City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Conservation Commission, 8 Jun 2022

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6.8.2022 Conservation Commission

A

Thank you. Okay. um Welcome everybody to the june 8 2022 regular meeting of the.

A

Conservation, commission, the first order on the agenda is approval of minutes. um We do.

A

Have one um member absent today so abigail will be voting today as alternate, so um does anybody.

A

Want to make a motion on the minutes, allison I'll make a motion that we approved the minutes.

B

Of last meeting with the correction that andrew simonis was not here, thank you.

A

Good morning anybody else yeah. I have one small correction on uh page seven, uh the bottom of the.

C

First paragraph about the fourth line: up from the bottom: it says city, judge and it shouldn't say.

C

City, it should just say judge, so you can just cross a city. Okay. Thank you. Any other comments.

A

Anybody online have comments.

A

Nope uh jess's hand is up yay.

D

I just wanted to say that I'm gonna abstain for.

A

Thank you all right, so we have a motion and second thank you and then um we have two members that.

A

Are virtually participating, which is jess and also samantha, our vice chair? So we do a roll call vote.

A

um Ted, yes, lynn, here, yes, abigail allison, yes and jess.

A

Stay upstairs, oh yeah, thank you and samantha, yes and the vote. The chair votes. Yes,.

E

That was unanimous with one abstention right. Yep. Thank you and the next item on the agenda.

A

Is the wetland conditional use permit 2255 lafayette road? Is anybody here to speak to that.

F

Used to saying good evening- but I guess it's good afternoon.

F

Good afternoon my name is nicole duquette from gpi.

F

Also with me here from granite state convenience and coming man, roadside is brad perna.

F

Peter, do you have the plans, then I do I'm just getting into it now. So do you have the plan set.

F

Yes, please, and specifically, we'll start off with this second page of the plan set. Okay.

E

Let's find it here, it doesn't look like it's bookmarked to the plan so just to go through.

F

It um while he's pulling it up uh the the site, is um an existing 2.5, plus or minus acre site within.

F

The gateway corridor district you're, probably very familiar with the site, the burger king.

F

Site across from water country and next to it to the east, is a custom pool store and to.

F

The west is uh advanced, auto parts uh in the back there. There is a a large wetland system.

A

So I'm almost there sorry yeah you're on p, which I know it's sheet 2 sheet. 2 is the.

F

Existing conditions shoot 2 of the plan set. I got to get into the zoom, so the existing burger king.

F

Site does um does have a whole lot of pavement to it. uh They, I believe it has about 73 parking.

F

Spaces and a drive-through that goes around the back, so all of that will be raised. The existing.

F

Wetland buffer set back to the wetland buffer is about a foot off of the back edge of the pavement.

F

To the main wetland, it goes a little bit further away along the side, but I do want.

F

To mention that side, wetland over to plan left or east on the plan um is is a swale um that.

F

Is that is the outlet from the d.o.t culvert, uh the d.o.t culvert from route 1 or lafayette road.

F

Outlets out into that swale and brings it back to the main, the main wetland system. So it isn't.

F

It is kind of like a finger that that comes out from the main wetland system.

F

Do you mind going to sheet four.

E

That one, that one okay, so what we're proposing is.

F

uh um We're proposing is a 4970 square foot building.

F

It's going to be the common man roadside uh similar locations, there's one in goffstown.

F

uh Goffs falls road in manchester uh corner of golf falls, road and south willow street and.

F

Then there's another in plymouth street. This will be some similar to those.

F

It is a different building photo foot footprint, but this is their their new prototype footprint. So.

F

It's going to be common man roadside with a drive through I, as you can see on the plan. There is.

F

There we go right there, there is a main drive-through lane and then there is a secondary.

F

Drive-Through lane for mobile pickup orders to allow um for to allow the queue to go a little.

F

Bit faster, we are proposing 26 parking spaces and then an additional 10 spaces are allotted at the.

