HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-16-CONCOM-min JS MORNIN
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PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Conservation Commission Meeting broadcasted byLexMedia
APRIL 19TH
LFXING10
Monday, November 16, 2020, 6:30 p.m.
Pursuant to Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Order Suspending Certain Provisions of
the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A, §18, and the Governor's March 15, 2020 and
subsequent Orders imposing strict limitations on the number of people that may gather
in one place, this meeting of the Lexington Conservation Commission will be conducted
via remote participation to the greatest extent possible. Specific information and the
general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with
a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found below. No in-person
attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to
ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time, via
technological means. In the event that we are unable to do so, despite best efforts, we
will post on the Town of Lexington website or through LexMedia an audio or video
recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible
after the meeting.
This Conservation Commission meeting was held remotely via Zoom, an online meeting
platform. Public Participation via calling in or using your computer was encouraged.
Commissioners Present: Philip Hamilton, David Langseth, Kevin Beuttell, Alex Dohan, Ruth
Ladd and Holly Samuels (Not in attendance: Duke Bitsko)
Staff Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Director and Meghan McNamara, Department
Assistant
6:30 PM New Business/Pendine Matters
Issue Order of Conditions: 43 Sanderson Road, ViewPoint Cloud Permit#CNOI-20-24,
DEP4201-1198
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Samuels, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to issue the Order of Conditions.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
Issue Amendment to Order of Conditions: 10 Springdale Road, ViewPoint Cloud
Permit#AOOC-20-10, DEP4201-1123, BL41080
On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Langseth, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll
call vote to issue the Amendment to Order of Conditions.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
Issue Amendment to Order of Conditions: 26 Dane Road, ViewPoint Cloud Permit#AOOC-20-9,
DEP4201-1119, BL41074
On a motion by Ms. Samuels and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to issue the Amendment to Order of Conditions.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
Vote to Accept the Amended and Restated Declaration of Restrictive Covenants, Winding Road
and Penny Lane (formerly 167, 173, and 177 Cedar St Subdivision)
Per Ms. Mullins, this is not a formal conservation restriction, but a two-part, subdivision
covenant written into the Order of Conditions that will continue in perpetuity as an ongoing
condition.
On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to approve the Covenant.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Langseth, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to authorize Philip Hamilton to sign the Covenant on behalf of the Commission.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
Issue Certificate of Compliance: 11 Vine Brook Road, ViewPoint Cloud Permit# COC-20-22,
DEP4201-1113, BL41071
Mr. Chris Doell, property owner of 11 Vine Brook Road,presented to the Commission. Ms.
Ladd stated that the fencing is a concern for wildlife and that boulders, a line of vegetation, or a
hedge are preferable options. Mr. Langseth stated that there needs to be a level of demarcation
for the restored area where the plantings were. Mr. Doell will present his preferred suggestions at
the next scheduled meeting on November 30, 2020.
6:50 PM
Issue Certificate of Compliance: 98 East Street, ViewPoint Cloud Permit# COC-20-21,
DEP4201-1043, BL41000
Ms. Samuels raised concern on the viability of the blueberry bushes and would like to make sure
that they come back next growing season. Property owner Jennifer Kennedy responded saying
that she will certainly do that.
The Commission would like a series of stones to be installed downslope so that stormwater
runoff can go along the side versus straight down the hill. It was discussed that the Commission
will vote to issue the Certificate of Compliance upon receipt and approval of a picture of erosion
control in place. The Commission is waiving the usual requirements that the planting be certified
by a wetland scientist.
7:00 PM
Issue Certificate of Compliance, 7 Tavern Lane, ViewPoint Cloud Permit# COC-20-25,
DEP4201-84, BL# 31
Attorney Pamela Brown presented the request for compliance to the Commission. She stated that
7 Tavern Lane was a lot carved out of 5 Tavern Lane, and that there is some confusion with the
Order of Conditions because the application was for 5 Tavern Lane. Mr. Hamilton suggests filing
an Amendment to the Order of Conditions to determine what the non-compliance is. However,
Ms. Mullins stated that it's not normal practice to amend an expired order. Attorney Brown will
work with Ms. Mullins to devise a satisfactory solution and this will be placed on the agenda for
the November 30, 2020 Conservation Commission meeting.
7:19 PM New Public Meetings/Hearings
ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CDOA-20-32
Determination of Applicability, 139 Wood Street
Applicant: Bret Bostwick, Property Owner
Project: Demolition of an in ground pool partially within the 100 foot buffer zone. Complete
removal of all structures related to the pool and surrounding decking, including the steel
retaining walls and in-ground PVC-type plumbing.
