HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - CC - 10/02/2014 Cohasset Conservation Meeting October 2, 2014
Date: Thursday,October 2, 2014
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Town Hall Basement Meeting Room
41 Highland Avenue
Cohasset, MA
Commissioners Present: Jack Creighton,Chairman
Patrick Kennedy,Vice Chairman
Alex Koines
James Marten
James Gilman
Commissioners Absent: David Farrag
Edward Graham
Justin Pimpare,Associate
Patrice Vogelman,Associate
Commission's Consultant Present: CCC/SW Agent, Paul Shea
Chairman Jack Creighton called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and reopened the hearing for 559
Jerusalem Road.
559 Jerusalem Road-continued
Greg Morse from Morse Engineering, Chris Ford,Attorney Charlie Humphreys, and Wetland Scientist-
Brad Holmes were present. Mr. Morse advised the commission the proposed project is a landscaping
and utilities project. The work proposed is to remove debris and invasive species. They are proposing
goatscaping to remove shrubs and there will be no soil disturbance. They will be removing 17 Norway
Maple trees.They will be cutting trees and not removing stumps. All work is outside 50' buffer zone.
They will use a straw waddle and silt sock for protection. The only thing they are removing is the debris
which the commissioners saw at the site visit. The utilities are being run up the existing driveway. They
will not be removing any soil. After goats are done,they will hand plant grass. Mr. Kennedy confirmed
mitigation narrative from July 301h is the correct narrative. Paul She stated they don't need a variance
because there is no work in the 50' buffer. They have a full SWP for the house already. On August 7th
Paul Shea approved an administrative SWP. Mr. Kennedy stated this proposed project is an
improvement of the site which has been in disrepair for many years. The only issue he has is the
clearing that is proposed with protecting the buffer zone. He believes goatscaping is beneficial. His only
concern is the risk to Straits Pond while digging the utility lines. He would like to see an additional silt
barrier to double protect the pond during the utility construction. James Marten agreed this plan is
satisfactory. Alex Koines stressed there is an issue with the icing over of that part of Jerusalem Road.
Mr. Morse stated this project has nothing to do with the icing issue on Jerusalem Road. The SWP was
proposed and approved and there are drywells and drainage. The house portion of this project has no
impact on that. Chairman Creighton's concern is the original proposal assured that they would do the
entire project outside the entire 100' buffer zone. Now without coming to public hearing and not telling
the commission they have applied for and received an administrative SWP and now are doing work
within the 100 buffer. Mr.Shea stated they only needed an administrative SWP and no hearing is
required. Mr.Gilman also stated his biggest concern was Strait's Pond and he is now satisfied at this
point. Paul Shea stated technically right now the project doesn't need a variance. Marilyn Pitchford-552
1
ConCom-10/2/14-TC
Cohasset Conservation Meeting October 2, 2014
Jerusalem Road asked the commission if this approval means they can start to clear and begin utility
work. Mr. Kennedy stated all permits need to be applied for and then work begins. They have no
control over when the construction begins. Ms. Pitchford asked if there will be blasting. Mr. Morse
stated they will start with a hydraulic jack and if necessary they would apply for a permit to blast.
Attorney Michael Rosen was present on behalf of the neighbors and referred to Section 305 of the
sewer guidelines. He stated they do not have a valid sewer permit for this plan. This plan doesn't have
all permits applied for since it is a different plan. Attorney Humphreys stated there aren't any
substantial changes to the plan that affect the sewer permit. They were previously before this
commission for an RDA for approval of this plan. Attorney Rosen again stated they do not have a sewer
permit for this plan. Brad Holmes stated they are keeping the plan simple and looking for the approval
of the Conservation Commission. Virginia Jensen-542 Jerusalem Road asked where the construction
vehicles will park.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to issue an order of conditions for the proposed project at 559 Jerusalem
Road with the following conditions;re-submit sewer permit application to the sewer commission to
determine if the sewer commission agrees the sewer permit issued to the project in 2010 is still
applicable as there have been changes to the plan and construct a double barrier during construction
of the utility trenching,seconded by James Gilman and the vote was 3-2. Chairman Creighton and Alex
Koines voted against. Chairman Creighton stated he would not vote in favor of plan because he felt a
favorable vote would be appealed due to Section 305 of the sewer guidelines.
