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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-07 Conservation Commission MinutesREADING CONSERVATION COMMISSION :0 Minutes of Wednesday, October 7,1998 Town Hall Selectmen's Meeting Room PRESENT: Chair Nancy Eaton, Members Stephen Chapman, Harold "Lucky" Hulse, John Casciano, Will Finch, Kathy Smith, Consultant Leo Kenney, Conservation Administrator Donald Nadeau, and Recording Secretary Kathy Morgan ABSENT: Mark Gillis 7:07 PM The meeting was called to order. 7:08 PM Coolidge Middle School Gene Raymond explained changes they would like to make to the project, mainly they have decided not to replace the storm concrete drain pipe running under the school and to concrete the sidewalks instead of asphalt. The Administrator also mentioned that the sewer line from the YMCA toward Coolidge School is also a plan change. A motion was made and seconded that the Commission find the identified changes as insignificant and accept the original plan with changes. Voted: 6-0-0. 7:15 PM Notice: Sunset Rock Lane Mr. DeGennaro explained he has had the soil removed and stated that the proper soil will be used. ` 7:20 PM Certificate of Compliance Lot 7 (#61) Roma Lane #270-227, RGB# 1990- 33 A motion was made and seconded to issue a partial Certificate of Compliance. Voted: 5-0-1, H. Hulse abstained. This project is now in full compliance on Lot 7 with continuing conditions. 7:25 PM Minutes: A motion was made and seconded that the minutes of 9/9/98 be accepted as corrected. Voted: 5-0-1, W. Finch abstained. 7:35 PM Public Hearing - 80 New Crossing-Rd. DEP# 270-298, RGB# 1998-01 Peter Ogren from Hayes Engineering outlined the impervious area across the river which was added for stormwater management and the 9 acres of property for the conservation restriction. The applicant has already obtained a waiver from CPDC for parking. A certificate of compliance has not yet been obtained for the previous project at the rear of the property. S. Chapman asked for more details of the drainage system. Mr. Ogren explained that there will be a 3" inlet in a reduced manhole. S. Chapman reviewed the material measurements outlined on the plan and said that he felt the structure couldn't be built as designed. Mr. Ogren stated he could get building materials of different measurements, and he felt the structure could be built. S. Chapman asked if the casting would sit up above the grade or have earth brought up around it. Mr. Ogren said they could do it either way: Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 10/7/98 Page 2 He explained that the applicant plans to overlay the entire pavement and create a berm near New Crossing Road. Chair asked if the erosion problem at the river has been taken care of. Neither the applicant nor Mr. Ogren knew about the problem. Mr. Ogren suggested they could install riprap on the bank for erosion and suggested sweeping the parking lot to keep the sand from going into the river. Chair was concerned that the draft conservation restriction had the word "irrevocable" and suggested that Mr. Fuller speak to Town Counsel for clarification of the meaning of the conservation restriction and other prohibited acts. A note to the Administrator: When drafting the Order of Conditions, the applicant's engineer should submit fabrication detail for the drainage structure. A motion was made and seconded to close the Public Hearing. Voted: 6-0-0. A motion was made and seconded that the Commission find the proposed plan change to be acceptable with conditions. Voted: 6-0-0. 8:30 PM Public Meeting - 14 D St R B# 1998-23 S. Chapman stated that the proposed structure will encompass the area of the original deck and that 45' of lawn will remain beyond the proposed foundation to any wetland. Henriette Marotta, 9 C St., asked where the house would be located; applicant advised her. A motion was made and seconded to close the Public Meeting. Voted: 6-0-0. A motion was made and seconded that the Commission issue a negative determination of applicability with standard conditions. Voted: 6-0-0. 8:40 PM Certificate of Compliance 12 Fairwood Acres DEP# 270-170, RGB# 1987 $ A motion was made and seconded that the Commission issue a Certificate of Compliance. Voted: 6-0-0. 843 PM Certificate of Compliance - 105 Fairchild Dr. DFP# 270-289, RGB#1996 20 A motion was made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance, the certificate not to be released until a revised executed conservation restriction received and all conditions outlined in the Certificate of Compliance remain in perpetuity. Voted: 6-0-0. 8:45 PM Approve Minor Project: Remove remaining diseased trunk of double-stem oak in ZNV - 26 EA "e Lane The Administrator explained that the tree is diseased and could come down toward the house. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Administrator to sign off on diseased tree. Voted: 6-0-0. 8:48 PM 201 Salem St. Site visit conducted. Chair advised that there was some cutting taking place, no large stems though. The Administrator was instructed that if neighbors complain, he should follow up. Chair didn't feel any action needed to be taken but the Administrator should instruct the lawn care provider accordingly. 