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Orleans Conservation Commission
Town Hall, Nauset Room
Hearing, Tuesday, March 3, 2009
PRESENT: Adrienne Pfluger, Bob Royce, Bill Parish, Acting-Chairman; Judith Bruce, Harry Herrick, (Members); Steve Phillips, James Trainor, Jamie Balliett, (Associate Members); and Jennifer Wood, Conservation Administrator.
ABSENT: Arnold Henson, Chairman, and George Christie, (Members).
The Meeting opened at 8:30 a.m.
NOTICE OF INTENT
Garner LeStage, 26 Cedar Cove Road by Ryder & Wilcox, Inc. The proposal includes: installation of a septic system (the existing cesspool will be abandoned), construction of a new driveway, removal of the existing driveway, & installation of Town water service. Work will occur on & within 100’ of a Coastal Bank, & within Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage. David Lyttle, from Ryder & Wilcox, and Garner LeStage, the Applicant, were present. Mr. Lyttle said in August of 2007 there was an informal discussion about improving the driveway that runs through a resource area, and they discussed alternative locations. Now the septic system has failed so they are going forward with both projects. They propose to abandon the existing cesspool that is within a few feet of the
coastal bank, pump it dry, and fill it with clean sand. The new septic leaching field will be 100’ away from the coastal bank and outside the ACEC. Mr. Lyttle said they are going to abandon the existing paved driveway, remove the pavement, and plant a native grass mix. Mr. Lyttle said the new driveway will be installed off of Captain Dean Road and has room for 3 cars to park to the northeast of the dwelling. Mr. Lyttle said he has shown the silt fence as the limit of work. The new driveway is within the ACEC and the 50’ buffer, but they are improving the situation by removing the driveway out of the resource area. They are proposing to pave the entrance of the driveway for about 20 to 30’ because the grade is steep at the beginning. The rest of the driveway would be gravel. A new water service will be installed down the new driveway. The existing well will be abandoned, once it is located. Bill Parish asked how
much dirt will be removed? Mr. Lyttle said not much—there is a big grade change at the beginning. The shoulders of the driveway at that location will be replanted. Mr. Parish asked if they would consider using paving blocks, instead of pavement? Mr. LeStage agreed to look into paving blocks. Judith Bruce said this is what the Commission asked for 2 years ago. Jenny Wood said she is concerned with the condition of the end of Cedar Cove Road, and asked if vehicular traffic could be blocked off from this area so people cannot drive down to this location, and the marsh can recover? Mr. LeStage said the Association is not very active. There are a few boats kept down there, but there is not a lot of traffic. He agreed that it would be better for the resource area if cars were not allowed down there. Ms. Wood asked if they intended to mow the native grass mix? Mr. Lyttle said it would be treated as lawn. Ms.
Wood said there may be better drought-resistant grasses for lawn than a native mix. Mr. Lyttle said they would use whatever the Conservation Administrator recommends. Ms. Wood said in the back of this yard
there is a tremendous amount of ivy within the trees that should be removed, and other invasive species. Mr. Lyttle said they will speak to Seth Wilkinson about removal, but asked that it not be a part of this project.
MOTION: A motion to approve this project, with its variance, was made by Judith Bruce and seconded by Bob Royce.
VOTE: Unanimous.
CONTINUATION
AMENDED ORDER
Preston & Birgitta Hay (GC1,JB1), 289 South Orleans Road by Ryder & Wilcox, Inc. The Order is proposed to be amended for the driveway grade to remain raised which resulted when the house was relocated to the rear of the property, & to move a shed 47’ from an Isolated Wetland (instead of 51’). Work will occur within 100’ of two freshwater wetlands and within the Pleasant Bay ACEC. A letter from Ryder & Wilcox requesting a Continuance was read to the Commissioners.
MOTION: A motion to continue this Hearing to the Meeting on March 17, 2009 was made by Judith Bruce and seconded by Bob Royce.
VOTE: Unanimous.
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
Stephen Post, 15 Captains Row. This is a request for the removal of one oak tree that is too close to the house, to cut one branch of a different oak over the house, and to cut a limb of a red maple over the driveway. The work is within 100’ to a freshwater wetland. There are other trees in this area. This work will be done by A to Z Treez.
MOTION: A motion to approve this Administrative Review was made by Judith Bruce and seconded by Adrienne Pfluger.
VOTE: Unanimous.
CHAIRMAN’S BUSINESS
Approval of the Minutes from the Work Meeting on February 24, 2009.
MOTION: A motion to approve the Minutes from the Work Meeting on February 24, 2009 was made by Adrienne Pfluger and seconded by Bob Royce.
VOTE: 6-0-1 Approved (Judith Bruce abstained).
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Derrick, Conservation Commission Secretary
Approved Dated
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