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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-26-CONCOM-min OVS MOROVI" Off` OP a M PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES APRIL 19TH Conservation Commission L£XtNG110� Meering broadcasted by LexMedia AGENDA Monday,April 26, 2021, 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 limitation 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. 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, Duke Bitsko, Alex Dohan, Kevin Beuttell, Ruth Ladd and Holly Samuels Staff Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Director and Meghan McNamara, Department Assistant 6:30 PM New Business/Pendine Matters David Hopkins, requestinguse se of pressure treated wood forag rden plot at Idylwilde Community Garden Mr. Hopkins was not present during the meeting. Conservation staff will follow up with his request. 6:34 PM LUPA-39, Brian Yun: request to install beehives at Idylwilde Community Garden Members of the Commission informed Mr. Brian Yun that beehives already operate at Idylwilde Community Garden and that Mr. Yun should contact Ms. Alix Bartsch who is the current beekeeper at the community garden before coming back to the Commission. Ms. Samuels added that the native bee population is already competing with the non-native honey bees. 6:41 PM Request for Certificate of Compliance: 23 Coolidge Avenue, ViewPoint Cloud Permit# COC-21- 9, DEP4201-1084, BL# 1041 Ms. Mullins confirmed for the property owners, Timothy and Lauren Weeks, that the erosion control can be removed; however, areas of possible erosion will need to be monitored for an additional two years as an ongoing condition. On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 7-0 by roll call vote to issue the Certificate of Compliance. Record of vote as follows: Duke Bitsko —Aye Kevin Beuttell—Aye Alex Dohan—Aye Ruth Ladd—Aye David Langseth—Aye Holly Samuels —Aye Phil Hamilton—Aye 6:45 PM Issue Order of Conditions: 32 Fairbanks Road, ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CNOI-21-9, DEP4201- 1215 On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 7-0 by roll call vote to issue the Order of Conditions. Record of vote as follows: Duke Bitsko —Aye Kevin Beuttell—Aye Alex Dohan—Aye Ruth Ladd—Aye David Langseth—Aye Holly Samuels —Aye Phil Hamilton—Aye 6:46 PM Issue Order of Conditions: 3 Joseph Comee Road, ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CNOI-21-13, DEP4201-1217 On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 7-0 by roll call vote to issue the Order of Conditions. Record of vote as follows: Duke Bitsko —Aye Kevin Beuttell—Aye Alex Dohan—Aye Ruth Ladd—Aye David Langseth—Aye Holly Samuels —Aye Phil Hamilton—Aye 6:47 PM Schedule site visits for 5/10/2021 meeting The site visits will take place on Monday, May 3, 2021 starting at 5:00 PM Approve minutes: 4/12/2021 The 4/12/21 minutes will be approved at the next scheduled meeting. Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Gardens, Community Preservation Committee, Greenway Corridor Committee, Land Acquisition, Land Management, Land Steward Directors, and Tree Committee, HIP Working Group Mr. Hamilton informed the Commission that the Electric Heat Article passed as well as all of the Tree Committee Articles. No update from the HIP Working Group. Bylaw not being adopted but changes within the Planning Board draft(?) to allow for minor site plan review. 7:00 PM New Public Meetings/Hearings Amendment to the Order of Conditions: 7 Crosby Road, Maria Hastings School ViewPoint Cloud Permit# AOOC-21-1, DEP4201-1079, BL# 1036 Applicant/Property Owner: Town of Lexington Project: Adding 1,033 sq. ft. of pavement to improve bus turning and parent drop-off queueing. Documentation Submitted.- - ubmitted:— Letter; From: Frederic W. King, DGT Associates; To: Lexington Conservation Commission; RE: Hastings Elementary School Project at 7 Crosby Road Request for an Minor Project Change; Date: 3/26/2021; — Plan; "Vehicular Pavement Layout and Materials Plan"; Sheet No. 1.3.01; Stamped and signed by: Frederic W. King, PE Civil No. 38039; Date: 3/25/2021; — "Stormwater Management Design and Runoff Calculations Report for Maria Hastings Elementary School"; Prepared for: DiNisco Design; Prepared by: Schofield Brothers LLC; Stamped and signed by: Fredric W. King, PE Civil No. 38089; Date: 11/15/2017 and revised 4/16/2021; Mr. Kevin Riopelle, Project Manager with DGT Associates, presented before the Commission. The project team is requesting the amendment for an additional 1,033 square feet of pavement to allow adequate room for bus turnaround as it currently interferes with the parent drop-off lane. Mr. Riopelle informed the Commission that all work is outside of the 100 foot buffer zone, and that both Bioretention Basin 42 and Recharger 42 have the capacity to accept the additional volumes from the impervious surface runoff. Mr. Michael Sprague, Lexington Engineering, suggested prior to the meeting that the applicant install a double inlet catch basin to better capture the flow. Although not shown on the plan presented before the Commission during the meeting, the proposal is to install a double inlet catch basin on the basin to the right. Mr. Langseth requested that the updated plans be submitted for the record. On a motion by Ms. Samuels and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 7-0 by roll call vote to close the hearing. Record of vote as follows: Duke Bitsko —Aye Kevin Beuttell—Aye Alex Dohan—Aye Ruth Ladd—Aye David Langseth—Aye Holly Samuels —Aye Phil Hamilton—Aye 7:09 PM Request for Determination of Applicability: Valley Road Tennis Courts ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CDOA-21-2 Applicant/Property Owner: Town of Lexington, Recreation and Community Programs Documentation Submitted.