DATE: March 26, 2012
TO: Franklin Conservation Commission
FROM: Nick Alfieri
Conservation Agent
RE: Agent’s Report & Commentary
PROJECTS
Prospect Street @ Oxford Drive Culvert – DPW – NOI
Provided the Commission is satisfied with the revisions to the plan, Staff recommends discussing any Special Conditions with the applicant prior to closing the Public Hearing.
14 Glenwood Road – Dellorco – NOI
Provided the Commission is satisfied with the revisions to the plan, Staff recommends discussing any Special Conditions with the applicant prior to closing the Public Hearing. Staff has provided a set of draft Special Conditions if the Commission would like to issue an Order of Conditions.
Assisted Living – 656 King Street – G&H - NOI
Staff has reviewed the revised plans and provides the following Commentary:
- The issue of the fence was not resolved at last week’s ZBA meeting. The ZBA requested that the applicant submit a request for a modification to the approved Variance that will be heard based upon their April meeting schedule.
- Under B. Buffer Zone & Resource Area Impacts, although Bordering Vegetated Wetland was checked no proposed Alteration or Replacement figures were provided.
- Under C. Other Applicable Standards and Requirements, #4, #5 and #6 were not answered.
- Under Additional Information box #3 was not checked although field cards were provided.
- Storm Damage Prevention should be addressed in the Functions & Characteristics Statement
- There is no dewatering plan or detail shown on the plan or provided in the NOI application.
- There is no vernal pool statement in the application.
- Staff was unable to find Rhododendron keiskei or Azalea obtusa from the Planting Schedule on plan page 5 on any native plant list nor in the Best Development Practices Guidebook. In addition, on the Drainage Basin Plantings table Lotus corniculatus is misspelled.
- Staff has forwarded a sketch by the applicant’s engineer showing a straight entrance way into the project. This way would require the filling of an additional 590 square feet of wetlands and the replication of an additional 1,171 square feet of wetlands on the site. The additional filling is permitted under both the State Act and the Local Bylaw, provided an appropriate amount of replication is provided. By allowing the applicant to fill and replicate the additional wetlands the project will no longer have the possibility of shining vehicle lights into the abutter’s yard, and will remove that objection from the affected abutter.
- Under note #6 of the General erosion control and Construction notes, it states that erosion control “shall be maintained…throughout the entire construction phase, or until the site has become stabilized with an adequate vegetative cover.” This note shall have the following added: “or if in Conservation jurisdiction, until a Certificate of Compliance is issued.
- In the Interim Erosion Control and Construction Sequence there is no mention of constructing the building even though a small portion of the building is in Conservation jurisdiction.
- The site walk sponsored by one of the abutters was completed on March 20th, with one of the Commissioners and the Town Planner in attendance.
- Staff recommends continuing the Public Hearing until the ZBA has had an opportunity to vote on the modified Special Permit
847 W. Central Street – Vendo/G&H - Amendment Request.
Staff has reviewed the revised plans and provides the following Commentary:
- Staff was unable to find Forsythia intermedia on any native plant list or was it listed in the Best Development Practices Guidebook.
Provided the Commission is satisfied with the information presented, Staff recommends discussing any new special conditions with the applicant prior to closing the Public Hearing. Staff has provided a set of draft Special Conditions if the Commission would like to issue an Order of Conditions.
INFORMATION & DETERMINATIONS
- Resident has Proposed Fixing Signs along Brook Street – Staff has sent an email to Mr. Wolfe and he has replied. He will work on the signs and then come in to talk with the Commission about what vegetation he can clear.
- Eagle Project – Staff received a call from the father of an Eagle Scout hopeful wondering if the Commission had any particular project they would like done that could qualify as an Eagle Scout project.
- Conservation Web Site – Staff has updated the Conservation web site. Please take a look and make any recommendations for changes.
- Summer Intern – Staff has been contacted by the mother of a possible summer intern. Since are last intern has left because of school obligations, Staff is looking into the possibility of a new one.
- Side Table – A few documents of interest are on the side table for any of the Commissioners who wish to review.
880 W. Central Street – Enforcement Order
The applicant has submitted a revised set of plans. Provided the Commission is satisfied with the revisions, Staff recommends discussing any Special Conditions with the applicant prior to closing the Public Meeting and issuing an Enforcement Plan in conjunction with the Enforcement Order. Staff would like to recommend the following Special Conditions:
- Provide a date certain for the completion of the Enforcement Plan. Staff recommends a six month time period from the issuing of the Enforcement Plan.
- Agree with the applicant to waive the fine, but if the Enforcement Plan is not completed within the specified time a new Enforcement Order will be issued and pursued with the Court. Every day the Enforcement Plan remains incomplete from the approved date of completion a separate fine will be issued.
405 King Street – See attached letter and Enforcement Order.
- MINOR BUFFER ZONE ACTIVITIES
11 Brookfield Road – See attached.
4 Maple Brook Lane – See attached.
85 Partridge Street – See attached.
None
- CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE
Franklin Landings – No construction was done at site so the applicant did not submit an as-built. Staff recommends issuing a Certificate of Compliance.
Wyllie Road, Miller & Green Streets & Jason Circle – DPW – NOI
See attached draft Special Conditions.
None
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