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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-06-11 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 11, 2003 Minutes of the Conservation Commission Selectman's Meeting Room; Town Hall Wednesday, June 11, 2003 'V" EIRK A 11: 21 Members Present: Doug Greene, Chair; Pat Lloyd, Vice-Chair; Larry Goulet, Will Finch, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Conservation Administrator; Kelley Meier, Recording Secretary. Members Absent: Leo Kenney, Harold Hulse, Consultants. Old/New Business Ms. Fink announced that there is a new Estimated Habitat Map from MNHESP showing endangered species habitat for the town. There was discussion about certified mail and notice to abutters for NOI's. Gael's Chase, Van Norden Road and Fairchild Drive - Mr. Goulet reported on the outcome of the Board of Selectman meeting on June 10, 2003. Ms. Fink, Mr. Finch and Mr. Goulet were in attendance for the meeting. The Board of Selectmen voted against the project for the 16-unit complex, but was willing to work with the developer on a smaller number of units. They set certain guidelines for design, including full compliance with wetlands regulations. 1375 Main Street Donald Van Dyne was present and submitted a plan change for a retaining wall behind Units #1-4. Ms. Fink reported observations from a recent site visit. She also reported that the Occupancy Permit was issued for Unit #2 by the building department. The Occupancy Permit for #1 won't be given out until everything is done, as a condition of the Comprehensive Permit. Ms. Fink recommended that the retaining wall be reviewed and a decision be made at June 18 meeting. The Commission agreed. She also questioned whether the pavers in the guest parking area were pervious, as required. 23 Buckskin Drive, Determination of applicability, RGB 2002-30 Ms. Fink updated the Commission on the present condition of the site. She reviewed the Conditions of the Determination. Ms. Swanson was present and would like to have the cleared area as a lawn. The Determination includes a condition that a Notice of intent be filed to extend the lawn. They are curious to see if there should be a notice of intent filed for this project. Ms. Swanson would rather avoid the time and expense of surveyed plans. The contractor had ground the stumps and filled in the holes. There are still a lot of roots sticking up. They have finished installing permanent markers along the 25466t ZNV. Ms. Lloyd mentions that she doesn't feel that the Notice of Intent has to be filed because it doesn't fall within the boundary for the BVW. The Commission agreed that the Swansons should go ahead and seed the disturbed areas beyond the 25-foot ZNV to Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 11, 2003 stabilize the area and extend the lawn. The Commission planned to do a site visit to see whether the ZNV area needed additional plantings. The discussion will continue at the June 18th meeting. 7:41 PM - Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 211 Pearl Street, RGB 2003-15 Kenneth Carter, applicant, is present and there is a new site plan for the site. Mr. Finch asked whether soils tests had been conducted, but they had not. The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions. Ms. Lloyd moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. Ms. Lloyd moved to approve the project and issued the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as amended tonight. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. 7:54 PM - Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 15 Timothy's Place, RGB 2003-16 Ms. Fink reported that the applicant called today and would like a continuance for another meeting. Ms. Lloyd moved to continue the Public Hearing to July 9th at 7:30 PM. Mr. Greene seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. Old/New Business Walkers Brook Crossing, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-352, RGB 2001-14 The Commission reviewed a revised site plan for water and sewer connections to the existing mains on the southeastern side of the site. Ms. Lloyd moved to approve the site plan as an insignificant plan change, subject to approval by the Water and Sewer Division. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. Harvest Road, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-372, RGB 2002-17 Ms. Fink reported that the bank stabilization materials had been installed. The soils test had been completed for the roof infiltration system and plans were submitted. Ms. Lloyd moved to approve the roof infiltration design. Mr. Goulet seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. Elementary School, Sunset Rock Lane, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-341, RGB 2000- 38 There is a DRT meeting scheduled early next week at 10 AM. They are running into some revisions that they would like the Commission to review. 2 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 11, 2003 8:01 PM - Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 99 Fairchild Road, DEP 270-399, RGB 2003-19 Tony and Natalie Petrillo, applicants, are present: Mr. Bent from the pool company is not present tonight, but the owners would like to put a swimming pool in. They requested a waiver for the setback. The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions. Ms. Lloyd moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0- 0. Ms. Lloyd moved to approve the project and to issued the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as amended tonight. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. 8:15 PM - Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, 46 Bainbridge Road, RGB 2003-21 Mr. Douglas, applicant, was present. He would like to put an addition onto his house that includes a.3-car garage and a new driveway. The garage is 103 feet from the nearest wetland flag, the driveway is significantly in the buffer zone. The existing driveway will be removed and replaced with lawn. He is willing to install a roof infiltration system to offset the increase in impervious cover. The architect drew in the driveway without consulting with Mr. Douglas. Mr. Douglas thought that a width of 30 feet was in excess and is looking for 20-25 feet for turning around the vehicles. Mr. John Tierney, abutter, was also present and expressed full support of the driveway The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions. Ms. Lloyd moved to close the Public Meeting on this matter. