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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-12-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday June 12, 2017 6:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 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, David Langseth Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant 6:30pm Request for Insignificant Plan Change at 60 Hartwell Ave, DEP 201-1005, BL 962 Steve Wiehe, Weston and Sampson Mr. Wiehe explained to the Commission that he has submitted the hydrologic information regarding the gutter system. He stated that the gutters were able to carry about the 25 year storm down to the level spreader. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission asked whether enlarging the pipes would be able to increase the size of the storm the gutters would be able to handle. Mt. Wiehe explained that you would have to significantly increase the size of the gutters, by up to five feet, to accommodate larger storms. The commission asked for clarification regarding the size of the storm that they level spreader could handle. Mr. Wiehe explained that the level spreader can accommodate up to the 25 year storm, but the gutters cannot carry the 25 year storm to the level spreader. The commission discussed whether they initially approved this gutter design if it could not accommodate even the 25 year storm. Mr. Wiehe stated that the solar panel designer was responsible for adding in these features. The commission stated that their biggest concern is erosion on the site. They have requested that the applicant do a thorough study into what areas of the site will be susceptible to erosion and evaluate what can be done on the site to prevent it. The applicant agreed to this. Motion to approve the insignificant plan change on the conditions that the applicant provide an analysis of the water flow made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Request for Insignificant Plan Change at Concord Ave Sidewalk, DEP 201-930, BL 890 This will be discussed at the next meeting. 6:55pm Request for Insignificant Plan Change at 24 Constitution Road, DEP 201-1052, BL 1009 Peter Gammie, Project Engineer Mr. Gammie explained that the applicant has decided that they would like to add about 46 sq. ft. of additional impervious surface to the project. This is increase will be collected by the downspouts and brought to the rain garden. There will be a small increase in runoff, but peak flow went down overall. Motion to approve the insignificant plan change made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Request for Insignificant Plan Change at 45-65 Hayden Ave, DEP 201-1044, BL 1001 Doug Hartnett, High Point Engineering Mr. Hartnett explained that after doing some site work, they discovered that the area in which four pervious pavement parking spaces were proposed there was significant ledge. They are proposing to relocate the pervious pavement parking spaces to an area on site in which the conditions are better for infiltration. Motion to approve the insignificant plan change made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 7:00pm NEW MEETINGS/HEARINGS DET 17-14 RDA, 78 North Street Applicant/owner: Bernie and Jenny Wong Project: Geothermal Installation Jenny Wong, homeowner and representative from Skilling and Sons Drilling Company Ms. Dohan recused herself from this hearing. Ms. Wong explained that she and her husband are proposing to add geothermal wells in the front of their yard. They had the wetland delineated by LEC and the work is approximately 100 ft. away from the wetlands. She stated that the only work within the 100 ft. buffer will be the connections from the well to the house. They are proposing erosion controls as well as a water tight dumpster on site. The drill company representative stated they will have a water tight dumpster on site as well as water truck just in case they hit a water vein. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission asked what type of drilling technique will be used. The applicant explained that it is the same technique as digging a traditional well. The commission asked if the system will be closed loop. Ms. Wong explained that it will be. The commission asked if there are plans to replant the trees that will be removed in the future. Ms. Wong explained that they will replant trees. Motion to issue a Negative Determination with conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Ms. Dohan did not vote. 7:12pm DET 17-15 RDA, 27-29 Hartwell Ave Applicant/Owner: Timothy White, Alexandria Real Estate Equities Project: Two small additions and site work David Mackwell, Kelly Engineering Group Mr. Mackwell explained that his project is for a future drain connection as part of a larger site redevelopment project. There are no wetlands on site for this project. They are proposing a few small additions and need a drain connection permit because the rest of the building is already connected. Mr. Mackwell explained that they are attempting to improve the drainage in the back parking lot as well. Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission stated that they did not agree with the applicant's interpretation regarding the preexisting conditions. They asked that the applicant explore that section of the application and return with the additional information. The applicant agreed. Motion to continue the meeting to 6/26/17 at the applicant's request made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 7:33pm Informal Hearing: Hastings School, 7 Crosby Drive Vivian Lowe- DiNisco Design, Fred King- Schofield Brothers, Bill Brown- Landscape architect Ms. Lowe explained that the wetlands have been approved through an ORAD earlier this year. They are in the beginning stages of planning and designing the new school on the site. They are planning to file a NOI in October of this year. Mr. Brown explained that they are facing some constraints on the site because they have to keep the remaining school in place while the new school is being built. He stated that the elevations on this site also create some problems. They are also looking at the option of building a temporary access road to reduce construction traffic in the neighborhood. Mr. King stated the soils in this area are not good for infiltration because of high ground water. They are proposing to use permeable pavement on the parking lot. Rain gardens, several large infiltration chambers, and a level spreader are proposed. