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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-25 Conservation Commission MinutesA Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, February 25, 2004 Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall February 25, 2004 r'3i`1 QS. n r , Present: William Hecht, Doug Greene, Kelley Meier, Jamie Maughan, and Rebecca Longley, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Old/New Business 422 Grove Street, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-406, RGB 2003-33 Mr. Paul Finocchio, Professional Land Surveyor, explained the differences between the proposed site plan and the as-built plan. The as-built plan had incorporated a change in the lot lines due to a 1957 subdivision, as well as a new survey on site in which several drill holes, bounds, and other markers were located in the filed. Ms. Fink reported a site inspection in which the setbacks between the new foundation and the wetlands boundaries were measured and confirmed to comply with the proposed plan. Ms. Fink also reported that a roof had been constructed over part of the proposed deck, not according to plan. Mr. Hecht moved and Ms. Meier seconded to approved the location of the foundation on the as-built plan as submitted. Voted 5-0. The Commission asked that the applicant submit a revised plan for approval of the change in the deck. Public Hearings Lob's Pound Mill Conservation Area. Mill Street, Public Hearing, NOI, RGB 2004-2 Butch Conary was present for the Stream Team. The Commission reviewed comments from MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions. Ms. Meier moved and Mr. Hecht seconded to close the public hearing. Voted 5-0 in favor. Ms. Longley moved and Mr. Hecht seconded to issue the Order of Conditions permitting the work with the Findings and Conditions as drafted. Voted 5-0 in favor. 7 Beaver Road, Public Hearing, NOI, RGB 2004-5 Mr. and Mrs. Lydecker, the applicants, were present. They plan to construct an addition and deck. The deck will be low and will not require stairs. Ms. Fink distributed comments. Questions were raised about the BVW delineation, which was difficult to confirm due to snow cover and frozen soils. Also, whether the stream is intermittent or perennial. The Lydeckers reported that the stream goes dry during the summer. Ms. Meier moved and Mr. Hecht seconded to continue the hearing on March 10, 2004 at 7:30 PM. Voted 5-0 in favor. Longfellow _Road _-Lot -45, Public Hearing, NOI, DEP 270--415, RGB 2003-52 - - Tony Salamanca, engineer, and Angela Taibbi, applicant, were present. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, February 25, 2004 Ms. Fink distributed revised site plans and other documents, received February 24, 2004, to the Commission. Ms. Taibbi submitted photographs showing trash and debris on the site. Questions were raised about the soils used for the drainage calculations. Mr. Salamanca reviewed the calculations in the new documents. Ms. Longley noted that the proposed planting plan included an invasive species of buckthorn. She also asked for clarification of the number of herbaceous plants proposed. Mr. Maughan asked about the replication ratio and Mr. Salamanca said the revised plan provides 105%. He said the applicant had asked the abutting owner to the south to sell some of their land to her to provide more dry land to build on, but the owner had refused. Ms. Fink noted that there might be alternatives such as a smaller house, a smaller lot line setback, or better use of the upland on the south side of the lot. A variance under the Reading regulations requires an alternatives analysis. Mr. Hecht moved and Ms. Longley seconded a motion to continue the hearing to March 10, 2004 at 7:40 PM. Voted 5-0 in favor. 63 Dana Road, Public Meeting, RDA, RGB 2004-3 Steve McCullough, contractor, presented the plans for an addition and a deck on the back of the house and answered questions about stairs, gutters, and other details. The Commission confirmed the BVW delineation. as flagged. The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions. Mr. Hecht moved and Ms. Longley seconded to issue a negative Determination with the Findings and Conditions as drafted. Voted 5-0 in favor. 58 Lawrence Road, Public Hearing, NOI, RGB 2004-4 Dave Johnson, applicant, presented plans to demolish an existing house and construct a new house, including associated grading and expansion of the lawn. The site is a hill, primarily wooded, with BVW near the rear lot line. A soils test is scheduled for March 1 to determine water table, perc rate, and depth to bedrock. The Commission could not confirm the BVW delineation during their site visit due to snow cover and frozen soils. They asked that the stone wall be added to the site plan. Questions were raised about the proposed extent of excavation, soil removal, and tree removal to expand the back lawn. Mr. Johnson described several possible locations and elevations for the house and how each might affect the overall grading and tree-clearing. He agreed to revise the site plan to preserve more of the trees in the buffer zone. Janet Trevor, 64 Lawrence, asked about the proposed height of the house and asked how the buffer zone regulations would be applied. The Commission explained the regulations. Ms.Meier moved and Mr. Hecht seconded to continue the public hearing to March 10, 2004, at 7:50 PM. Voted 5-0 in favor. 