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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - CC - 01/08/2015 I Conservation Commission Meeting January 8, 2015 Date: Thursday,January 8,2015 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 Justin Pimpare,Associate Patrice Vogelman,Associate Commissions Consultant Present: CCC/SW Agent, Paul Shea Chairman Jack Creighton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 38 Forest Avenue—RDA#14-16 Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. They are requesting to remove three trees within 50'of the buffer zone to a BVW. The applicant Amanda Zani-38 Forest Avenue was present. She is requesting to remove three trees that are overhanging the glass skylights of their home. Paul Shea stated he has been out to the site and has no problem with the request. Motion by Patrick Kennedy to close the public hearing and issue a Neg.3 Determination for the proposed tree removal work at 38 Forest Avenue,seconded by Alex Koines and the vote was unanimous. 61 Elm Street—RDA#14-#17 Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. The applicant Ralph Coley-61 Elm Street was present. He is asking to mitigate the phragmites outbreak in the Jacobs Meadow-James Brook area. They are requesting a 5-year permit. Paul Shea stated this is a group of applicants that own contiguous properties. There are a couple of resource areas. There is a riverfront area,50' buffer zone and 100' buffer zone. They are asking to remove basic phragmites within their property. He doesn't have any problems with the project. He would ask that one condition be placed on the approval and that is taking pictures of what the property looks like before the phragmites are taken out then some pictures after. Chairman Creighton asked that all applicants present state their name and address to verify their commitment the proposed project. David Lahive-55 Elm,Joseph Coggins-57 Elm and William Bell 73-75 Elm all agreed that they are involved with the project with a 5-year commitment. JaneWidiger-84 Summer Street asked if she can get involved with the project. Motion by Patrick Kennedy to close the public hearing and issue a Neg.2&Neg.3 Determination for the proposed project at 61 Elm Street(and adjacent lots)with a permit for 5-years,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous. �- 1 Con Corn -1/8/15-TC Conservation Commission Meeting January 8, 2015 t 45 Pleasant Street—N0I414-44,SWP#14-50 Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Mr.Creighton disclosed that he lives at 23 Cushing Street but has no knowledge of the project and it will not impact his decision. Ward Eisenhauer-Engineer&Surveyor-was present. He said there is an existing dwelling and shed which are in disrepair. The entire lot is overgrown. There are recharge structures on the property as well as a stone trench which was designed by Morse Engineering. Paul Shea stated he is very familiar with the property. The area has been disturbed in the past. They are not going any further back with the new structure. They are putting in drywells for the roof drainage. Everything at the back of the house is staying the same. Paul Shea reminded the applicant to remove living trees,they like them replaced at a 2:1 ratio. Andrew Gelson-41 Pleasant Street stated that he is pleased that something is being done with the property. He does have concerns with the project. He submitted some written comments for the record. He has concern with the significant amount of fill being brought on the property which will elevate the property. He has concern for the runoff down to his property. He realizes the applicant would like a walk out basement but the he suggested by having a crawl space they wouldn't need to elevate the property as much. He asked that the Commission require the applicant provide an outside consultant to review storm water calculations. He also asked that the Commission secure a sufficient surety bond for protection during the construction process. Paul Shea asked if Mr.Gelson has spoken to the applicant about the project prior to tonight's meeting. Mr.Gelson stated he had not. Kim Macadam-41 Pleasant Street stated they were on vacation and that is why they didn't submit anything to the Commission before the meeting. Edward Purdy-49 Pleasant Street stated he has been in contact with Liam Vickers and he has concern with the existing trees and how frail they are. Ms. Macadam added that taking out the big willow tree will have an adverse effect on their property. When the root system is removed it affects the stormwater system. Jeff Hassett-Morse Engineering suggested they could extend the erosion control area down the property line to protect the neighbor. They added to their revised plan a swale to redirect flow. The net increase of impervious is approximately 1279 s.f. The commission agreed to continue the hearing since the revised plan was just submitted today. Chairman Creighton suggested the applicant have a conversation with the neighbors to try and reach an agreement. The Commission will have a site visit on Monday,January 12`h @ 8:15 a.m. The hearing is continued until 2/5. 828 CJC Highway--General Discussion Paul Shea updated the Commission. He has met with the engineers and the owner for the car wash. There have been some changes. The original project approved had two tanks. They have changed it to have just one tank and have submitted revised site plans. They will just have to pump the tank more often. Paul Shea stated he doesn't have any issues with the revised plans. 40 Jerusalem Road Drive--NOI#14-46,SWP#14-52 Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Paul Mirabito from Ross Engineering was present. The existing dwelling has been removed. They are proposing an outdoor paddle court with an open deck and a warming hut. They are also proposing some landscaping. No there is work proposed in the 50' buffer zone. They are looking to replace the temporary driveway with a pea stone driveway and to extend the stone wall within the 100' buffer zone of a BVW. There is very little change in grade. Under the paddle court is a sub-surface leeching area and a crushed stone leeching area. Chairman Creighton stated there isn't a compelling necessity that they need to allow new construction within the 100' buffer zone. Mr. Mirabito stated the area has already been quite substantially disturbed in the past and is allowed under the Cohasset Wetlands Act. This project will be an improvement. There will be 2 Con Com -1/8/15-TC Conservation Commission Meeting January 8, 2015 new plantings in the 50'—100' buffer zone. Patrick Kennedy stated there is no variance required with the project. Paul Shea stated there is a 50' buffer zone from the edge of the wetland which is classified as a no disturb zone. If someone wanted to do work there they have to apply for a variance. There has never been a project questioned in the 50'-100' buffer zone. Nowhere in the Wetland Protection Act does it say a person cannot alter the 50'-100' buffer zone. Paul Mirabito added this project meets all the rules and regulations. They are not proposing to alter the resource area. Patrick Kennedy stated he has not heard any evidence tonight from anyone that this project will have a negative impact on the resource area. Motion by Patrick Kennedy to close the public hearing and issue an order of conditions for the proposed project located at 40 Jerusalem Road Drive,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was 5-0-1. James Marten abstained. Motion by Patrick Kennedy to issue a SWP for the proposed project at 40 Jerusalem Road Drive, seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous. 792 Jerusalem Road—NOI#14-45,SWP#14-51 Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. John Cavanaro of Cavanaro Consulting was present on behalf of the owner. The property is a single family residence with approximately 10 acres of land that was previously sub-divided by the Planning Board. A portion of the property falls within 400 ft. of Straights Pond. There are looking to sight a 12-bedroom septic system. They have designed a common system through the Board of Health but the Sewer Commission denied it. All work will be outside of the 50' buffer zone. There will be a retaining wall adjacent to the system. Paul Shea stated it is an unusual project,where as it is just a septic system without any houses. It is a Board of Health approved system. Patrick Kennedy stated he doesn't believe the Commission will see an application like this again. Motion by Patrick Kennedy to close the public hearing and issue an order of conditions for the proposed work at 792 Jerusalem Road,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous. Motion by Patrick Kennedy to issue a SWP for the proposed work at 792 Jerusalem Road,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous. Motion by Edward Graham to adjourn,seconded by James Gilman and the vote was unanimous. Minutes approved by the Conservation Commission: �Y�� l 4 Signed by CCgChairman Jack_xeigtMm: 3 Con Com -1/8/15-TC