Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-06 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 6, 2002 Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission Conference Room, Town Hall Wednesday, November 06, 2002 Present: Doug Greene, Chair; Pat Lloyd, Vice-Chair; Karen Schneller, Larry Goulet, Thad Berry, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator; Kelley Meier, Recording Secretary. Absent: Harold Hulse, Leo Kenney, Consultants; Will Finch, Commissioner. The chair called the meeting to order at 7 PM. Old/New Business Sledge Woods Project Brian Fallica from Boy Scout Troop 705 gave a presentation on the outcome of his Eagle Scout project. The wood for the project was donated from Moynihan Lumber. He built a new bridge and cleared the trails. He did not post any new signs because there are already signs at the entrance and the parking area. The Commission thanked him for his work and will send a letter. 275 Salem Street Ms. Fink reported that she had issued an Emergency Certification to permit exploratory soils tests in the area where PCB's were recently discovered. The work will commence around November 16. Ms. Lloyd moved to ratify the Emergency Certification. Mr. Berry seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. 1375 Main Street, DEP 270-353, RGB 2001-11 Ms Fink reported on the most recent progress to complete the items required prior to'a Certificate of Occupancy. Some progress has been made and a meeting was held with the Town Manager, Town Planner, Town Engineer, Conservation Administrator, and developer. However, the items have not yet been fully addressed. Fleet Boston, 294 Main Street Ms. Fink received a copy of the bond and made a site visit with the contractor. He had not received the full set of plans for the work. He is supposed to start any day now. 205 Pearl Street, DEP 270-369, RGB 2002-12 The lawn has been loamed and seeded, does not look like the topography has changed. Ms. Lloyd moved to waive the condition requiring an as-built plan showing topography. Mr. Berry seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. 1090/1100 Main Street; Enforcement Order Ms. Fink reported that Tom Goddard signed the settlement letter and Town Counsel withdrew the court case. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 6, 2002 41/43 Wilson Street Ms. Fink did a site visit today and updated the Commission regarding the matter. She will be getting an as-built soon. Sunset Rock Lane, DEP 270-295, RGB 1997-26, and Enforcement Order Four people still need to sign the Grant of Conservation Restriction (Lots 4, 6 and 9). A for sale sign is in front of Lot 6. The Tree Warden reported that the lowest bid for trees is $7,850. All that remains available from the CPDC's bond is $4,000. The intent is to plan the trees before ground freezes over. Ms. Lloyd moved to take $3,850 from the Conservation bond to put to use for trees. Mr. Goulet seconded. Voted in favor, 4-0-0. 7:19 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 266 Lowell Street, DEP 270-378, RGB 2002-25 Patrick and Marianne Tompkins, the owners, were present and submitted information on proposed pavers. Ms. Schneller arrived at 7:25 PM. Ms. Fink noted that she had recently learned from the Town Engineer that the aquifer zoning bylaw considers all driveways and walkways to be impervious, regardless of surface materials. This will make it more difficult for the owners to meet the zoning standards. The Tompkins stated that they were expecting a denial from the Building Inspector and will apply to the ZBA for a variance. Ms. Fink asked about soils tests for possible roof infiltrators. W1r. Tompkins said they were hoping that the ZBA would not require the infiltrators if they changed the driveway and sidewalk materials. Ms. Lloyd moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Berry seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0. Mr. Berry made a motion to issue an Order of Conditions. Ms. Lloyd seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0. Ms. Fink will draft an Order of Conditions for the next meeting on November 20, 2002. Mr. Berry asked the Tompkins to send copies of all correspondence with the ZBA for the Commission's records. 7:32 Public Hearing, Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation, Apple Gate Lane, RGB 2002-33 Peter Seibold, applicant, present and numerous abutters. Mr. Greene explained that the purpose of the ANRAD was to confirm wetlands boundaries - - ---and that no construction.proposal had-been-submitted to-the Commission atthis -time. There - is no DEP number on this project yet. 2 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 6, 2002 Richard Kirby from LEC, Lynnfield, MA and was hired by the owner as a consultant on this project. Mr. Kirby explained what he does to decide on what the wetland line is. He presented the site plan and showed where the wetlands are. The site plan had been revised to show changes discussed during site visits with the Commission and Administrator. He submitted copies to the Commission. Debra Finn, Deborah Drive, asked which side of line was the wetland. Mr. Kirby explained. James Whalen, 109 Colburn Road, asked about perc tests, the water table, and potential flooding of abutting land. What happens if there is water that comes into basements - would there be anyone liable for this? Ms. Lloyd explained that there is no proposed work at this time. When work is proposed, the Commission will require a complete drainage analysis. Dominic Tango, Applegate Lane, was curious about who did a site visit. Said Administrator went to his house last year when he wanted to build a shed, and said that he couldn't build one. There is an issue that if the property owners can't build on their property, then why should any one else build on this property? Ms. Fink expalined that the proposed shed would have been in the wetland and he could have gotten a permit to build on the dry part of his lot. This site also has wet and dry areas. However, there is no discussion about building tonight. Kathleen Delaney, 16 Mark Road, had previous subdivision plan and wanted to know how this delineation compares to the map that she has. Mr. Berry stated that the new plan shows more wetlands. Abutter, 70 Martin Road, asked why do delineation if the lot does not have enough frontage under zoning. Ms. Fink answered that the delineation does not depend on frontage and that there may be ways to provide frontage. John McDunner, abutter, was concerned about roof runoff and flooding. The Commission responded that these concerns will be addressed if and when a Notice of Intent is filed for proposed work. Abutters will be notified of any hearing. Abutter, Martin Road, asked whether the Commission contacts the neighbors to ask about flooding or other issues. The Commission stated that that is the purpose of the public hearings and their comments will be taken into consideration. Bob Spinola, 15 Applegate Lane, asked whether the only concern is the vegetation and not wildlife or anything other item? The Commission responded that it looks at a range of wetlands functions including flood control, wildlife habitat, etc. Marie Capola, 28 Applegate Lane, asked how do you know if the flags are correct? The Commission explained-that they look at soils vegetations topography, and hydrology. Abutter, Martin Road, asked what qualifications do the board members and consultant have? Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 6, 2002 Mr. Kirby and the Commission stated their relevant training and experience. Bob Kiley, 25 Deborah Drive, asked about the streams that run through the neighborhood. The Commission showed where the stream appears on the site plan. He reported that there have been times when his neighbor's lawn is totally saturated with water and he is concerned that development might worsen the flooding in the area. The Commission again stated that the drainage and flooding issues will be addressed under any proposal for development. Abutter, 11 Deborah Drive asked about setting flags on abutting land, and whether the delineation would differ if this were not a drought year. The Commission explained that the soils and vegetation are relatively stable indicators, even in a drought period. Ms. Fink questioned the location of flag 12R on the revised plan. Mr. Kirby and Mr. Seibold agreed to revise the line to run from 12R to 14R. Mr. Berry made a motion to close the hearing and to issue an ORAD at the next Commission meeting, pending receipt of a revised site plan as agreed. Ms. Schneller seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0. 8:31 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 20 Eastway, RGB 2002-34 Janet Lusk, owner, was present and proposed to construct a detached garage in an existing lawn. Mr. Greene and Ms. Fink reported site visit observations. The project seems straightforward, with no vernal pools nearby and proper wetlands setbacks. Kathryn Woolridge, 589 Pearl Street, asked what is going to happen to the brook? She reviewed the plan with Ms. Lusk. The Commission reviewed the draft Findings and Conditions. Mr. Berry made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Ms. Lloyd seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0. Mr. Berry made a motion to issue the Order of Conditions wit the Findings and Conditions as drafted, pending receipt of the file number from DEP. Ms. Schneller seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0. 8:38 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 14 Strawberry Hill Lane, RGB 2002-35 John Ogren from Hayes Engineering was present with the owner, Mona DeAngelo . Mr. Ogren gave a presentation of the proposed work. Proposed house is in buffer zone and vernal pool habitat. Pool is certified. Edge of water line on site plan dates to March 1995. 6-inch clay pipe discharges from pool to Mapleridge Road drainage system. End near pool is open but outlet is blocked: Has 2% grade down from pool to outlet. Invert inlet is 235.5'. Propose to construct house, driveway, move a stone wall, grading and 4 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 6, 2002 landscaping. Lot presently includes 4-inch drain from roof of adjacent house - designed to provide water to maintain vernal pool. Mark Favaloro arrived, attorney for applicant. The Commission reviewed a memo from Ms Fink dated 10/30/02 raising various questions about the site and the proposed work.. Mr. Ogren suggested grading driveway to drain to street, conveying roof runoff towards pool. He can submit drainage calculations. He said that the absence of leaf litter in some areas may be due to use of the site for bicycle jumping by neighborhood children. The Commission asked for a habitat analysis. David Benton, 22 Strawberry Hill Drive, was very much in favor of this project, there needs to be a house at this property because it is an eyesore and not safe. Tom Kinarosa, 18 Strawberry Hill Drive, was in favor of the house. He was concerned that it meet the zoning standard for side line setback. Wanted house to fit in with neighborhood. Mrs. DeAngelo said that she would have liked a multi-level house going down the hill, but chose this design to stay away from the vernal pool. Will Drachler, 107 Walnut Street, asked why it is a solution to build a house if the property is an eyesore? What are the purposes of the granite monuments on Lot 1 and would they also be required on this lot? Concerned about the amount of vegetation taken out on Lot 1 and what else would be lost on this lot. Mrs. DeAngelo stated that this lot is approved as a buildable lot under zoning. She also noted that Mr. Drachler's lot does not preserve natural vegetation on his side of the vernal pool. Mr. Berry noted that the 4-inch roof drain is not located it its easement and asked whether the easement could be relocated. Mrs. DeAngelo said yes. Mr. Berry would prefer to have everything from the driveway drain towards the street. He asked for draiange calculations and asked what assumptions were made about drainage from this lot in the subdivision calculations. He asked for maintenance of the vernal pool water budget. He would like to see more shrubs and groundcover uplanted under the forest canopy to add wood frog habitat value to the property. Mr. Berry made a motion to continue the Public Hearing to Dec. 4 at 7:40 PM. Ms. Lloyd seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 6, 2002 9:25 Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, 57 Longwood Avenue, RGB 2002-24 Ms. Fink had heard nothing from applicant. Mr. Berry made a motion to continue the public hearing to Dec. 4 at 8 PM. Ms. Lloyd seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0 Old/New Business Reading Stormwater Phase II Plan Joe Delaney has started meetings with staff and volunteer task force, first meeting tomorrow night, still in preliminary state. 116 Timberneck Drive Mr. Greene moved to approve a minor project permit for a deck. Mr. Berry seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0. 218 Salem Street Ms Fink reported there are two freshly cut trees in the CR area. She phoned owner to clarify rules for altering this area and the ZNV. 45 Lilah Lane Ms. Lloyd moved to close the file for a minor project for deck. Mr. Berry seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0. Ms. Lloyd made a motion to adjourn at 9:34 PM. Mr. Goulet seconded. Voted in favor, 5-0-0. 6