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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-01-04-CONCOM-min.pdf MINUTES - LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION JANUARY 4, 2000 Commissioners present: Lisa Baci, Duke Bitsko, Bebe Fallick, Angela Frick,Philip Hamilton, Joyce Miller and Richard Wolk. Others present: Marilyn Nordby and Linda Gaudet. Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. in Room G-15, Town Office Building. Enforcement—Wilson's Farms. Pleasant Street - Mrs. Miller reported that a neighbor to Wilson Farm reported that they were stockpiling sand next to the brook at Pleasant Street. She had the Wilsons install hay bales to protect the brook from the stockpile and had them remove the material. The material came from the excavation for the new green houses. Mrs. Frick and Mrs. Miller met the Wilsons on site to observe the trees the Wilsons would like to remove because they are dead and concurred with their plan. While meeting at the site,the Wilsons also pointed out that the debris and logs are forming dams in the Sickle Brook north of Mass. Ave. We should request that DPW remove this debris. In reviewing when the brook was last maintained,Ms.Nordby said that Carter Scott had cleaned the brook as a public service when developing the abutting property Minutes - It was moved, seconded and unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the December 21, 1999, meeting as amended. Order of Conditions, 17 Carley Road - 201-461 It was moved, seconded and unanimously voted to approve the Order of Conditions for 17 Carley Road as amended. DET #00-1 5 Ledeelawn Avenue. Andover Renovation Solutions, Inc. 8 p.m. Present: William Penny, applicant; Julita Kussmaul, owner; others are listed in the file. Mr. Penny presented the plan for the expansion of a small cape at 5 Ledgelawn Avenue. The expansion includes a 6-foot front porch and entryway and a 16x18 one-story addition to the side of the home. The nearest point of the addition to the North Lexington Brook is 105 feet. Both additions will be placed on sona tubes and a wood skirting will be installed below the additions to keep animals out from under the house. Hay bales and silt fence are proposed as erosion controls. Commissioners noted that references to the Riverfront Act should have been included on the NOI. A drywell is proposed to mitigate stormwater runoff. Mrs. Miller read the Engineering report requesting further information regarding the documentation of additional impervious area,providing a soil survey map to document the percolation rate, and the water table. A shallow type drywell or infiltrator was recommended. MINUTES LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION 1/4/00 PAGE 2 Responses to questions from the Commission followed. Mr. Penny said that they had decided to support the addition on sona tubes because installing a full foundation would be a major disruption to the property He also explained that the grassy area near the brook channel is not on this lot, but the back yard of the lot fronting on Bedford Street. The runoff from the present structure just sheets off the property In response to comments from the Commission,the hay bale line will be extended; the drywell moved away from the existing trees so they are not impacted; and they will respond the comments in the Engineer's memo. Abutters were assured that drainage efficiency would not be compromised by moving the drywell. After discussion and with the applicant's approval, it was moved, seconded and voted to continue the hearing to January 18 at 7.45 p.m. so the plan could be revised to respond to the Engineer's comments and the Commission's concerns. Discussion-Reed's Brook Project. Arlinnton Present: Kevin O'Brien and Alan McClennen, Town of Arlington; Gary Fallick, Associate Commissioner; Michael Lelyveld and William Toth, abutters; Tom Spearin and James Petras, Metcalf&Eddy Kevin O'Brien reviewed the status of the project for cleaning 300 to 400 feet of the Reed's Brook channel in Lexington from the Arlington town line to the stone bridge near the Whipple Hill entrance road. He would like comments and suggestions from the Commission before he submits a NOI for the project. He reported that historical information regarding brook maintenance cleanings prior to 1983 has been submitted to DEP and the Commission. If DEP is satisfied with this information, the project will meet the criteria for a"limited project." He asked if the Commission is concerned with the possibility that the surrounding wet area will change when the sediment is removed from the channel allowing the water to flow from the area more freely A study of the downstream impacts was submitted to the Commission a year ago and reviewed by the Town Engineer who felt that there would be minimal impact for the 100 year storm. However,they felt the calculations should also be done for the 2 and 10-year storm events