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. Ms. Lloyd moved to approve the project and issue a negative determination with the Findings and Conditions as amended tonight. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 236 Forest Street, DEP 270-400, RGB 2003-22 Mr. Andren was present and gave a brief statement on what he would like to do. He would like to have a 22' by 22' garage added at the back of the house, and extend the driveway. Ms. Fink reported on a site visit. The project does meet the setback. A mature tree may have to be removed near the end of the proposed driveway, but others will remain. Mr. Greene commented that there is no stamp or seal from the architect that did the plan, and there is also no elevation on it. Mr. Andren said he would provide a stamped plan. Ms.-Fink will draft an Order of Conditions for the next meeting" Public Comment Mark Gillis, abutter on Forest Street, said the project seems like a reasonable plan. 3 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 11, 2003 Ms. Lloyd moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. Ms. Lloyd moved to approve the Notice of Intent. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. 8:38 PM - Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, land between 51 and 65 Sanborn Lane, RGB 2003-23 Steve Erikson was present and gave a brief presentation. He stated that he had sent a copy of the NOI to MNHESP and would forward a copy of the green card to the Commission and to DEP. He also passed out a new site plan (revision date 6/11/2003) which includes removal of the stilling basin. Barbara Bouviard, 67 Sanborn Lane, asked for details of the proposed project and is opposed to this project. She has lived in this town for 40 years and has tried to keep people out of the wetlands; is present without her husband, who is unable to make this meeting tonight. Ms. Fink submitted a memorandum and reviewed her comments regarding this project. The Town filing fee is incomplete. Natural Heritage has not yet sent comments. Soils tests and drainage calculations have not been submitted. The Town Engineer has not commented on the drainage design. Ms. Fink submitted an alternative site plan that would preserve more of the forested upland habitat, as directed by MNHESP in previous comments on this site. Mr. Erikson mentioned that it doesn't make sense to have an infiltration trench next to the driveway when there is a good chance of having oil and gas spillage going into the groundwater. It would make more sense to have the runoff go into the grass and soil. Natural Heritage would like to preserve the land, as much as possible. The majority of the lot is wetland, vast majority of the wetland is floodplain. Ms. Fink said that the trench might not be needed for detention purposes, but if it is removed from the plan, the driveway will need to be graded carefully to avoid concentrating runoff at the low point near the wetlands. Mr. Eriksen said that soils tests had been scheduled. He can remove the long overflow outlet pipe from the roof infiltration system. He said the alternative design lacks a back yard. Ms. Fink pointed out the need on this site to balance development with forest preservation. Mr. Eriksen said they were offering to preserve the eastern half of the lot, possibly with a Conservation Restriction and/or public access trail. Ms. Lloyd recommended that the Commission not make any decisions until they have received comments from the Town Engineer and MNHESP. Ms. Bouviard asked what the buffer zone standard is. Mr. Greene said the standard minimum setback from wetlands is 25 feet, 35 feet for buildings. Ms. Lloyd noted that the applicant has requested a variance, and the grounds needed to give a variance. 4 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 11, 2003 Mr. Eriksen stated that there will be no alteration of the wetlands. All work is in the Buffer Zone. The Commission noted that on 6/19/03, the ZBA will continue their hearing on the Comprehensive Permit proposal for the site. Ms. Bouviard would like to know what the public interest of this project would be to qualify for a variance. Mr. Eriksen said the public interest would be to avoid a lawsuit for a taking claim. He said the applicant could choose to log or farm the site. Ms. Lloyd said that it is not easy to prove a taking claim, and if the land has value for forestry or farming, it might go against such a conclusion. Mr. Eriksen repeated that they have offered a conservation easement as a public interest. Ms. Bouviard believes that Mr. Butcher from Florida still owns the property and hasn't sold it to anyone yet. She said that Rivers Development never finished the Lilah Lane development and she has a puddle on her driveway that they were supposed to fix. Mr. Eriksen offered to use pervious pavers on the driveway to reduce puddling. Ms. Fink said that groundwater recharge is one concern and preserving the upland forest is another. Mr. Greene referred to scientific articles about the habitat requirements of the salamander and turtle known to occupy the site. The articles show that a closed forest canopy is significant to the survival of these animals. Ms. Lloyd moved to continue this hearing to June 18th at 8 PM. Mr. Goulet seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. Old/New Business 1124 Main Street - Ms. Lloyd moved to approve the Minor Project permit for a porch and stairs. Mr. Goulet seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. 39 Terrace Park - Ms. Lloyd moved to approve the Minor Project permit to replace the deck. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. 56 Lawrence Road - Ms. Lloyd moved to close the Determination file for this project. Mr. Goulet seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. Ms. Lloyd moves to adjourn at 9:42 PM. Mr. Goulet seconds. Voted in favor, 4-0-0.