- - ubmitted:— WPA Form 1: Request for Determination of Applicability application; Prepared for: Melissa Battite, Director of Recreation and Community Programs; Prepared by: Megan Buczynski, Activitas; Date: 4/14/2021; — Plans; "Site Plan" Sheet No. L1.1 and "Detail Sheet P' Sheet L2.1; Prepared for: Town of Lexington, Valley Road Tennis Courts; Prepared by: Activitas; Stamped and signed by: Megan E. Buczynski, PE Civil No. 47392; Date: 4/14/2021; — Memorandum/Detailed Project Description; From: Megan Buczynski, Activitas, To: Lexington Conservation Commission; RE: Request for Determination of Applicability Narrative; Date: 4/13/2021; — Photographs of Site; Not dated; Ms. Megan Buczynski, Principal Civil Engineer with Activitas, presented before the Commission. The proposal is to repaint the existing tennis courts, clean the existing drainage structure, pipe and outlet, install porous asphalt at the existing gravel parking area and walkways. This proposal is part of Lexington's mission to provide ADA accessible facilities to its residents. Questions and Comments from the Commission: — What prevents people from parking to the right of the proposed paved area? — Has the representative updated the site plan to reflect the detail on the pervious paver walkway? — Do people drive over a Cape Cod berm? Response from the Representative: — A barrier could be added to prevent parking to the side of the paved area, however I would not like to put in curbs. — The site plan will be adjusted to show the walkway as flush with the ground. It currently shows the walkways being raised 4 inches. — A Cape Cod berm is similar to a low profile asphalt curb that people will drive over to access the parking area. It will help to keep the water flowing down Valley Road and into the catch basin. Ms. Wei Zhao, property owner of 25 Valley Road, asked how the change from gravel to paved parking will affect the runoff towards her property southeast. Ms. Buczynski responded that the gravel is being replaced with a porous pavement. On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 7-0 by roll call vote to issue a Negative Determination with conditions. Record of vote as follows: Duke Bitsko —Aye Kevin Beuttell—Aye Alex Dohan—Aye Ruth Ladd—Aye David Langseth—Aye Holly Samuels —Aye Phil Hamilton—Aye 7:24 PM Continued Public Meetings/Hearings ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CN0I-21-11, DEP#201-1219 Ecological Restoration Notice of Intent: 27 and 29 Constitution Road Applicant: Town of Lexington Department of Engineering Property Owners: Andreina Toro (27 Constitution Rd), Ricardo Fernandes (29 Constitution Rd) Project: Kiln Brook culvert daylighting. An existing 36" RCP drain pipe that discharges to Kiln Brook will be converted to an open stream channel, including a stone lined channel, native vegetation plantings, a vegetated retaining wall, and an 8'x4' box culvert. Previous Meeting Dates: 3/29/2021, 4/12/2021 Supplemental Documentation: None Prior to the meeting, DEP issued a filing number for the ecological restoration and also provided a list of questions for the applicant to follow up on. The consulting team did not yet have the time to submit a formal response to DEP and went over the list of questions and responses with the Conservation Commission. Responses from the Representatives: • Invasive species management will include maintenance over the years and will be the responsibility of the DPW covered under existing policies and procedures. • Currently running a model to evaluate downstream impacts further than 300 feet. • Will keep the 10-year storm within the banks of the channel. Mr. Varoujan stated that he observed the area multiple times during multiple seasons and did not witness a high groundwater level. He added that a high ground water would be good to vegetate and nourish the new species community. • Not creating any new impervious area and providing a small sediment trap. • No formal trash racks are being proposed but do have a grate that will go over the outlet; however, it is not meant for trash. Any waste will move through the channel just as it does today. • The channel geometry was determined by existing drainage easement and, due to being between private properties, there just isn't the space to meander the channels. • Converting the concrete pipe to an open channel will provide growth for aquatic wildlife and a natural habitat over time. • There is a safety fence to prevent downhill access. There is a steep slope, however only in a limited area and there is plenty