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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-26 Conservation Commission Minutes OFR Town of Reading Meeting Minutes RECEIVED OWNCLERK 0 " READING, MA. Board - Committee - commission - Council: Rill SEP -4 PM 1: 53 Conservation Commission Date: 2019-06-26 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting ROOM Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: Public Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Rebecca Longley, Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, David Pinette, Carl Saccone, Michael Flynn; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Bob Hayes Others Present: John Tilton, Jackie Welch, Joe Peznola, lay Finnegan, David Cowell Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: I Ms. Longley called the meeting to order at 7:04pm. NOI 270-0714. 135, 139 & 149R Howard Street, Map 10 Lots 75, 76, & 77, Infrastructure Holdings LLC Ms. Longley stated that the hearing was continued to the next meeting. NOI 270-0720, Veterans Way Lot 5, Map 45 Lots 104 & 106, Mass Equity Investors, LLC Jon Tilton of Williams &Sparages was present with Jackie Welch to update the Commission on their proposal. The new plan adds two discharge chambers for roof runoff and a propane tank outside the 100-foot buffer zone. Fill will be added to pitch the area beyond the retaining wall toward the wetland in order to keep the wall height under four feet and eliminate the need for footings. The Commission expressed concern at the regrading, though it had been approved at the previous meeting. The Commission then requested an updated plan, coltech chamber specification, and seed planting plan to be specified on the DOC. Motion to close NOI 270-0720 by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. NOI 270-0717, 107 Main Street, Map 8 Lots 1, Palmer Continued at the applicant's request to July 10, 2019. Page 1 1 Old/New Business: 259 and 267 Main Street Pre-Filing Working Session Joe Peznola and David Cowell of Hancock Associates, and Jay Finnegan of Finnegan Development, were present to discuss potential development at 259 and 267 Main Street. The property was formerly home to an oil company and the site has a history of degraded and previously disturbed areas. Mr. Finnegan is trying to decide whether to purchase the site to build residential condominiums. Only a portion of the site is zoned for residential which restricts the placement of the building. There is an easement for the Reading water/sewer line. To date, the wetlands have been delineated and soils have been tested for contamination. Mr. Peznola will provide the Commission with an electronic copy of the site assessment and the geotechnical report. The proposal is to build a 24-unit building with parking underneath and some parking behind, with stormwater management. The goal is to balance the wetland impact and explore the opportunity for wetland mitigation and replication. About 2700 square feet of bvw will be permanently impacted and replicated elsewhere. About 800 square feet will be Impacted during construction, but will be renaturalized post construction. Currently, mostly invasive species are growing in the area, and there are several opportunities for invasive species management, native species planting and diversity, and establishment of modern stormwater treatment design as part of the development. Mr. Tirone asked about connectivity potential between Cross Street and Main Street. Mr. Peznola stated that they can design a sidewalk that transitions to a walking path that follows the water/sewer easement. The Commission expressed the importance of achieving 2:1 mitigation and overall felt that the plan would be an improvement to the area. Town Meeting Article to Transfer Two Maillet Parcels to the Conservation Commission, Trails Committee Mr. Tirone explained that he and Julie Mercier, Community Services Director, are trying to figure out how to include an article on an upcoming Town Meeting warrant to transfer two Maillet parcels to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Pinette stated that when he spoke with Bob LeLacheur, Town Manager, and John Halsey, Select Board member, at Town Day, they explained that it should have been addressed years ago and that Town Counsel, Ray Miyares, would have to assist with drawing up the article, the Finance Committee would have to approve, and the Select Board would be discussing it at an upcoming meeting. Mr. Tirone requested that the Chair connect with the Commission's Select Board Liaison to assist with understanding the process. Howard Street Invoice Approval, No. 45448 Horsley&Witten Group Mr. Tirone stated that he received an invoice for $3,450 from Horsley &Witten for the site inspection, review of the NOI, written analysis, working session, and attendance for the first hearing. The applicant is considering their options based on the Horsley &Witten results. Motion to approve by Mr. Pinette. Mr. Flynn asked if the applicant would have an issue with payment for attending a hearing that has yet to happen. Mr. Tirane stated that they will appear at some point. Motion seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. 113 Arcadia Avenue Reading CR #23 Ref. #16569 The state issued a number for the Conservation Restriction on the property. The Commission approved the Conservation Restriction so that the homeowner could get the occupancy permit approved. The last correspondence was from the state asking for the revised plans, which means that it should be moving forward with the state. Page 1 2 DOC NOI 270-0718 128 Fairchild Drive, Map 45 Lots 2, Dopler The Commission reviewed the Order of Conditions and verified that corrections were made to the Town and the wetland setback. Motion to close NOI 270-0718, 128 Fairchild Drive by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to issue DOC 270-0718, 128 Fairchild Drive by Mr. Pinette, second by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0. DOA 2019-5, 35 Arcadia Avenue, Map 19, Lots 8, Steenbruggen The Commission reviewed the negative determination and signed the OOC. Administrator's Report: Foundation Permits Issued for 118 Eaton Street — Lakeview 40B Project Foundation permits have been issued and the developer would like to start building the retaining wall. However, the building department asked them to submit additional plans because details of the footing and wall size were not included on the original plans. Mr. Tirone asked the environmental monitor to submit monthly environmental monitoring reports, as he has only received one to date. 113 Arcadia Avenue Reading CR #23 Ref. # 16569 update and at the same time address the propane storage options for additional storage The gas company says that the storage tanks that were installed are too small and not adequate for the size of the house. The applicant is pinched in the maintenance area between the house and the 25-foot buffer. The homeowner will likely come back before the Commission to talk about additional storage options at an upcoming meeting. Pinevale Conservation Area Eagle Scout Project, finish up clearing the sites, Ryan Brickett Ryan Brickett is working on the final cleanup of the site at the Pinevale Conservation Area. His troop has adopted Pinevale and Mr. Tirone is hoping that they will clear the trails and build some boardwalks. Minutes: Ms. Scanlon said she had some minor amendments and would email them to Mr. Tirone. Motion to approve minutes as amended from lune 12, 2019 by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-1 with Mr. Flynn abstaining. Discussion and Vote for Chair and Vice Chair Ms. Longley expressed her wish to continue with the Commission, but hope that someone else might serve as Chair. Other members were unable to commit serving as Chair citing Page 13 upcoming personal events and experience level. Following a lengthy discussion Ms. Longley reluctantly agreed to continue as Chair for another year. After discussing the responsibilities of Vice Chair, Mr. Flynn stated that he would be willing to serve as Vice Chair. Motion to nominate Rebecca Longley as Chair by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-1 with Ms. Longley abstaining. Motion to nominate Michael Flynn as Vice Chair by Ms. Longley, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-1 with Mr. Flynn abstaining. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:03pm. Page 1 4