HINGHAM CONSERVATION COMMISSION
February 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM Central Meeting Room North
MEETING MINUTES
Present: Samuel Chapin, Chairman, Eugene Babin, Vice-Chairman, Bill Grafton, Carolyn Nielsen and Cliff Prentiss, Conservation Officer
Absent: Doug Harvey and Charles Berry
Old/New Business
1. Approve 1/26/09 and 2/9/09 draft minutes
Discussion: The 2/9/09 minutes will be discussed at the 3/9/09 meeting
Motion: Commissioner Babin motioned to approve the 1/26/09 minutes as amended.
Second: Commissioner Nielsen In Favor: All Opposed: None
Requests for Determination of Applicability
1. 24 Summer Street - Hingham, MA – Applicant Roger Fernandes, Town of Hingham
Presentation: The town would like to demolish the existing structure (formerly a gas/service station).
Discussion: The underground tanks have already been removed. The town is not going to do any subsurface environmental work but will remove hydraulic lifts and other remaining subsurface features associated with the existing structure. Any impacted/contaminated soil will be removed by Exxon following the demolition under a previously issued Order. The Chairman asked if the structure is on slab – per the Conservation Officer, it is. The proposal is to remove the asphalt.
The Chairman opened the hearing to the public. No public comment. The Chairman closed the hearing to the public.
Motion: Commissioner Babin motioned to issue a negative determination
Second: Commissioner Nielsen In Favor: All Opposed: None
Notice of Intent
1. 4 Steamboat Lane – DEP 34 0992 – Applicants: Hugh and Mary Ellen McLaughlin / Representative: John Cavanaro, Cavanaro Consulting, Inc. and Sean Papich, landscape architect.
Presentation: The proposed redevelopment of the 4 Steamboat Lane property which consists of a 23,000 sq ft lot which is divided by the lower portion of Steamboat Lane and abuts the seawall. The existing 1500 square foot building footprint includes a covered porch and deck. The primary cover on the lot is lawn. The proposed development includes a dwelling, outdoor patio and pool (approximately 60 feet back from the seawall and approximately 8 feet deep) which will require excavation. The existing shed will stay and the garage will be built on slab. The existing house will be taken down to the framework. Any new construction will be flood compliant. Sean Papich presented the proposed landscaping and planting plan. The planting areas along the seawall will remain. Pathways will be either fieldstone or bluestone and the locations were noted on the plans.
Discussion: The Chairman asked how many additional houses were on “lower” Steamboat Lane. The proposed automobile turn-around(s) were discussed. The Chairman asked what the proposed square footage is, per Mr. Cavanaro, the proposal is to approximately double the square footage (including the garage). Cavanaro Consulting will provide the exact increase to the commission.
The existing deck and covered porch would be rebuilt to be one story, floor to ceiling by raising the roof/ceiling of that area.
Commissioner Nielsen asked about the structures that will be remaining, if they will also be flood compliant. Per the Consultant, they will be used for storage. Commissioner Nielsen asked if there is a proposed basement, per the Consultants there will not be a basement, a crawl space only. The first floor will be elevated above the flood elevation (11 feet) by approximately 1 or 2 feet. Commissioner Babin asked if there was a reason there were not driveways going from lower to upper Steamboat Lane. Per the Consultants the grade is very steep. Commissioner Nielsen asked if the existing structure is under the jurisdiction of the Historical Commission, per the Consultants, it is listed on their inventory. A site visit is planned by the Historical Commission for this upcoming Saturday.
The Conservation Officer advised that the proposed building is no closer to the resource area than the existing building.
The Chairman opened the hearing to the public. One abutter was present and inquired about;
• the landscaping and the raising / removal of the trees that resulted as part of the new septic system
• the increase in the square footage, he feels, is more in the area of 3 times the existing structure
• this abutter is also concerned about the maintenance of the seawall particularly where the in ground pool will be and if that will undermine the soundness of the wall.
• He is concerned about the right of way since he uses Lower Steamboat as well.
• Next steps
The abutters concerns were discussed and the Consultants and well as the Chairman addressed them.
Another abutter was present asked what the existing vs. proposed height above grade is. Per the Consultant the existing height, above grade, is 26.6 and the proposed structure is 31.8.
They also asked what the increase to the square footage would be. Per the consultant the proposal is for a 2800 sq ft footprint for the main dwelling and the garage is an additional 660 sq ft footprint. The result of which is approximately double that in square footage for the dwelling. The Chairman closed the hearing to the public.
Commissioner Nielsen asked about the variances they were requesting from the ZBA. The Consultant went through their proposal. The application is scheduled to be submitted tomorrow to the ZBA.
