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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-03 CONCOM-min MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION February 3, 2011 Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, Duke Bitsko, Charlie Wyman, Stewart Kennedy, Phil Hamilton, David Langseth (arrived at 7:32 pm) Commissioners Absent: Dick Wolk Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:20 pm in Room G-15 of the Town Office Building. 7:20 pm Whipple Hill Run Update Emily Schadler explained the Stewards’ position on the proposal from Josh Katzman to host a running event at Whipple Hill. The Commission agreed with the Stewards that Whipple Hill's trails are unsuitable at this time for a running event due to mud, erosion, and maintenance issues, but that after the trails have been improved, such an event might be possible. 7:24 pm Land Management Subcommittee Update Mr. Hamilton updated the Commission that the land management subcommittee met last week to discuss recommendations regarding dog-related regulations on conservation land for the upcoming February 15, 2011 meeting. Mr. Hamilton stated that a draft of the recommendations will be available prior to the February 15, 2011 meeting. Emily Schadler reported that she met with Dave Pinsonneault regarding trash barrels and identified two trash barrels that met DPW approval and were the least costly, approximately $250 each. DPW does not have funds to support the purchase of trash barrels at this time, and hence, the Commission requested staff to evaluate available funds in the conservation trust funds to support the purchase of four trash barrels. 7:30 pm Meeting: Idylwilde Community Gardens Improvement Project Documentation: Improvement Proposal for Lexington’s Idylewilde Community Gardens dated 12/15/2010. Emily Schadler updated the Commission on the draft proposals for improving the th Idylwilde community garden based on the December 15 gardeners' meeting. The Commission heard comments from the public as follows: Don Kosak, current Idylewilde Garden Coordinator, noted that he is in favor of the new garden location with perimeter fencing and water as well as a phasing out plan for existing gardens over two years. He also noted that the new location could be designed to expand to provide additional plots in future as needed. Laura and Steven Krich reported that lack of water and sunlight is a major issue at the existing location. The Commission commented as follows: Charlie Wyman asked whether there was a downside to relocating to the larger field, such as wildlife habitat impacts, which the response was there was no known negative impacts since currently no trails, ground nesting birds, or trees that would be impacted. Mr. Wyman also inquired what would happen to the existing garden, which the response was that the gardens would be phased out over two years to the new location and the fencing would be removed and area seeded and replanted. Philip Hamilton inquired about funding, which he was reminded that a program improvement request of $10,600 was approved in this year’s budget for these improvements. David Langseth suggested that a well has long term costs to be considered since it may require greater maintenance and operation costs. He also suggested that shared tools may not be a town service but something that gardeners could coordinate on their own. Duke Bitsko suggested that we think about plantings and restoration of the area left behind and try to do the fence removal without bringing big equipment in. He also asked about the view and how it would be impacted and if the garden could move closer to Middle Street. Stew Kennedy is in favor of moving it but did not want to see a driveway with parking in the garden area and requested that access and parking be restricted to near Middle Street. Laura Krich voiced that she supported moving the garden to the new location on the other side of the stream. The Commission voiced that they were in favor of the proposal to relocate the community gardens at Idylewilde to the larger field area and requested that staff present this proposal at the public meeting scheduled on February 22. 8:10 pm Discussion of Bylaw Regulation Amendments Sections A and B: Buffer Zone The Commission agreed to add the word "adequately" to the buffer zone wording In item 4, the Commission discussed changing the wording to remove "underground" but decided to leave it as is. In item 3, the Commission agreed to add porches to the list. In item 4, the Commission agreed to add a comma The Commission agreed that sections A and B are complete drafts and ready to take to Town Meeting. Section C: Site Development and Landscaping Section 5.C.2.c.: The Commission agreed to change the wording to instead include a A. with provisions for an undisturbed area and B. with provisions for a disturbed area. Wetland Restoration The Commission discussed combining 5, 6, and 7 and discussed the size limits. Duke suggests that other towns have restoration performance standards and that we should adopt them as well. The Commission agreed to require that turf grass be removed from the wetlands, buffer, and restoration area. The Commission agreed to provide more feedback to Duke so that he can prepare another draft round on this section. Phil suggests "wetlands must be restored" instead of "restored wetlands must be constructed." Removal of invasives, removal of sod, new native plant pallet. Restoration should occur within the first full growing season. The Commission agreed to change the wording from "25 Foot No Disturbance Zone Demarcation" to "No Disturbance Zone Demarcation" Agreed that this section is finished. Stormwater: Charlie and David's debate Karen will take a stab at the replication. Ratio for replication - 2:1 with the authority to reduce it to 1.5:1 based on site conditions. Site visit Saturday morning: 124 Maple Street, 9:30 Walnut Street drainage at 10:00 Adjourned: 9:20 pm