HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - CC - 10/16/2014 Cohasset Conservation Meeting October 16, 2014
Date: Thursday,October 16, 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
Edward Graham
Alex Koines
James Marten
James Gilman
David Farrag
Patrice Vogelman,Associate
Justin Pimpare,Associate
Commission's Consultant Present: CCC/SW Agent,Paul Shea
Chairman Jack Creighton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.—53 Bow Street-NOI#14-28 cont'd
Carmen Hudson of Cavanaro Consulting was present. She went through the revised plans. They are
proposing a garage with a living area above it of 485 square feet. They are required to have smart vents
to be flood compliant. The distance they are proposing is 10.5 feet from the coastal bank so they are
not any closer than the existing structure,which is being constructed where a demolished shed used to
be located. Paul Shea stated they have changed a lot since the original proposal. They have increased
impervious areas. The mitigation plantings have gone from 2:1 to 5.5:1. Everything is in the 50' buffer
zone. Switching to the more pervious design radically changes the first proposal. Therefore, he stated
he doesn't have a problem with the project. Chairman Creighton asked if this is new construction and
what is their hardship. Carmen Hudson stated it is a new addition to an existing structure. The garage is
being constructed where a demolished shed used to be located. Patrick Kennedy stated there are
houses on that street that have doubled or tripled and are in the same location to the coastal bank or
salt marsh.
Motion by James Marten to issue a variance for work within the 50' buffer zone for the project at 53
Bow Street,seconded by Patrick Kennedy and the vote was unanimous.
Motion by James Marten to issue an order of conditions for the project at 53 Bow Street,seconded by
Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
Motion by James Marten to issue a SWP(referencing the amended application)for the project at 53
Bow Street,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
7:20 p.m.—416 KinIZ Street-NOI#14-32
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Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Carmen Hudson of Cavanaro Consulting was
present on behalf of the applicants Richard and Wendy Gabel along with Landscape Architect Amy
Martin. The proposed project is landscape improvements within the 50' buffer zone. They are also
proposing a 16'X 18' porch at the back of the house about 60'from the BVW at the rear of the property.
Along with the plantings they are looking to remove a tree right at the 50' buffer zone. The tree is about
10'from the open deck and there is concern of it falling during a storm. They are also looking to remove
a dead oak tree that is located within the 50' buffer zone and there is a holly tree that also needs to be
removed. There is an area that had been cleared by the neighbor at 422 King Street. They would like to
re-vegetate. Paul Shea stated that DEP has issued a number with no comments. This is a positive
landscaping project.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to issue a variance for work within the 50' buffer zone for the project at
416 King Street,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to close the hearing and issue an order of conditions for the project at 416
King Street,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
7:40 p.m.—Manor WaV-NOI#14-31 and SWP#14-39
Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. The hearing was continued until November
61h at 7.30 p.m. The engineer was not able to attend meeting.
Topics not reasonably anticipated with 48 hours of CCC Meeting
Paul Shea advised the commission that in 1995 the Army Corps of Engineers put in a request for a NOI
for work at Wompatuck State Park. There were old military bunkers that were hazardous. They
removed the bunkers and they filled in the area and it was all approved. Paul Shea recently received a
call from Department of Conservation and Recreation. Two of bunkers were in the Aaron River
Reservoir area that were not removed and should have been. They are now attracting kids and it is a
public safety issue. They would like to remove them and fill in the area. The groundwater is very low
right now and they are requesting an emergency NOI to remove them before the water levels rise. Paul
Shea is working with Steve Gammons of Wompatuck State Park. The commission agreed and the
bunkers will be removed and an ATF NOI will be filed.
8:10 p.m.—18 Hugh Strain Road-(Cat 2)SWP#14-40
Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice.John Keefe was present on behalf of applicant
Joseph Kennedy and Engineer Robert Hannigan. They are proposing a single family home with a
driveway. There are 2 recharge areas for the roof drains. Judith Perry of 15 Hugh Strain Road stated her
lot is lower than this lot and her concern is the runoff from the property going into her bulkhead. Mr.
Keefe stated the grade is a crushed stone driveway and the grade is going down Hugh Strain Road. They
can tilt the driveway away from her property if necessary. The roof runoff will go to the drainage
chambers. Mark Brown-12 Hugh Strain Road spoke of his property which is the low spot. He is
concerned with runoff issues. Engineer Robert Hannigan stated they will be improving the runoff in the
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area as it is today by using the recharge areas. The hearing was continued until November 61h. They will
submit revised plans.They will perform test pits for the recharge area and use a berm or swale to
accommodate the runoff to abutters.
8:30 p.m.—417 Jerusalem Road-NOI#14-33 and SWP#14-41
Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Brian Dunn of MBL Development and the
Builder-Bob Paris were present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Dunn stated the DEP issued a number
with no comments. The proposed project is to demolish the existing structure and replace with a single
family home. Most of the 50' and 100' buffer zone has been previously altered. This property has two
existing point source discharges which will be removed. They have worked with LEC Environmental to
establish what the resource areas are. On this site there are no Bordering Vegetative Wetlands (BVW)
or Isolated Vegetative Wetlands (IVW). They are not in an ACEC and they don't have natural heritage
issues. The do have a coastal bank which is at elevation 26. The proposed new house is about 6100
square feet with a new stone paver driveway with a sand base underneath. There is a recharge system
in the front which will take the roof runoff and overflow will go through rain gardens. There will be salt
water tolerant plantings. This will help keep the runoff on the lot. This will have no impacts to the
abutters. Right now all runoff goes down a pipe along the driveway and out to the sea. They have
added the erosion control plans as well. Paul Shea stated in the letter from LEC they state there is a
coastal bank and other coastal resources. Mr. Dunn stated there must be a mistake because there are
no other coastal resources on the property. Paul Shea would like this clarified. He suggested the
commission go to the site. Paul Shea stated this project needs a large home review. Mr. Dunn said he
specifically asked LEC and they confirmed the coastal bank was elevation 26. Patrick Kennedy suggested
the commission continue the hearing since the application for the large home review hasn't been filed.
Attorney Richard Henderson was present on behalf an abutter. He stated this project also needs
approval of a variance from ZBA for retaining walls inside the lot line. The hearing was continued until
November 20`h @ 7:00 p.m.
Announcement
Commissioner David Farrag resigned from the CCC due to other family commitments.
Motion by David Farrag to adjourn, seconded by Patrick Kennedy and the vote was unanimous.
Minutes approved by the Conservation Commission: 2, 'r
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Signed by CC Chairman Jaek-Crefghton: G
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