HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-06-CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, February 6, 2017
6:30 P.M.
Hudson Room, Cary Hall
1605 Massachusetts Ave
Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:32pm in the Hudson Room of Cary Hall
Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Duke Bitsko, Alex Dohan, Kevin Beuttell
Others present: Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant
6:32pm
Lincoln Street Sidewalk discussion
Todd Burger and Josh Summers, residents of Lincoln Street, explained to the Commission that
they are submitting a petition to the TSG Group to get a sidewalk extended from Marrett Road
down Lincoln Street. They explained that the situation is currently very dangerous. The proposed
sidewalk would connect key locations and increase pedestrian safety. The proposed sidewalk
would parallel Idylwilde Conservation Area, but they are unsure which side of the street it will
run on; the Engineering Department will decide that. They understand that this would likely need
to get approved through a Conservation permit.
At this point Mr. Burger and Mr. Summers were just making the Commission aware of the
petition and to ask for feedback.
6:45pm
Compliance discussion regarding 9 Luongo Farm Road, DET 13-08
Bob Phelan- builder, Mike Capichetti- Project Engineer
Mr. Phelan explained that this project was approved by the Commission through a Negative
Determination in 2013. The entire project is outside of the 100 ft. buffer. There were some
changes made to the house, but it was made smaller and pulled further from the wetlands.
Mr. Capichetti stated that the only outstanding problem was whether the drainage complied with
the Conservation Commission decision. The Town Engineering department had some questions
about the test pits on site and whether the soils were consistent to what was proposed. Mr.
Capichetti explained that they have provided the Engineering department with updated
information.
Mr. Phelan stated that they will come back on 2/21/2017 once the Engineering Department
approves the project.
6:52pm
Issue Certificate of Compliance at 6 Bryant Road, DEP 201-1019, BL 976
This will be taken up at the next meeting.
Issue Certificate of Compliance at 20 Victory Garden, DEP 201-967, BL 925
This will be taken up at the next meeting.
Issue Certificate of Compliance at 2 Opi Circle, DEP 201-964, BL 922
Ms. Hagerty explained that this project added an additional drainage feature to this project that
was not approved by the Commission. The Commission felt this change was acceptable.
Motion to issue the Certificate of Compliance made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr.
Beuttell. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Issue Certificates of Compliance at 15 John Poulter, DEP 201-955, BL 913
Ms. Hagerty explained that this project was all set except for some information regarding the
sump pump that was still needed. The Commission stated that they would issue the Certificate,
but it should not be released until the updated information is received.
Motion to issue the Certificate of Compliance made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr.
Beuttell. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Issue Certificates of Compliance at 191 East Street, DEP 201-753, BL 711
Motion to issue the Certificate of Compliance made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr.
Beuttell. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Issue Certificates of Compliance at 44 Hartwell Ave. DEP 201-903, BL 863
This will be taken up at the next meeting.
6:55pm
Extend Order of Conditions for 3 years at the Old Reservoir, DEP 201-437, BL 393
The Commission requested to see the monitoring reports before issuing the extension.
6:59pm
DET 17-5
RDA,132 Marrett Road
Owner/applicant: Vicki and Doug Mattscheck
Project: Pool installation and driveway expansion
Rich Kirby- LEC Environmental and Al Gala- Project Engineer
Mr. Kirby explained that this is a proposal to add an in ground pool to the property. The pool
would be located outside of the 100 ft. buffer zone. The existing lot has a stormwater system that
will have to be relocated because of the pool installation. The new stormwater system will
mitigate for the existing house as well as proposed pool, patio, and driveway turn around.
Motion to issue a Negative Determination with Conditions made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded
by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
7:10pm
DEP 201-1047, BL 1004
NOI, 180 East Emerson Road
Owner/applicant: Jan Bultman
Project: Home addition, deck addition, geothermal installation
Rich Kirby- LEC Environmental and Al Gala- Project engineer
Mr. Kirby explained that the front yard of this property has a small wetland area within it. The
proposed project includes a home addition as well as deck addition. An infiltration area has been
proposed to mitigate for this work. A plant management plan has been submitted for the wetland
area. Mr. Kirby clarified that the geothermal system is already existing and is not being
proposed.
Questions and comments from the Commission:
Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record.
The commission requested that erosion controls be proposed along the entire length of the
driveway. The applicant agreed to this.
The commission requested that FENO markers be added along the 25 ft. buffer. The applicant
agreed to this.
The Commission stated that they were concerned about an Eastern White Pine along the 50 ft.
buffer that is proposed to be cut down. The Commission stated they will condition that the tree
will not be cut down until an arborist has examined the tree and a mitigation plan has been
submitted for approval.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-0 in
favor.
7:20pm
DEP 201-1048, BL 1005
NOI, 85 Kendall Road
Owner/applicant: Feng Gao
Project: Home addition
Scott Smyers- Oxbow Associates
Mr. Smyers explained that the lot has an existing single family home with a porch off the rear.
The proposed project is to add an addition where the deck is currently and add a deck off of the
side of the proposed addition. Mr. Smyers stated there is a stream in the back of the property that
is mapped as perennial, but has dried up. He provided the commission with pictures of the dry
stream before the drought warning was issued as well as stream stats indicating the stream is
intermittent.