Documentation Submitted.-
-Letter
ubmitted:-Letter to the Conservation Commission, Detailed Project Description, prepared by Bret
Bostwick, Property Owner, submitted 10/25/2020
-Site Plan showing Erosion Control Barrier and Equipment Access, Site Plan prepared by
David E. Ross Associates, Inc., signed by Daniel B. Wolfe, PE 436533, dated 2/10/2016,
date of submittal 10/25/2020
-WPA Form 1-Request for Determination of Applicability, prepared and signed by Bret
Bostwick, Property Owner, dated 10/25/2020
Property Owner and Applicant, Bret Bostwick, presented to the Commission. Mr. Bostwick
stated that the request is for the demolition of a pool built in the 1970's that is no longer
functional. The demolition company already removed the fence without approval, and Mr.
Bostwick wants to be sure of all compliance going forward.
Mr. Beuttell stated that during the site visit there appeared to be flow in the adjacent brook, but
that whether there is or not would not affect his decision on the proposal. Ms. Mullins added that
this property was subject to an Order of Conditions in the last four years.
Ms. Samuels noted that there is an invasive shrub (burning bush) lining the driveway that is no
longer allowed to be sold in Massachusetts. Though unrelated to the area in question, Ms.
Samuels would like to see what can be done to remove the invasive shrub that is seeding down
into the brook area.
On a motion by Ms. Samuels and seconded by Mr. Langseth, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll
call vote to issue a Negative Determination with Conditions.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CDOA-20-33
Request for Determination of Applicability, 0 Hartwell Avenue (Mass Port Authority)
Applicant: Mark Boyle, Federal Aviation Administration
Project: Replacement of existing runway approach lighting electrical cable within the 200 foot
Riverfront Area of Shawsheen River, within the 100 foot buffer zone of a Bordering Vegetated
Wetland, and along the surface of the wetlands
Documentation Submitted:
-WPA Form 1-Request for Determination of Applicability, prepared and signed by Mark
Boyle c/o Federal Aviation Administration, dated 10/27/2020
- Proposed Runway 29 MALSR Cable Replacement, prepared using Town of Lexington GIS,
dated and submitted 10/27/2020
- Narrative of the Proposed Scope to replace the cable for the Flasher Lights of the Medium
Approach Lighting System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR), submitted
by Mark Boyle, dated 10/27/2020
-Runway 29 STA 15+00 To STA 26+00 MALSR, Site Plan and Profile, dated 6/21/1984
Mark Boyle, representative with the Federal Aviation Administration, presented to the
Commission. The electrical cable proposed to be replaced is approaching 40 years old. Damage
to the cable forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to turn that portion of the system
off which creates a quarter mile visibility penalty and a great concern when the weather is bad.
The FAA is proposing to replace that cable and install HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) flex
conduits across wetlands and laying pipe at the bed of the marsh. Mr. Boyle added that the small
section before wetlands is where they will do about 50 feet of trenching, and that they will put in
erosion controls to minimize any siltation from the small amount of trenching they have to do.
Mr. Langseth asked if there is an exemption for a Federal agency, thinking that installing cable
through and on a wetland would warrant an NOI filing. Ms. Mullins stated that the applicant is
exempt from local jurisdiction, and that under federal law, if they are not altering the ground or
entering any pollutants/sediments, this would qualify as non-jurisdictional.
Mr. Langseth also asked, if the trenching can be done and covered in one day, that the
Commission would not require erosion control. Mr. Boyle said that won't be possible and the
work will take more than one day.
On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Samuels, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll
call vote to issue a Negative Determination with Conditions.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
7:41 PM
ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CN0I-20-29, DEP# 201-1199
Notice of Intent, 18 Blueberry Lane
Applicant: Ozan Dokmecioglu, 18 Blueberry Lane, LLC, c/o DND Homes, LLC
Project: Raze and rebuild a single-family dwelling and associated site appurtenances within the
100 foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands
Documentation Submitted.-
-Notice
ubmitted:-Notice of Intent Application and Wetland Resource Area Analysis, prepared by LEC
Environmental Consultants, Inc., dated 10/27/2020
-WPA Form 3-Notice of Intent Application for 18 Blueberry Lane, prepared by Ozan
Dokmecioglu, 18 Blueberry Lane, LLC, c/o DND Homes, LLC, signed 10/27/2020
-Detailed Project Description
-Figure L USGS Topographic Quadrangle
-Figure 2: FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map
-Figure 3: MassGIS Orthophoto &NHESP Estimated Habitat Map
-Site Plan, prepared and signed by Frederick W. Russell, PE 436713, dated 10/23/2020
-Stormwater Analysis 18 Blueberry Lane, Lexington, MA, dated October 23, 2020 prepared
by Frederick W. Russell, P.E.
