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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-27 Conservation Commission MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Date: 2016-07-27 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 RECEIVED T0((1���'!�E LDL K REA'DIN'G, Mt SS. Zoll jyN _ - A 9. 58 Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Session: General Session Rebecca Longley, Chair; Harry Curtis; Michael Flynn; David Pinette; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Amy Scicchitani, Annika Scanlon, Al Couillard Others Present: Tom Huges Paul &Laura Mahony Manimdra Jwarchan Keri and Shawn Armstrong Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: 76 Longwood Road: Mahony Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone explained that this project had less mitigation than other projects on the same street and less than the commission has asked for in the past. It was suggested to include a dry well, decrease the impervious and add native planting on the site. The commission discussed adding more mitigation elsewhere on the site. Highbush blueberries and native trees or shrubs, It was decided that 5 native trees will be planted along the southwest side of the yard. Granite bounds are not needed; the commission decided to have the conservation plaques installed directly on the existing fence in the back of the yard. The Order will be written for the next meeting and distributed to the commission. Motion to close the hearing was made by Mr. Flynn and seconded by Mr. Curtis, Vote 4-0-0. Minor plan change: 56 Cross Street, Armstrong The owners changed the design of the garage to meet the 15 -foot side yard setback. The Commission reviewed the plans and agreed that this was an insignificant changed and approved. Motion to accept the change as insignificant was made by Mr. Flynn and seconded by Mr. Pinette, Vote 4-0-0. Page 1 1 Enforcement order 218 Salem Street: Manimdra Jwarchan Tom Hughes of Hughes Environmental Consulting took over 218 Salem Street Enforcement, replacing Rich Kirby of LEC. Tom gave an overview of the project and presented a conceptual plan he marked up for the purposes of the discussion. The applicant through his consultant explained that invasive plants on the site are a problem; they choke out the native vegetation and compete for the same space. He described the resource area and its buffer as impaired and said that his reading of the minutes on the original Order of Conditions made him believe the placement of the bounds were a compromise on the useable space in the buffer zone and the 25 -foot ZNV. Tom went on to say that the LEC flags are high and explained that a second review of the vegetation and soil would move the flags down the slope and would create more useable space for lawn within the Buffer Zone. The applicant proposed removing the new retaining wall, lowering the existing retaining wall and planting native plants to make a vegetated buffer strip. The applicant also wants to install a low -impact patio to the left of the deck. The Commission asked about the wetland delineation, the markers at the 25 -foot ZNV and the lawn. Originally the site was in floodplain but the new flood maps no longer show it in 100 Year floodplain. More discussion on the accuracy of the LEC flags continued. Variances needed would be work within the ZNV and 35 -foot no structure zone if the Commission allowed a structure any closer than 35 feet they would set a precedent. A site visit was setup for August 9th to review the new flags and see the site marked up with paint. The commission was told that the erosion control has been correctly installed now. Motion to Continue was made by ? and seconded by ? , Vote 4-0-0. RDA 2016-13 The Commission discussed and signed the order for RDA 2016-13 for 194 Van Norden. This meeting was closed and issued on the July 13th meeting but the order still needed to be signed at this meeting. 244R Ash Street The Conservation Administrator Chuck Tirone discussed 244R Ash Street to let the Commission know that the owners need additional work on their loading dock drainage system before they could receive an occupancy permit or Certificate of Compliance. This item will be taken off the agenda until the owners finish the work. Zoning charrette Ms. Longley and Mr. Tirone attended the zoning charrette and updated the rest of the Commission. Discussions at the meeting were about the 40-R Zone, 40b development and parking. Ms. Longley commented that the meeting was sensible and seemed to be enjoyable. Minutes The Commission approved the minutes as amended by Mr Curtis. Motion to accept was made by Mr. Flynn and seconded by Mr. Pinette, Vote 4-0-0. 14 Strawberry Hill 270-0547 The Commission was presented with a letter from attorney Favaloro stating that the property at 14 Strawberry Hill Lane has changed hands and when it comes time to return the $10,000 bond it should be sent to the new owners C&F Property Advancements, LLC. The commission was concerned that the original owner did not know this but agreed to accept. Motion to accept the change made by Mr. Pinette and seconded by Mr. Flynn, Vote 4-0-0. Discussion of the tree policy Page 1 2 Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Flynn and seconded by Mr. Curtis at 10:03pm. Vote 4-0-0 Page 1 3