F

At the pumps, so at the pumps we have five fuel dispenser islands and that.

F

Means 10 fueling locations or the 10 parking spaces that we have there.

F

Do want to mention. We did originally way back when I can't even remember what month it was, but.

F

I think it was less last summer, maybe or at the end anyways we met with peter and the staff at.

F

The time um for a conceptual staff meeting and the original plan did show parking spaces. Okay, come on.

F

Sorry, this isn't working for me anymore,.

F

So we did find we did show parking spaces along the wetland finger. We showed it closer because.

F

There is the edge of pavement does come closer. We showed parking spaces there. We showed a.

F

Loading area, a bigger pavement area to the rear of the site closer to the main wetland system.

F

And I believe the usts were over on the left-hand side of the plan too. So in that meeting we did.

F

Talk it over with staff and and I believe mr britz made up the recommendation for us to shift the.

F

The plan so that it was closer to plan right thanks peter.

F

Okay, it's the top button. Okay,.

F

Thank you. Technology does not go with me all the time so.

F

So the parking spaces we did propose were over here um and then we had. We went further back.

F

Around here, because this is all existing pavement today, uh the dumpster is right. There today.

F

And so for the staff's recommendation, we did go back to the drawing board and we did remove the.

F

Parking spaces along the side. uh We did reduce the amount of parking spaces because we're allowed to.

F

Have the parking spaces at the pumps and we made sure that the usts were outside of the buffer.

F

So with the changes we've reduced, the the size site pavement by about 3 000.

F

But even more importantly, we've reduced the amount of impervious area within the buffer.

F

By about 9 000 square feet, so that is significant. The other thing to mention, too, is that we.

F

I keep on going for that bottom button. We've increased the distance to the buffer in both.

F

The main wetland right here and we've increased it over here too, so right now it just goes to the.

F

Existing pavement edge we've doubled the buffer distance along this edge and we're going from zero.

F

To about 20 feet back here and then all this pavement will be removed as well.

F

And we did come before the conservation commission, conceptually.

F

um At the beginning of this too, and there was recommendations to.

F

There was concerns regarding snow dump along this edge, because there is the wetland right here.

F

So what we did is we took this area and we depressed this area.

F

So that it it creates almost like a little rain garden just for snow down. There's no.

F

Storm water going there, it's just going to be for the melting of the snow.

F

So that it's not going directly into the wetland, the other thing that was mentioned was providing a.

F

A chain-link fence along the back of the site just to make sure that any flying trash or debris that.

F

Manages its way on the site is collected at the at the fence, rather than going into the wetland.

F

So just talk about the stormwater that we've proposed on the site: do you mind going to the.

F

Next page peter, thank you so there's various catch basins around the site and there are deep sump.

F

Catch basins with oil, water separator hoods we do have all of that does go in the back. We do have.

F

Burst defense, hydrodynamic oil, water separators for a pre-treatment unit, as well as an oil water.

F

Separator tank in the back just to make sure that any any oil that spills on this parking lot.

F

Is contained within either the catch basin, the first defense units or the oil water separator.

F

Tank then, the after the water is pre-treated. It does go into underground storage system.

F

That's in the back of this property back here and then it goes into a jellyfish treatment unit.

F

Which I believe the the city of portsmouth is very familiar with those jellyfish.

F

Storm water treatment units- I see them popping up all over the place so.

F

That is in the back and that's able to to treat all the water from the site so we're going from.

F

A site that has no drainage, no, no storm water treatment on site. All the drainage existing is.

F

Sheep flowing right into the wetland or to route one to assist to uh development that will treat.

F

All storm water, both pre-treat and treat all storm water before it does outlet into.

F

uh Outlet into the wetland or off the site, but that being said, if you have any questions.

F

Both myself and uh mr pernar are here for them. Thank you, alison yeah. I have.

B

I have a couple of questions um just out of curiosity, why is the sewer line moving.

