HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-16 Conservation Commission Minutes4
Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, March 16, 2005
Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission
Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall
March 16, 2005
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Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman, Will Finch, Doug Greene, Becky Longley, Jamie
Maughan, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator LU-1 n, C,
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Old/New Business:
12 Track Road
The Commission discussed the use of Town Conservation land abutting 12 Track Road by
the owner of 12 Track Road. There are no records that the Town gave permission to pave
and park on the Town land, but the pavement has been present since the 1980's. There is no
wetlands permit on record. The land was not designated for Conservation until after the
1980's. The owner will be contacted about removing part of the pavement and restoring
vegetation on the stream bank.
Governors Drive, Habitat for Humanity, Order of Conditions, RGB 2005-8
The Commission signed the Order of Conditions as approved in a prior meeting. The Order
will be issued when DEP issues the file number.
7 Heritage Drive, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-433, RGB 2004-31
The Commission. reviewed a 'proposed planting and grading plan.
Mr. Finch moved to accept the plan under the Order of Conditions. Ms. Longley seconded.
Vote 5-0.
16 Track Road, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-439, RGB 2005-4
The Commission reviewed a proposed planting and erosion control plan.
Mr. Maughan moved to accept the plan under the Order of Conditions. Ms. Longley
seconded. Vote 5-0.
Pondview Lane, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-345, RGB 2000-52
The Commission reviewed an as-built plan and a memorandum from the Administrator. A
letter will be sent to Dave Murray concerning the status of work.
Public Hearing, 14 Strawberry Hill Lane, Notice of Intent, DEP 270-444, RGB 2005-6
The Chairman opened the hearing. Mona DeAngelo (applicant), Mark Favaloro (attorney),
and John Ogren (engineer) were present.
Mr. Favaloro reviewed the proposed work and mitigation. Mr. Ogren submitted a revised
site plan dated March 16, 2005.
The Commission reviewed the plans and asked questions. They reviewed several scientific
studies that had been submitted in a previous hearing. They noted the importance of the
forest canopy as habitat for wood frogs, and the changes proposed in the remaining tree
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Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, March 16, 2005
canopy around the vernal pool. They asked questions about the proposed planting plan, the
nature of the proposed off-site mitigation, the possibility of moving the proposed house
closer to the street, the exact area of habitat loss within the site, and other aspects of the
design. They asked questions about a study for Sanford Associates submitted by Mrs.
DeAngelo, but no one was present from Sanford to answer the questions. They discussed
differences between the proposed work on this lot and work permitted at 8 Strawberry Hill
Lane.
Mr. Favaloro asked for a continuation of the hearing to provide additional information in
response to the questions raised. The Commission discussed specific types of information
needed.
Mr. Maughan moved to continue the public hearing to April 27, 2005, at 7:45 PM. Ms.
Longley seconded. Vote 5-0.
Public Hearing, 500 West Street, Notice of Intent, RGB 2005-11
The Chairman opened the hearing. Kevin Jaynes (applicant) and Bob Nordstrand (Reading
Open Land Trust) were present.
Mr. Jaynes presented an after-the-fact site plan for a swimming pool, fence, and planting.
Ms. Fink reviewed a memorandum analyzing the plan. Mr. Nordstrand asked whether the
stone stockpile would be removed from the ROLT land. Mr. Jaynes said it would. There
were no further questions. The Commission asked Ms. Fink to draft an Order of Conditions
for the next meeting.
Mr. Maughan moved to close the public hearing. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0.
Public Hearing, 468 West Street and 11 Longwood Road (Johnson Woods), Request to
Amend Order of Conditions,, DEP 270-424, RGB 2004-10
The Chairman opened the hearing. Ted Moore (applicant) and Brad Latham (attorney) were
present.
Mr. Latham presented a plan to add land at 11 Longwood Road to the Johnson Woods
Condominium, demolish the existing house at 11 Longwood Road and construct a new
house, and to add another condominium building on Taylor Lane.
The Commission asked questions about access routes, demolition, limits of work, erosion
controls, trees to be saved; and other construction matters. Mr. Moore and Mr. Latham
answered the questions.