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commissions stated that they were concerned about the pervious pavement parking lot because it will be in a heavy use area. The commission wants to know more details about maintenance and responsibility for the parking lot. The commission requested to see the traffic study. They expressed concern about the amount of roadway that is proposed. The commission asked that they provide information regarding the maximum slope into the wetlands. The commission expressed concern about the amount of impervious surface on site. They asked that they look at reducing some impervious surface and explore more green infrastructure. 8:06pm DEP 201-1059, BL 1016 ANRAD, 453 and 489 Concord Ave Applicant/Owner: The Cotting School Project: Resource Area Delineation Ms. Mullins explained that the applicant has provided the updated plan to the Commission as requested. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Motion to issue the Order of Resource Area Delineation made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:08pm DEP 201-1047, BL 1004 AOOC, 180 East Emerson Applicant/owner: Jan Bultman Project: Modification to approved plan Al Gala-project engineer Mr. Gala explained that at the last meeting, there was concern from some of the commissioners about the location of the infiltration system because of potential basement flooding. To avoid this potential problem, Mr. Gala explained, that they have relocated the infiltration system to be ten feet further away from the house and have also installed a poly liner on the plan. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Motion to issue the Amended Order of Conditions made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:14pm DET 17-9 RDA, 19 Baskin Road Owner/applicant: Nick Yang Project: Home addition Motion to continue the hearing to 6/26/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:14pm DET 17-11 RDA, 191 Spring Street Owner/applicant: 191 Spring Street Trust Project: Site improvements including loading dock relocation and patio addition Chris Lovett-VHB, Erik Mo- Boston Properties Mr. Lovett explained that he has met with the Engineering Department to review the proposal and has submitted additional information. They have done additional test pits on site and have relocated the infiltration system as a result. Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record. Motion to issue a Negative Determination with conditions made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 5-0 in favor. Mr. Langseth did not vote. 8:19pm DEP 201-1057, BL 1014 NOI, Old Mill Road Owner: North Shore Residential Development and City of Cambridge Applicant: North Shore Residential Development Project: Improve an existing trail Motion to continue the hearing to 6/26/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:21pm DEP 201-XXXX, BL XXXX NOI, 758 Marrett Road Owner/Applicant: Minuteman Vocational Regional and Technical High School Project: Raze and rebuild of existing school building and associated site work Motion to continue the hearing to 6/26/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:22pm DET 17-13 RDA, 40 North Street Applicant/Owner: Daniela Rohne-Garlapati Project: Utility work and additional pavement Motion to continue the hearing to 6/26/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 6-0 in favor 8:23pm 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 6/26/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 6-0 in favor Pendine Continued 8:23pm Issue Certificates of Compliance at 12 Brookside, DEP 201-1000, BL 957 Ms. Mullins explained that this that paper work looks okay, she just has not has a chance to do a site visit yet. The commission stated that they could issue the certificate, but hold it until the site visit occurs. Motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Doha. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:24pm Enforcement: 5 Hadley Road, Removal of trees and porch renovations without required permits Ms. Mullins stated that there was activity taking place on 5 Hadley Road involving excavation and piles of fill. The owner was attempting to replace a deck without any permits. She met on site with the Building inspector and contractor. Temporary supports have been put in place and the owner is cooperating. The commission requested that owner come to the next meeting to propose a restoration plan. 8:26pm Wright Farm Endangered Species Study Request Mrs. Dohan explained that she received a request from a resident to ask the commission to explore the possibility of doing an Endangered Species study at Wright Farm. The commission discussed whether this resident had reason to believe that there are endangered species on that site. The commission stated that there would need to be more of a demand from many residents in order to do a study. They added that they should explore all Conservation areas not just Wright Farm. 8:30pm Approve minutes: 5/30/2017 This will be discussed at the next meeting. 8:34pm Schedule Site Visits for the 6/26/17 meeting Site visits were scheduled for 6/24/17 at 9am. 8:34pm Reminder: Stewards joint meeting 6/19/17 8:35pm FY 19 Selectmen Goal Setting: Request for Conservation Commission Comments This will be discussed at the Joint meeting. 8:37pm Steep Slope Performance Standards Regulation Discussion The commission stated that they will continue to work on the draft regulation language. Mr. Bitsko stated that he will summarize some interesting articles he read about steep slope regulations in Cincinnati and will forward that information. 8:40pm The commission stated that the issues with Solar Project on Hartwell Ave have made they concerned about infiltration systems all over town and whether they are working properly. 8:47pm Motion to adjourn made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk Vote: 6-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved 7/10/2017