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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-28 Conservation Commission Minutesi/ Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 28, 2006 _ -RECEIVED TOWN CLERK Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission A S . Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM June 28, 2006 zool DEC _ 8 A I lb Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman, Mark Wetzel, Doug Greene, Jamie Maughan, Barbara Stewart, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. (NOTE: Barbara Stewart's appointed term begins on July 1, 2006, and she will not vote during this meeting) The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Old/New Business: 1 General Avenue, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-428, RGB 2004-22 Nothing has happened at the site. The Commission needs to get "as-built plans" and vegetation plans by the end of June. ABC Flea Mart, General Avenue, Determination of Applicability, RGB 2006-9 Gordon Lane was present and asked for a clarification of Condition No. 6 that said there could not be any food in the grassy area. He said that although he was not selling food in the area, it would be difficult to prevent customers or vendors from eating food in that area. The Commission said they understand that Mr. Lane can not totally control people eating in this area and Mr. Lane said he would take care of the cleanup. The Commission also said that he could paint lines in the grassy area using lime, vegetable dye or chalk. Reading Memorial High School, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-416, RGB 2003-51 The trees and bushes are in good shape. TLT has not provided reports on time. Mr. Hecht said he would talk to the School Committee if the Commission does not hear from them soon. Barrows School, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-414, RGB 2003-49 The contractor has received a punch-list and a final deadline to finish the work or the School will get someone else. Ms. Fink will contact the architect to see if there has been any progress. Wood End Elementary School The principal called about installing new sidewalks from the parking lot the play ground area saying he had a free donation of pervious concrete. Ms. Fink asked him for a description of the material. Dividence Meadows Purchase and grant reimbursement Ms. Fink has been working with Town Counsel and the seller's lawyer on closing documents. The closing is scheduled for June 29, 2006 at 11:00 am. Then the documentation will be sent to the State for reimbursement. 23 Criterion Street Jim Claffey, owner, asked for approval to locate a shed within vernal pool habitat, rather that as approved on the other side of the yard. He said it is 4-6" off grade and he could make it higher if - necessary. Mr. Wetzel moved to allow the shed to remain at the second location. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 1 in favor, 3 opposed. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 28, 2006 Mr. Maughan moved that the Commission issue a Notice of Violation and ask that the shed be put back m the` approved location Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote 3-1. 2,6 R,-Summer Avenue kevin V ulgoni appeared and proposed a change in the approved silt fence lines. The Commission directed him to adhere to the approved lines. Public Hearing, Proposed Amendment to Section 2.1) of the Reading Wetlands Protection Regulations, Filing Fees The Chairman opened the hearing. Ms. Fink gave the Commission a new fee structure to cover the cost for the new position of Permits Coordinator for the Town. The increase is approximately 11 There was no discussion. Mr. Maughan moved to close the hearing. Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote 4-0. Motion by Mr. Maughan to approve the new fee structure, seconded by Mr. Wetzel. Vote 4-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 46 Glenmere Circle, DEP 270-477, RGB 2006-17 The Chairman opened the hearing. Steven Baczek appeared and described a proposed addition to his house. The topography is fairly flat. Four trees would be removed. Mr. Maughan wanted some additional plantings adjacent to the brook, in an area 5'wide. The Applicant asked if a wall could be put in and the Commission said only plantings. Ms. Fink said the project meets minimum setbacks, is not in a flood area, and the buffer zone planting would be appropriate. She recommended an exploratory soils test before he puts in a full basement. The Commission will provide a list of plants for the Applicant that should e used. Bill Denhard, 25 Springvale Road, asked about recent flagging in the area. Ms. Fink said there are a number of empty lots and the owner had a local engineering firm mark the wetlands. The owner has not filed any plans with the Commission yet. Mr. Wetzel moved to continue the hearing to July 12, 2006. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 4-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Peter Zanni, PRZ Properties, Inc., end of Fairchild Drive, RGB 2006-13 This hearing was postponed until July 12, 2006, at the Applicant's request. 126 Howard Street, Determination of Applicability, RGB 2005-33 Mr. Hecht gave a site inspection report. Mr. Maughan moved to close the file. Seconded by Mr. Greene. Vote 4-0. Archstone Reading, West Street, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-412, RGB 2003-46 Mr. Hecht and Ms. Fink gave site inspection reports. The Commission had concerns about the continued flooding on West Street that is a combined problem between Archstone-Reading and the Mass Highway Department. Mr. Maughan moved to authorize the Administrator to sign off on Occupancy for Building 6. Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote 4-0. 2 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 28, 2006 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Shirley Day, 410 and 420 Franklin, RGB 2006-14 Present: Shirley Day, Brad Latham, Bill Bergeron, and members of the Historic Commission The Chairman opened the hearing. Attorney Brad Latham describes the proposed project, the regulatory framework, design alternatives, the historical use of the site, the filing fees, mitigation for wetlands impacts, value of the property related to yard size, and the historical house that exists on the site. Mr. Bergeron discussed proposed drainage and soils characteristics. Clayton Jones from the Historical Commission described the historic value of the existing house and said there is an overriding public interest to prevent demolition of the house. Mr. Hecht said he would like the market data to support the theory set forth about yard values. The Commission asked questions and made comments about soils tests, retaining walls, plantings, setbacks, proposed lot lines, commitment to historical preservation. The Commission noted they need to balance wetlands preservation with private economic gain. Mr. Jones said by state law the larger public interest beyond wetlands must be considered. Mr. Hecht said it is unusual for the Commission to hear an economic argument based on the value of the proposed property, and no facts have been submitted from a professional qualified to give them. Attorney Latham said the Applicant could get a real estate professional to corroborate what had been said at the meeting. Mr. Bergeron said with a house this size a full cellar was necessary. Ms. Herrick of the Historic Commission agreed with this statement. ` Motion by Mr. Greene to continue the hearing to July 12, 2006. Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote 4-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Ronald Record, Jr., 522 Summer Avenue, DEP 270-465, RGB 2005-47 This hearing was postponed until July 12, 2006, at the Applicant's request. 25 Walkers Brook Drive, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-470, RGB 2005-51 The Commission reviewed a bill from their consultant. Mr. Hecht moved to ask the applicant for $2138.18 in consulting fees to cover the bill. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 4-0. 88-98 Walkers Brook Drive (128 Ford) - Application for Site Plan Review with Community Planning and Development Commission The owner proposes to tear down and replace one of the two buildings, and renovate the other. The lot contains wetlands, buffer zone, and river front areas. The Commission reviewed comments sent by Ms. Fink to the CPDC for the opening of their hearing on June 26, 2006. Pondview Lane, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-345, RGB 2000-52 Dave Murray, developer, was present and wanted to know what he had to do in order to get a Certificate of Compliance and bond release. Much of the work under the Order has been completed. The existing order expired and cannot be extended. The owners of Lots 8-10 filed a new Notice of Intent to complete work on their lots. At a recent inspection, the grading, patios, and retaining walls were not being constructed per the Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 28, 2006 approved plans. There are ponding issues and impervious cover issues. A stop-work order was issued and revised plans are required. Mr. Maughan moved to release $5,000 of the $20,000 surety held for the project. Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote 4-0. Adams Way, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-333, RGB 2000-8 Ms. Fink gave a site inspection report. During the Mother's Day storm, the detention pond did not overflow. The Commission reviewed a memo from the Town Engineer approving the detention pond as constructed. Mr. Maughan moved to accept the detention basin as adequate and to issue a final Certificate of Compliance with continuing conditions for the subdivision. Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote 4-0. Mr. Wetzel moved to pay the surveyor's bill in the amount of $2500.00 from the surety seized earlier. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 4-0. The Commission will determine what they can do with the rest of the bond. 141 Eastway, Determination of Applicability, RGB 2005-42 The Commission reviewed a site plan revision. Mr. Maughan moved to accept the revision as a minor plan change. Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote 4-0. 287 Lowell Street The Commission reviewed a site inspection report, and will check previous correspondence concerning the limits of mowing allowed. Main Street Reconstruction Project - Environmental Notification Form, MEPA The Commission will send a letter stating there could be more drainage improvements. 146 Willow Street The homeowner wants to put a fence around the back in a lawn area. Motion by Mr. Maughan to accept as a Minor Project. Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote 4-0. Getty Station, 306 Main Street and 8 Strawberry Hill Lane Owners are expected to submit permit applications soon. 78 Sturges Road Ms. Fink will send a follow-up letter saying that a curb cut permit is not required. Meeting adjourned. 4