FINAL
Present for the Conservation Commission and attending the meeting were: Pam Goff, Sandy Broyard, Donald Poole, Dick Smith, Wesley Cottle, Caitlin Jones and Chuck Hodgkinson. Reid Silva, Carlos Montoya, Leo DeSorcy and Everett Poole also attended. Richard Steves was absent.
The meeting came to order at 12:30 PM. Ms. Goff was appointed as acting Chair. Wesley Cottle and Caitlin Jones were appointed voting members for the day’s agenda. The site visits were made on February 14.
RFD CARLOS MONTOYA FOR SWB LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; 8 Greenhouse Lane; AP 33-30: Mr. Montoya summarized the plan to seed a bluestem meadow within an existing cleared area of the property. A portion of the bluestem seeding and meadow will be within the 100-foot buffer zone and 200-foot river front zone of a perennial stream and wetland. The closest activity is approximately 40 feet from a wetland edge. Separately, a stone wall was installed at the north end of the property in a previously cleared area. The stone wall is within the 100-foot buffer zone of a bordering vegetated wetland and approximately 55 feet from the wetland edge. This work has already been completed and does not have a permit.
The Commission discussed the newly cleared area that was observed on the site visit. It is approximately 20 feet from the stream. The heavy brush cover along the stream borders creates a corridor for wildlife passage across the open field. The Commission debated defining a no cut zone that abuts the stream. It also asked for a permanent way of marking the edge of the no cut zone.
Mr. Montoya mentioned there will be no permanent irrigation, no fertilizers will be used on the blue stem meadown and it will only be mowed one time per year, in January or February.
With no further discussion the un-permitted stone wall was discussed. Mr. Monyoya explained he was not invloved in this work. It was added to the Request for Determination of Applicablity after making a preliminary site vist with Chuck H. Mr. DeSorcy explained he is the general contractor for this property and accepts all blame for the work. He added the subcontractor that did the work has since been dismissed from working at this site. The owner was not aware of and did not sanction the clearing and stone wall installation. He added he did not notice the wetland that is down the slope on the north side of the stone wall and clearing.
After discussion the following motion with special conditions was made for both segments of the application. Each segment was voted separately.
Blue Stem Meadow (Negative Determination)
- The perimeter edge of the blue stem meadow shall be plotted on a surveyed site plan and reviewed with the Commission.
2. To preserve the buffer and wildlife corridor along the perennial stream the section of buffer zone from the edge of the blue stem meadow to the stream shall never be mowed and allowed to return to a natural state. A planting plan for this area shall be provided.
- Shrubs shall be planted along the perimeter of the blue stem meadow that parallels the stream to delineate the limit of mowing for the blue stem meadow and the outer edge of the no cut zone.
- No fertilizers shall be used on the blue stem meadow.
- The blue stem meadow shall be mowed one time per year, in January or February.
Stone Wall in the Buffer Zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland (Enforcement Order)
- An Enforcement Order shall be issued ordering the removal of the stone wall near the north lot line.
- A re-vegetation plan shall be provided for the section of buffer zone that was cleared for the stone wall.
The motion was seconded. Two votes were taken as follows. The negative determination was approved unanimously with six in favor. The Enforcement Order with the special condition passed with four in favor, one opposed (Ms. Goff) and one abstention (Ms. Jones).
NOI SE 12 – 646; REID SILVA FOR BLUFF HOUSE DYNASTY REALTY TRUST; 78 Squibnocket Ridge; AP 35-1.1: Ms. Goff opened the public hearing at 1:15 PM. Mr. Silva summarized the plan to expand the existing single-family dwelling by a total of 1,760 sq. ft. The expansion includes an addition to the main house and a new, larger garage. A new 888 sq. ft. wrap around, covered porch is also proposed. All of the proposed work is in the 100-foot buffer zones of several Bordering Vegetated Wetlands. The closest activity is approximately 55 feet from the wetland edges. Mr. Silva was not sure if a basement foundation will be installed under then entire footprint of the new dwelling.
The Commission discussed the site visit and thought the wetlands and pond surrounding the perimeters of this construction site are quite extensive. Mr. Silva asked for a continuance to April 4 @ 12:30 PM to provide time to design more details about the project. The Commission added that it would like to hire an outside wetland consultant to evaluate the proposal and provide an assessment of the activity’s impact on the resources. The cost would be approximately $1,200 and borne by the applicant. Mr. Silva agreed. A subsequent motion was made to accept the request for a continuance to April 4 @ 12:30 PM. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved with six in favor.
NOI SE 12 – 645; REID SILVA FOR PAUL DI MAURA; 26 Basin Road; AP 27.1- 125, 126: Ms. Goff opened the public hearing at 1:26 PM. Mr. Silva summarized the plan to expand the existing single-family dwelling; install a new, larger septic system and install a new buried water line. The existing septic leach pit will be abandoned and filled. Several retaining walls are proposed. All of the proposed work is in the 100-foot buffer zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland or within the 100-foot buffer zone of a coastal bank. The closest activity is approximately 62 feet from the wetland edge and 75 feet from the top of the Menemsha Basin Coastal Bank. The work will be done on a total of
0.3-acres of land.
Mr. Silva outlined the existing dwelling has a footprint of 1,202 sq. ft. for the home, deck and porch with current living area of 590 sq. ft. He said the footprint will be expanded by + 367 sq. ft., the living space will increase to 1,140 sq. ft. The deck area will be reduced from 612 sq. ft. to 495 sq. ft. to accommodate more living space. A basement foundation is planned for the new footprint. The height of the building will be increased to 24 feet above mean natural grade. Mr. Silva added he is meeting with the Board of Health on the water and septic plans later this evening.
The Commission asked if there is a landscape plan and detailed foundation plan. Ms. Jones read Section 2.05 (2) of the Town’s Wetland Protection Bylaws and Regulations for the record. It outlines the importance of preserving natural views and vistas for work done within a 100-foot buffer zone of a coastal bank. Mr. Silva pointed out the house is outside the 100-foot coastal bank buffer zone (115 feet from the bank). The septic work is within this buffer zone.
After discussion Mr. Silva asked for a continuance to March 7 @ 1:00 PM to provide time to prepare more details including but not limited to the outer limit of work, erosion control measures, how the excavation spoils will be handled, a roof water runoff plan and a landscape plan. A motion was made to accept the request. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
ADMINISTRATION:
The January 4, 2012 Meeting Minutes were approved as presented by consensus. Chuck H. informed the Commission the $300 fine for the Enforcement Order issued to Grin Acres Family Partnership; Nickerson Farm Rd. was received by the January 31 deadline.
The Commission discussed the maintenance plans submitted by Kristen Fauteaux of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation. They are for the following Orders of Condition issued for maintaining two meadows and Phragmites control.
SE 12 – 574; Priscilla Hancock Management Unit; AP 17-35; 23-5, 6.
SE 12 – 578; Quansoo Farm; AP 22-4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6, 9, 15, 16, 153, 154.
The Commission voted to approve both maintenance plans as presented with a vote of five in favor and one opposed (Ms. Jones).
The following document was signed: Determination of Applicability SWB Ltd. Partnership; 8 Greenhouse Lane; AP 33-30.
With no further business to conduct the meeting adjourned at 3:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Chuck Hodgkinson, C.A.S.
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