F

The sewer line, so we did video the sewer line. It's a good question. We did video the sewer line and.

F

It is um it's an older pipe and it's all cracked up, um it's become, the pipes have become separated.

F

Along the way, so, instead of impacting the wetland, what we're proposing to do is with eastern piping.

F

Services going in and lining them the main at that service, so that we don't have to impact the the.

F

Wetlands so we'll plug it from within the main and then they'll uh put flowable backfill within this.

F

Section that we can't remove within the wetlands uh and then we're proposing the new, the new sewer.

F

Line uh to go in the upland, um so I was wondering if any of the you have that nice ev charging.

B

Area in the back there's the parking area, the patio and sidewalks can anything be made porous.

F

And I want to say no, I mean anything could happen with, we could put it, but as far as.

F

As far as porous porous concrete, the area in the back here.

F

Using the wrong button area back and back here, that is actually a concrete pad for the charging.

F

Stations themselves, so I don't believe we can use forest concrete back there, um because that.

F

Is not so much of a sidewalk as a concrete pad for those, uh so we're using it structurally. The.

F

Sidewalk along here this was moved out of the buffer, so that we did not have to do the porous.

F

Pavement along this way, this is a bituminous asphalt and not concrete. So in order to get.

F

In order to do porous pavement, you have to do a whole batch.

F

You're you're getting charged for a whole batch of pavement, rather than just that small section as.

F

Far as the pavement on the site, I don't recommend forced pavement for a drive for a gas station. No, I.

B

Understand that, but that's why I was suggesting sidewalk patio parking area, something like that.

F

The sidewalk along the building I'd have to look into a little bit more. I know for maintenance.

F

Reasons they don't typically like to have them right against the building um on a very frequented.

F

Site like this, but I I would have to do some more research on that. So was there a maintenance plan.

B

For the jellyfish filter, because I couldn't find it, it is in our storm water management report.

F

Towards the back, there should be a storm water management manual. Okay, with that inside of it.

B

Okay and then the the final thing is that the fertilizer should be slow release. Okay,.

F

I think that was one of the comments that peter had put on the the letter to so.

A

Thank you, others. Yes, um can you talk about um see the gas pumps are.

G

Within the buffer and close anyway, um can you talk about, uh and I don't know where the storage.

G

Tank is for the gasoline, can you talk about that's over there? Okay and the buffer line is back here.

G

Okay, um can you talk about what um protection your you'll have for any leakage or anything.

G

Sure it can um so I know you found them yourselves right now, but just for everybody's knowledge, the.

F

Usts, the underground storage tanks are as far as way as we could get them they're over here.

F

Located over here, we are in the buffer a little bit over here with. I think one of the dispensers.

F

um So around each one of these islands there are positive, limited barriers, also known as.

F

Spill protection spill prevention, grooves. um So those are your typical grooves within the concrete.

F

So that's our first line of defense. If anything, if say a couple of drops, go on the concrete.

F

Or a little bit of you know, someone takes out the nozzle and has that handle on and.

F

That will contain that within the dispensers themselves. If say, if a car still has the nozzle.

F

In it and drives off there's a shear valve there, so that will disconnect the it will.

F

Automatically shut off the the gas so that that is not a problem, um same thing with the actual.

F

Dispenser, I dispenser dispensers themselves if they get hit again as automatic shut off.

F

Underneath of the each of these dispensers, there is a sump um that contain that can contain any.

F

Fuel leakage as well. um Another thing that we have is there is an alert, sys alarm system, so each of.

F

These systems has an alarm system that detects minut losses in in fuel, so if they, if there is a.

F

Minute blossom fuel that will automatically shut down the system as well, so nothing can.

F

Be um going on underground that we don't that isn't alerted along with the pipes, the pipes are.

F

On double lined, while double walled pipes, so that, if there is a, is something wrong with that.

F

Interior pipe, the exterior pipe will collect it same thing with the the underground storage.

