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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-14 Conservation Commission MinutesMeeting Minutes August 14, 2013 Approved August 28 2013 Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 pm Wednesday, August 14, 2013 Present: Annika Scanlon, Chairman; Jaime Maughan, Will Finch, Kevin Scott, Brian Sullivan Charles Tirone, Administrator Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary Anneke Chang, 47 Chapel Hill Drive Bob & Kathy Holland 26 Chapel Hill Drive Allison McGonagle, 84 Longwood Road Marwana & Nancy Kouki, 1102 Main Street Joanne Tedisco, 242 Forest Street Mary Carbone, 62 Oak Street Elaine Little, 20 Oak Ridge Road Sergio Rotstein, 10 Pasture Road Robert Carbone, 62 Oak Street Carol Watts, 1081 Main Street Jaime Miron, 54 Martin Road Elizabeth Swallom, 47 Pasture Road Daniel Swallom, 47 Pasture Road Attorney Mark Gillis, Pasture Road Absent: William Hecht, Terry Selle Call to Order, Old /New Business - 7:00 PM RDA 13 -17, 47 Chapel Hill Drive, Map 51 Lot 67, Chang Ms. Chang would like to install a 4' high PVC fence and a 4' high chain link fence in the back and side of the property. She apologized for missing the site visit, she received the message late. Mr. Maughan discussed the site visit. He talk with the applicant about two options for her project: 1) Move the fence farther from the drainage ditch or 2) leave 10' from fence and let "mother nature" take over the manicured lawn or do some wetland plantings. This will create a buffer zone protection for the resource area. Ms. Chang stated she will let "mother nature" take over and maybe plant at a later date. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to approve a negative determination for 47 Chapel Hill Drive with restrictions as discussed - no landscaping or cutting in the resource area. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 5-0 -0. The Commission wished Mr. Finch "Happy Birthday ". He reminded the Commission he will not be at the next meeting RDA 13 -18, 84 Longwood Road, Map 14 Lot 56, McGonagle Meeting Minutes August 14, 2013 Approved August 28 2013 Mr. and Mrs. Gonagle discussed with the Commission their application. They would like to construct a new 15x30 above ground pool and deck. The Commission discussed with the applicants the location of the pool; and if they were willing to move it. The applicant stated for safety and privacy reasons they would like to keep it at the location on the plan. The Commission discussed the following: • If the pool is in the 100' riverfront • If the Administrator's measurement is accurate; 35' away from the resource area • IF an NOI should be filed and a variance needed • Was the application filled out correctly, with the right boxes checked After a discussion with the applicants it was decided that Mr. Tirone will go out and measure how far away from the riverfront the pool would be. The homeowner then can decide if they would file an NOI if one is needed. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to issue a negative determination on 84 Longwood for an above ground pool, beyond 35' from resource area and 100' from the riverfront. Mr. Sullivan second. Vote was 5-0 -0. The Commission brought up the above RDA after all items on the agenda was discussed. After investigating and discussing it was found that the applicant's project is grandfathered in regards to the 100' riverfront concern and it was allowed without mitigation if it was beyond 50 feet. . Motion made by Mr. Maughan to amend the negative determination from 100' to 50' away from the riverfront, according to the State standards. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 5- 0-0. NOI 272 -, 62 Oak Street, Map 11, Lot 11, Carbone Ms. Scanlon opened the Public Hearing. The DEP number is NOI 272 -0617. Mr. Manuell, Wetlands & Land Management, Inc. represented the applicant. The following was discussed. • The applicant proposes to remove an existing sunroom and build a new 12x24 addition • The construction debris will be hauled from site by trucks • It will be a full foundation - excavation for the footings and a concrete wall foundation • Discussed where the erosion control will be placed • Closest construction is 54' away from the resource area • If a retaining wall is needed, the homeowner will do after the construction. If one is necessary, it would be very small. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. It was discussed the order of conditions will need to be approved and issued at the next meeting. Continued NOI 272-0615, 1090, 1100, Main Street, Map 39, Lot 140, 145, Artis Senior Living Center /Erb Ms. Scanlon reopened the Public Hearing Below are some items that Mr. Ogren, Hayes Engineering, discussed with the Commission while reviewing plans submitted: • Moving the building - it is now outside the no build zone and far less of intrusion • The changes in the wall out back • 1200 square feet of wetland replication added to the collapsed greenhouse area • Combined existing isolated area to the pond area - increased the wetland area Meeting Minutes August 14, 2013 Approved August 28 2013DRAFT- • Went over the "Summary Table" - existing and what is proposed • If DEP got back with comments that Hayes Engineering forwarded them. Mr. Ogren stated that the DEP usually doesn't make respond to applicants response to DEP comments - they just approve or not approve the order of conditions. • Porous pavement and why it might not work for this site (depth to -groundwater) • Impervious and pervious pavement discussed • Why the overflow from the infiltration units to the wetland is not on the north side of the driveway • The abutters and flooding concerns of abutters was discussed. The abutters reported there were.no issues with flooding. • How the pavement of the easement would be done. If paving is not simply an overlay and full construction is needed, the applicant will have to come back to the Commission for approval. Mr. Toohill, BSC Group discussed with the Commission the wetland replication "A ": • The area is the north by the collapsed greenhouse • Will be bringing the wetland line back, creating 1200 square feet. • The finish is going to be 3' lower than the existing • Planting plan submitted and discussed • Will be discharging the