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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-22 Conservation Commission MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2023-02-22 Building: Address: Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 07:00 PM Location: 2024 HPR 12 Ni'i li,I Session: Open Session Version: Final Martha Moore chair, John Sullivan, Carl Saccone, Andrew Dribin, Brian Bowe vice chair Members - Not Present: none Others Present: Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator, Giovanni Fodera, Jack Sullivan, Kristan Farr, Jason Morey, Bob Comenos, John Barrows, Chris Kalvani, Elizabeth Wallis, John Burns Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John Sullivan Topics of Discussion: Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Martha Moore called the meeting to order at 7:09 pm. Hearings Scheduled: 0 Small Lane Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153. 155 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0748 Continue at applicant's request to March 8 as voted on at the previous meeting. 50 Johanna Drive Assessor's Map 23 Lot 121 RCC File No. 2023-01 Continuation from previous meeting. Mr. Fodera provided an updated site plan with the stream added. The stream was added to the plan using aerial photos. Mr. Fodera informs the Commission that the stream is approximately 57 feet away from the stream and they plan to add erosion control and provide restoration including a cleanup of the area and planting 5 shrubs. Commissioner Bowe asks Mr. Fodera several questions regarding the type of restoration planned and types of plants, plans for the driveway, and whether the homeowners would be amenable to a condition limiting future alterations. Mr. Fodera answers that they plan to cleanup yard waste and plant 5 shrubs (including summer sweet, blueberry, and viburnum), there are not currently any plans for the driveway, and he believes the homeowners would be willing to limit future alterations. Page 1 1 Chair Moore asks about the location of erosion control. Administrator Tirone suggests mulch sock/straw waddle along the driveway. Mr. Dribin asks Mr. Fodera how he interprets the riverfront standards (10508E)? Mr. Dribin and Mr. Fodera discuss and agree that this is a redevelopment and will require mitigation for anything over the 10% Chair Moore asks about plans for the existing swing set. Mr. Fodera isn't sure, but thinks it will be removed. Mr. Bowe moves to close the hearing seconded by Mr. Dribin, vote 5-0. Mr. Dribin moves for a negative determination with conditions seconded by Mr. Sullivan, Vote 5- 0. 52 Louanis Drive DEP File # 270- Assessor's May 6 Lot 163 Kristen Farr of Hancock Associates provides an overview of plan changes from the previous meeting. Some plantings have been changed to natives and a planting plan has been provided for the 25 foot buffer zone. The phragmites near the site has also been looked into and it has been determined to be on the neighboring property. Discussion follows as to whether all of the plants on the plan have been changed to native species. Jason Morey of Hancock Associates confirms that all plantings withing the 100 foot buffer zone will be native species. Carl Saccone points out that one of the plantings may not be native, but notes that there is a good variety of species. Discussion moves onto the planting plan for the zone of natural vegetation. Kristen Fart states that the plan is to plant 20 trees, 10 white oaks and 10 red maples, as well as 30 shrubs and seed mixes for the area. Cad Saccone suggests replacing 2 of each tree species with additional shrubs to thin out the plantings. Brian Bowe points out that there are a number of areas of yard waste on site, and asks that it be cleaned out as part of this project. Further discussion on the location of the construction entrance (left side of the driveway) and measures to be taken to protect the oak tree near the construction entrance. Further discussion on whether backfill will be used onsite (it will not), whether there will be a stormwater retention area (there will not), and which direction runoff will go (away from the pool). Mr. Bowe moves to close the hearing, seconded by Mr. Saccone, vote of 5-0. The commission moves on to discussion of conditions: Martha Moore proposes switching out some non-native plants for natives, and steel plates to protect roots of the oak tree. Brian Bowe requests a cleanup of yard waste/trash and to require no stockpiling on site. Mr. Bowe moves to issue a NOI, Mr. Dribin seconds. Vote 5-0. 29 Gavin Circle DEP File # 270- 0766 Assessor's Map 51 Lot 160 Jack Sullivan of Sullivan Engineering presents the project. An existing deck behind the house will be removed with a new 14x25 foot addition and new deck going in. Additionally, the applicant had wished to remove and replace the front landing and steps but has decided against doing so at this time. Jack Sullivan states that it will be difficult to collect runoff from the new addition, so instead runoff from another portion of the roof will be piped underground instead of being released into the yard as it is currently. No trees will be cut as part of this project. Martha Moore suggests that 3 existing conservation bounds moved from their current locations inside the 25 foot boundary to the 25 foot boundary, as well as adding an additional conservation bound. Jack Sullivan agrees. Brian Bowe describes the site visit he attended. It appears that the area along the retaining wall is being mowed. There is also a leftover mulch pile along the retaining wall. Brian Bowe asks where the construction entrance will be. Bob Comenos states that the construction access will be by the gate the commission entered through on their site visit. Brian Bowe asks about plans for a stockpile area. Bob Comenos states that there isn't room so for a stockpile so everything will be removed from the site. Page 1 2 Andrew Dribin states that he'd like to see the lawn returned to natural vegetation and for the mulch pile near the retaining wall to be removed. He also asks if moving the concrete bounds will damage existing vegetation? Jack Sullivan states that he doesn't think it will. Martha Moore states that she'd like to see planting in addition to letting the lawn area return to a natural state. Carl Saccone suggests 3-5 shrubs. Martha Moore asks about a washout station for concrete work. Bob Comenos states that they could use one, but he doesn't think it will be necessary. Martha Moore asks about decking around the pool, will it be pervious or impervious? And will a construction dumpster be onsite? Bob Comenos states that the existing decking will remain as it's in good shape. Also, a