F

Tanks, those are they're now required to be double double walled, um fiberglass tanks.

F

So those will be per des regulations on the tanks and those have sumps underneath them as well. There.

F

Are vapor vapor prevention systems in it as well, so that we're not having the vapors of the gas.

F

Going into the air as well, so there are multiple, like checks and balances within the system itself.

F

um And I can provide you literature on on each one of these and I'm sure I'm missing one or two.

F

Of these, but I can provide a sheet of uh of what is contained in these systems as well. Thank you.

A

Any other question questions for others yeah. Well, I would uh many people that come before us.

C

There are close to wetlands in this situation. uh We asked them not just use. You know uh right.

C

Fertilizer, but if they could follow the standards of the uh northeast organic farmers, association.

C

And we can send you the standards, they're, very flexible and just the best practices and.

C

It's just for guidance so that you maintain the property with nova standards. That would be great.

C

Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions from those guys.

E

um Samantha has your hand up yes, okay, samantha.

D

um Yeah I had a question about the snow storage. You had pointed out that it was on the there's.

D

A small little section on the left hand, side of the property um and then in plan.

D

Four, it shows that it's in the front there's a big area in the front by.

D

I'm assuming where the signage is um alongside the sidewalk um are you using both. It seems to.

D

Me that the one in the front uh is a much better location than the one on the left.

D

Side so we always put as many storage areas as we think the plow truck is going to do most likely.

F

They will use that side lot line. So that's why we wanted to make sure that depressed area is there.

F

The front will be used to, however, if we get one of these huge snowstorms. You never know with new.

F

England, we do have to make sure that there's visibility to the site, so that area can only.

F

Be used to a certain point, so that area in the front will be used for snow storage as well as.

F

As the side there, I think I think the front one is more optimal, so if the other one could be back up.

D

As you said with, if it gets to the visibility point, I think that would.

D

Be something worth noting in your um you know: plow and operation management plan.

B

Okay, allison: do you ever take your snow off-site like if you know you're talking about.

F

Yes, um so there is a note on the plan that saying if, if the snow.

F

Areas are exceeded that the snow has to be transparent, offsite.

A

Thank you, jessica,.

A

um Not to harp on the snow case too much if you uh sam, asked a bit of my question, but just for.

D

My own clarification, so those two locations are where all the snow for the site will go.

D

Unless it's taken off like stuff, isn't gonna get pushed back against that chain-link fence correct.

F

So there's minimal area between the fence and the curb so it'd be hard for the plow trucks uh to.

F

Actually do that without taking out the fence. So no that would the snow storage.

F

Wouldn't be in the back there, it would just be along the side and in the front great thank you and thank you for addressing this. That was one of my concerns. Last.

D

Time you came before us, so I appreciate that you acknowledged it and made a plan.

A

And I I just wanted to on that note with the snow storage, um it's also the maintenance, the.

A

Winter maintenance part of it- and I don't know if they run into this in manchester, but it would be.

A

Great, if they were a company or whoever is doing it in-house to be certified for green snow pro.

A

Because they're so close to that wetland and none of your treatment is going to treat the.

A

The chloride, so it would be definitely helpful. Okay, we can look into that for the client as well.

A

um The other questions I have have to do with the um the planting going on. I think you have a plan.

A

On page 22 that you have, I don't know if you could speak to that a little bit, because I.

A

Know you're also cutting down trees and there's a lot of vegetation that comes.

A

Up really close to the pavement, that's existing, so let me go to. I did not memorize that one so.

F

I do not have a green thumb, unfortunately, so let me go to that page.

F

So I know in the in the memo that the staff put out there was a.

F

Mention of adding just while I'm pulling this out, there was mention of adding plantings.

F

Along where we're removing the pavement, especially peter, I'm guessing that your that's the landscape.

E

Plan but I'll go to any plan you want. No. This is fine. Okay, um I'm guessing that the.

F

The majority of buffer plantings that we want are back here so that will be added.

