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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-24 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Commission, September 24, 2003 tJ d_S i~ CS. Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall September 24, 2003 Present: Rebecca Longley, William Finch, Doug Greene, Kelley Meier, Bill Hecht, Commissioners; Leo Kenney and Harold Hulse, Consultants; Fran Fink, Administrator and Linda Boutoures, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Old/New Business 44 Pitman Drive, Enforcement Order Mrs. Gorton, owner, was present and submitted a letter concerning the status of the shed and ramps. They established that the shed was not on their lot prior to buying the lot, and they have not used the shed. They did observe that the previous owner of the lot had been using the shed for storage, but did not know who had built the shed. The Commission decided to try to contact the previous owner and ask him to remove the shed. 1375 Main Street - Order of Conditions, DEP 270-353, RGR 2001-11 The Commission reviewed an as-built site plan and a site inspection report. The developer has not yet corrected all the problems as requested by the Commission. Ms. Longley moved to authorize the Administrator to sign off on the Certificate of Occupancy. Ms. Meier seconded. Voted 2 in favor- 3 against and the motion did not pass. 7:30 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 47 Johanna Drive, RGB 2003-44 Procedures read, attendance sheet circulated, Commission introduced. Mr. Ferrazzani presented a site plan for a garage addition and a mudroom, with removal of the existing driveway. Work is proposed in the Buffer Zone and Riverfront Area. Mr. Greene reported on the site visit and said that flags B9-B11 should be moved 10 feet westward. There is historic fill between A7 and B 1 (for sewer line and stream dredging). The inner RFA is partly mowed lawn. The removal of the driveway offsets the impervious cover increase for the addtiion. The Commission reviewed and amended the draft Findings and Conditions. Ms. Longley moved to close the hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Ms. Meier moved to issued the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening, pending _receipt of_a file number, ffrom DER Mr. Hecht seconded.- Voted 5-0 in favor. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, September 24, 2003 7:40 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 29 Dividence Road, RGB 2003-45 Procedures read, attendance sheet circulated, Commission introduced. Attorney George, Markopoulos presented the site plan for the applicants. They plan to demolish the existing house and build a new one. They will retain most of the existing driveway and will place the new house in the same place as the existing one. They received a variance from the ZBA for the frontage. They request a variance under the Reading wetlands regulations from the 35 foot setback standard. The area is presently lawn or driveway. They will meet the impervious cover limit for work in the Aquifer Protection District. The Commission reviewed and amended draft Findings and Conditions. Ms. Meier moved to waive the 35 foot setback requirement for the reasons stated in the Findings. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Ms. Longley moved to close the hearing. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Ms. Longley moved to issue the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening. Ms. Meier seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. 7:50 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Archstone-Smith Operating Trust, 40-42 and 70 West Street, RGB 2003-46 Procedures read, attendance sheet circulated, Commission introduced. Rick Latini, project eingineer, presented the site plan for a 204-unit apartment complex. The Commission issued an Order of Resource Area Delineation for the site in 2002 and the Zoning Board of Appeals issued a Comprehensive Permit for the project in 2003. The ZBA reduced the standard setbacks for the Zone of Natural Vegetation in their decision and also accepted approximately 60 square feet of fill in the BVW. Mr. Latin described the proposed stormwater management system, proposed erosion controls, and other construction controls. Groundwater recharge on the site may be a challenge because the soils are tight till with a perched water table about 3-5 feet deep. The NOI includes an operation and maintenance plan. Ms. Longley asked how construction will be phased and expressed concern about having the whole site disturbed at one time. Mr. Latin said they have not prepared a plan yet. Bob McCullough of Archstone said they must prepare a sequencing plan for the ZBA. Ms. Longley asked whether the proposed fill in the BVW could be avoided by moving the driveway. Mr. McCullough said that they were required to have the driveway set opposite South Street for a signaled intersection to control traffic impacts. Ms. Fink presented a memorandum and raised several questions. The applicants will work with Ms. Fink and the Town Engineer on the details. -Mr. Finch moved to continue the hearing to October 22, 2003. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, September 24, 2003 5:10 Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, 123 Lilah, RGB 2003- 47 Procedures read, attendance sheet circulated, Commission introduced. Kevin Colliton, applicant, presented a plan to remove certain trees, construct a retaining wall, and level the back and side yard. The wall will be interlocking masonry blocks and 5 feet high at most. The Commission discussed site visit observations and the possibility of trimming, rather than cutting, certain trees. This will preserve more trees in the ZNV. The land under the existing deck needs stabilization. The Commission reviewed and amended draft Findings and Conditions. Mr. Finch moved to issue a negative determination subject to the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening. Ms. Meier seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Old/New Business: 34 Mill Street - Violation The Commission discussed recent alteration of BVW and Buffer Zone for a landcscaping project. An Enforcement Order will be issued to restore the BVW and ZNV, and stabilize the Buffer Zone. Meadow Brook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-334, RGB 2000-10, and Enforcement Order Ms. Meier moved to issue a Certificate of Compliance for UST removal Order and to close the file for the Enforcement Order issued January 10, 2002. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. New Elementary School, Sunset Rock Lane The Commission discussed recent problems with erosion control and migration of sediments into the street drainage system during heavy rains. The condition was created by the paving of the driveway prior to stabilization of the adjacent slopes. Ms. Fink will follow up with the contractor. 49 Grey Coach Road The Commission reissued the Certificate of Compliance at the request of the owner, who had misplaced the original Certificate. Lichen Mr. Greene reported the recent discovery in the Laurel Hill Cemetery of a lichen known to be an indicator of air pollution. The lichen thrives on air laden with sulfides and has created problems in Europe in the past. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, September 24, 2003 Amendments to Rules and Regulations for the use of Conservation Lands The Commission discussed the issues raised and the September. 17 hearing and possible solutions. Ms. Meier moved to accept the amendments with a revision to rule #7 that hunting be limited to North and South Cedar Swamp only, deer only, bow only. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 2 in favor-2 opposed-1 abstained. The motion did not carry. Mr. Finch moved to accept the amendments with a revision to rule #7 that hunting be limited to deer only, and not any other animal even if their season falls within deer season. Mr. Greene seconded. Voted 3 in favor-2 against, and the motion did not carry. Ms. Meier moved to accept the amendments with a revision to rule #7 that limits hunting to deer only, and to North and South Cedar Swamp and that portion of Bare Meadow north of the northern stone wall that roughly divides the upland forest from the marsh (but not allow hunting in Timberneck Swamp). Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 4 in favor and 1 against. The motion carried. The Administrator will work with the DPW to post appropriate signs and will publish the rules and maps for public distribution at Town Hall. She will also carry out the notification procedures for changes in rules and regulations required by the General Bylaws. The meeting adjourned. 4