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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-25-CONCOM-min 1 TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES February 25, 2019 6:30pm Parker Room Town Office Building, 1625 Mass. Ave, Lexington, MA Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Alex Dohan, David Langseth, Ruth Ladd, Kevin Beuttell and Dick Wolk Commissioners Absent: Duke Bitsko Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Katie Luczai, Conservation Department Assistant 6:30pm Issue Order of Conditions: 18 Cooke Road DEP4201-1119 BL 1077 On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 to issue the order of conditions for 18 Cooke Road. Issue Order of Conditions: 7 Fiske Road DEP4201-1122 BL 1079 On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Wolk, the Commission voted 6-0 to issue the order of conditions for 7 Fiske Road. Issue Order of Conditions: 2287 Massachusetts Avenue DEP4201-1121 BL 1078 The Commission noted that the addition of silt sacks during construction should be added to the order of conditions. On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 to issue the order of conditions for 2287 Massachusetts Avenue. Request for Certificate of Compliance: 39 Sherburne Road DEP 4201-920 BL880 Chairman Hamilton read the engineering memo into the record. The Commission discussed the importance of asking for permission when major changes need to be made during the construction process rather than asking for forgiveness. 2 The Conservation Commission compared the proposed approved plan dated 1/29/2014 and the as-built plan dated 7/5/2017 and found that the changes made during the construction process were more than insignificant plan changes, and hence, the Commission did not approve the plan changes as insignificant changes at this time. A majority of the Conservation Commission was of the opinion that the implemented changes required an amendment to the Order of Conditions process at a minimum for the Commission to approve the changes. However, since the Order of Conditions expired on February 11, 2017, the Conservation Commission cannot amend the Order of Conditions to approve the changes. The Commission voted unanimously to deny the request for a certificate of compliance and insignificant plan change for 39 Sherburne Road. On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 6-0 to require the applicants at 39 Sherburne Road to file a new Notice of Intent, reflecting the changes. Request for Insignificant Plan Change: 151 Grove St(201-1095 BL 1052)removal of two additional trees Kyle Cornier of Oxbow Associates presented before the Commission. Mr. Cornier stated that they are proposing to remove two trees on the property. They removed a white pine and a red oak. Mr. Cornier stated that they are proposing to replace the trees with red oak, American holly or a sugar maple. On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 6-0 to issue the Insignificant Plan Change. Request for Extension to Order of Conditions: 18 Constitution Road DEP 201-884 BL 843 from 3-27-2019 to 3-27-2020, pending final stabilization and certification On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 to extend the order of conditions for 18 Constitution Road for one year. Discuss Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles: Article 4 —Reduce CPA Surcharge Rate from 3%to 1%pursuant to G.L. c.44B, S. 16 (Citizen Article) Chairman Hamilton stated the importance of the 3% surcharge rate for the Town of Lexington. The funds generated from the surcharge rate fund housing, historic preservation and recreation projects in Lexington in addition to funding Conservation Commission land acquisitions. Mr. Wolk stated that this citizen's article is before Town Meeting because people feel as though all that can be done by the CPA has been done. A letter in opposition from the Conservation Commission would be helpful in showing support for the continued 3% surcharge rate. On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 to oppose the Annual Town Meeting Warrant Article 4 and to compose a letter stating that opposition. 3 Accept and Sign Conservation Restriction No. 100, 75 Hayden Avenue On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 6-0 to accept the Conservation Restriction. 7pm Continued Public Meetings DET 19-6 RDA, 16 Grapevine Avenue Applicant: Duggan & Sons Construction Project: Construction of a single family dwelling and removal of an existing shed Chairman Hamilton read the engineering memo into the record. On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 to issue a negative determination with conditions. DET 19-4 RDA, Intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Worthen Road Applicant: Town of Lexington Engineering Project: General improvements including sidewalk and roadway reconstruction, median modification and removal, drainage improvements, etc. Mr. Ross Morrow and Mr. James Downing presented before the Commission. The Commission asked the applicants for further justification as to why they should be granted an exception to the local town bylaws. Mr. Beuttell asked why it is not possible to incorporate a subsurface system. Mr. Downing stated that the system would be too close to the roadway. Mr. Morrow stated that he can discuss other construction possibilities with the Director of DPW about installing infrastructure into Hastings Park. On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 to continue the meeting to March 11, 2019, at the applicant's request. 