Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Meadors, Jim Henderson, Peter von Mertens, David Katsuki, Sara Lewis & Ari Kurtz STAFF: Angela Seaborg, Tom Gumbart.
WETLANDS FILINGS
Notice of Intent: New England Deaconess. 17-19 Cambridge Turnpike. (Map 14, Lots 13, 14, 15, 16). For construction of a 197-unit senior living facility.
Dave Albrecht from Tetra Tech Rizzo represented New England Deaconess with a plan to develop a 197-unit, senior-living facility at the former BIIC property in northwest Lincoln. The units will include a common, assisted-living facility, single-family cottages and 30 apartments that meet the state’s affordable housing program. All housing units will be located outside the 200-foot Riverfront Area.
Two stormwater detention basins, and a portion of a third basin, will be located in the outer 100 feet of the 200-foot Riverfront Area. While there will be a significant amount of tree clearing associated with the development of the detention basins, the design team will work with the Commission and staff in the field to layout their exact locations in an effort to save as many trees as possible. The Commission noted that this might be an appropriate approach, but will arrange a site visit to see the approximate layout of the detention ponds. A large number of transplanted trees and new shrubs and trees will be installed after construction of the stormwater structures. During previous discussions the Commission requested that rain gardens or suitable plantings be added near the inlets of the detention ponds. At the public hearing, the
design team presented a concept planting plan and section of what might be represented in the forebays and detention basins. The Commission asked for a more detailed planting plan for the slopes and stormwater structures.
A majority of the 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Area will remain undisturbed except for the temporary disturbance associated with reconstruction of the stream crossing and the layout of a new, single-track trail. Conservation Commissioners and staff worked with the design team to lay out a path that would require minimal clearing, traverse stable slopes and soils and link the property from east to west. The design team also proposed a 4-acre conservation restriction that would follow a 25-foot offset from the proposed trail and encompasses most of the 100-foot Buffer Zone. The Commission noted that this would ensure no future disturbance within the 100-foot buffer zone and would maintain a reasonable distance of screening from the trail. They will require a state-approved conservation restriction prior to issuing a Certificate of Compliance
for the project.
Proposed work within the 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Area and Wetland Resource Area includes the upgrade of an existing road with a new, open-bottom culvert, 12" water main, retaining walls and paving. Approximately 97 sq. ft. of wetland and 16 linear feet of bank will be temporarily altered during construction and then restored. Construction will take place during low-flow conditions and if necessary, water will be pumped through a filter and frac-tank prior to its discharge downstream. Equipment will work from the existing road to excavate the existing culvert and trench 4-5' below the surface of the existing stream bed for the new culvert’s footings. The new culvert will be approximately 3 times the width of the existing culvert and will have a gravel and natural substrate base with a slight depression in the center for
low-flow conditions. The end result will be an arched culvert that meets the MA stream crossing standards and far exceeds the existing culvert in terms of wildlife habitat. Prefabricated block walls will support the 16' wide road and will be installed by hand. Thus, disturbed areas on the outside of the walls will be limited to a 3' swath for the contractors to work. The Commission will require a restoration plan to ensure that these disturbed areas are properly stabilized and revegetated. Gravel trenches, bordering both sides of the pavement, will filter stormwater behind the wall and through weep holes before entering the stream. Two swales will also direct stormwater runoff from the road. New England Deaconess will file a NPDES Permit directly with the EPA.
The Commission wants the operations and maintenance plan to limit use of salt for deicing work within the buffer zone area and will require best management practices for general road maintenance. They would also like to ensure that invasive plant species are controlled over the entire project area on an on-going basis after construction.
With the applicant’s consent, the Commission voted 6-0 to continue the hearing to 7:45 on April 4th 2006.
Hawkins, Debra. 69 Page Road
Walter Foster represented Debra Hawkins with a request to allow the revised house and landscaping plan at 69 Page Road to proceed under the existing Order of Conditions. Approximately 3700 sq.ft. of paved driveway was allowed under the existing Order of Conditions. The applicant is proposing to abandon the use of the existing driveway, thereby eliminating the need for this paving, and share an existing paved driveway with the neighbors. The applicant is proposing to alter approximately 1000 sq. ft. less buffer zone area around the existing cabin by moving the house and proposed driveway away from the buffer zone and removing a previously approved screened-in porch. They are proposing to add a patio and grass terrace in the area of the previously permitted porch.
