Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-13 Conservation Commission Minutes rvA, Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 16— Conservation Commission YJ20 FEL -3 PH 3 46 Date: 2019-11-13 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 Michael Flynn, Bob Hayes, David Pinette, Annika Scanlon, Carl Saccone; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: None Others Present: Jennifer Traino, Tom Young, Andy (Applicant of Infrastructure Holdings), Maureen Hanley, Jamie Medea, Chuck Castelluccio, Joe Peznola, Dave Cowell, Josh Latham, Jay Finnegan, Alex Cates, Tony Cerasuolo, Carol Ann Cerasuolo, Julia Hoogeboom, Peter Seibold, Robert Judge, Mary Jane Judge, Gary Poulin Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: Ms. Longley called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. DOC 270-0686, Plan Change 88 Glenmere Circle, Xu Mr. Tirone stated that the plan change is being re-bid and he does not know when the application will come back before the Commission. Motion to continue DOC 270-0686 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6- 0-0. Bills Approved: Mr. Tirone presented a bill for Horsley Witten in the amount of$1,050 for work on the Howard Street project including: site inspection and review, written analysis, work session, and hearing attendance. Motion to approve payment of the Horsley Witten bill in the amount of$1,050 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0-0. RDA 2019-14, 400 Main Street, Map 17 Lot 26, Tralno Jennifer Traino and Tom Young appeared before the Commission with their plan to redo the asphalt, regrade the property, and install decorative hardscapes. The existing crumbling asphalt will be replaced with decorative concrete, and rocks around the border will be kept for drainage. Mr. Tirone noted that the property has been before the Commission a few times and he has approved some minor project permits in the past. It is a difficult site that has changed ownership many times, and the backyard has become overgrown. The current applicants are trying to make something commercial and to live in. The property is near an intermittent stream near the depot. Ms. Scanlon asked how much excavation would need to be done and how much fill would be needed. Mr. Young stated there will be minimal digging Page 1 1 and maybe 2-3 tons of gravel would be used. Ms. Longley asked why there was excess dirt along the retaining wall and requested that it be removed as soon as possible because a heavy rain could wash it into the stream. Mr. Young stated that the dirt had only been there a few days following the digging of new footings for the deck, and it would be removed by Monday. The Commission discussed planting native vegetation and Mr. Tirone stated that he would make recommendations and include them in the order of conditions. Motion for negative determination for RDA 2019-14 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0-0. NOI 270-0714, 135, 139 & 149R Howard Street, Map 10 Lots 75, 76 & 77, Infrastructure Holdings LLC. Update. Ms. Longley stated that the updated plans were just received earlier this afternoon, so the Commission members had not yet had time to review. However, she asked the applicant to provide a brief update. Andy noted changes to the plan including: the reversal of the location for the house and retention pond on lot 4; all houses have been equipped with drywells; all roof runoff will be directed straight into the ground; a drainage swale was replaced with a catch basin; previous drainage features that were determined to not be jurisdictional will be disturbed, but will follow the same drainage pattern; and an infiltration trench was added along the driveway in lot 4. Andy stated that the new plan complies with state and local regulations. There will be no disturbance within the 25-foot buffer zone, and no structures within the 35-foot buffer zone. Ms. Longley asked if there would be any rain gardens or specific mitigation of runoff for each residence. Andy stated that roof runoff will be directed into drywells for each house. The revised retention pond is smaller because roof runoff is no longer proposed to be directed there. Mr. Tirone noted that street trees no longer count as part of the tree replacement policy. Ms. Scanlon noted that 100-year storms are closer to 7.5-8 inches and requested stormwater calculations reflect that. Chuck Castelluccio of 62 Wescroft Road requested a copy of the plans and asked if he could contact Horsley Witten directly to ask questions. The Commission agreed that all communication with Horsley Witten should be done through Mr. Tirone and the Commission. Motion to continue NOI 270-0714 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0- 0. NOI 270-0675, 364 Lowell Street, Map 26 Lots 157, Jamison Properties, LLC The applicant requested a continuance because there were conflicting answers from different building inspectors regarding emergency access. Motion to continue NOI 270-0675 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Flynn. Vote 6-0- 0. NOI 270-, 259 & 267 Main Street, Map 12 Lot 39 &40, Stonegate Construction Ms. Longley opened the Public Hearing. Joe Peznola of Hancock Associates was present with Dave Cowell, Attorney Josh Latham, and Stonegate Construction developers Jay Finnegan and Alex Cates to talk about a proposed multi-family condominium project. The proposed development would be on two parcels: 267 Main Street, a parcel which formerly contained a single-family home; and 265 Main Street which has an existing house and was formerly the site of an oil company. The property extends to a perennial stream in the back. The site is somewhat degraded, due to mistreatment by the former oil company with regards to storage of vehicles. The proposal removes the existing structures and constructs a 24-unit building with a 35- space parking level underneath, and three stories of living space above. An additional parking lot with 13 parking spaces would be constructed in the back. A finger shaped portion of the wetland would be impacted and replicated elsewhere on the site. A retaining wall will be built leaving a 10-foot strip around the building. There are two proposed stormwater management systems: underground infiltration with stormtech plastic chambers that will be treated in catch