7:18pm New Public Meetings/Hearings DEP 4 201-1124 BL 1081 NOI, Cotton Farm, 121 Marrett Road Applicant: Town of Lexington Conservation 4 Project: Improvements including construction of a small parking lot, universal accessible compliant trail connections, an overlook platform, and vegetation management Mr. Kyle Zick presented before the Commission. Mr. Zick explained the proposed improvements to Cotton Farm. Mr. Zick began by explaining that a wetland delineation was completed in 2017. Mr. Zick stated that in regards to parking improvements, they are proposing to shorten the driveway and make parking more visible from the street. There are currently two parking spaces. They will be adding one accessible parking space and three other parking spaces onto the property. The accessible space will be constructed with pavement while the additional parking spaces will be composed of gravel. Mr. Zick explained that in regards to vegetation management, they will be adding a native pollinator seed mix as requested in addition to planning trees. There will be a bio-swale added to the property. An overlook platform will be constructed Overall, the proposed project will reduce the amount of impervious surface by 2,000 sq. feet. Chairman Hamilton read the engineering memo into the record. Mr. Beuttell asked if construction of the overlook will impact any resource areas. Mr. Zick stated that there is a potential for the overlook to cause shading so it may change the vegetation in the area. Mr. Beuttell asked what the goals of the invasive management plan was. Mr. Zick stated that though not many invasive species are on site that they are viewing this project as an opportunity to eliminate what invasive species are already there before it could become a problem. Mr. Beuttell asked what the set size was for the overlook. Mr. Zick stated that they sized it imagining that the overlook platform would be used for educational purposes so they sized it ideally to hold 13-15 children. Mr. Beuttell asked if people are going to be able to turn around in the parking lot. Mr. Zick stated that there will be room for vehicles to turn around with larger vehicles able to park on the street. Mr. Beuttell asked if there were areas that will not be getting new seeding treatments. Mr. Zick confirmed that some areas will be left as they are. 5 Mr. Beuttell and Mr. Langseth raised his concern about keeping the pathways porous in terms of future maintenance. The current grading at 5% may make the porous pavement less effective. Mr. Zick and Ms. Mullins stated that they will look into alternative options. Mr. Langseth asked if a geo-technical analysis had been done for the proposed project. Mr. Zick stated that since the slopes are 3:1 they are not beyond what is typical so a geo- technical analysis was not done. Mr. Langseth asked what the proposed vegetation cover is for the steep slope. Mr. Zick stated that the pollinator seed mix will be applied as the cover. Mr. Langseth asked if the cut and dab method would be feasible. Mr. Zick confirmed that it is completely feasible. A resident, Mr. Jeff Howry voiced his support for this proposed project. A resident and member of the ADA Committee, Ms. Francine Steiglitz voiced her support to the project. Ms. Mullins confirmed that they will explore other alternatives for the project. On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 to close the hearing. 7:42pm DET 19-9 RDA, 119 Kendall Road Applicant: Ana Jaklenec and Daniel Vlasic Project: Connection of dry well overflow to street storm drain Mr. Vlasic presented before the Commission. Mr. Vlasic explained the proposed project which will rectify the current drainage problems in the area. Mr. Vlasic stated that they intend to use a manhole which is not currently exposed. Chairman Hamilton reiterated that the project will be to connect the two new, large drywells in the front of the property to the overflow directed into the street storm drain. On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 to issue a negative determination with conditions. 