Wellfleet Conservation Commission
Approved Meeting Minutes
February 6, 2013
Attendees: Terry Gips, Ginie Page, Ed Simpson, Cary Rea, Lauren McKean
Regrets: Trudy Vermehren and John Portnoy
4:00 - Business Meeting & Conservation Agent's Report
• Certificate of Compliance, 91 Commercial St. Ed Simpson moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.
• Gull Pond Road Housing: Possible failure of drainage systems on the road when there is heavy rain. Terry Gips spoke with Keith Johnson who made a site visit and suggested looking at the road after a storm to determine if there are any problems. The commission will revisit this at the February 20, 2013 meeting. Ginie Page moved to discuss the issue at the 02/20/13 meeting; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 4-0.
• Easement for 50 Beach Street and Portion of Water Street: The Commission had previously voted on this in the spring of 2012. Terry Gips moved to sign the easement as requested; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 4-0.
• 50 Steele Rd., Pruning, potential violation. Several members of the commission observed cutting on the Bartlett property and the adjacent town owned property. A letter was sent to the owners to appear at the 02/20/12 meeting.
• 313 Main St., potential violation. Steps were built close to an isolated wetland area. Charles Amsler and Randall Ladd came to the table and Amsler stated the original work was done in 1981 and the stairs are 78 feet from the wetland. He stated stairs are considered landscaping structures and the repaired stairway is within the original stairway. Mr. Amsler removed the fence but it will be reinstalled. Mr. Ladd stated the original steps were deteriorating and required replacement for safety issues. There was discussion regarding saving the wetland behind the buildings. Americorps may be interested in assisting with the clean up.
• Terry Gips moved to approve $925.00 for additional stamps for the brochure mailing; seconded Ed Simpson; passed 4-0.
• MAIL:
Letter to George Riley regarding status of plans for Hamblen Park from Tim King.
Reminder March 2, 2013 MAAC Convention
March 9, 2013 conference sponsored by Wellfleet MA Audubon at CCCC
“Natural History Conference”.
• Meeting Minutes:
Ed Simpson moved to approve the amended January 16, 2013 meeting minutes: seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.
Terry Gips moved to approve the amended 01/02/13 meeting minutes;seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.
Public Hearings 5:00 pm:
Chequessett Yacht and Country Club, 680 Chequessett Neck Rd., Map 19, Parcel 81, Certificate of Compliance. Ginie Page stated the work is within compliance. Ed Simpson moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.
Chequessett Yacht and Country Club, 680 Chequessett Neck Rd., Map 18, Parcels 81 and 115, Certificate of Compliance. Cary Rea moved to approve the Certificate of Compliance; seconded by Ginie Page; passed 4-0.
Wellfleet Preservation Hall, 335 Main St., Map 14, Parcel 173, RDA, expansion of permeable pavers. Anne Suggs and Marla Rice gave an overview of the project, stating the pavers will protect the area and extend the driveway for a turnaround radius. There will be some new plantings near the edge. A small chain will be installed so vehicles will not drive and park on the grass. Lauren McKean identified this project as a Negative 3; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 5-0.
Murphy, 0 Mill Hill Rd., Map 41, Parcel 172, NOI, Construct boathouse (Cont’d from 01/16/13). At the request of the applicant, Terry Gips moved to continue to March 6, 2013; seconded Ginie Page, passed 5-0.
Blasch Del Mar, LLC, 1440 Chequessett Neck Rd., Map 18, Parcel 7, NOI, Repair and reconfigure beach stairs. Lauren McKean recused herself. Emily Beebe represented the applicant and stated the existing stairs are not safe and need to be reconfigured. She stated there would be at least one switchback added. The plans will be revised and she requested a continuation. She stated they have to devise a plan to remove the existing stairs and no vehicles will be on the beach. Ginie Page moved to continue to 03/06/13; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0.