construction dumpster will be onsite, adjacent to the downspout. With no other questions, Brian Bowe moves to close the hearing, Andrew Dribin seconds, vote S5-0. After a discussion of conditions, Brian Bowe moves to issue a Notice of Intent, Andrew Dribin seconds, vote is 5-0 104 Lilah Lane DEP File # 270- 0766 Assessor's Mao 55 Lot 30 John Barrow, project engineer, introduces the project. The applicant wishes to construct an inground pool at the rear of the property. The plans include an impervious pool deck and a hot tub as well. No work will be done within the 35 foot buffer zone. There is an existing shed within the buffer zone which will be relocated. To compensate for the additional impervious surface (about 1800 square feet) the applicant plans to install a stormwater recharge system. The applicant also plans to install a fence around the property and install straw waddles for erosion control during construction. Mr. Dribin describes the site visit he attended with Mr. Bowe and Mrs. Moore. He describes the site layout as well as the location of the shed which will be relocated. Chris Calvani and the commission discuss potential plantings to the zone of natural vegetation. Mr. Bowe points out that there is some debris in the yard which will need to be cleaned up as a shed which needs to be relocated. He adds that the trampoline is too close to the wetland and should be moved, but is willing to wait for any children in the house to age out of wanting the trampoline before moving it. Mr. Galvani states that the trampoline's days are numbered anyway. Mr. Bowe asks about the construction entrance. Mr. Calvani states that it will be through the driveway. Mrs. Moore asks about a black, corrugated pipe she noticed between stakes 2 and 3. Chris Calvani and John Bartow state that they don't know the origin of that pipe. Chuck Tirone states that he'd like to see the phragmites at the edge of the property removed, but since the patch crosses the property boundary only removing it from the applicants property is probably futile. Mr. Bowe moves to close the hearing, Mr. Dribin 2nds, vote is 5-0. Conditions for the project are: remove the pallet and boards in the comer of the yard, provide a list of proposed plantings, a mulch sock and construction fence for erosion control and to remove the trampoline in the next 5 years. Mr. Bowe moves to issue the NOI, Mr. Sacone seconds, vote is 5-0. 18 Libby Ave Assessor's Map 23 Lot 175 RCC File No. 2023-06 Mrs. Moore states that the applicant proposes to demolish an existing shed and garage, the area will be landscaped for soil stabilization and aesthetics with 6 shrubs being planted. The existing chain link and vinyl fencing will restrict construction activities on the lot. All of the work will take place in the buffer zone to a bordering vegetated wetland. Mrs. Moore states that she drove by the site, but not as part of an official site visit. She asks if there is a list of the shrubs the applicant proposes to plant. Charles Tirone states that the plan calls for dogwood and service berry. Page 13 Elizabeth Wallis (the project engineer) presents the plan: the property is approximately 70 feet from the wetland, which was estimated using the town GIS. The existing garage and shed are to be removed, with the area being planted as lawn to match the existing yard. Six bushes will also be planted close to the property line. She doesn't believe this work will negatively impact the wetland as it is well outside of the 35 foot zone. Mrs. Moore points out that the jurisdiction of the conservation commission is only within 100 feet of the resource area and most of this work may be outside of the commissions jurisdiction. Mr. Bowe asks how demo materials will be handled? Ms. Wallis states that a dumpster will be onsite for demo materials. John Burns, the property owner, confirms this. Mr. Bowe asks how the applicant plans to access the area to remove the materials? Mr. Bums states that the house will come down first, followed by the garage. Mr. Tirone asks K the large tree onsite will be removed. Mr. Bums states that they'll try to keep it. Mr. Tirone advises him that if they decide to remove the tree, they must come back to the commission for a minor plan change. Mr. Bowe moves to close the hearing, Mr. Saccone seconds, vote is 5-0. Mr. Bowe moves to issue a negative determination, Mr. Dribin seconds, vote is 5-0. 68 Longfellow Road Assessor's Mao 27 Lot 325 RCC File No. 2023-05 Mr. Saccone recuses himself as he his the property owner for 68 Longfellow Road. Mrs. Moore opens the hearing on a request for determination of applicability. The applicant proposes to build a two story addition with a wraparound porch and a sunroom. Portions of the work are within the buffer zone of a bordering vegetated wetland. Mr. Saccone presents the project plans, which include a two story addition. One tree and a couple of bushes are to be removed, with 3 new native trees being planted within the 100 foot buffer. The commission discusses the stockpile area location and duration, as well as erosion control onsite. Mr. Bowe brings up the existing shed, which is in the buffer zone. He says that he doesn't see a great option for where it could be moved, and is ok with it staying as long as it's covered by a variance. Mr. Bowe also notes that during the site visit members of the commission noticed violations on neighboring properties, which is says should be discussed at a future meeting. Mrs. Moore points out that on a different property the commission noticed an existing shed a similar distance from a resource area and allowed it to stay. Mr. Dribin asks about natural vegetation in the 25 foot zone, Mr. Saccone says that he's been maintaining the that was there when he moved in, but would like to add more native plants in the area. Mr. Bowe moves to close the hearing, Mr. Dribin seconds, vote is 4-0 Mr. Bowe moves for a negative determination. Mr. Dribin adds an addendum that the shed be allowed to stay at it's current location. Mrs. Moore adds a condition that a tarp be places over the soil stockpile and the stockpile be places as close to the street and house as feasible. Mr. Dribin seconds the motion for a negative determination. Mr. Saccone unrecuses himself. Old/New Business The commission discusses possibilities for hiring help for writing meeting minutes. Mrs. Moore reminds the commission that the spring MACC conference is coming up and encourages everyone to attend. The commission also discusses budget priorities for the year. Mr. Dribin moves to approve the meeting minutes for 2/8/23, Mr. Bowe seconds, vote is 5-0 Mr. Bowe moves to ajoum at 10:36 PM, Mr. Dribin seconds, vote is 5-0 Page 1 4