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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-22 Conservation Commission Minutes Town of Reading i't`G E i V t D g Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK �a R : ;1r1 .l , Ate . r'nxro Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2="S Nu 12 AM 1115 Conservation Commission Date: 2020-07-22 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Public Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, David Pinette, Martha Moore, John Sullivan, Scott Keefe; Associate Member Nichola Meserve; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Chair Michael Flynn, Carl Saccone, Associate Member Tay Evans Others Present: Elizabeth Wallace, Marilyn Reid, Jeff Lamson, Lori Burke, Jay Burke, Greg Hochmuth, Erik Hagstrom, Eric Hughes, Scott & Lori Gisetto Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: The meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Ms. Scanlon called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. 106 Colonial Drive DEP File No. 270-0733 Ms. Scanlon opened the Public Hearing. Elizabeth Wallace, Wetland Scientist with Hayes Engineering, explained that the primary objective of the project is stabilize the existing concrete retaining wall. The existing wall will remain in place and the new wall will buttress up against it. A pool is proposed in the area of an existing patio. Whether the pool is constructed or not, there are still damaged patio pavers that need to be replaced. A portion of the yard will be regraded to access the lower yard beyond the retaining wall. The applicant is also requesting to trim down four trees within the 25-foot buffer zone because their branches reach toward the house and are costly to trim every year. She is proposing to leave snags to avoid having to replant. The Commission discussed the plan for the lower lawn area and the four trees proposed to be removed. They expressed concern at the removal of trees so close to the wetland and asked whether the homeowner would be willing to replant some trees or shrubs. Ms. Wallace asked the Commission to continue the hearing until later in the meeting so she could call the homeowner and ask for her input for replanting. Motion to continue to an open spot at the end of tonight's agenda by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Keefe. Roll call vote 5-0-0. 88 Timberneck Drive RGB File No. RDA 2020-6 Ms. Scanlon opened the Public Hearing. Jeffrey Lamson presented his request to reconfigure his driveway so that it no longer wraps around the house. The new driveway Page I i will be 30-feet by 40-feet and will decrease the impervious area by 900 square feet. A 28- inch retaining wall is proposed to level the driveway with the street. A stone paver pathway with no sealed joints or mortar is proposed to maintain access to the back of the house. The Commission agreed moving the driveway away from the wetland, and increasing the pervious area was a benefit. Maureen Hilliard of 78 Timberneck Drive, abutter to Mr. Lamson voiced her support of the project. Motion to issue negative determination by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Keefe. Roll call vote 5-0-0. 105 Lilah Lane RGS File No RDA 2020-5 Mr. Tirone opened the Public Hearing. Lori and Jay Burke presented their plan to finish a deck project that they started in 2017. They are proposing to expand their existing deck, add a roof over it, and add stairs down to the patio. An existing retaining wall will need to be repaired. The patio will be expanded around the pool to allow for more seating. There will be a 3-foot wide gravel path from the driveway to the propane tank storage area. A concrete pad will be added under the deck. Poison Ivy will be removed and replaced with native plantings. The Commission requested updated plans that include: the stairs relocated away from the 35-foot line, footing of the deck, tree and planting plan, and material of the patio expansion. Motion to continue by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 5-0-0. 53 Arcadia Avenue RGB File No. RDA 2020-4 Mr. Tirone opened the Public Hearing. Greg Hochmuth of Williams & Sparages reviewed the RDA filed for 53 Arcadia Avenue and two outstanding orders of condition for the lot. The first DOC is from June 2009 for an NOI filed in response to a notice of violation where the property owners brought in fill and removed vegetation and trees which required restoration. The applicant installed 16 trees as mitigation and stabilized the site after installing erosion control. The second DOC was issued in 2013 for an addition of a garage and other landscape improvements. But the extension expired in October of 2019. The applicant brought Williams and Sparages on to resolve the outstanding items and permit some additional items including regrading, removing trees, and expanding the driveway. The proposal is to Flatten out the grade in the backyard and bring minor fill in around the bulkhead. Five Norway Spruce trees will be removed from the left corner of the lot because they're too crowded, and the area would be loomed, seeded, and replanted with native species. The driveway would be expanded to 24-feet by 24-feet and elevated for an infiltration trench so runoff can infiltrate into the ground. An item from the last outstanding order is the planting of three sugar maple trees, which the applicant agreed to plant. There are four other trees proposed to be removed: a 12- inch dead Ash, a 16-inch dead White Pine, and another White Pine and a Hemlock that are growing toward the house. The Commission discussed replacement of trees, removal and monitoring of invasive species, and requested the changes be made to the plan before the next meeting. Motion to continue RDA 2020-4 by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 5-0-0. 