering will be needed, but he explained that they have a plan in place for this process. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission asked for more details regarding the dewatering plan. The applicant explained they are using a temporary frack tank. The commission stated that they want a provision for expanding the amount of dewaterting devices in case of need. The applicant agreed. The commission asked what type of gas will the generator need. The applicant explained that the generator will use natural gas and will be connected to the gas line in the street. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 4-0 in favor. 7:34pm Mr. Bitsko arrived. 7:34pm DEP 201-XXXX, BL XXXX NOI, 255 Cedar Street, Pine Meadows Golf Course Applicant/owner: Town of Lexington Project: Relocation of an existing golf green Melissa Battite- Director of Recreation, Stephen Kay- Golf Course Architect, Rhianna Sommers- Epsilon Environmental Ms. Battite explained that the Recreation Department is proposing to make some changes to hole 4 on the Town Golf Course. They hope to increase the longevity of the hole as well as make it a better hole to play. Ms. Sommers explained that she delineated the wetlands last fall. She stated that the stream in that area is considered intermittent. The site is relatively flat. Mr. Kay explained that the golf green is in bad shape currently. The proposed location of the new green will be further from the wetlands than the existing green. A wetland seed mix will be planted in the area that is being abandoned and will not be mowed. He added that the proposed drainage system will be connecting to an existing system. Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record. The commission stated that they were not comfortable closing the hearing until the Town Engineer’s issues were addressed. Motion to continue the hearing to 4/18/17 made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 7:49pm DEP 201-1054, BL 1011 NOI, 16 Hickory Street Applicant: Sramowicz Construction LLC Owner: Jun Wang Project: Raze and Rebuild of a Single Family Dwelling Nick Pauling- GPR Engineering Mr. Pauling provided the Commission with an updated letter from the project wetlands scientist detailing his delineation. He stated that they are proposing to raze and rebuild a Single Family home. Subsurface infiltration systems are proposed for stormwater mitigation. They are also proposing a wetland restoration plan. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission asked if the proposed walkway and patio were considered pervious in the stormwater calculations. Mr. Pauling explained that he calculated the walkway and patio as impervious. The commission asked for more details regarding the third infiltration pit, Mr. Pauling stated that this pit would be for a future sump pump. He said he will provide the commission with some general calculations. The commission asked if there were emergency overflows on the gutters. Mr. Pauling explained that the model would not work showing the overflows at the gutter rather than at the systems, but they will add them to the plan. The commission asked for clarification about the wetlands line. The commission stated that there were some wetland plants in areas that were labeled as upland. The commission stated that they would like to be present for more soil samples. The commission asked if a do not disturb area is proposed. The applicant stated that there is an area proposed and they can add FENO markers. Questions and comments from the audience: Ron Strerning, 3 Glynn Road, stated that he is concerned about potential flooding in the area. He explained that there is already some ponding on site. Motion to continue the hearing to 4/18/2017 made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:29pm DET 16-8 RDA, 90 Grant Street Owner/applicant: J and N Design and Build Project: Request to amend approve drainage plan Motion to continue the hearing to 6/12/2017 at the applicant’s request made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:30pm DEP 201-1050, BL 1007 NOI, Route 2 Applicant/owner: Mass Department of Transportation Project: Stormwater management improvements Lori Kennedy- VHB, MassDOT Representative Questions and comments from the commission: The commission stated that they were appreciative of the applicant’s having researched the possibility of installing oil hoods for the catch basins and understand why they cannot include those in this project. The commission stated that there are some plants on the planting plan that are non-native species. MassDOT stated that they would look into this problem and address it. The commission asked for more specification for the maintenance plan. The applicant explained that they do not have a specific maintenance plan for each specie proposed. She explained that they have funding for maintenance only when a specific project is done each year. In the future, the applicant explained that MassDOT will look into more specific maintenance plans. Motion to close the hearing made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:40pm DEP 201-1048, BL 1005 NOI, 85 Kendall Road Owner/applicant: Feng Gao Project: Home addition Scott Smyers- Oxbow Associates Mr. Smyers explained that he has slightly revised the plans to pull the path away from the stream somewhat. FENO markers have been added to the plan and details about seeding have been provided. