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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-01-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, May 12017 6:30 P.M. Hudson Room, Cary Hall 1605 Massachusetts Ave Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:30pm in the Parker Room Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Alex Dohan, Kevin Beuttell, Duke Bitsko, Dick Wolk Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant 6:30pm Informal Hearing- Whipple Hill Stream Restoration Dave Pavlik- Lexington Town Engineer and Denise Cameron- Woodard and Curran Mr. Pavlik explained that the engineering department is in the early stages of planning a stream restoration project at Whipple Hill. This site has been identified as a priority site by the Mystic River Watershed Association. Ms. Cameron stated that the first concern is to remove a stone embankment. The stone wall will be removed and a 1:1 bank will replace it. She explained that they are proposing a 1:1 slope because they are limited in space;part of the project is located on private property and they are attempting to keep the project off the abutter's land. Ms. Cameron told the commission that they are going to explore ways other than rip rap to stabilize the steep slope. She added that a hydrological analysis was done in the area which determined that there would be downstream flooding if they do not remove the stone headwall. Additionally, Ms. Cameron explained that 500 ft. up the trail, a section of the trail is washed out. As part of this project they are proposing to fix this section of the trail using a method known as a"rock sandwich." Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission asked for clarification of where the stream outlets. Ms. Cameron stated that the stream flows under Summer Street in Arlington. The commission asked if the rock sandwich technique is the best method for the trail restoration. Ms. Cameron stated they would be open to exploring the option of a well-built boardwalk if the commission would prefer that. The commission asked the applicant to provide some examples of where a 1:1 bank that was bioengineered has been successful. Ms. Cameron said she would look into this. The commission discussed how to define the area in which the trail work will take place. They discussed whether the area is considered buffer zone, wetland, intermittent stream etc. The commission asked for them to provide the commission with the amount of disturbance that will take place in each area. 6:59pm DET 17-6 RDA, 17 Ledgelawn Ave Applicant: Chris Annino Project: Retaining wall repairs Chris Annino- 17 Ledgelawn Ave Mr. Annino explained that he is proposing to replace in kind two sections of his retaining wall that are falling down. The project is 100 ft. away from the stream in the yard. Motion to issue a Negative Determination with conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Doha. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 7:02pm 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, Sean and Jennifer Kennedy-homeowners Mr. Kirby explained that since the last meeting they have reviewed the plans and created an alternatives analysis with three scenarios. They have revised the plan to reflect the changes in alternative three. This keeps the sports court and patio outside of the 50 ft. River front buffer. They have also increased the size of the restoration area to 5,000 sq. ft. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Pendine Continued 7:10pm Informal Hearing- 65 Cary Ave Japing Jong, 65 Cary Ave Mr. Jong explained that the wetlands are very close to his house, but he would like to do some kind of addition. He has gotten the wetlands delineated and provided the commission with some ideas of projects. The options include an addition in the rear, an open deck in the rear, and a enlarged covered entry. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission stated that this area is known to have high ground water and he should have an engineer do some test pits. The commission stated that the deck is closer to the wetlands than the existing home which is not ideal in their opinion. The commission stated that it was good that there would be an overall reduction in impervious surface because of the driveway being removed. 7:22pm Informal Hearing- 44 Adams Street John Farrington- Attorney, Mark Barons- Owner Mr. Farrington explained that Mr. Barons recently bought a home that has a Conservation Restriction on the property. They are asking the commission for a temporary easement on the Conservation Restriction so that they can build a new home, sited along the edge of the conservation restriction. Mr. Farrington also told the commission that they are proposing to do some trail maintenance to the Chiesa Farm Conservation Land as mitigation. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that even if they did grant a temporary easement for construction, in the future the applicant will need an additional easement to maintain the home. Mr. Barons explained that they can move the house further off of the Conservation Restriction, but the home will then block the view of the historic barn on site. The commission explained that protecting the Conservation Restriction is their primary priority. 7:38pm Discuss 2017 Town Paving Program Ms. Mullins explained that the town is beginning to do their spring paving. The Engineering department has identified areas that are within the jurisdiction of the Commission and have proposed erosion controls in those areas. The commission stated that they were very pleased with the advance notice of the proposal. 