and this will be done by the project engineers. The method of removing and disposal of the silt will have to be described and the wetlands are yet to be specifically mapped. Ms. Baci responded that primary issues are that the down stream flooding not be exacerbated and that the surrounding wetland remain wet. The assumption that the land will remain wet will be researched and addressed in the NOI. It might be useful to document what the area was like when the channel was maintained. Michael Lelyveld stated he walked the area with the DEP representative who will be doing the soil testing. They discovered water flowing to the brook near the stone bridge from what appeared to be springs in the hill above. This makes it clear that not all the water in the brook comes from Arlington. We should have documentation that the water table is high making the area very wet so it should not dramatically change the characteristics of the wetland. The owners of the abutting land should be shown on the maps. Mr. O'Brien said they discussed project concerns with Wayne Lozzi of DEP, who is very concerned that the wetland will be destroyed. However, as a result of the landfill project, more MINUTES - LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION 1/4/00 PAGE 3 wetland is being created and it was not yet clear to Mr. O'Brien if this could be considered a balance if the brook cleaning did reduce the amount of wetland. He is trying to find out. James Petras, Metcalf&Eddy, said they will be creating new resource areas such as bank and land under waterbody The Commission requested the repair of the channel riprap be addressed. Mrs. Frick reminded everyone that this channel, as well as many other brook channels in Town, were riprapped as part of the Federal WPA project. It was also noted that the debris in the channel below the stone bridge should be removed as part of the project. Other important issues to address as part of the project proposed in the NOI include: ongoing maintenance which would include the prevention of sediment entering the brook from the roads in Arlington; and the time schedule for maintenance defining which Town would be responsible. At this time there is not much concern about the area being invaded by exotic species because of the substantial stand of cattails. DEP will be doing additional soil testing along the brook. At this time they think the sediment removed from the channel can be used on the Arlington project site. Mr. Lelyveld suggested that some type of measuring indicator should be installed in the brook so that it is clear when it needs to be cleaned. The riprap should be tied back so that it will not fall back into the channel. He is also concerned with the increase in stormwater runoff that will flow into the area from the Arlington Streets. He is concerned that the water will become trapped in the flat area between the end of the pipe and the brook channel. Kevin asked if this is a problem and if it is an issue for the wetlands. Lisa noted that the LCC should be invited to Arlington's hearing for the NOI or the project. Mr. Lelyveld stated there are old, rusty pipes which are unsightly located in the open area and that they should be removed. They were probably placed there years ago by a municipality The Commission was invited to an informal discussion with the Arlington Commission on Thursday evening. Approval of both the Arlington and Lexington Conservation Commissions are needed for this project. It may be advantageous to have both NOIs submitted in a close time frame so that important matters can be addressed simultaneously Extension Permit Discussion— Sheraton Lexineton Inn - 201-391 Mrs. Miller reported that John Farrington, attorney for the SLT Realty Limited Partnership (Starwood Hotels),new owners of the Sheraton Lexington Inn, has requested an extension for a period of three years for this NOI in a letter dated 1/4/00. The contracts for the Marrett Road (Route 2A) improvements have finally been awarded and the road work will begin this winter. Sheraton could not start work on their expansion until the contract awarding took place. After discussion, it was decided that this is a good opportunity to review the hotel's expansion,the appropriate use of their land, and the importance of the hillside, with the new owners. It was decided to ask the owners to attend the February 1st meeting at 8 p.m. Commissioners Baci, Bitsko, Fallick, Frick, Hamilton, Miller and Wolk voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of approving minutes. The meeting resumed in open session. MINUTES - LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION 1/4/00 PAGE 4 Bob Stewart's Party The January 7th date has been postponed. Site Visits for 1/18 meetine - Saturday, January 15, at 10 a.m. — 113/115 Concord Avenue, then to 35 Woodpark Circle. The meeting adjourned at 9.40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Linda A. Gaudet Secretary