Berezin, 30 Wigwam St., Map 35, Parcel 135, NOI, New driveway and several additions to existing dwelling. David Lajoie represented the applicant and gave an overview of the project. He stated the new driveway will be located at a higher elevation. The current driveway will be removed, filled in and revegetated. The driveway will be pervious. The dumpster will be located in the current driveway location for debris removal. Manny Heyliger asked if the homeowners wanted to use shell instead of stone, would it be ok and the answer is yes. Manny Heyliger recommend using current vine-like ground cover for revegetation. Ginie Page moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 5-0 with conditions.
Papetsas, 460 Old Chequessett Neck Rd., Map 12, Parcel 72, NOI, new dwelling with only drive and well within 200’ riverfront. Lauren McKean recused herself. David Lajoie represented the applicant and stated this is a vacant lot. There is a creek which runs along the base of the bank as well as a small vegetated wetland. There will be a paved driveway with a drainage trench crossing it and leading to leaching basins. Due to the contours of the property, the driveway will be located on the eastern side of the property. Ginie Page recommended utilizing swales for water runoff into the sand. Mr. Papetsas stated he would be willing to use shells at the top of the parking area rather than having it paved. Ed Simpson moved to approve the NOI; seconded by Cary Rea; passed 4-0 with conditions. Supervisor: Ginie Page
Emmons, 119 Hamblem Farm Rd., Map 19, Parcel 13, NOI, install two wells and septic systems for an existing dwelling and replacement cottage. Existing dwelling to be converted to a two bedroom dwelling and existing one bedroom cottage to be replaced with a new one bedroom dwelling. David Lajoie and Attorney Ben Zehnder represented the applicant. Lajoie stated the project has been reduced in scope, with the existing dwelling becoming a two bedroom dwelling and the other building converted to a one bedroom dwelling. The previous proposal for this site had a total of four bedrooms for the two parcels. The footprints for both dwellings remain exactly the same as the proposal which was previously denied by the Commission. Attorney Zehnder stated there is a net decrease in lot coverage of 53 sq. ft.
(364 added and 417 removed) due to the removal of existing structures. Attorney Zehnder stated by reducing the bedroom count in the cottage, there will be no increase in use at the site. He also stated that if the cottage septic system were reduced to a one bedroom system, it would reduce the disturbance, however the state code requires all engineering plans show two bedroom systems. There will be an I/A system for the two bedroom unit and a standard system for the cottage unit.
Debbie Freeman spoke on behalf of the Friends of the Herring River, who read Don Palladino’s letter, expressing opposition to the project. Mr. Palladino recommended the applicant review the Herring River Restoration project and how it may impact the property. Ms. Freeman requested the map from the former file identifying the mean high water, spring tide, 100 storm surge be reviewed by the commission and put in the new file. Attorney Zehnder stated the Herring River Project is still an idea and there is no evidence or report to back up the statement and the commission may not make findings based on this map. Ginie Page stated previous history of the area would show that the area could be impacted, but agrees there is no evidence. Susan Anthony, abutter, read her letter opposing the project. There was
discussion regarding restricted areas. Mina Phillips stated their property had restrictions and hoped the Commission would enforce the same on this property. Jan Plaue from Open Space Committee stated the commission should protect the community. Attorney Zehnder stated the Board of Health originally permitted 8 bedrooms and then approved 5 bedrooms on the property and the new project has reduced the bedrooms to 3. He stated the use will not be increased with the one bedroom cottage and hopes the mitigations proposed will be acceptable. Terry Gips questioned the alternative analysis presented in the NOI. Lajoie stated this project will improve the property and questioned if the size of the building will impact the property. Ginie Page stated the cottage was lived in as a shack during the summers but hasn’t been lived in for a while. Lajoie provided house plans for a 20’ x 20’ dwelling with a shed dormer. Dawn Rickman stated her family has been in the area for over 100
years and feels the proposed plans would be better than what is there now. Ginie Page stated there is asbestos in the shed and removal will have to comply with state regulations The commission requested a protocol for when demolition would take place, an I/A septic system for the cottage, new plans identifying the size of the cottage, alterations to the application to include the ACEC, state wetlands delineations, and provide a house plan. Terry Gips moved to continue to March 6, 2013; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 4-0.
Terry Gips moved to adjourn at 7:15 pm; seconded by Ed Simpson; passed 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine A. Bates
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