-Stormwater Operation and Maintenance Plan
Richard Kirby, Wetland Scientist with LEC Environmental Consultants, Inc., presented to the
Commission. The plot of land is relatively flat, sloping upgradient toward the backyard that is
fenced in. The driveway accesses a basement level garage, and there is an in-ground pool and
patio in the backyard. Mr. Kirby stated that six trees are to be removed, and only one is within
the 100 foot buffer zone. Additionally, a crushed stone vehicle access pad is proposed for
construction vehicles. Very little site grading is proposed as it is all outside of the buffer zone. A
deck is proposed off the back of the house and the pool will be filled in.
Ms. Dohan asked if the hole from the pool could be used for the infiltration outside of the buffer
zone as this could allow many trees to be retained in the backyard. Mr. Kirby responded that he
believes most of the proposed tree removal is due to the current state of the large pines. He added
that another large pine has tree protection around it. Mr. Kirby believes the developer says the
trees pose a threat to the new house if they were to fall.
Mr. Beuttell noted that he did not see any stormwater management on the front walkway and
driveway and that the report says the applicant is meeting the standards, but it doesn't look right.
Mr. Kirby responded saying that they are collecting the roof runoff and not the driveway runoff,
and that this is not the first time that the calculations have met the regulatory requirements
without infiltrating the driveway runoff.
Responses of the Applicant:
-Tree protection in place and the zone of natural vegetation will also be preserved
-Roughly 6900 square feet of vegetated buffer zone will effectively remain. No change
other than a modest restoration effort of 200 square feet.
-Property owner has no intention of removing the trees in the back, only concerned with
the trees closest to the house and the infiltration system.
-Current lawn will be incorporated into the buffer zone restoration.
Mr. Richard Zermani, abutter and property owner of 16 Blueberry Lane, stated that he is a
proponent of saving any pine trees if at all possible and does not feel that they pose a hazard,
adding that the rear of the properties are a fairly thin forest in his opinion.
Mr. Kirby followed up saying that many of the trees are not within Conservation jurisdiction
because they are outside of the 100 foot buffer zone, however any trees removed would be
reviewed through the building permit and the tree town bylaw.
Mr. Langseth added to the runoff conversation, stating that he thinks the site soils (type C) are
very tight, and even if it were "open space in good condition,"there would still be a fair bit of
runoff. He estimates this is why the driveway does not need to have stormwater managed.
On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Langseth, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll
call vote to close the hearing.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
8:02 PM
Continued Public Meetings/Hearings
ViewPoint Cloud Permit#CDOA-20-29
Request for Determination of Applicability, 52 Grove Street
Applicant: Ashok Nayak
Project: Proposing the addition of a driveway, garage and deck with a limit of work boundary
within the 100 foot buffer zone.
Previous Meeting Dates: 11/2/2020
Supplemental Documentation: None
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to issue a Negative Determination with Conditions.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
ViewPoint Cloud Permit#CORD-20-1 (DEP#201-1196)
Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation, 0 Earl Street
Applicant: Peter Bradley, B Squared Corp
Project: ANRAD for the parcel totaling 0.24+/- acres located at 0 Earl Street. This site is located
southwest of the corner of Centre and Ward Streets and east of route 95 and the Meagherville
Conservation Area.
Previous Meeting Dates: 11/2/2020
Supplemental Documentation Submitted:
-DEP Bordering Vegetated Wetland (3 10 CMR 10.55) Delineation Data Form, UPL 3,
prepared by J. Shuster & M. Charpentier, Date of Delineation: 11/3/2020, Datasheet dated
11/9/2020
-DEP Bordering Vegetated Wetland (3 10 CMR 10.55) Delineation Data Form, WET 3,
prepared by J. Shuster & M. Charpentier, Date of Delineation: 11/3/2020, Datasheet dated
11/9/2020
-72-211 Earl St Location of Wetland Flags, prepared by Oxbow Associates, Inc., dated
11/9/2020
Mr. Matthew Charpentier, Wetland Scientist with Oxbow Associates, presented to the
Commission. The Commission conducted two separate site visits for this project with Mr.
Charpentier and are awaiting an updated plan to be provided before moving forward with a
decision.
