HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - CC - 05/07/2015 Conservation Commission Meeting May 7, 2015
Date: Thursday,May 7,2015
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Town Hall Basement Meeting Room
41 Highland Avenue
Cohasset,MA
Commissioners Present: Jack Creighton,Chairman
Edward Graham
Patrick Kennedy
James Gilman
James Marten
Alex Koines
Patrice Vogelman
Commissioners Absent: Justin Pimpare,Associate
Commissions Consultant Present: CCC/SW Agent,Paul Shea
Chairman Creighton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
96 Jerusalem Road-continued
Darryl Rappaport-Barlett Tree Services was present. He re-submitted plans showing they are limiting
the work to the tree canopy. They are preserving 90%of the tree canopy. The area is flagged where the
work will be done. Paul Shea confirmed plans look good. They are following the DEP vista pruning
standards. Patrick Kennedy stated for the record he was not present at the last hearing but has listened
to the audio tape. Tom Hense-104 Jerusalem Road stated he was in support of the proposed project.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to close the public hearing and approve the Neg.3 RDA for the proposed
project at 96 Jerusalem Road,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
Government Island—RDA#15-06-Eagle Scout Project-O'Brien
Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Eagle Scout-Luke O'Brien and Merle Brown-
Advisor was present. Mr.O'Brien has met and discussed with Harbormaster Lorri Gibbons some
improvements to Government Island. He is proposing a new railing made of wooden pilings and thick
ropes. All work will be done by hand. it will be a visual barrier. The work should start within the next
week.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to close the public hearing and approve the Neg.3 RDA for the proposed
work at Government Island,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
Topics not reasonably anticipated within 48 hours of CCC meeting
Chairman Creighton received a call from Associate Member Justin Pimpare about 579 Jerusalem Road.
It appears that all of the vegetation along the bank has been cleared. The Commission did not approve
work in that area. Paul Shea stated they were issued an order of conditions and SWP for the project.
They were not approved for the work that has been done. Mr.Shea did receive a call from Carmen
Hudson from Cavanaro Consulting over the winter and asked if they could remove two trees that were
damaged during a storm. Mr.Shea advised her if the two trees were damaged and considered a danger
they could remove them. The Commission agreed to issue a cease and desist order and have a show
cause hearing.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to issue a cease and desist order for all work at 579 Jerusalem Road,
seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was unanimous.
1
Con Com-5.7.15-TC
Conservation Commission Meeting May 7, 2015
Mr.Graham stated he has observed at 559 Jerusalem Road that it appears the shrubbery adjacent to the
property has been removed. Paul Shea stated he has also received calls as well. He has spoken to Jeff
Hassett from Morse Engineering and he was going to speak with Brad Holmes. Mr.Shea asked Mr.
Hassett to go to the site to see if they are in compliance. Mr.Shea also spoke with the owner of the
property,Chris Ford yesterday and alerted him that the Commission needs a status report about the
trees that have been removed. Mr.Shea has not heard back from Mr.Hassett yet. The Commission had
a lengthy discuss about how to follow projects.
417 Jerusalem Road-Revised SWP/NOl continued
Paul Shea stated the Commission received revised plans for the proposed project. The changes are
significant from what was discussed at the last meeting. Attorney Jeff Tocchio was present on behalf of
the applicant. Some of the changes are the square footage of the proposed house is 2,700 square feet
(it was previously proposed at 4,313 square feet). The proposed footprint for the house is further from
the top of bank than the existing house. The proposed deck is also further from the top of bank than the
existing deck. The planting plan is a total of 4045 square feet which includes 210 native species plants.
The plantings are salt tolerant. There is a net reduction in impervious of 22%. Attorney Tocchio gave a
detailed description of the erosion control plan. They received approval for large home review.
Attorney Richard Henderson was present on behalf of the abutting neighbors. He stated their concern is
the size of the project and lack of information on plans. John Chessia of Chessia Consulting spoke on
behalf of the abutters and stated that the calculations on some of the plans are clearly not correct.
There is also an upper deck on the architectural plan but not the site plan. The plans are inconsistent.
They are asking for the Commission to continue the hearing to allow the abutters proper time to review
the plans with the correct information. Maryanne Wetherald of 419 Jerusalem Road stated they got the
revised plans two days ago and need more time to review. Patrick Kennedy stated her attorney received
the revised plans on April 23rd. Ms.Wetherald stated she needs more time to review and be
comfortable with the plans. Michelle Laney-404 Jerusalem Road asked for confirmation that there will
be no pinning with the revised plans. This was confirmed by the applicant's representative. Mark Bross-
11 Deep Run stated his concern with the size of the proposed project even after the revised plans. He
spoke of the work proposed in the 50'and 100' buffer zone. The Commission took a brief recess so that
all parties involved can have a discussion. Paul Shea commented that it seems as though there are some
minor concerns with the neighbors that can be worked out. The applicant has agreed to an as built plan
as well as a second as built plan with Mr.Chessia. The plan to be approved by the Commission is the
site plan not the architectural plan. The Commission has control over what happens to the site. The
height of the proposed project is a zoning issue. The DEP issued a file number with no comments. Mr.
Shea discussed some of the special conditions such as; an "as built" plan with erosion control done in
the field and certified by the engineer,a second "as built" plan for contouring and an onsite meeting
between Mr. Dunn, Mr.Chessia and Mr.Shea,a construction protocol document be submitted prior to
any construction on the project,fencing around property line and tree to avoid construction impacts to
the tree and roots,extending the swale towards the Wetherald property.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to close the public hearing and issue a variance for work within the 5o'
buffer zone for the project at 417 Jerusalem Road,seconded by Edward Graham and the vote was
unanimous.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to issue an order of conditions with special conditions as directed by the
Commission to Paul Shea for the project at 417 Jerusalem Road,seconded by Edward Graham and the
vote was unanimous.
2
Con Com-5.7.15-TC
Conservation Commission Meeting May 7, 2015
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to issue a SWP for the project at 417 Jerusalem Road,seconded by Edward
Graham and the vote was unanimous.
Motion by Patrick Kennedy to adjourn,seconded by Alex Koines and the vote was unanimous.
Minutes approved by the Conservation Commission:�Yii 2-0, LO /S—
Signed by CCC Chairman-daek-C-rei&ton:
3
Con Com-5.7.15-TC