The Conservation Commission had concerns regarding the amount of new grading directly up to the 100-foot buffer zone and whether or not erosion could be controlled by the silt fencing alone. In addition to the siltation barrier, 4' high construction fencing must be placed parallel to the entire length of the barrier. Prior to construction, the Commission will also require the installation of 4' high construction fencing along both sides of the access road with silt fencing also installed along the side closest to the vernal pool. The existing gravel driveway should be ‘ripped’ or slightly tilled after final use to break up the hardpan and left to grow in naturally. The area may require monitoring and managing of exotic invasive plants in the future.
The Commission was concerned about the future use of the area below the proposed grass patio and the potential for existing or new owners to expand disturbance and use toward the vernal pool. The landscape architect suggested that the area was intended to be planted with tall meadow grasses, approximately 18 inches below the grass patio, thus people would not easily want walk out into this area. The Commission would like to see a planting plan that identifies woodland perennial, shrubs and trees for the disturbed area inside the 100-foot buffer zone that will be naturalized and a management plan that ensures this area will be maintained as ‘natural woodland’ in the future.
The Commission voted 6-0 to accept the proposed changes as illustrated on a plan originally dated November 24, 2004, final revision on March 21, 2007. The Commission will issue a letter issuing the administrative change and outlining the additional conditions required to proceed with the project.
Zarella, Anthony. 83 Page Road
Karen Paradies, real estate agent and Anthony Zarella, owner came before the Commission for an informal discussion regarding the possibility of receiving an extension for an Order of Conditions that will expire in June 2007. The original Order of Conditions was issued for a new, single-family house and site improvements in 2001 and extended in 2004 for an additional three years. There has been no work done on the property to date. The owner has a potential buyer for the property, thus, they would like to be assured that the existing plan can serve as a baseline for allowable disturbance on the site. The Commission noted that there was no formal letter requesting the extension. Several new Commissioners have come on board since the Order of Conditions was issued, many of whom have not been out to the site.
Based upon initial observations of the plan, the Commission was not likely to issue an extension for the project as proposed. There is a significant amount of disturbance within the 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Area and the proposed plan does not depict the footprint of the house in which the new buyers hope to build. The Commission would like to work with the owner and/or potential buyer to evaluate a new plan that proposes less disturbance in the buffer zone and is more in line with what may actually be built on the property. Upon review of a new plan and site visit to the property, the Commission will be able to determine whether the plan merits an amendment or extension of the existing Order of Conditions or whether the project merits the filing of a new Notice of Intent. The Commission expressed with overwhelming consensus that they
were not likely to issue an extension based on the current design plan should a formal request be submitted.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Walden Passage Feasibility Study
Tom Gumbart and Angela Seaborg both participated in the planning process to discuss options for creating a wildlife/pedestrian crossing along Route 2. A draft report is available in the Conservation Office.
Salm Barn Proposal
The Salm’s are currently going before the Planning Board to construct a barn on their property off Lincoln Road. They would like to construct the barn within a few feet of the conservation restricted area of their property. After review of the plan, the Commission had the following concerns regarding the project. A memo was sent to the Planning Board outlining these concerns prior to their meeting on March 21st.
1. Grading associated with the barn is shown extending out into the Conservation Restricted (CR) parcel and this is not an allowed use of the restricted land.
2. The close proximity to the CR of the structure means there will be both short-term disturbance (during construction) and long-term disturbance (maintenance of perimeter of the structure) to the CR land.
3. Given the very small setback to the CR land the plan needs to be done by a registered land surveyor to ensure the accuracy of what is depicted on the plan.
4. There is certainly enough room on the non-restricted parcel to relocate the structure to avoid the issues raised above.
Upcoming Agenda Items
Todd Pond
School Access Route
Memorials
Buffer Zone Regulations
Zoning and Wetland Setbacks
ACTION ITEMS
Minutes Approved 3/7/07
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Seaborg
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