7:40pm Approve insignificant plan changes at: 99 Hancock Street, Diamond School, DEP 201-1013, BL 970 MS. Mullins stated that as the work has been on going at the Diamond School, the engineer discovered an inlet that they were not aware of. The applicant has proposed a solution to this problem that the Engineering Department has approved. Motion to approve the insignificant plan change made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 7:42pm Approve insignificant plan changes at: 29 Fairlawn Lane, DEP 201-1016, BL 973 Fred Russell-project engineer Mr. Russell stated that the applicant is proposing three plan changes. The first is increasing the size of the turnaround area on the driveway using permeable pavers. The second is to increase the size of the house slightly in the front of the house. He explained that this work was already completed, but that it did not increase the impervious surface because it was increased in the area where overhangs were proposed. The third change has also been completed already. It is to add an impervious patio under the deck where a door opens. Questions and comments from the Commission: Some of the Commissioners were having trouble understanding why the applicant did not come to them for the changes before they were made. Mr. Russell stated that there was some confusion about the process and that the work was not done maliciously. Some of the commissioners stated that they do not understand why they were not informed about the changes before they were done, but felt they were things that they would have approved initially or through a plan change. Motion to approve an insignificant plan change made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 3-2 in favor with Mr. Wolk and Mr. Beuttell voting against. 7:55pm Approve insignificant plan changes at: 132 Marrett Rd, DET 17-5 Ms. Mullins explained that the applicant wishes to add a new door access to the pool from the home. Motion to approve the insignificant plan change made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 7:56pm Approve insignificant plan changes at: 24 Constitution Road, DEP 201-1052, BL 1009 Ms. Mullins explained that this will be on the next agenda to discuss. 7:57pm Issue Certificates of Compliance- 8 Lake Street, DEP 201-1009, BL 966 Rob Burge- Lexington Development Group and Fred Russell-Project Engineer Mr. Russell explained that Ms. Mullins told them of some problems with the As-built plan for 8 Lake Street. The major issue, Mr. Russell stated, was that the infiltration system was built one foot lower than proposed and now does not meet the condition of two feet of separation with groundwater. He explained that he is going to do a mounding analysis to show that the two feet of separation is not needed for this system to work properly. He stated that he is asking the commission to give Ms. Mullins permission to sign off on the Certificate of Occupancy once the mounding analysis is provided. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that this is a major concern for them because the project is not in full compliance with their permit. The commission wants to know why the system was constructed this way. Mr. Russell explained that they did not do this intentionally and they were not aware of the problem until they did the survey. The commission discussed whether they have ever approved a project with less than two feet of separation between the infiltration system and the ground water. They could only remember one circumstance. The Commission asked for more details regarding the mounding test. The Commission asked for clarification regarding another issue with the plan- the trench drain being lower than proposed. Mr. Russell explained that this is not an issue because the level of the 100 yr. storm is lower than the trench drain. The majority of the Commission stated that they are comfortable with Ms. Mullins releasing the Certificate of Occupancy if the Engineering Department is ok with the results of the Mounding Analysis. 8:12pm Issue Order of Conditions: DEP 201-1055, BL 1012, NOI, Pleasant Street Motion to Issue the Order of Conditions made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:13pm Cotting School, Concord Ave (M. 11. P. 33) Enforcement Update Ms. Mullins explained that the Cotting School did have a wetland delineation, but it was not approved by the Conservation Commission. She stated that the Cotting School wants to keep all of their work outside of the 100ft. buffer, but they began work without approval from the Commission. The School was instructed to stop all work by Mr. McCarron, but it appears that work has continued since they were instructed to stop. Ms. Mullins has since met with the representatives of the School and advised them to file an ANRAD. The commission agreed that this was the appropriate next step. 8:27pm Approve minutes: 4/4/17 Motion to approve minutes made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 5-0 in favor. Approve minutes: 4/18/17 Motion to approve minutes made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:30pm Schedule Site Visits for the 5/15/17 meeting Site visits were scheduled for Saturday 5/13/2017 at 9:30am. 8:31pm Steep Slope Performance Standards Regulation Discussion The commission discussed the goals of this regulation and discussed what standards would trigger the regulations. The commission worked on creating an outline that will be used to make decisions. They are going to consider run off coefficient, depth to bedrock, soil types, vegetation, erosion potential, and distance to wetlands. 8:51pm Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved 5/30/2017