8:50 PM Spence Farm Study Committee Chair asked for volunteers for the committee. W. Finch volunteered. The first meeting is October 14, 1998. Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 10/7/98 Page 3 8:53 PM Recess taken. 9:03 PM Order of Conditions - "Marion Rd," by 51 Mill St DFP# 270-279, R B# 1995-29 W. Finch abstained and left his seat. The motion that S. Chapman made, that was tabled at the 9/23/98 meeting to invoke the Rivers Protection Act, was reconsidered. A motion was made and seconded to reconsider the tabled motion. Voted: 4-0-1, K. Smith abstained. Members discussed whether to determine if this project fits into a regulatory pipeline project. S. Chapman stated that the project clearly has river front characteristics with testimony from abutters of seasonal water to bank and approaching the limit of the 100 yr. storm. The Administrator stated the project could be denied under the State regulations for alteration to the buffer zone area. He stated that at flag 17A there is a clear channel. When asked her opinion, Town Counsel, Cheryl Blaine, felt this project would be a pipeline project. A motion was made and seconded to invoke the Rivers Protection Act. Voted: 0-4-1, K. Smith abstained. Motion failed. L. Kenney said the 100' buffer should be protected because of the habitat near the river and the impact of the development on the river. The Administrator read 5.7.8 and 5.7.9 of the bylaws. S. Chapman felt that the top of the development, Lots 4, 5, and the detention basin, was of the most value to the ZNV. He stated that clearly the river front resources ` would support a 100' buffer and also felt the area around the vernal pool should have a 100' buffer; H. Hulse agreed. N. Eaton is also concerned with the northern portion of the property. The Administrator read the Performance Standards for a Vernal Pool #6 (a), (b), (c), & (d). The Administrator outlined features within the 100' buffer on the proposed plan. S. Chapman stated he is willing to support the 100' buffer on Lots 4, 5, 6, & 7, but he felt the isolated area was not as critical. L. Kenney stated protecting 100' around the isolated area would increase the habitat area but he was more concerned with protecting the isolated area for a watershed area than for habitat. The Administrator agreed. He mentioned that the area beyond the 100' buffer could be regulated in accordance with the bylaws if it was felt that the project would impact on the resource area. A motion was made and seconded that the Commission establish the ZNV 100' horizontally from the BVW. Voted: 4-0-1, K. Smith abstained. Chair felt that the applicant has complied with stormwater requirements but would like to see the detention area in the northern part of the project moved. S. Chapman agreed. L. Kenney mentioned that the wetland area near the isolated wetland is mainly used for drainage. He said he would like to see a 25' buffer protected in the roadway area but that he would accept a trade for another area on the property. The Administrator read 5.7.3 of the regulations. Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 10/7/98 Page 4 S. Chapman asked Town Counsel if the applicant could ask for permission to do work on town owned land which is in a wetland area that the property line runs into the town right of way on Mill St. in which there is activity proposed by the applicant. Town Counsel advised that anyone can come before the Commission on a proposed project. The Administrator read the request for a waiver submitted from the applicant dated 1/23/96. A motion was made and seconded that the Commission accept the applicants request for waiver for impact on the 25' ZNV of the isolated wetland with an additional condition by the Commission that the sidewalk on the west side of the project not be allowed to be constructed within 25' of the ZNV and the project roadway pavement with reduction from 30' to 24' or such other width as previously discussed not less than 24, agreed upon by CPDC. Voted: 4-0-1, K. Smith abstained. Chair would like to see some public access for research and education. She felt that wells, tree cutting, maintenance of limbs and mulch, and fences would be unaccepted in the conservation restriction. Members reviewed and edited the Order of Conditions. It was discussed whether the work in the buffer zone will alter the resource area as referred to under Finding #8. r S. Chapman stated he would not be in favor of Condition 58 on Page 5-3-10. After members reviewed the condition, it was change to read "no sodium based de-icing chemicals". S. Chapman was satisfied with the change. K. Smith left the meeting at 12:20 PM 12:30 PM A motion was made and seconded that the Commission issue and accept as amended the Order of Conditions. Voted: 4-0-0. 12:35 PM A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Voted: 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, JI' L.35J~ L ✓ t{' Kathleen Morgan, Recording Secretary