basins that go into an isolator row; and a trench drain at the garage door which will collect water in an isolator row and direct it to a shallow detention basin that will have an outlet to the buffer zone through a gap in the berm. Page 1 2 The site is constrained by a zoning line on one of the parcels that is restricted to single family which shifts the location of the building closer to Main Street. The proposal includes permanently filling 2,750 square feet of wetland which will be replicated, and temporarily impacting 2,090 square feet which will be restored following construction. Secondary impact in the 35-foot buffer zone includes a permanent impact on 7,800 square feet of area and temporary impact on 3,022 square feet of area to be restored. The applicant is offering to restore 18,560 square feet within the 35-foot buffer zone, as many invasive species, including Norway maples and Asiatic bittersweet, are problematic throughout the site. The proposal is to remove Norway maple and replant with native species. A degraded area along the streambank would also be replanted with native species. Mr. Peznola also proposed to establish a walking path along an existing sewer easement that provides access around the property. The Commission discussed Fire Department accessibility around the entire building, wetland replication in other locations on the site, effects of Norway maples on the landscape, and the tree count. Mr. Peznola and Mr. Cowell noted that they would address the Commission's concerns and feedback at the next meeting. Tony Cerasuolo of 29 Shackford Road, whose backyard abuts the site, expressed concern about the elevated grading of the site, the amount of light that could shine into his yard, the removal of trees which could help filter out some of the lights, and the density of the development. He asked if mature trees could be planted in phases before other trees are removed. Mr. Peznola stated that he will present a photometric plan to CPDC, which he will share with the Conservation Commission, and noted that lights will be shielded to only shine where they are supposed to shine. He and Mr. Cowell will revisit the site to reevaluate the trees and maybe leave some to strategically block light for neighbors. Motion to continue NOI 270-, 259 & 267 Main Street until Decemberllth by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Hayes. Vote 6-0-0. ANRAD 270-0726, 0 Annette Lane, Map 3S Lot 139, Seibold Julia Hoogeboom of LEC Environmental was present with property owner, Peter Seibold, to present his application looking to confirm the wetland resource area on the site. She reviewed the features and vegetation of the resource areas, as well as the upland forested areas. Mr. Pinette asked about the appearance of a drainage easement on the plan. Mr. Seibold stated that it was proposed for a project before, but never removed. Mr. Tirone noted that the applicant should look into whether or not the easement is still needed, as it may affect any future planned projects. Robert and Mary Jane Judge of 10 Annette Lane asked if the site contained any vernal pools and expressed concerns about Flooding on the site. Mr. Tirone stated that past and present data indicate that there are no vernal pools, and drainage would be evaluated if and when structures and grading are proposed for the site. Mr. Judge also asked that the current owner replace or repair the damaged fence that abuts his property. A resident asked how much has changed since the last ANRAD was filed in 2002. Mr. Tirone noted that he did not review the previous application because this Commission would like to review this application on its own accord. Gary Poulin of 30 Apple Gate Lane asked what the process is following the ANRAD. Mr. Tirone stated that the applicant has three years to file a Notice of Intent to propose to develop the site. If he does, abutters will be notified ahead of the meeting. Motion to close ANRAD 270-0726 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 6- 0-0. Motion to issue ANRAD 270-0726 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0- 0. Old/New Business: DOC 270-0725, 10 Gregory Lane, Map 50 Lots 41, Sing Mr. Tirone reviewed the application by the homeowner to install a paver patio, a five-foot fence, remove four trees, and donate to the shade tree fund in lieu of replanting. Page 1 3 Motion to issue OOC 270-0725 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Hayes. Vote 6-0-0. DOA 2019-13, 3 Zachary Lane, Map 51 Lot 114, Newman Mr. Tirone reviewed Bill Manuel's site analysis and the Commission decision to delist the site as a wetland. The Commission checked off negative determination-negative #1: not an area subject to protection under the Act or Reading Wetland Protection Bylaw. Motion to issue DOA 2019-13 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 6-0- 0. COC 270-0697, 26 Milepost Road, Map 7 Lots 92, Dimeo Mr. Tirone stated that he visited the site. The homeowner thought he had been given permission to mow the lower area of the yard which was supposed to be the zone of natural vegetation. There was also a trampoline onsite which the homeowner said was temporary. Mr. Tirone stated that he would review the Certificate of Compliance and provide further information at the next meeting. COC 270-0550, 16 Bolton Street, Map 55 Lot 40, Silver Mr. Tirone reviewed the project from 2009 that included a renovation of the existing house, an addition to the house, extension of the existing driveway to reach the new garage, new front staircase, and sidewalk. Motion to issue COC 270-0550 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0-0. Administrator's Report: Town Forest Committee Mr. Tirone stated that the Town Forest Committee will attend the next meeting with their plan to do some cutting in the Town Forest. Minutes: Motion to approve the meeting minutes from October 23, 2019 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0-0. Last Minute Reminders: Meeting availability Because Ms. Longley is planning to move out of the community soon, and because Mr. Pinette will miss some meetings due to a scheduled surgery, Mr. Tirone noted that all other members will need to attend upcoming meetings through January and February to ensure there is a quorum. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:55pm. Page 1 4