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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-22 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, October 22, 2008 RE C'E`1 V ED Reading Conservation Commission Mie`ft CLERK Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:004--l~ L) c , M A S S Wednesday, October 22, 2008 2008 DEC IS A 10: 20 Present: Chairman Mark Wetzel, Vice Chairman Bill Hecht, Barbara Stewart, Doug Green and Fran Fink, Conservation Administrator. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Old/New Business: 26R Summer Avenue, DEP 270-454, RGB 2005-27 - Revised plans for driveway and grading Attorney Lisa Mead and Kevin Fulgoni present. Ms. Mead presented the revised plans to widen the driveway and add additional retaining walls. Ms. Fink questioned why the additional retaining wall was necessary, and noted that the porch had been built already. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the proposed plan and the farmer's porch as a minor plan revision. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41- Revised plans for Lots 7 and 8, status of work John Ogren, engineer, Joe Pandolfo, contractor, Bob Zwicker, contractor, present. John Ogren explained the revised infiltration plan for Lot 7. He said the grade for the drain would be suitable. Ms. Fink relayed the Town Engineer's recommendations to Mr. Ogren. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the proposed plan for Lot 7 Kylie Drive as a minor plan revision. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. Bob Zwicker presented the proposed plans for Lot 8, and he said the soils tests and perk tests were complete. Ms. Fink recommended cleanout ports for the drywell and removing part of the front walkway. Ms. Fink gave a sample to Mr. Zwicker of the covenant that is required. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the plan change for Lot 8 Kylie Drive with the provision of cleanout ports, and the hydrology data. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Sage Development Corporation, 13 Buckingham Drive, RGB 2008-43, demolish house and build new house Jim Lordan, owner and developer, present. He wants to tear down and rebuild a larger house. He will also abandon the onsite septic system. Ms. Fink questioned the wetland boundary on the plan, but agreed the proposed work is outside the Buffer Zone. The Commission reviewed and amended draft findings and conditions. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a negative determination of applicability with the findings and conditions as amended. Mr. Green seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow Street, RGB 2008- 44, parking lot expansion and drainage systems At the request of the applicant, this hearing will be continued to November 19, 2008. Conservation Commission, October 22, 2008 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Randall and Susan Kneeland, 68 Longwood Road, DEP 270- 542, RGB 2008-36, addition to house Mr. and Mrs. Kneeland and Jack Sullivan present. Randy Kneeland said they had made significant changes as recommended by the Commission, and they have also proposed restoration and mitigation. Jack Sullivan, P.E., said the applicants decreased the size of the addition and the driveway. The Commission discussed the applicability of the riverfront regulations. Mr. Sullivan said the applicants are also installing an roof infiltration system for the entire house as well as the addition, and proposing a shrub border near the river. Ms. Fink said they could remove the canopy over the patio. Mr. Wetzel thought the mitigation and infiltrator was acceptable. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the plan as presented with the mitigation as noted on the plan. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. Mr. Sullivan has scheduled soils tests and will revise the plan after the tests. He requested a continuation` of the hearing. He submitted a Minor Project permit application for the tests. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue to November 5, 2008. Mr. Greene seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Robert Zeraschi, 10 Torre, DEP 270-538, RGB 2008-35, day care center, parking lot, drainage, and grading At the request of the applicant, this case will be continued to November 5, 2008. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Madlyn Fafard, Lot 49 Azalea Circle, RGB 2008-38, new house and driveway - At the request of the applicant, this case will be continued to November 19, 2008. Old/New Business: 105 Libby Avenue, DEP 270-435, RGB 2004-36 - Request for Extension Permit The Commission signed the Extension Permit that was approved at the last meeting. 60 Willow Street, RGB 2006-3 - Request for occupancy Mr. Wetzel said there was some grading and seeding done at the site. Half the paving has been removed and the area needs to be stabilized. There is no erosion barrier as Ms. Fink had requested. The garage is there with a gravel driveway. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to authorize the Administrator to sign off on occupancy for the property. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. 134 Fairchild Drive, DEP 270-475, RGB 2006-13 - Revised planting plan Kevin Simard, owner, was present and provided a proposed planting plan. They want to cut 10 mature tree trunks and several small pines killed by a fire, all in the Conservation Restriction/Vernal Pool Habitat area. They proposed to plant new shrubs and trees. They will use a professional landscaper. Mr. Greene said the applicant needed to submit the Latin names for the proposed plants. Mr. Hecht said they did a site visit and they did not see any problems with using native plants. Mr. Simard will seed the tree lawn area to improve its appearance before a permanent easement is granted to the Town. Ms. Fink said the Tree Warden said the mature fire-singed trees did not need to be removed. She also said the proposed plantings are not going to restore the tree canopy as they are smaller trees and shrubs. Mr. Simard said his proposed plan could be adapted to Conservation Commission, October 22, 2008 any requests by the Commission. Mr. Simard has not submitted a report on these trees from a certified arborist. Mr. Green said he could take a spore sample to see if these trees are infected. The Commission discussed which trunks to leave and which to cut. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the removal of one leaning trunk from the triple oak, two leaning trunks from the quadruple oak, one 4 inch pine, one dead snag from the double oak, and the pine saplings killed by the fire. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. 287 Lowell Street, DEP 270-515, RGB 2007-30 - Status of work Mr. Wetzel said the owner has not met the deadline to set the bounds because he said it was too expensive. He has stopped mowing beyond the permitted area. Ms. Fink said, if the applicant would allow, the Commission could figure out the locations of the bounds, and that rebar with caps would be acceptable. This would considerably reduce the expense involved. Ms. Fink will issue a $100 ticket along with a letter extending the offer to locate the bounds. Anew deadline will beset for November 2, 2008. Johnson Woods and 101 Longwood Road, DEP 270-416, RGB 2004-10 - Status of work Mr. Wetzel did a site visit. The driveway has been narrowed up but firewood has been dropped in the area that needs to be restored. Other stabilization work has not yet been done. The Commission will do another site visit in two weeks to see what has been done. A warning letter will be sent. As- built plans have been requested from the developer for Phase II, but have not been submitted. Benjamin Lane, DEP 270-466, RGB 2005-49 - Request for Occupancy, Lot 1 Ms. Fink did a site visit and they have graded and seeded around the house. There has not been any interior work done yet to the house so occupancy is not yet an issue. They need to clean up the back corner near Bagel World. Leaves and brush are being dumped in the wetlands, and there is erosion below the driveway on Lot 4. The engineer is working on as-built plans. The filters were removed from the catch basins and left sitting on the road. The developer will be contacted and asked to do further work. Archstone, West Street, DEP 270-412, RGB 2003-46 - As-built information and maintenance report Ms. Fink said Archstone received the letter she had sent. Their replication person called, and they will meet and determine what is and is not wetlands. Ms. Fink has not received maintenance reports. 1 General Avenue, DEP 270-428, RGB 2004-22 - As-built plans Mr. Wetzel did a site visit last Sunday, and the trees had not been moved yet, nor the stone applied at the demolition area. 48 Pasture Road, DEP 270-471, RGB 2006-4- Request for Certificate of Compliance Mr. Wetzel said the yard has been planted and appears healthy. Applicant will deliver a set of plans to Ms. Fink. 45 Causeway Road, RGB 2005-16 - Status of work This case was continued to the next meeting. 186 Van Norden Road - Ms. Fink got an as-built plan for the new house foundation. It does meet the 35' setback. 3 Conservation Commission, October 22, 2008 Trail Committee Terry Crocker, the Eagle Scout who is clearing out the trail from Franklin Street to Bare Meadow, will start Saturday at 8:00 AM. Mrs. Webb, an abutter, wants the scouts to mark the trees along her lot line that need to be trimmed and the Webbs will trim them. Mark Wetzel will check on the work. 11 Keith Road Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close Minor Project permit for deck. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. 22 Roma Lane Ms. Fink received a call saying trees were being cut on this property. The new owner cut trees in the zone of natural vegetation and the wetlands. The Commission will make a site visit. 124 Lilah Lane Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close Minor Project permit for deck. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. 105 Lilah Lane Ms. Fink visited in June at the owner's request. They wanted to change the grading and retaining walls around the pool and back lawn. Ms. Fink told them they needed to present a revised site plan, but no plan was received. Ms. Fink inspected recently and found that work has been done that does not match the site plans they had originally submitted. The Commission will request an as-built plan for review by November 12, 2008. 85 Lilah Lane Ms. Fink said all looks good at this location, and the owner will submit a report on the restoration planting to the Commission next spring. Storm Drain Workshop Ms. Fink talked about her visit to the University of New Hampshire stormwater demonstration exhibit. 37 Hampshire Street Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close this Minor Project for fence. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. 450 Franklin Street Ms. Fink has worked with owner on preliminary plan for demolition and new house construction. No permit applications have been filed yet. The Commission reviewed a letter of concern from a neighbor. 135 Franklin Street There was a 100-gallon fuel oil spill at this location. Fire Department, DEP and an LSP responded. There are no wetlands nearby. r °°q Parker School The stream dredging work left vertical banks that need stabilization for the winter. The playing field is under construction. 4 Conservation Commission, October 22, 2008 285 Main Street Ms. Fink reported that the LSP removed the contaminated sediment from the brook. Some of the clean sand backfill has washed downstream. 281 Main Street The LSP will demolish the garage and remove the gasoline spill soon. 40 Sunset Rock Road This property has been sold to Saugus Bank, presumable by foreclosure. Town Counsel wrote a letter to the bank informing them that the Town has been in litigation with this property and there are outstanding payments to be made to the Town. 445 Pearl Street Ms. Fink hand delivered a letter to the owner. She told him what type of inexpensive materials he could use for the bounds. A site visit will be scheduled. 1381 Main Street The owner has filed a plan with the CPDC and is proposing to remove the unpermitted driveway and the catch basin. Mr. Wetzel thought they should file a Request for Determination so the Commission can make sure they restore the site properly. Arborpoint at Reading, Jacob Way This development will be filing soon with the Commission, and has filed with the CPDC. 71 Lilah Lane Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close this Minor Permit for tree trimming. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. Adjourned.