Mr. Greene moved to approve the revised site plan as an insignificant plan change under the
Order of Conditions subject to the construction matters as discussed. Ms. Longley
seconded. Vote 5-0.
57 Longwood Road
Ted Moore submitted a site plan dated March 9, 2005, and stated that he is planning to buy
the lot at 57 Longwood Road and would like to construct a house on it as shown on the plan.
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Minutes, Reading Conservation Connnission, March 16, 2005
Ms. Fink noted that the Commission had issued two previous Determinations of
Applicability for house construction on this lot to previous owners. Mr. Moore's site plan
differed from the plans under the two previous Determinations.
The Commission advised Mr. Moore to file a new Request for Determination.
Public Hearing, Mass. Bay Commuter Railroad Right-of-Way, Request for
Determination of Applicability, RGB 2005-10
At the request of the applicant, the determination was postponed to April 13, 2005, at 7:45
PM to allow time for site inspections.
Public Hearing, 78 Sturges Road, Notice of Intent, RGB 2005-12
The Chairman opened the hearing. Robert Shimansky (applicant), Rich Kirby (wetlands
consultant), and Dylan James (contractor) were present.
Mr. James presented plans for an addition to the existing house and a modification of the
driveway. The addition would be 33 feet from the wetland boundary at the closest point, but
farther from the wetland than the existing driveway. He requested a waiver from the 35-foot
setback standard due to the pre-existing condition..
The Commission asked questions about change in impervious cover, discharge points for
roof runoff, proposed planting, and changes in the curb cut. Mr. James answered the
questions.
Mr. Finch moved to close the public hearing. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0.
Mr. Finch moved to grant a waiver under Section 3.1) of the Reading Wetlands Protection
Regulations of the 35-foot setback in the previously developed area. Ms. Longley seconded.
Vote 5-0.
An Order of Conditions will be drafted for the next meeting.
Old/New Business:
248 Main Street, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-296, 1997-35
The Commission reviewed the status of work. A letter will be sent to the owner ordering
completion of work by June 30, 2005.
Wood End Elementary School, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-341, RGB 2000-38
Mr. Finch moved to grant an Extension Permit to March 2006 for work remaining at Wood
End School. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0.
MACC Annual Meeting
Ms. Fink, Mr. Greene, and Mr. Finch reported what they had learned in the workshops that
they attended.
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Minutes, Reading Conservation Coinrnission, March 16, 2005
Longfellow Road, Appeal of Order of Conditions
Ms. Fink reported the status of the appeal by the applicant. A Superceding Order of
Conditions is expected soon from DEP.
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Open Space and Recreation Plan - 2006 update
The Commission scheduled a meeting for April 6, 2005 to begin work to update the OSR
Plan. They discussed venues to recruit volunteers.
Town Meeting Warrant
Mr. Maughan moved to support Article 8 on the Town Meeting Warrant for the consulting
fee revolving fund. Ms, Longley seconded. Vote 5-0.
150, 160, and 166 Wakefield Street
Ms. Longley moved to accept a Minor Project Permit for soils tests on Wakefield Street to
support a subdivision design. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 5-0.
72 Van Norden Road
Mr. Greene moved to accept the Grant of Conservation Restriction signed by the owners of
72 Van Norden Road. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0. The Commission signed the
Grant.
87 Walkers Brook Drive
The Commission reviewed an new report on the hazardous waste cleanup and will send a
letter to the owner.
Inwood Drive, Woburn
Ms. Fink reported that the developer had filed a Notice of Project Change with MEPA for
work on Inwood Drive in Woburn. Instead of an office park, the plan calls for
condominium and apartment buildings. Ms. Fink will ask for plans.
Minutes
Mr. Maughan moved to accept the minutes of June 9, 2004 as drafted.
seconded. Vote 5-0.
Ms. Longley moved to accept the minutes of June 23, 2004 as drafted.
Vote 5-0.
Mr. Maughan moved to accept the minutes of July 14, 2004 as drafted.
seconded. Vote 5-0.
Reading Memorial High School
The Commission received a site visit report from Ms. Fink.
The meeting adjourned.
Ms. Longley
Mr. Hecht seconded.
Ms. Longley
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