1/8/2015 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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He reviewed sheet one. Property consists of two islands connected by two causeways. The property is located in a velocity zone and in a Natural Heritage area and adjacent to BVW, Salt Marsh and Land Under Ocean. He reviewed the plans. They are going to regrade a portion of the driveway with a gravel base and install a gravel turnaround area which is necessary because it is difficult to turn around on the property (causeways are single lane width). This was situated in an area where no trees need to be taken down. They are also proposing to install two z piled vinyl coated bulkheads with wooden caps and ties tying them together. The walls will touch the mean high water mark so the applicant will be pursing Chapter 91 licenses. They will come up into the driveway and regrade the existing driveway. They have relocated the proposed garage further away from the BVW. It will be located in a predisturbed buffer zone area. They will be closer to the top of the coastal bank which is not a sediment source and completely disturbed with a makeshift lawn and trees down to the edge of the BVW. They are also going to be upgrading the septic tank so it will withstand vehicular traffic. There will be no modification to the bulkhead. They are proposing to do some beach nourishment into the beach area. He noted only 3 cubic yards of material will be used in that area. They will not be in the salt marsh areas. The primary reason is to cover up the exposed footing of the concrete retaining wall. They are also proposing to remove the existing pier and rebuild with an elevated walkway that will start with stairs from the upland side of the existing bulkhead and then span out to the existing gangway and relocate the float to deeper water to protect the shellfish habitat. He noted the concrete retaining wall and is proposing to extend the concrete bulkhead with an 8 foot extension to help stabilize the bank. They are going to clean out the debris and remove a cedar tree and compensate for that with plantings of cedar trees in an area of coastal bank on the property. Matt spoke about mitigation. They are going to do a phragmites eradication along the driveway and do it on a 3 year basis. He pointed out an area of trash and debris that is suppressing natural vegetation and plant with native grasses to help protect the bank. He spoke about the waiver requirement and referred to his narrative. He said they want to leave the site in better condition than when they started so what they did was overcompensate based on the requirements under the regulations which is around 3 times more square footage of plantings that would normally be required. The Agent said in his opinion the activities proposed are ones that will be enhancing existing conditions through mitigation and improve existing conditions in terms of the access roads. He said the turn around area is mostly devoid of vegetation. He said the patio is not going to affect the armored coastal bank. The dock is in need of repair and the harbormaster has submitted his comments that he requires the new float to be encapsulated and the display in perpetuity of the DEP number and the street address. He noted the debris and the large cedar to be removed. The Agent stated the compensated measures outweigh any sort of impact as a result of the garage. Natural Heritage did submit a letter indicating a no -take status. No Comments from the Public Motion; Mr. Shaw moved to Close and Issue, seconded by Mr. McKay. Vote unanimous. 5-0