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:46pm DEP 201-1052, BL 1009 NOI, 24 Constitution Road Owner/applicant: Tracy Kemp2017 Project: Home addition Markus Pinney, Wetlands Scientist Mr. Pinney stated that the engineering issues that were raised at the last meeting have been addressed. He added that a shed has been added to the plan, but its runoff will be infiltrated and it adds less than 100 sq. ft. of additional impervious surface. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission explained that they have done a site visit and are satisfied with the reflagging of the wetlands line as compared to a previous filing. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:57pm DET 17-3 RDA, 95 Hayden Ave Applicant: 95 Hayden LLC Project: New light poll installation Chris Gajeski- Meridian Associates The commission explained that they are comfortable issuing a Negative Determination for the light poll installation and handling the restoration issues through conditions and enforcement. Motion to issue a Negative Determination with Conditions made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:03pm 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 4/18/2017 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:04pm Request for Insignificant Plan Change at 85 Ward St, DEP 201-1040, BL 997 Mike Capachietti, Meridian Associates Mr. Capachietti explained that his client is proposing a few minor changes to the approved plan. They are proposing a gravel landing at the walkout basement and chimney. They have revised the stormwater calculations to reflect those changes. The applicant would also like to install a sump pump so they have increased the drainage system to compensate for that. Motion to approve the plan changes made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:11pm Issue Certificate of Compliance at 279 Emerson Road, DEP 201-923, BL 883 Chris Gajeski, Meridian Associates Mr. Gajeski stated that he is before the Commission to get a restoration planting plan approved. Motion to approve the planting plan made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:18pm Issue Order of Conditions for DEP 201-1051, BL 1008, 85 Grant Street Motion to issue Order of Conditions for 85 Grant Street made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:19pm Issue Amended Order of Conditions for DEP 201-939, BL 898, 30 Oakmount Circle Motion to issue the Amended Order of Conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:19pm Discussion of 2 Viles Road, DEP 201-961, BL 919, drainage overflow concern Ping Lin, Homeowner Mr. Lin explained that the explained that he bought the house less than a year ago and they are having issues with their trench drain overflowing. His sump pump has been running constantly. He explained that he wants the builder and engineer to fix the problem, but he has not heard from them. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission did not think it was right for the engineer to recommend that the homeowner lift the pump himself. The commission discussed whether they could bring enforcement against the builder and engineer even if they are not the owner any longer. Ms. Mullins said she will discuss this with Town Counsel. 9:35pm Request to extend Order of Conditions for three years at 21 Barberry Road, DEP 201-708, BL 665 Motion to extend the Order of Conditions for three years made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:36pm Approve Bee Farm permit for Cotton Farm Motion to issue the Bee Farm permit for Cotton Farm made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:38pm Approve minutes: 1/23/17, 3/21/2017 Motion to approve minutes of 1/23/2017 made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Motion to approve minutes of 3/21/2017 made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:39pm Schedule Site Visits for the 4/18/2017 Meeting Site visits were scheduled for 4/8/2017. 9:45pm Reports Mr. Hamilton reported that he has met with the Dunback Meadow gardeners and they are aware of the new schedule. 9:46pm Planning Board comments re: Annual Town Meeting Zoning Bylaw Articles The commission discussed the upcoming Town Meeting Zoning Bylaw articles. They decided the articles are not in their jurisdiction. 9:52pm Steep Slope Performance Standards Regulation Discussion This will be discussed at the next meeting. 9:53pm Draft NHESP Priority Habitat map review and comment request The commission decided they will take some time to review the draft and will comment by June rd 3. 9:53pm Certification of Understanding Regarding Modification of Plan Motion to adopt the Certificate of Understanding made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:57pm Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Bitsko and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved 5/1/2017