8:37 p.m.48 Smith Place NOI#14-29 and SWP#14-37
Paul Mirabito of Ross Engineering was present on behalf of the applicant Elizabeth Kilpatrick. The
proposed project is for an addition to the house and a rear deck. They will eliminate the gravel driveway
and put an addition and a paved driveway. The resource area is a grass swale intermittent stream at
the rear of the property with a foot bridge that goes over it. The right of the driveway will go down to a
rain garden. There will be roof leaders at the rear of the house. Where is no increase in volume of
runoff. The work proposed is between the 50'and 100' buffer zone. Paul Shea stated the project was
before Conservation in the past about 5 or 6 years ago. At that time they issued an order of conditions
and the plan was the same as what is proposed now. DEP issued a number and they had no comments.
Mr.Shea has no issue with the plan as it is almost identical. The plan is pretty straight forward.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to close the hearing and issue a variance for work within the 50'and 100'
buffer zone for the project at 48 Smith Place,seconded by James Gilman and the vote was unanimous.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to issue an order of conditions for the project at 48 Smith Place,seconded
by James Gilman and the vote was unanimous.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to issue a SWP for the project at 48 Smith Place,seconded by James
Gilman and the vote was unanimous.
8:48-35 Jerusalem Road Drive NOI-14-30 and SWP#14-38(agenda had incorrect address)
Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Patrick Kennedy disclosed he lives near this
property and has had a prior engagement but it will not affect his opinion in this matter. Greg Morse of
Morse Engineering was present as well as Brad Holmes. The proposed project is a new single family
dwelling. It is the corner lot on Haystack Lane and Jerusalem Road Drive. There is an IVW located 59
feet from the access driveway. The mitigation proposed is straw waddle and a roof liter system as well
2
ConCom-10/2/14-TC
Cohasset Conservation Meeting October 2, 2014
as a rain garden and crushed stone infiltration along the driveway. There is a reduction in peak rates
and volumes. Paul Shea asked that they carry the silt sock 15 feet further and use hay bales along the
driveway for additional erosion control. He also recommended that they keep an eye on the drainage if
any work is done in the winter. He suggested they submit a construction schedule.
Motion by James Marten to close the hearing and issue an order of conditions for the property
located at 35 Jerusalem Road Drive,seconded by James Gilman and the vote was unanimous.
Motion by James Marten to issue a SWP for the property located at 35 Jerusalem Road Drive,
seconded by James Gilman and the vote was unanimous.
9:01 pm.59 Beach Street-continued
Patrick Kennedy stated he will recuse himself from this hearing as he was absent from the last hearing
and hasn't reviewed the hearing tape. John Cavanaro of Cavanaro Consulting was present along with
architect Steve Myers and owner Mark DeGiacomo. The proposed project is a detached garage
structure and addition to the guest house that exists and a patio. The will add 600 square feet of native
plantings. The property is bisected by an intermittent stream. This new plan for the guest house is well
below lot coverage. This is a much reduced scheme of a project. They are reducing impervious.They
have reduced the garage footprint by 400 square feet and there will be a new roof over driveway. They
are not increasing impervious driveway. They are also adding more mitigation plantings. They are
increasing the amount of native plantings. Also the patio will be mitigated crushed stone. They are
working within the existing foot print. Paul Shea stated there are substantial changes proposed and the
engineer has listened to the Commission. DEP issued a number and had no comments.
Motion by James Gilman to close the hearing and issue a variance for the work within the 50'buffer,
seconded by James Marten and the vote was 4-0. Patrick Kennedy recused himself from the vote.
Motion by James Gilman to issue an order of conditions for the property at 59 Beach Street,seconded
by Alex Koines and the vote was 4-0. Patrick Kennedy recused himself from the vote.
Motion by James Gilman to issue a SWP for the property at 59 Beach Street,seconded by James
Marten and the vote was 4-0. Patrick Kennedy recused himself from the vote.
Alex Koines left meeting at 9:16 p.m.
285 North Main Street-discussion
Chairman Creighton stated after speaking with Town Counsel Rich Hucksam they believe there are two
lots but they need to be treated atone. Attorney Henderson has written a letter that he doesn't agree
with Town Counsel. John Cavanaro stated he was recently hired by the abutter and will be surveying the
property.
3
ConCom-10/2/14-TC
Cohasset Conservation Meeting October 2, 2014
Topics not reasonably anticipated within 48 hrs.of CCC Meeting
Chairman Creighton spoke about electronic filings. The commission needs an official record on who
receives what. They need to decide best way to handle this.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to adjourn,seconded by James Marten and the vote was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
Minutes approved by the Conservation Commission. f��
Signed by CCC{Chairman JadcXAeighton:
4
ConCom-10/2/14-TC