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Town of Mashpee Conservation Commission <br /> 16 Great Neck Road North <br /> Mashpee, MA 02649 <br /> Proposed Work(49 The Heights) <br /> The applicants propose installation of a 12-foot by 22-foot in-ground swimming pool with surrounding patio <br /> within an existing lawn area. The site is smaller than a typical zoning lot, resulting in a more condensed layout <br /> compared to surrounding properties. The pool and patio are located within the 0-75 foot buffer to the inland <br /> bank, though outside buffer zones associated with other resource areas. <br /> Mitigation Proposal and Performance Standards (49 The Heights) <br /> The applicant acknowledged that the proposal does not meet full mitigation requirements, calculating a <br /> requirement of approximately 4,862 square feet while proposing roughly 1,200 square feet of mitigation. A <br /> waiver under Chapter 172-7A was therefore requested. <br /> Mitigation was designed to focus on the interests of the inland bank, particularly stabilization and erosion <br /> prevention. While the bank is mostly vegetated with mature plantings, a narrow area between the existing <br /> vegetation and the post-and-rail fence lacks plant cover. Proposed mitigation plantings are intended to fill this <br /> gap, improving bank stability and reducing future scouring or erosion. Erosion controls were also proposed <br /> along the downgradient side of the work area to prevent sedimentation. <br /> With respect to water quality, the applicant proposed converting a significant portion of existing lawn to <br /> artificial turf to reduce fertilizer use, grass clippings, and associated nitrogen loading to nearby resource areas. <br /> Commissioners confirmed that the proposed turf would be artificial rather than natural grass and designed to <br /> allow infiltration. <br /> Habitat benefits were described as limited due to the surrounding developed residential neighborhood on one <br /> side and cranberry bogs and a golf course on the other. Nonetheless, the applicant stated that native plantings <br /> were selected to provide incremental habitat value to the extent feasible. <br /> Commission Discussion and Concerns (49 The Heights) <br /> Commissioners raised multiple concerns during discussion. Key issues included: <br /> • Mitigation Deficit: Commissioners questioned why additional mitigation could not be provided, <br /> particularly by converting portions of the proposed artificial turf area into planted mitigation. Specific <br /> suggestions included filling in a triangular area near an existing gravel or hot tub area with mitigation <br /> plantings. <br /> • Artificial Turf: Several commissioners expressed discomfort with the extent of artificial turf proposed, <br /> citing long-term environmental concerns, potential erosion impacts near the top of the bank, and the lack <br /> of regulatory guidance for synthetic turf materials. While reduced fertilizer use was acknowledged as a <br /> benefit, concerns remained about durability, microplastics, and long-term performance. <br /> 7 <br />