10/25/2018 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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prior to any work. He said also part of this application is remedy the drainage situation. They also included modifications to the plants near the water in the back where there is a hydrangea which will be removed and replaced. Mr. Costa reviewed the areas on the plan he provided. He noted the retaining wall will include a drainage system that will be pumped into a dry well. He stated the project meets the performance standards. The Agent stated he agreed it meets the performance standards and reviewed the proposal on photos. He reviewed the proposed improved drainage. He noted there were some plantings put in by the owner a series of Green Giant Arborvitaes followed by hedges behind them. He also pointed out an Arborvitae that was planted at the top of the bank and the hydrangea that was planted. There was some disturbance at the top of the bank that contributed to erosion down the bank where Mr. Costa has proposed some stabilization measures to take care of the situation. A fine was imposed and paid by the homeowner for this activity. The Agent noted 4 additional Green Giant Arborvitaes and questioned their survival in a coastal environment. He pointed out the existing Cyprus that were already browning out because they are not native species. He said if the homeowner had come to Conservation we would have recommended something other than Arborvitaes but noted the plantings are not causing any harm to the performance standards to the resource areas. Mr. Leo Caruso, a neighbor next door, stated he didn't have any issues with the improvements the Knights have made on their property. He said they don't have an issue with the planting of trees because they understand they want their privacy. The issue is with the trees that were planted and the way they did it. He referred to the trees as green giants that were planted on the lot line which have the potential of being massive trees. He suggested the trees should be taken out and substituted. He dispersed some literature on the size and the growth of the trees. The trees that were planted close to the coastal bank and are about 7 Y feet at this point. He noted there are about 10 trees in this area and when these trees grow they are in between their house and the sun and will cause mildew to their house. He said they shouldn't have been put in and should be substituted with something more appropriate for the area which would alleviate their concerns. Their request would be that these trees be removed and replaced. He noted they were planted on the lot line and are now over the lot line and they didn't want to have to prune these trees. He did note they are also working with ARC. Matt Costa spoke on behalf of Mr. Knight and stated the erosion to the coastal bank was minor and could be easily corrected. He said a homeowner is allowed to plant trees which doesn't necessarily have to be native. He stated it would be a burden to be forced to remove the trees and he didn't think that would be fair. The Agent stated if they had the opportunity to review and look at the trees he would have recommended something native because it is within 50 feet of a coastal bank and to his recollection the commission has never allowed ornamental plants (mitigation or otherwise) to be planted within 50 feet of a resource area. There was a lengthy discussion between the Commissioners, the Agent, Mr. Costa and Mr. Caruso on the impact of the planting of the trees and whether the trees should be removed. There was a suggestion the homeowners work with ARC, neighbor to neighbor. The Agent asked that the Commissioners make a point to point out the additional landscaping in addition to the proposed landscaping and hardscaping because they have both been tied in to the decision making in the motion. He noted we are looking at two separate activities. No further comments from the public