storm water in the created wetland • A mini basin will be installed, per Town Engineering Department • This wetland replication is really a creation, there is no wetland fill at this location Mr. Toohill discussed the wetland replication "B ": • How wetland "B" is similar to "A" • Will be bringing elevation down • This wetland is a wetter wetland system than "A" • The berm will be taken down last • Planting plan submitted and discussed • It was suggested by the Commission a couple of small trees be planted - to create diversity of habitat • Will consider connecting 209 and 205 for replication in this area Mr. Maughan asked that replication "C" be considered. Maybe creating a day lighted stream in the area by the culvert and under the driveway. This was discussed and the applicant agreed to dayli -ghting the stream and surrounding it with native vegetation However he suggested an orifice insteadin the open channel to maintain existing capacity and the commission concurred.. Mr. Ogren stated that Engineering would have concern if they increased the orifice. Mr. Latham discussed with the Commission if the project would follow under a "permit" rather than a variance. He presented a Conservation document and stating how he believes it would fall under #5 - D "Zone of Natural Vegetation ". After a discussion, Mr. Latham presented a letter to the Commission asking for a variance. The Commission agreed and said it would be a cleaner filing. The abutters let the Commission know how pleased they are with this project. One abutter thanked the Commission for listening to the applicant. Ms. Scanlon questioned if a consultant should be hired to review the plans before the order of conditions are written. The Meeting Minutes August 14, 2013 Approved August 28, 2013DR4FT Commission discussed hiring a peer review, wetland scientist or an environmental specialist. The applicant stated they would hire someone to be at the field and submit reports, but feel due to the time, having someone review the plans Row before issuing the Order of Conditions would be devastating to the project. Mr. Tirone questioned if he would be able to have all information needed to write the order of conditions in time and thoroughly. He still has questions on the O &M and snow storage. Mr. Maughan told him he could make writing the order of conditions his priority. He gave some suggestions on what to write to make the applicant responsible before construction can begin. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to close the public hearing on Artis Living Center, 1090, 1100 Main Street Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0-0. Old /New Business Minor Project — The Commission did not discuss minor projects Bills approved — The Commission did not discuss minor projects • Get to know your backyard, Grace Stroman Ms. Scanlon asked if the Commission had time to review the documentation from Ms. Stroman; if not she encouraged them too. One comment from the Commission was footnote the sources should be added. Mr. Finch stated the Trails Committee is forwarding on comments too. 19 Arcadia - The owner wanted to modify the plan that was submitted to Conservation; but has decided to table it for now • 10 Pasture Road discussion of next steps, Rotstein Mr. Gillis represented Mr. Rotstein. He asked that this discussion be moved to the next meeting. Mr. Maughan commented he went by the site and it looks good. The site now is what the Commission had envisioned when the order of conditions were given. AOOC Withdrawal request & COC 54 Martin Road, Map 38 Lot 115, Marion Mr. Tirone reviewed the project with the Commission. He reminded them when the as built was received it showed a ramp being added in the 25' zone; the Commission asked for planting and clean up in some areas to give back. Mr. Marion asked that his amended order of conditions be withdrawn. The Commission discussed how to handle his request. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to accept the request withdrawal for the amended order of conditions. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 Motion made by Mr. Maughan to accept the minor plan change as described with the documentation received. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to accept a Certificate of Compliance with order of conditions along with the minor modification. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Ms. Scanlon asked that the homeowner let them know when the door is removed. • Al Couillard, Tree Planting plan The Commission reviewed the planting plan submitted. After a discussion, Mr. Tirone is going to ask that the trees be staggered and spaced 15' apart. The Commission agreed the Arborvitaes can be considered a tree for this project; the order of conditions did not specify. A bond was discussed and why there is not one on this project. Meeting Minutes August 14, 2013 Approved August 28, 2013T Mr. Maughan wants to make sure a bond is received for the Artis Living Center project. He asked Mr. Scott to find out what a typical cost of an acre of wetland replication would be. • Minutes for Approval: July 24, 2013 Motion made by Mr. Maughan to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. 27 Blueberry Lane Mr. Tirone showed a plan he considered falls under the minor project review. He talked to the Commission about how many they would allow on a homeowners property. 25 Collins Avenue Ms. Scanlon discussed with the Commission the follow up she received from the Police Department. The tarp in the backyard she saw on the site belonged to 12 year old boys. It was taken down. She asked that a letter be sent to the property owners and ask permission to go on site and look into the anonymous tip received about debris in the wetland. Harold Avenue Mr. Maughan asked if the Conservation easement should be marked in the field like it states in the document. After a discussion with Mr. Latham, it was decided the sentence should be struck from the document. The Commission signed the document. Ms. Scanlon talked about the path area in the woods and how it was mowed and she saw some debris. She questioned if it is Conservation land and if a letter should be sent. Motion made by Mr. Finch to adjourn at 11:15 PM. Mr, Sullivan seconded. Vote was 5-0 -0. Respectfully submitted, Kim M Saunders