106 Colonial Drive DEP File No. 270-0733 (Continued) Mr. Tirone reopened the Public Hearing from earlier in the meeting. Ms. Wallace stated that she spoke with her client who decided to remove the tree work from the request, and ask the Commission to just consider the retaining wall, patio paver work, and pool. She also requested that she be allowed to mow the lower part of the yard so she can have a grass space for her grandkids to play games. The Commission agreed to the request as the mowed portion is outside of the 25-foot buffer zone. Page 1 2 Conditions added to the DOC include: clarification that mowing will happen outside the 25- foot zone, changing of the slope, nothing happening with trees, replacement of damaged patio pavers, replacement of failing retaining wall, and addition of a pool. Motion to close NOI 270-0733 by Mr. Keefe, seconded by Mr. Sullivan. Roll call vote 5-0-0. Motion to issue Order of Conditions by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Sullivan. Roll call vote 5-0-0. Old/New Business: COC Reauest 270-0532 RGB 2008-14, 18 Small Lane. Mao 166, Lot 5. Hua_hes COC Reauest 270-0532 RGB 2008-15, 22 Small Lane. Mao 166. Lot 14. Dement Commission members reviewed their visits to the site and found the area in question is now overgrown. It is difficult to determine if any of the plantings done in 2009 have survived. Ms. Moore noted that the DOC called for invasive multiflora rose to be eradicated, however there is still a lot in the area. The Commission discussed possible plans to restore the area and agreed that trying to mitigate the invasive species, instead of trying to figure out the history and what might still be there, would be a good next step. Mr. Tirone and Ms. Moore will visit Mr. Hughes tomorrow morning at 9:00 am to review the site. The restoration plan and COC request will be revisited at the next meeting. 270-0728 0 Haverhill Street Mao 29 Lots 94 &95 Hall MG Hall Contracting Continued to the next meeting in August. Minor Plan Chance 270-0724 59 Forest Street, Mao 59 Lot 117. Gisetto Scott Gisetto presented his proposal for a Minor Plan change for three items: installation of a fence, possible removal of a tree to complete Cultec chamber installation, and removal of a large tree. He would like to install a fence around his backyard, 20% of which encroaches on the buffer zone. According to the Order of Conditions, a Cultec chamber needs to be added in a location where there is a dead tree. A cultec chamber has already been installed on the other side of the house, and there is a downspout that collects roof runoff into a French drain. There is a large tree at the corner of the driveway between the 25-foot and 35-foot buffer zone that is leaning toward the house. Mr. Gisetto would like to remove it because if it were to come down, it would land on the house in the location of his daughter's bedroom. He plans to plant more trees. The Commission discussed the details and agreed that the applicant can plant more trees, can remove the dead tree but does not need to install the Cultec chamber because the current French drain is sufficient for capturing roof runoff, can remove the leaning tree next to the driveway, and install a fence. The applicant will return to a future meeting with a planting plan. Motion to approve Minor Plan Change 270-0724 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Keefe. Roll call vote 5-0-0. 270-0727. 259 & 267 Main Street. Mao 12 Lots 39 & 40 Jay Finneaan. Stoneaate Construction Corp. This application will be revisited at a future meeting after it has received approval from Community Planning and Development Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Administrator's Report: Castine Field and Rivertront Restoration East of John Carver Road. Discussion Page 1 3 Ms. Scanlon reviewed a meeting with the Recreation Committee that she attended via Zoom with Mr. Flynn, Ms. Moore, and former Conservation Commission member Jamie Maughan. Mr. Maughan presented the same information that he presented at the last Conservation Commission meeting. Birch Meadow is a resource area that is protected under Reading bylaws and the State Wetland Protection Act. Any plans going forward need to have a lot of input from the Conservation Commission. The Recreation Committee said that they would consider adding someone from Conservation to their working group. The Commission members reviewed a follow up memo to the Recreation Committee prepared by Mr. Flynn and agreed that it was thorough and well-written. Motion to accept the memo written by Mr. Flynn and send it to the Recreation Committee by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Keefe. Roll call vote 5-0-0. Minutes: Motion to approve the meeting minutes from June 24, 2020 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Roll call vote 5-0-0. Last Minute Reminders: No Dumoino Sions Mr. Tirone stated that he will be picking up the signs and delivering them to DPW by next week. Ash Street Culvert Mr. Tirone stated that he is working with Alex Rozycki of the Engineering Department to assess a culvert on Ash Street where there is a buildup of sediment. DPW is considering a clean out of the channel. The Commission discussed the history and condition of the culvert and possible solutions to prevent the buildup. Mr. Tirone noted that he will be visiting the site tomorrow and will update the Commission. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Roll call vote 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 11:01 pm. Page 1 4