Conservation Commission
Town Hall – 25 High Road
Meeting Date – Monday, December 19, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Present: Chairman Packer, John Hartnett, John O’Connell, Les Jones, Dan Streeter, Jim Cunningham
Excused: Worthen Taylor III
Leonard Dobson (38 Old Point Road) – A continued NOI to construct a two-story addition over existing deck. Mr. Dobson is waiting a decision from the courts with regard to this dwelling. Chairman Packer recommended a continuance until the January 17th meeting date; all in favor.
CMF Associates, LLC (30 Northern Blvd.) – A continued NOI to construct single-family dwelling within a coastal dune. At the November 15th meeting, Representative/Attorney Paul Novak requested a continuance until the January 17th meeting date; so moved by Chairman Packer; all in favor.
Lawrence Sturdivant (29 & 31 Downfall Road) – A continued NOI to construct a single-family dwelling with a new common driveway as well as removing a portion of existing driveway. Applicant requested a continuance, granted with first motion made by Les Jones and John Hartnett made the second motion; all in favor.
Susan Christ (26 Northern Blvd) – A continued NOI for the replacement of existing wood retaining walls with new stone retaining walls.
Town of Newbury (6 Kent Way) – A continued NOI to construct 2 little league ball fields, 3 basketball courts, 1 skateboard area and a 55-space parking lot. Hearing opened; no one present. Announced that the Commission will recall this hearing again at the end of the meeting; hearing recalled, no one present. Chairman Packer recommended continuance John H and Les J.
Stephen Smith (4 35th Street) – Rep Bob Watt from Construction Advisors A NOI to remove roof of existing dwelling and construct a second-story addition. 700 sq ft PROPOSED addition. John Minton has given his opinion for the foundation to be acceptable to handle the load. There is an existing basement. First floor with be about 27 feet and they are in the AO/V zone. Not proposing any change in utilities. Calculation on 50% rules done, but is really not in our jurisdiction but for the Building Inspector. There will be some first floor
remodeling done both modifications bring the cost to about 176K which is 46%. Chairman DP asked of any changes to basement? Rep recommended no change. All equipment will be kept in the driveway. There may be some replacement of sonar tubes (bump out on northeast side) only. Mostly zero impact,
Steve Narkiewich (108 Northern Blvd) – has an engineer looked at basement to make sure it can handle load? If not, should be put on pilings. Not a good history of responding to his order of conditions; it took four years to get him to finish the replanting. Doesn’t agree that this is not a primary frontal dune…..
Rosemary Loveday (3 35th St) – mobile trailer parked on his property is there an issue with having the house with the mobile home on the property (hazardous waste) or plans to connect them. NOI said it was not a primary or secondary dune. New FEMA maps say primary frontal dune and old maps apply, but the plan has been put together under the new maps. Lots of debris from last projects and she has some proof of it
Steve Narkiewich (108 Northern Blvd) - How can the board even allow this project give the applicants history. The board has to look at this project without any consideration of his past projects. Wind burbling and scouring affect
Commission Member Dan Streeter adked about the distance from dune; Representative Bob Watt beach dune interface and structure has about 200 feet between it. IS there a construction narrative? No….perhaps this should be added with the limits of work.
Andrea Smith – familiar with project. His replanting was necessary during the last project was in front of the house not near the beach. He has been very good about putting up snow fencing and staying committed to it.
Commission scheduled a site visit for Wednesday January 11, 2012 at 3:00. Abutters do not have absolute permission to allow themselves on the site visit. It is up to the property owner. Mr. Watt stated that he feels Mr. Smith would be open to this, but would confirm this before the start of the site visit.
Gary Taber (31 Sunset Dr) – RDA to construct 170 square foot room on existing deck footprint. Less than 7 feet off the ground and over an existing deck footprint. Commission member John O’Connell asked for the use of this space; just a sitting room. The plan also includes a means of egress and a slider. All set with the FAR, they are under 25%. No additional questions from the Commission and no abutters present; thus made a motion to close the public hearing. Jim Cunningham made the first motion and seconded by Dan Streeter; all in favor.
Certificates of Compliance:
Scotland Woods LLC - for ANRAD on Scotland Road DEP File NO. 050-661 = take no action this is an ANRAD not an NOI
Kathryn Costanzo (8 44th Street) – construct deck DEP File NO. 050-840
A site visit on December 18th found this project to by in substantial compliance and Agent Packer recommended the Certificate of Compliance. Les Jones made the first motion to accept and seconded by John Hartnett.
Extension Permit:
Karen Bolton (88 Northern Blvd) for DEP File No. 050-807
Order originally writing 1/30/06 and extended to 1/30/12, this final extension will be valid through 1/30/15. Les Jones made the first motion to accept and John O’Connell seconded.
Other Business:
Representative Tom Hughes presented a preliminary look into the application for the 5 acre parcel acquired by Ralph & Betsy Cox at 5 Temple Blvd.
Outside ACEC
Reviewed vegetated areas
Landward limit of primary dune – trying to respect DEP’s hard line on this
During a site walk noted a fire pit and charcoal deposits in the area, implying a lot of human impact to the area
Taking a box and trying to approximate a house and a driveway in a couple of locations on the property. There is one area on the site that clearly has the least amount of impact and they would like to progress with a more specific plan.
Will be doing the 500/1100 rule
Abutters are very concerned about the wildlife; they did identify a plover nest.
Lots of beach plums in the area
Site visit for the Commission was scheduled for Wednesday January 11, 2012 at 3:30 for which the application for this property will be forthcoming.
Scotland Woods LLC – Conservation Restriction – David Santananna for Essex County Greenbelt presented an overview of the plan which has already been reviewed by the Planning Board. There will be no motor vehicles allowed on the property, thought there will be access to the property, as the public has a right to enter. Need the approval by the Commission prior to going before the Selectmen. John Hartnett made the first motion to accept and Dan Streeter made the second motion; all in favor.
Motion made by Mr. Cunningham to close the public hearing at 9:53
Respectfully submitted, Susan Noyes
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