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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-07-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday August 7, 2017 6:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Ave Chair Phil Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:30pm in the Parker Room Commissioners Present: Alex Dohan, Dick Wolk, Ruth Ladd, Kevin Beuttell, David Langseth Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant 6:30pm Informal Hearing: King Street Properties, 75 Hayden Ave Derek Redgate of Highpoint Engineering explained that the parking project at 65 Hayden Ave is nearly complete. The owner of the property, King Street Properties, is now working on the next phase of the project. They are proposing to build a 200,000 sq. ft. life science building at 75 Hayden Ave. as part of this project, they are going to build a parking garage and improve the stream that runs through the site. They have to go through the planning department and Town Meeting for zoning changes. After that, they will file a Notice of Intent in front of the Commission. They will be reducing the amount of impervious surface on the site. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission requested that the owner look at adding some contours to the stream. The commission stated that the owner should explore pulling back some of the areas that are encroaching within the 25 ft. buffer. 6:52pm Request for Insignificant Plan Change: Bowman School, 9 Philip Road, DEP 201-1027, BL 985 Ms. Mullins explained that the applicant is changing the size of the water quality unit that was approved. Motion to approve the insignificant plan change made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:53pm Issue Certificates of Compliance: 5 John Hosmer Road, DEP 201-290, BL 243 Ms. Mullins explained that this project was not ready for a Certificate of Compliance yet. Issue Certificates of Compliance: 93 Hancock Street, DEP 201-780, BL 740 Motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:54pm Issue Order of Conditions: Old Mill Road, DEP 201-1057, BL 1014 Motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:56pm Issue Amended Order of Conditions: 92 Grant Street, DEP 201-1008, BL 965 Motion to issue an amended Order of Conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:57pm Approve expenditure of up to $500 from the Lexington Nature Trust for boardwalk project at Daisy Wilson Meadow Motion to approve the expenditure made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 6:59pm Update: 14 Ridge Road Ms. Mullins explained that she just wants to keep the commission up to date on a situation that occurred regarding a tree falling from wetlands. The commission stated that they will revisit their tree removal policy in the future. 7:OOpm DEP 201-1066, BL 1023 NOI, 960-1010 Waltham Street Owner/applicant: Symmes Life Care dba Brookhaven at Lexington Project: Addition of assisted living facility and associated site work Mr. Wolk recused himself from this hearing. Bill Dailey- Attorney, Jim Friedlich- President, Jim Borabach- Project Engineer, Jeanne Krieger- President of the Board of Trustees Mr. Dailey explained that the Attorney General and Town Meeting have approved the zoning changes that are required for the proposed assisted living facility expansion. Brookhaven is proposed to build 49 new units and they hope to begin in the fall of 2017. Mr. Dailey stated that in 2007/2008, the commission reviewed this property before and determined that the stream on site is an intermittent stream. Mr. Borabach stated that main areas of concern for the Commission are an intermittent stream that runs through the property and a certified vernal pool. The primary access to the new facility will be pass over an existing culvert that is in the intermittent stream. Mr. Borabach explained that they did explore the option of removing the culvert and installing a proper bridge crossing, but they were unsure of how this would affect the hydrology of the stream. The water and utility service will have to be routed under the stream. The engineering department will not allow them to run the utilities along the culvert. The stormwater design has three main points including a design point at a culvert, a detention basin, and a box culvert in the driveway. Two wetland replication areas are proposed along the side the culvert. The applicant has also removed the sidewalk along the vernal pool buffer. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that they would like more documentation regarding the status of the stream. The commission asked for more detail regarding the buffer disturbance calculations. The commission stated that they were concerned about the replication area being so close to the road. The commission asked for more detail regarding the trees that are proposed to be planted. The commission stated that they need more detail regarding the limit of work line. The commission asked for a sketch of what the culvert crossing will look like. The commission stated that they normally require overflows on the downspouts. Questions and comments from the audience: Malcom Kasparian, 956 Waltham Street, stated that he and other neighbors were concerned about increased flooding in the area. He also stated, that in previous hearings regarding this site in the back, there were questions over the status of the stream. A representative of the Lexington Elks Club, 959 Waltham Street, also stated concerns about increased flooding in the area. Mr. Borabach stated that there should be no difference in water flow on the site. Motion to continue the hearing to 8/21/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Ladd. Vote: 4-0 in favor. 8:04pm DEP 201-XXXX, BL XXXX ANRAD, 45 Bedford Street Owner/applicant: Town of Lexington Project: Confirmation of wetlands line Tom Whitty- Lucas Environmental Mr. Whitty explained that as part of starting to develop plans for a new fire station, they are filing an ANRAD for planning purposed. He explained that there is a small wetland in the Northwest Corner of the site that is the headland to a swamp in area. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that the wetlands buffer is rendered on points rather than flags. For any future plans, they asked that the buffers be based on the flags. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:10pm DET 17-20 RDA, 3 Hadley Road Owner/applicant: Kyungjung Kim Project: Additional footings for existing three season room Kyungjung Kim- home owner Mr. Kim explained that he has an existing three season room and they would like to convert it to a year round room. They will have to dig a few additional footings to support the structure. He added that he would also like to expand the existing porch. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that the applicant did not include the deck expansion as part of this project. Because of the proximity to the wetlands, the commission would be unable to approve a deck through a RDA. The applicant stated that he is now only proposing the additional footings for the three season room. Motion to issue a Negative Determination with Conditions made by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:22pm DET 17-21 RDA, 5 Battle Green Road Owner/applicant: Poline Gasparian Project: Emergency connection to town drainage system Motion to continue the hearing to 8/21/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:31pm DEP 201-1062, BL 1019 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 8/21/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:32pm DET 17-19 RDA, 6 Hancock Ave Owner/applicant: Debbie and Mark Fortin Project: Garage addition Mary Trudeau- Wetlands scientist Ms. Trudeau explained that since they last appeared in front of the commission, the wetlands line has been changed. The applicant is now deciding how they want to move forward with the project considering that stormwater management will need to be installed now. Motion to issue a positive determination made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:41pm DEP 201-1063, BL 1020 NOI, 10-12 Rangeway Road Owner: Fisher Nominee Trust Project: New Single Family Home Motion to continue the hearing to 9/5/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 8:42pm DEP 201-1064, BL 1021 NOI, 167-177 Cedar Street, Lot 10 Owner: 167, 173, 177 Cedar Street LLC Project: New Single Family Home Mike Novak- Meridian Associates, Ben Finnegan- Finnegan Development Mr. Novak stated that since the last meeting, they have resolved the issues that arose surrounding the depth of ground water. Everything was raised by one foot which eliminated the need for a sump pump. The patio was moved further from the 50 ft. buffer and they were able to bring down the total buffer zone disturbance down slightly. FENO markers were added along the limit of work line. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that there should be some clarifying details provided regarding the yard drains and the cul-de-sac drainage. The commission asked why there are stairs leading directly to the Do Not Disturb Area. The applicant explained that they do not want to cut off all access to the large yard. The commission expressed concern that the subdivision on a whole may be over the 50% disturbance threshold. The commission stated that they need to ensure that the entire project is in compliance. The commission expressed concern about the amount of disturbance that is proposed on the lot, especially because this lot is undisturbed. Some commission expressed concern that no work should be allowed within the 100 ft. buffer when is undisturbed. The commission stated that in situations where there are serious site sensitivities, they can enforce a no build zone greater than 50 ft. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-1 with Mr. Wolk voting against. 9:12pm DEP 201-1065, BL 1022 NOI, 167-177 Cedar Street, Lot 6 Owner: 167, 173, 177 Cedar Street LLC Applicant: New Single Family Home Mike Novak- Meridian Associates, Ben Finnegan- Finnegan Development Mr. Novak stated that since the last meeting they have replaced the stone infiltration trenches with raised edges on the driveway and two yard drains. They have revised the plans to show which trees are to be protected and which are to be removed. FENO markers were added to the limit of work line. The Limit of work line was adjusted to slightly reduce the total buffer zone disturbance. Questions and comments from the Commission: The commission stated that they would like to see spot elevations to clarify that the cul-de-sac drainage is not going into the driveway drains. The commission expressed similar concerns as the project at 167-177 Cedar Street lot 10 regarding construction within an undisturbed area. The commission stated that they need to add inspection ports to the plan. The commission stated that the proposed erosion controls are in the wrong area. Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-1 in favor with Mr. Wolk voting against. 9:19pm Appoint Commissioner to Community Preservation Commission Mr. Wolk stated that he is willing to act as the representative to the Community Preservation Commission. Motion to appoint Mr. Wolk to the Community Preservation Commission made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 5-0 in favor. 9:19pm No site visits were scheduled. 9:19pm Approve minutes: 7/24/2017 The minutes will be reviewed at the next meeting. 9:21pm Reports Mr. Wolk reported that he is concerned about future development in areas that are currently undisturbed. He expressed concern that the commission has set an assumption that the 50 ft. buffer is the do not build threshold even though they do have jurisdiction over 100 ft. The commission stated that they are going to be looking into a rule change in order to strengthen their jurisdiction. 9:39pm Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 5-0 in favor.