F

um As part of the staff recommendations, um as far as oh thank you, that makes it a lot easier.

F

As far as actual plantings go, we are moving we're not removing a whole lot of trees. They there'll be.

F

Some tree removal within the area that we have the sewer line going in last. It will request for.

F

Minimal trees to be removed for that sewer line and installation, but as far as actual tree removal.

F

Or buffer removal, there is a small section right here and it's literally just at that corner of our.

F

Charging equipment, storage, the rest is, and then just a small amount up here. So as far as.

F

Buffer goes we're actually going to be increasing that we're not going to be reducing that.

F

We are taking down that bigger tree right in the front here. I did have my landscaper look at it.

F

One is close to the multi-use path, so some of the roots will be damaged with the installation of.

F

That and two he he believed that it was close to its its um not at its life expectancy, but.

F

That we could be seeing some problems with it so that to plant additional trees would.

F

Be better than to have that one in the front, um and so we are proposing.

F

Trees up the front in the front of the you know, kind of street trees and those are.

F

Give me um english oak that and those are going to be in front of.

F

The canopy, the island in front of the canopy, the other ones, are snow.

F

Spring snow crab apple, which is the the crab apple that does not produce fruit.

F

And those are going to be along the sides there, the one on there is another. Oh sorry that one is.

F

Getting mixed up here so that is the one right here and the reason why we don't have it produce.

F

Fruit is because we don't want the fruit falling on the sidewalks and be becoming a liability.

F

The ones along the sides are honey locust, so what our landscaped architect tries to do.

F

Is tries to vary the trees along the site so that if there is a disease with one of them at least.

F

It's not hitting all the trees on the site. We are proposing different shrubs inkberry, which inkberry.

F

And dogwood, which are native species- spirea low? U, which is a typical of a commercial site.

F

As well as well as some perennials and grasses, the daylily and some ornamental grasses along the site.

F

Those are primarily around the building, with some around the sign up here and and, like I said.

F

Before we will be adding more buffer plantings along this edge and and more back here, where the.

F

Pavement will be replaced by buffer okay and then on the maintenance of that. Do you know how.

A

I mean I didn't see it in the maintenance plan, but I'm guessing it's in there. You know how often.

A

You're gonna, if there's grasses are you mowing? Are you just going to mulch or any of that so.

F

Brad, do you want to come up and explain? Do you want to come up and explain what you're.

F

Doing with the other stores, what your maintenance plan is for those.

H

uh So in our other locations, do you just want to introduce yourself sorry, brad parnell, with.

H

The granite state convenience. Thank you, so, in other locations we engaged third party.

H

uh Contractors to to manage that, and so it would be mode. I think it's weekly and maybe.

H

There's a skip week in the spring and in the fall there would be irrigation and same thing with the.

H

Plowing, we would hire a local contractor in this area to to manage all of that and they receive all.

H

The plans and and note to know where snow storage is and things like that. So we don't manage that.

H

In-House in terms of self-performing network, we outsource it. Okay, you don't manage it in-house.

A

And but you have instructions because um I mean there's a lot of talk about. You know making the.

A

Buffer bigger but you're, making the buffer bigger with landscaping and but maybe not. I don't know if.

A

You can explain that to me. Is there any because there's a large natural buffer buffer right now.

F

Yeah, so what would happen? Is that pavement it's behind the buffer that we're talking about.

F

Is over over behind the fence, I don't see that as being mowed, I see that as being seeded.

F

And, as recommended, we'll do a wetland seed mix back we'll change that to a wetland seed mix.

F

For maintenance, wise that that shouldn't need to be mowed that should be left natural behind that.

F

Fence the only maintenance that we may have to do is where the outlet is just to keep that clear.

F

Of any sediment along the side, you probably will get some mowing to the grass.

F

Just along the pavement, but again we can use that wetland seed mix if, if it's the preference of the.