On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Ms. Samuels, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to continue the hearing to the November 30, 2020 meeting at the applicant's request.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
8:11 PM
ViewPoint Cloud#CNOI-20-25, DEP# 201-1195
Notice of Intent, 22 Village Circle
Applicant:Dinesh Shanthappa and Savitha Shvaiah
Project: Construct a two-story garage addition and a front entry porch within the 100-foot buffer
zone from a Bordering Vegetated Wetlands
Previous Meeting Dates: 10/5/2020, 10/19/2020, 11/2/2020
Supplemental Documentation Submitted:
-Engineering Drainage Calculations, prepared by Gala Simon Associates, Inc., revised
10/6/2020, revised 11/2/2020
-Drainage/Grading Plan, prepared by Alberto M. Gala, PE No 36464, Gala Simon Associates
Inc., dated 10/6/2020, revised 11/2/2020
-22 Village Circle NOI Engineering Comments, provided by Michael Sprague, Town of
Lexington Engineering, dated 11/9/2020
The applicant, Ms. Mary Trudeau, confirmed that she received the engineering report that
approves the stormwater management. Ms. Mullins also confirmed that she received the revised
plan with buffer zone from Ms. Trudeau.
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to close the hearing.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
ViewPoint Cloud Permit#CNOI-20-28, DEP File#201-XXXX
Notice of Intent, 4 Maguire Road
Applicant: David Webb, The RMR Group, Represented by: Douglas Hartnett, Highpoint
Engineering, Inc.
Project: building and site improvements within the 100 foot buffer zone, 200 foot Riverfront
area, and bordering land subject to flooding
Previous Meeting Dates: 11/2/2020
Supplemental Documentation Submitted: None
*Request from applicant to continue without testimony from this meeting to 11/30/2020 meeting
On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to allow the continuation to the November 30, 2020 meeting, at the applicant's request.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
8:15 PM
New Business/Pendine Matters, Continued:
Issue Certificate of Compliance, 48 Lincoln Street, ViewPoint Cloud Permit#COC-20-23,
DEP4201-1174, BL420-4
On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Ms. Samuels, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to issue the Certificate of Compliance.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
[The Certificate of Compliance for 48 Lincoln Street was retracted at the Conservation
Commission meeting on 11/30/2020. The as-built shows increased driveway area and patio area
not proposed so appears increase in impervious cover.]
8:16 PM
Issue Certificate of Compliance, Mulberry Lane Right-of-Way (formerly Blueberry Lane,
Murray Hills), ViewPoint Cloud Permit# COC-20-27, DEP4201-758, BL4716
On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll
call vote to issue the Certificate of Compliance.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
8:19 PM
Issue Certificate of Compliance, 2 Mulberry Lane (formerly Lot 2 Blueberry Lane, Murray
Hills), ViewPoint Cloud Permit# COC-20-26, DEP4201-757, BL4715
On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Samuels, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll
call vote to issue the Certificate of Compliance.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
8:20 PM
Approve Minutes: 7-27-2020, 8-10-2020, 10-5-2020, and 11-2-2020
On a motion by Ms. Samuels and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll call
vote to approve the November 2, 2020 Conservation Commission meeting minutes.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
The Conservation Commission will work towards approving any outstanding minutes at the next
scheduled meeting on November 30, 2020.
Schedule site visits for 11/30/2020 Meeting
The Conservation Commission approved to schedule the site visits on Saturday November 28,
2020.
Approve 2021 Conservation Commission Calendar
The Conservation Commission approved the 2021 Meeting Schedule for posting on the Town
website.
8:25 PM
Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Gardens, Community Preservation Committee, Greenway
Corridor Committee, Land Acquisition, Land Management, Land Steward Directors, and Tree
Committee
Mr. Hamilton stated that Town Meeting approved the purchase of the Highland Ave property last
Monday, adding to the Upper Vine Brook Conservation area.
Town Meeting also approved a bylaw to prohibit planting running bamboo and to regulate the
running bamboo that is now planted.
Regarding the Hartwell Innovation Park project: it was discussed during a previous special
meeting that they are wanting more trees and a softer look. Proposing pocket parks and
infiltration areas. The main concern is to have a more dense development that is up to modern
standards. Ms. Mullins said that they requested to meet with the Conservation Commission at an
upcoming meeting.
On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Samuels, the Commission voted 6-0 by roll
call vote to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 PM.
Record of vote as follows:
Kevin Beuttell—Aye
Alex Dohan—Aye
Ruth Ladd—Aye
David Langseth—Aye
Holly Samuels —Aye
Phil Hamilton—Aye
Respectfully Submitted,
Meghan McNamara
Conservation Department Assistant
Approved: 12/14/2020
Submitted: 12/1.5/2020