of room for wildlife to navigate the area. On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 7-0 by roll call vote to continue the hearing to the May 10, 2021 meeting at the applicant's request. Record of vote as follows: Duke Bitsko —Aye Kevin Beuttell—Aye Alex Dohan—Aye Ruth Ladd—Aye David Langseth—Aye Holly Samuels —Aye Phil Hamilton—Aye 7:44 PM ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CDOA-21-1 Request for Determination of Applicability: 500 Shire Way Applicant: Takeda Pharmaceutical, Co. Ltd. Property Owner: Shire Human Genetic Therapies Inc. Project: repave the parking lot and associated roadways. The majority of the lot will pulverize the existing asphalt in-place and the new pavement will be placed over it. The paving closer to the building will be removed and replaced. The project will also include other elements to capture stormwater flow and treat the runoff. New perimeter and interior curbing will be installed as well as new site lighting poles. Previous Meeting Date: 4/12/2021 Supplemental Documentation: — Letter; From: John Hart, PE, SMMA, To: Lexington Conservation Commission; RE: Takeda-Parking Lot Improvements; Date: 4/20/2021; — Plans: C-101 "Existing Conditions Plan", C-111 "Site Preparation Plan", C-121 "Layout and Materials Plan", C-141 "Grading and Drainage Plan", and C-501 "Details I"; Prepared for: Takeda; Prepared by: Symmes Maini and McKee Associates (SMMA); Stamped and signed by: John C. Hart, PE Civil No. 36738; Date: 3/23/21; Revised: 4/20/2021; — Water Quality Units Sizing Calculations; Prepared for: Takeda, 500 Shire Way; Prepared by: SMMA; Date: 4/16/2021; — Letter; From: Jamie O'Connell, Cambridge Water Department, To: Lexington Conservation Commission; RE: Request for Determination of Applicability by Takeda for Parking Lot Repaving and Stormwater Management Improvements at 500 Shire Way; Date: 4/21/2021; John Hart, Project Engineer with SMMA, presented before the Commission. Mr. Hart responded to comments made by the Commission at the previous meeting, including the removal of 5 parking spots in the northeast corner of the lot to reduce impervious cover near wetlands, and the addition of"no snow storage" signs in areas of the parking lot. The applicant and the Conservation Commission both received a letter from Ms. Jamie O'Connell at the Cambridge Water Department requesting that Takeda use an 80% sand/20% salt mix for the winter deicing efforts to help reduce the chloride load that has impacted the Hobbs Brook Watershed. Mr. Hart stated that Takeda currently uses a 20 sand/80 ice mixture and will research to use more sand than ice in their mixtures; however, he couldn't provide an exact number during the meeting. Mr. Hart added that Takeda does sweep the parking lots twice a year in April and October, and that they could add another sweep around the month of February. Mr. Bitsko commented that the applicant should reach out to other commercial sites in the area and ask what is being done on those sites to satisfy the Cambridge Water Department. On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 7-0 by roll call vote to issue a Negative Determination with conditions. Record of vote as follows: Duke Bitsko —Aye Kevin Beuttell—Aye Alex Dohan—Aye Ruth Ladd—Aye David Langseth—Aye Holly Samuels —Aye Phil Hamilton—Aye 8:08 PM ViewPoint Cloud Permit# CNOI-21-14 (No DEP#, Local bylaw only) Notice of Intent: 1060 Waltham Street Applicant: Core States Group Property Owner: Waltham MSG LLC (The Grossman Companies, Inc.) Project: re-use of an existing drainage connection Previous Meeting Date: 4/12/2021 Supplemental Documentation: — "Custom Soil Resource Report for Middlesex County, Massachusetts, JMP.26247 Chase Waltham"; Date: May 26, 2020 Mr. Alan Roscoe, Project Engineer with Core States Group, presented before the Commission. Mr. Roscoe stated that the entire site is situated with an overlying fill condition and organic peat deposit, and that the proposed site development is providing additional treatment with a significant reduction in impervious surface. Members of the Commission asked about the infiltration done on the site and Mr. Roscoe responded that the test holes were done to about 5-7 feet and they filled with groundwater below the saturation level. It is Mr. Roscoe's opinion, based on experience, that the soil is saturated below the ground surface; however, the Commission is not willing to close the hearing without additional tests. The Commission is requesting that additional percolation tests be performed, specifically at least two tests between B4 and B5. On a motion by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 7-0 by roll call vote to continue the hearing to the May 10, 2021 meeting at the applicant's request. Record of vote as follows: Duke Bitsko —Aye Kevin Beuttell—Aye Alex Dohan—Aye Ruth Ladd—Aye David Langseth—Aye Holly Samuels —Aye Phil Hamilton—Aye On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Ms. Ladd, the Commission voted 7-0 by roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 8:54 PM Record of vote as follows: Duke Bitsko —Aye 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: 5/10/2021 Archived: 5/11/2021