The Chairman asked if the proposal complies with the septic system that was previously approved and conditioned by the Conservation Commission. Per the Consultant, it does.
Motion: Commissioner Babin motioned to close the hearing
Second: Commissioner Grafton In Favor: All Opposed: None
2. 578 Main Street – (South Shore Baptist Church) – DEP SE 34 0990
Applicant: South Shore Baptist Church / Representative: Rod Gaskell, SITEC Environmental, Inc.
Discussion: The proposed redesign of an addition to the current church building and parking area following peer review and subsequent design changes. The planting plan within the rain gardens were presented as well as the vegetation proposed bordering the property along Free Street.
The peer review, done by Paul Brogna, dated 2/20/09 was discussed; 10 of the 16 points have been resolved. The items needing further discussion are:
Item #6: regarding peak flow: the plans now mitigate the 2 year, 20 year and 100 year storm event. Discharge of rain garden 1 was discussed.
Item #7: the revised plans call for mitigating at the 2, 20 and 100 year storm events, as noted above in item #6, this item should also be adequately addressed. In response, Mr. Brogna feels they have made a step in the right direction but will respond to the Commission by the end of the week but feels comfortable that this issue has been adequately addressed.
Item #9: Soil test pits in the area of the stormwater infiltration and rain gardens. The representative agreed to have test pits done as part of the Order of Conditions. The Chairman asked if the soil test pits previously done were consistent, per the representative, they were and consisted of mostly sands and gravel. The Chairman asked the representative to characterize the soil evaluation, which they did as glacial till in some areas and outwash in others. The Chairman confirmed with the Conservation Officer that if this were conditioned would they be able to have a peer review after the OOC were issued. Per the Conservation Officer, they are able to bring in a peer review. Commissioner Grafton asked Mr. Brogna if he had a number of test pits in mind, per Mr. Brogna 3 or 4 and he agrees that the prior soil evaluations provided adequate findings.
Item #10: Spot elevations within the driveways. They propose to maintain the gutter line and all runoff would be directed to the stormwater facilities. They would like this requirement conditioned.
Item #13: Construction Phasing Plan - Mr. Brogna advised this can be conditioned.
Item #15 (NEW): Mr. Brogna has requested that 100% of the plantings be guaranteed for two years. Mr. Gaskell noted the DEP guidelines at the 75% of plants be warranted to survive for the first three growing seasons, which is stipulated in the applicant’s NOI. Mr. Brogna’s concern is in the aesthetic viewpoint should the plantings that die off be in a concentrated area. Both parties agree that this can be handled in the orders of conditions.
Item #16 (NEW): Snow storage – the revised plans designate a portion of the parking area to keep the snow on the property so all snow melt will be collected, treated and infiltrated to the same level of treatment as rain water.
Mr. Gaskell advised that they are going to decommission the components within the 50’ line to the existing septic system at the parsonage that includes a leaching field, sewer lines, pump chamber and tank. All will be now going through the proposed treatment plant, thereby improving existing conditions.
Commissioner Grafton asked where the drainage system discharges to after it enters the storm drains in Free Street. The representative advised, with the addition of the 2nd rain garden, there will be no increase in discharge, and therefore it is not required to make that determination.
The conservation easement was discussed relative to the 30 year restriction and per the Conservation Officer the attorney for the church has re-drafted the conservation easement so that it will be perpetual. In addition the easement will have a restriction on it for unauthorized use to include prohibited uses by ATV’s and other motorized recreational vehicles. The Chairman asked if they could add snow storage as one of the prohibited uses. Commission Nielsen asked that campfires be listed as a prohibited use.
The Chairman asked where the easement access would be; the access from Free Street was noted on the plans. There is currently a gate and an existing trail, which currently leads to the pump station and wells.
The Chairman opened the hearing to the public. None. The Chairman closed the hearing to the public.
Motion: Commissioner Grafton motioned to close the hearing and issue an order of conditions.
Second: Commissioner Babin In Favor: All Opposed: None
Request for Extension to Order of Conditions
1. 119 Beal Street – DEP 34 0841 Applicant: 137 Beal Street, LLC
Discussion: Request for an extension for 3 years
Motion: Commissioner Babin motioned to extend the order of conditions for 3 years.
Second: Commissioner Grafton In Favor: All Opposed: None
Abbreviated Notice of Intent
None
Order of Conditions
None
General Discussion
None
Order of Resource Area Delineation
None
Certificates of Compliance
None
Meeting Adjourned at 9:49 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Cliff Prentiss, Conservation Officer
Approved as amended on 3/23/09.