1 General Avenue, Public Hearing, ANRAD, RGB 2004-6 Mr. Danis and Mr. Caggiono, applicants were present with their attorney, Mark Favaloro, and Libby Wallis and Chris Sparages from Hayes Engineering. Mr. Sparages described the site. The present parking lot drains into the stream on site, which is tributary to - - -Walkers Brook to the east. Portions of the stream are in culverts at the western and eastern lot boundaries and under the driveway. Hayes has flagged BVW and Bank 2 . Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, February 25, 2004 adjacent to the stream, as shown on the site plan. There is an isolated wetland marked by the B-series flags. Much of the roof of the existing building is piped into the A-series wetland within the parking lot. Ms. Wallis stated that the BVW and Bank were flagged in September 2003. Topography determines the top of Bank in most places along the edge of the parking lot. The BVW is a red maple swamp that broadens in the northern and eastern portion of the site. There is a wet meadow near the driveway. No pipe has been found linking the B-series wetland to the main wetland. Mr. Maughan asked whether the stream had been flowing at the time of flagging last September, and Ms. Wallis said it had. Mr. Sparages submitted the USGS topography map, which does not show the stream, along with an excert from 310 CMR 10.58. He also showed a map of the watershed. The Commission raised questions about the piping of drainage from certain areas into the watershed. Additional information will be sought from the Engineering Department. Mr. Sparages said the FEMA flood elevation is 85 feet and this contour is shown on the site plan. Ms. Longley noted that only two field data forms were submitted and asked for additional field data. Ms. Wallis stated that she no longer has the forms, but could do new ones. She also offered to inspect the site with the Commission to review the flagging. Mr. Greene asked why the western end of the stream and southern end of the site were not shown on the plan. Ms. Wallis said these were outside the scope of potential work on the site. Mr. Greene said the information might be needed. Mr. Maughan asked for BVW delineation to be added on the northern side of the stream. Ms. Fink noted that the preliminary plan shown to staff at a recent DRT meeting had included work in this side of the stream and recommended that the entire site be delineated. The Commission supported this approach, and the applicant agreed to complete the delineation. A site visit was scheduled for March 21, 2004. Ms. Fink noted an existing uncovered road salt stockpile in the parking lot and requested that it be removed immediately. Mr. Hecht moved and Ms. Meier seconded to continue the hearing to March 24, 2004 at 7:30 PM. Voted 5-0 in favor. Barrows Elementary School, Edgemont Avenue, Public Hearing, NOI, DEP 270- 414, RGB 2003-49 The public hearing was not opened and was continued at the written request of the applicant to March 10, 2004 at 8:10 PM. Archstone Reading, 40-70 West Street, Public Hearing, NOI, DEP 270-412, RGB 2003-46 The Commission reviewed the draft Findings and Conditions to be attached to an Order of Conditions with representatives from Archstone. The parties reached agreement about most items. The BOS took action on the improvements in West Street. Questions remained about the setbacks for the level spreaders on the western side of the site. The ZBA will consider the matter during their next meeting. The Commission will send comments to the ZBA and await their decision on the matter. 11 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, February 25, 2004 Mr. Hecht moved to continue the hearing to March 10, 2004 at 8:00 PM. Ms. Meier seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Old/New Business 74 Old Farm Road, Determination of Applicability Ms. Fink reported that the shed had been removed. A letter will be sent closing the file. 54 Haystack Road, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-355, RGB 2001-18 The Commission reviewed a plan for a retaining wall. Mr. Hecht moved and Ms. Meier seconded to approve the plan as an insignificant plan change under the OOC. Voted 5-0 in favor. 16 Bolton Street, Violation Ms. Fink reported that a letter and a fine of $300 had been sent. A site visit is scheduled for February 26. Symonds Way, 25 Riverside Drive - Minor Project Permits The Commission reviewed plans for bleachers and a batting cage fence at the Symonds Way ballfield and for a deck at 25 Riverside Drive. Mr. Hecht moved and Ms. Longley seconded to approve both projects. Voted 5-0 in favor. Reading Memorial High School, DEP 270-351, RGB 2001-1 The Commission reviewed a plan to replace an existing 20-inch water main in the playing fields. Ms. Meier moved and Mr. Hecht seconded to permit the work under the Town-wide water and sewer repair Order of Conditions. Voted 5-0 in favor. 80 New Crossing Road, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-298, RGB 1998-1 The Commission discussed a request for an Extension Permit. The request did not arrive 30 days prior to the expiration of the Order. No work has commenced under the 1998 Order and the applicant has no immediate plans to carry out the work. Work has never been completed under a 1996 Order. Mr. Maughan moved and Mr. hecht seconded to deny another Extension. Voted 5-0 in favor. A letter will be sent and a site visit will be arranged to examine the work commenced in 1996. 19 Zachary Lane The Commission asked Ms. Fink to send comments to the ZBA for their March 4 hearing. Minutes Mr. Hecht moved to approve the minutes of February 11, 2004 as drafted. Ms. Meier seconded. Voted 4 in favor, 1 abstaining. . Meeting adjourned at 11:30 PM. 4