An infiltration system is being proposed to mitigate for the addition. No part of the structure will
extend within the 50 ft. buffer. Restoration has been proposed along the 25. Ft. buffer.
Questions and comments from the Commission:
Mr. Hamilton entered the Engineering report into the record.
The commission discussed the status of the stream in the rear. The commission felt that in order
to overturn the USGS determination, they would need significant evidence- more than the
pictures provided by the applicant, which were taken only a few days before the drought was
declared.
The commission sated that the way that they approach the restoration aspect of this project
would differ if the area is riverfront rather than BVW.
The commission asked that the O and M report be changed to the Commission’s preferred
language.
Request to continue the hearing to 2/21/17 at the applicant’s request made by Mrs. Dohan and
seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
7:43pm
DET 16-42
6 Lothrop RDA
Owner/applicant: Yu Wei
Project: Construct addition to an existing single-family home
Tom Timko- Copperbeach Design
Mr. Timko explained that the entire project is outside of the 100 ft. buffer based on an evaluation
they had done by a wetlands scientist. They are proposing an infiltration system that is standard
for a project of this size. He explained that they are reducing impervious surface by removing a
concrete patio and replacing a driveway and walkway with pervious pavers. Only one
ornamental fruit tree is being removed.
Questions and comments from the Commission:
The commission stated that they were unsure if they could approve this project without
engineering details and without test pit data. Mr. Timko explained that they understand they will
have to come back to the commission if the drainage system will be changed. Mr. Hamilton
added that in situations where the project is outside of the 100 ft. buffer, the commission has
approved drainage plans without calculations.
The commission wants a condition that no hemlock trees will be removed. The applicant agreed
to this.
Motion to issue a Negative Determination with Conditions made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded
by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
8:02pm
DET 17-2
RDA, 36 Sanderson RDA
Applicant: William Caira
Project: New front portico and rear deck addition
Bill Caira- CBC Construction
Mr. Caira provided the Commission with an updated plan. The existing steps are being moved
outside of the 50 ft. buffer and the deck will end at the existing steps.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission is concerned about the walkway and fire pit construction because they do not
have a detailed plan. They stated they are comfortable with the idea of it, but want more
construction details. The commission stated that they would approve the project but will make a
condition that work on the walkway cannot commence until a detailed plan is submitted.
Motion to issue a Negative Determination with conditions made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by
Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
8:17pm
DEP 201-1043, BL 1000
NOI, 98 East Street
Applicant/owner: Sean and Jennifer Kennedy
Project: New covered entryway, woodshed, patio, and sports court
Rich Kirby- LEC Environmental and Sean and Jennifer Kennedy- homeowners
Mr. Kirby explained that this house abuts Vine Brook. They are proposing a paved sports court
with a pervious paver patio and a shed. The sports court will be pervious. The shed will have an
infiltration system associated with it. There are also some bay windows that are proposed. Mr.
Kirby explained that the applicants will also be going before the Zoning Board of Appeals so
they want to hear comments from the Commission before that hearing. A restoration plan has
been submitted.
Questions and comments from the Commission:
The Commission stated that there were some problems with the plan regarding the flood plain
area. Mr. Kirby stated the project engineer is working on correcting that mistake.
The commission asked for some specifications regarding the restoration plan. Mr. Kirby stated
there would be no seed mix because the ground is already stabilized. The planting will go below
the existing tree canopy and not expanding the restoration area. Mr. Kirby stated that currently
the area is landscape-like and they will be renaturalizing the area.
The commission discussed the details for the porous pavement and porous pavers.
The commission asked for some adjustments to the O and M plan.
The commission asked for specifications on the shed. The applicant explained that the shed will
have a foundation and plumbing for a utility sink.
The commission discussed whether this area was appropriate for porous pavement. The
commission determined that this use should be acceptable.
Motion to continue the hearing to 2/21/17 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Beuttell and
seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
8:43pm
DEP 201-1044, BL 1001
NOI, 45, 55, 65 Hayden Ave
Applicant/owner: CRP/King Hayden Owner LLC, c/o King Street Properties
Project: Parking lot expansion
Motion to continue the hearing to 2/21/17 at the applicant’s request made by Mrs. Dohan and
seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
8:43pm
DEP 201-1022, BL 979
NOI, 138 Laconia Street
Owner/Applicant: DEBCO Properties, David Burns
Project: New Single Family Home
Motion to continue the hearing to 5/30/17 at the applicant’s request made by Mrs. Dohan and
seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
The commission stated that they would like to do a site visit to this location in the spring.
Pending Continued
8:46pm
Approve minutes: 1/23/2016
The Commission will take this up at the next meeting.
Schedule Site Visits for the 2/21/2017 Meeting
Site visits were scheduled for 2/18/17 at 9:30am.
Steep Slope Performance Standards Discussion
The commission discussed the proposal that was drafted by Mr. Hamilton. There was discussion
about whether the language should be more specific or whether more broad language was
preferred. The commission also discussed what grade slopes should trigger this regulation. The
definitions of the regulations need to be reviewed.
9:05pm
Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Casey Hagerty
Conservation Department Assistant
Approved 3/6/2017