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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-30-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday April 30, 2018 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 of the Town Office Building Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Alex Dohan, Dick Wolk, Ruth Ladd, Kevin Beuttell, Duke, Bitsko Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant 6:30pm Hartwell Ave Zoning Changes presentation by Economic Development Coordinator, Megan Zammuto Ms. Zammuto explained that the Economic Development Office has been tasked with creating an initiative to balance the commercial tax base with the residential tax base. They have identified the northern section of Hartwell Ave as a location to redevelop. They are proposing commercial developments that will capture the natural environment, diversify transportation, and enhance streetscapes and lighting. They are going to change the zoning to allow for different setbacks and building heights to increase density. They are imaging the build-out of this area to be 20-30 years in the future. There are significant wetlands in the area, so they are interested in receiving initial feedback from the Commission. Questions and comments from the Commission: The Commission stated that they are concerned with how people will get to the area. They stated Bedford Street already has a great deal of traffic in that area. The commission stated that there are currently large parking areas right next to the wetlands. They stated that this could be an area to look at for restoration. The commission stated that an obstacle to development in this area is flood plain. The commission stated that building trails within the wetlands can be very expensive and difficult to permit. 7pm NEW PUBLIC MEETING DET 18-8 RDA, 489 Concord Ave Applicant/owner: The Cotting School Project: Increased use of existing path Meg Buczynski- Activitas, Bruce Embry- Attorney, Ms. Buczynski stated that on the Cotting School property, there is currently a path that connects the existing Cotting School property to their newly acquired property. Ms. Buczynski explained that the path has always existed. The Cotting School has historically used the path to access the tennis courts. The family that lived in the single family home that the Cotting School acquired also used the path to access the tennis courts. Because the Cotting School now owns both properties, there will be increased use of the path. There are no changes proposed to the path. It will be hand shoveled in the winter and will be checked twice a year for erosion. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that they are concerned with how the path will be maintained. Based on pictures, it looks like the path was plowed last winter. The commission is concerned that the path has been altered since they were last out there. The applicant explained that there have been no changes to the path. The commission asked exactly what the change in use of the path will be. Ms. Buczynski stated that previously, the path was for residential use. Now it will be for school use. The commission asked if there will be lights on the path. The applicant stated that there will be some lights in the parking area. The commission stated that they will need to see the lights on a plan. The commission asked if there are other plans for the property. The applicant stated that in the future they will be using the property, but there are no plans at this time. The commission stated that they would like to see some sort of barrier to demarcate the edge of the path. The commission suggested boulders or a metal edge. The commission stated that they would be open to a more pervious surface for the path. The applicant stated they would like to stick with gravel. The commission stated that they will require an as-built plan. The commission stated that they want the applicant to provide them with a specific list of proposed uses so they can better write the conditions. The commission stated that they want a snow management plan. Questions and comments from the public: Meryl Fink, representing Alyssa Goodman of 485 Concord Ave, stated that she is concerned that the abutter notification was not sufficient. She stated that the abutter notification just mentioned maintenance of an existing path and not increased use. She stated she is concerned about the School's intentions for the path and the lot. Leon Goodman, representing Alyssa Goodman of 485 Concord Ave, stated that he is concerned that the path will be used for vehicular use. He explained that the right of way that the school used to access the lot will not be sufficient for commercial use and they will use the path to move cars back and forth. Motion to continue the hearing to 5/14/2018 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 7:55pm Request Certificate of Compliance: 57 Ablemarle Road DEP 201-915, BL 875 Motion to issue Certificate of Compliance made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 7:56pm Approve minutes from 4/17/2018 meeting Motion to approve minutes made by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 7:57pm Continued Hearings DEP 201-1092, BL 1049 NOI, 7 Ledgelawn Ave Owner/applicant: Jian Shao Project: Raze and rebuild SFD Scott Henderson- Henderson Consulting, Jian Shao-homeowner Mr. Henderson explained that they have architecturally changed the plans so the new house is not any closer to the brook than the existing house. At its closest point, the house will be 53.2ft. from the brook. They are proposing mitigation plantings in the 25 ft. buffer. He explained that the wetlands consultant talked to DEP about this project and it is considered a mixture of a redevelopment plan and new construction. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission stated that it was their understanding of the Riverfront Act that a project must be considered either redevelopment or new construction, not both. Mr. Henderson stated that he will talk to the wetlands consultant regarding this. The commission stated that closest point to the brook should be measured from the foundation of the existing house not the deck. The commission also stated that the new house cannot be any closer than any part of the existing house. Motion to continue the hearing to 5/14/2018 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:16pm Request for an insignificant plan change to install heat within the new existing driveway within the 200-foot Riverfront Area: 92 Grant Street, DEP 201-1008, BL 965 John McGeogh- owner/builder, Dr, Chang- engineer Mr. McGeogh explained that he has a buyer interested in purchasing the house, but they want a heated driveway installed. Mr. McGoegh stated that over the course of the winter, he has to use large amounts of chemicals to de-ice the driveway. The heated driveway would keep the pavement around 35 degrees. Light snow will evaporate and heavier snow will drain into the system. They are proposing an electric system. Dr. Chang stated that there will be no change on the infiltration system. Decrease flows will be seen because the snow will slowly met rather than all at once. Motion to approve the plan change made by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:28pm Issue Order of Conditions: DEP 201-XXXX, BL XXXX, NOI, Minuteman National Park, Parker's Revenge This will be issued once it has a DEP number. Issue Order of Conditions: DEP 201-1097, BL 1054, NOI, 45 Bedford Street Motion to issue Order of Conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. 8:34pm Schedule Site Visits for the 5/14/2018 Meeting Site visits were scheduled for 5/12/2018. 8:37pm Planning Board Comments/Updates The commission discussed the Hartwell Ave proposal. 8:41pm Reports Ms. Dohan reported on the Wright Farm event. She also showed the commission some proposed drawings of the barn renovations done by an architect. 8:52pm Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Buettell. Vote: 6-0 in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved 5/14/2018