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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-18-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday September 18, 2017 6:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Ave Chair Phil Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:36pm in the Hudson Room. Commissioners Present: Duke Bitsko, David Langseth, Phil Hamilton, Dick Wolk, Kevin Beuttell Others present: Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant 6:36pm Eagle Scout project presentation by Martin Kane Martin Kane, Eagle Scout Candidate Mr. Kane explained that his Eagle Scout project proposal includes building a bench to place at the small pond in Willard's Woods. He is proposing to build a 14 ft. section of split rail fence to prevent people from walking down into the pond. The bench will be built off site and be transported to the site. The bench will be buried 6 inches into the ground and any excess soil will be transported off site. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission suggested that he look into using a plastic material so that the bench has a longer life. Mr. Kane stated that he would look into that. Motion to approve the project made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:46pm 44 Adams Street Mr. Hamilton explained that there is an interest in acquiring the land where the Chiesa House once stood. The selectmen are interested in knowing whether the commission has interest in acquiring this land. Mr. Hamilton stated that they do not need to discuss this in executive session because the town's interest in the land is public knowledge. There is an interest in raising private money to help with the cost. Motion to support this effort made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:50pm Request for Informal Meeting: Lex Children's Place, Pelham Rd, DiNisco/Facilities Donna DiNisco, DiNisco Design Ms. DiNisco explained that the town has purchased a property on Pelham Road with the intention of building a new preschool for the town. There is an existing school building on the site which the town has decided to tear down rather than renovate. They were limited as to where they could place the new school on the site because of the future plans to develop the site further. Ms. DiNisco presented the commission with two options for the school. Each option has an area for future expansion. She stated that there is a vernal pool on the site and they are proposing to keep the work 100 ft. from that, but work is proposed in the 100 ft. wetland buffer. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission suggested that the applicant explore some architectural changes which would keep the work outside of the 100 ft. buffer. The commission stated that they are very wary of approving work within the 100 ft. buffer. The commission asked if the school could have two stories. Ms. DiNisco explained that the age of the students makes this difficult. The commission asked that the project team explore making the areas more pedestrian friendly. The commission asked that the project team explore the possibility of combining the parking area with the Community Center. 7:19pm Continued Meetings/Hearings DEP 201-1063, BL 1020 NOI, 10-12 Rangeway Road Owner: Fisher Nominee Trust Project: New Single Family Home Dennis Greichi, Andover Consultants Mr. Greichi explained that they have submitted new plans to address the comments from the Engineering department. They have also submitted an updated O and M plan. He stated they do have to go before the Planning Board for a Street Determination, but do not expect that to affect the Conservation portion of the project. Mr. Greichi stated that he understands he will have to come back to the commission if the street determination will require any change to the plan accompanying the Order of Conditions. Mr. Hamilton entered the Engineering report into the record. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission asked for clarification about what will be at the end of the pipe. The applicant stated that it will be a flared end section and there will be some rip rap. The commission suggested the applicant explore a stronger form of PVC for the pipe so that is more protected from being crushed. The applicant agreed to this. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 7:31pm DEP 201-1070, BL 1027 NOI, 167, 173, 177 Cedar Street Lot 10 Owner: Peter Staecker Applicant: 167, 173, 177 Cedar Street LLC Project: New single family home and associated site work Mike Novak- Meridian Associates, Ben Finnegan- Finnegan Development, John Farrington and Fred Gilligan- attorneys Mr. Novak explained that they have made some major revisions to the plan. They have adjusted some bump outs and the house is now 11 ft. further from the wetlands putting it at 63 ft. at its closest point. Additionally, they have removed the third bay from the garage and replaced it with a porous paver parking area. They have removed 600 ft. of impervious surface. Mr. Wolk and Mr. Langseth both stated that they have watched the LexMedia video and have signed the affidavits. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 7:41pm Pendine Continued Request for Insignificant plan change: 18 Constitution Road, DEP 201-884, BL 843 This will be discussed at the next meeting. Request for Insignificant plan change: 3 Mulberry Lane, DET 16-44 Mike Novak- Meridian Associates, Stephen DeSousa- homeowner Mr. Novak explained that when they were doing the final survey, they realized that the work had extended beyond the limit of work line in some areas. Because of the retaining wall construction, there is now 300 ft. of disturbance within the 100 ft. buffer. Questions and comments from the commission: The commission asked if the site was surveyed before the wall was put in. Mr. Novak stated that it was not. The commission asked if the area beyond the wall had be restored. Mr. Novak explained that there was no disturbance in that area and it is stable. The commission discussed this violation and decided to issue a $100 fine. Motion to approve the plan change and issue a $100 fine made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 4-1 in favor with Mr. Wolk voting against. 7:54pm Request for Insignificant plan change: 98 East Street, DEP 201-1043, BL 1000 Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record. Mr. Novak explained that they are proposing to add a second floor to a portion of the house within the existing footprint. They are also proposing to direct the drainage from the shed to the porous pavement court rather than the originally proposed infiltration area. Mr. Novak addressed the town engineer's comments regarding the ground water. Motion to approve the plan change made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5- 0 in favor. 8:03pm Issue Order of Conditions: 5 Fairfield Drive, DEP 201-1068, BL 1025 Motion to issue the Order of Conditions made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:04pm Issue Order of Conditions: 960-1010 Waltham Street, DEP 201-1066, BL 1023 Mr. Wolk recused himself. Mr. Beuttel and Mr. Bitsko each stated that they have watched the LexMedia video and have signed the affidavits. Motion to issue the Order of Conditions made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 4-0 in favor. 8:06pm Issue Order of Conditions: 167, 173, 177 Cedar Street Lot 6, DEP 201-1069, BL 1026 Mr. Beuttel and Mr. Bitsko each stated that they have watched the LexMedia video and have signed the affidavits. Motion to issue the Order of Conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Issue Order of Conditions: 167, 173, 177 Cedar Street Lot 10, DEP 201-1070, BL 1027 Mr. Beuttel and Mr. Bitsko each stated that they have watched the LexMedia video and have signed the affidavits. Motion to issue the Order of Conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langeseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:07pm Issue Order of Conditions: 167-177 Cedar Street, Lot 10, DEP 201-1064, BL 1021 Issue Order of Conditions: 167-177 Cedar Street, Lot 6, DEP 201-1065, BL 1022 The applicant has withdrawn these applications. 8:08pm Approve minutes: 8/7/2017 Motion to approve the minutes made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Approve minutes: 8/21/2017 Motion to approve the minutes made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Schedule Site Visits for the 10/2/17 meeting Site visits were scheduled for 10/1/2017 at 12pm. 8:13pm Steep Slope Regulation Discussion The draft of this regulation has been sent to Town Counsel for approval. 8:13pm 100 foot buffer zone regulation discussion Mr. Hamilton and Ms. Ladd are working on a draft of this regulation and will circulate it for the next meeting. 8:17pm Reports Mr. Langseth has stated that he has been working on his regulation regarding surveying and it will be on the next agenda. 8:18pm Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Casey Hagerty Conservation Department Assistant Approved 10/2/2017