6 7:49pm DET 19-8 RDA, 33 Hayden Ave Applicant: Ken Chianca(Boston Properties) Project: Proposed landscaping and stormwater improvements Mr. Nick Skoly from VHB presented before the Commission. Mr. Skoly stated that the project has been scaled back from the original application. This project now will focus on just the front patio section. The company who occupies the building is Dicerna Pharmaceuticals. The generator for the project will be double walled and the details regarding the generator were provided to the Commission. They additionally do wish to reuse the boulder someone on the property. Removal of trees on the property is still a pending decision, if they decide to remove any trees then they will come before the Commission again. Chairman Hamilton read the engineering memo into the record. Mr. Skoly stated that water control for the property is located in the isolator row. There are several chambers which are wrapped and contained. There is a two foot sump in the manhole which allows for cleaning. They will be installing a 6 inch orfice with a plate. The Commission asked that the construction details for installing the water control measures be submitted. On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 6-0 to continue the public meeting to March 11, 2019, at the applicant's request. DEP 4 201-XXXX BL NOI, 758 Marrett Road Applicant: Minuteman Vocational High School Project: Construction of synthetic tuft athletic fields Mr. Ed Bouquillon, Mr. Eric Rouser and Ms. Michelle Kayser presented before the Commission. Mr. Bouquillon stated that they are before the Commission today with a new filing because of a revision to the proposed athletic fields. They are now proposing to add 6 tennis courts, fixed seating and restrooms and a new synthetic turf field. It will be a similar layout with similar resource disturbance. Ms. Kayser stated that the synthetic field would capture everything though an underground drain system. In the previous permit they were utilizing existing catch basins and were routing through existing outlets. Now they are proposing connections though the area drains. The synthetic field will be routed to a water quality unit before being routed to the existing outlet. All drains will be routed to Lincoln. They will not be moving the location of the catch basins. Additional erosion controls will be added to the inside of the road. 7 Mr. Rouser stated that they will be "dark sky compliant"with the installation of high tech athletic field lights. The most significant change in terms of light will be the addition of light to the tennis court. Mr. Bouquillon confirmed that snow storage has been allocated and can be hauled off site if necessary. Ms. Jaime O'Connell of the Cambridge Water Department presented before the Commission. Ms. O'Connell asked what the salt management plan was. Ms. O'Connell noted that Lincoln uses a 75% sand mixture. The Cambridge Water Department would like to keep it sand heavy. Ms. Kayser stated that nothing different than previously permitted and approved will be used. The previous Order of Conditions will be sent to Ms. O'Connell. Ms. O'Connell asked about the long term pollution plan. Mr. Rouse stated that no herbicide or pesticides will be required for the turf field. Ms. O'Connell stated that no details about drainage or the operations and management plan were provided. Ms. O'Connell asked to submit documentation about how the systems would be sized. Ms. Mullins asked the applicant on how they are meeting the recharge standard. Ms. Kayser stated that they are now proposing 80,000 sq. ft. in additional synthetic turf field with 2 ft. of stone which is what they are using for infiltration. The applicants stated that they will provide the additional information in the coming month. On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 to continue the public hearing until March 25, 2019, at the applicant's request. 8:50pm DEP #201-1125 BL 1082 NOI, 29 Dawes Road Applicant: Katherine Collin Project: Proposed raze and rebuild of a single family dwelling Mr. Ben Finnegan and Mr. Kyle Cornier presented before the Commission. There will be an increase in living space and installation of an additional infiltration system. No trees are proposed to be cut. A 12 inch filter mitt erosion control installed. On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 to close the hearing. 8 Continued Public Hearings 9pm DEP 201-1123 BL 1080 NOI, 10 Springdale Road Applicant: Sunil and Savita Belgaonkar Project: Demolition and reconstruction of an existing single family dwelling Mr. Scott Henderson and Ms. Mary Trudeau presented before the Commission. Updated plans were submitted and reviewed by the engineering department. Mr. Henderson and Ms. Trudeau reviewed the various changes made which included adding grates/screens for the bio-retention area as well as replacing two trees to be removed. On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Dohan the Commission voted 6-0 to close the hearing. DEP 201-1120 BL 1076 NOI, 244 Wood Street Applicant: MIT Lincoln Labs Project: Proposed electrical building modifications within the 100 foot buffer zone Previous Hearings: 1-7-2019, 1-28-2019, 2-11-2019 Site Visit: 1-5-2019 Ms. Ladd recused herself. On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Wolk, the Commission voted 5-0 to continue the public hearing until March 11, 2019, at the applicant's request. 9:19pm On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted to adjourn.