F

Board we could leave that as non-mode in natural state and with just some some trimming along the.

F

Edge, you know with a weed whacker or whatever and as far as buffer plantings, those would be.

F

Our landscape architect would pick plantings that are native and no no or little maintenance needed.

A

Okay, thank you alison. I I would just like to suggest that they're, um you might want to just mow.

B

The areas that you were talking about, like behind the fence and along uh the side where the swale is.

B

Once a year and the reason that I say that is because you can start getting invasive seeding.

A

Okay, thank you any other questions, no comments. Those guys are good.

A

Virtual, I'm sorry no hands up no hands up. Okay,.

A

Yes, just to kind of go back to the conversation about the oil tank storage and I'm curious. The.

A

All the treatment that you described, the oil water separator that's to treat anything that's on the.

A

Surface right, that's sort of stormwater treatment: correct is there any, I mean. So what does happen.

A

When things maybe leak out of the tanks themselves, what is the so? I know there's a shutoff to stop it.

A

From going any further, but is there anything to do with anything, that's subsurface if.

F

You know if there is a leak in one of the tanks, maybe there's a malfunction in the tank or.

F

Something like that there is um a dual wall, so if there's a leak in the first tank that second tank.

F

That the second wall will will keep we'll um we'll capture it and there is a sump as well.

F

That will capture any oil, so it there are multiple layers of protection. Before anything happens,.

A

G

On that note of the double, is there? So um sorry, if I don't know this already.

G

um If one, if the inside wall fails on one of those, is there something a sensor that lets them know.

G

Yes, so that it can be dealt with before anything happens, if there's a drop in.

F

Product the whole system- okay, I figured there was but and then there's our oh, no okay,.

A

Do you mind just describing you described a sump system? What does that actually look.

A

Like is that, like a catch kind of like a separate basin or just a pump, so there's.

F

Within within between the walls, there is area for.

F

For the oil in between the two layers of the two layers of the tank, I believe there is another.

F

Sump but I'd have to go on the plans for that. I don't have them with me, but I can find that out.

F

On how much that would contain.

A

Any other questions at all.

A

Right anybody want to make a motion.

B

Allison um well, I just wanted to check to see if I had the stipulations right. Okay, so.

B

So follow know for standards that primary snow storage is in the front and secondaries in on.

B

The northwest side depressed area uh that the whoever does the plowing should be pro certified.

B

um And that we wanted to increase the number of trees where the pavement was removed on the.

B

Northwest side is that correct yeah, unless you want anything on the maintenance part of it, but.

A

On the maintenance part of it, the once a year mowing and but.

C

Following nova's standards- and no that was the first thing- she did say that yeah, okay,.

C

Sorry, on the second one allison, you said first plow to the front the second place.

B

Yeah, the storage is in front and the secondary is on the northwest side in a depressed area that was.

E

And what was the fourth one again, I'm sorry uh snow, pro certification.

E

The fourth one, uh one, two three oh increase, the number of trees in the.

B

uh Area where the pavement was removed increase the number of trees, though he said. Okay, thanks.

D

Did you want to add allison the.

D

What is it changing the seed and where it says, seed and long to the wetland mixed seed mix, yep.

D

It's I don't know if that's necessary in there and then your stipulation of mowing it once a year.

D

um And then the other thing I I didn't know is: uh if we wanted to add.

D

Making the patio permeable.

D

At least the portion, that's in the buffer with you know, whatever permeable, pavers or gravel or.

D

I don't know it doesn't need to be anything specific, just uh porous if possible,.

B

Sure I asked that but got a lot of resistance.

A

I think it might have been just the area where the cars are parked. Okay, but other patio areas exist.

A

Yeah, I feel, like the patio, should be more simple and it doesn't have to be the poorest concrete if.

D

That requires a whole batch. You know there's a lot of other materials they can use for a patio.

G

Is there an issue if it's against the building? Now so just to let you know the pat actual patio.

F

Is this area here that isn't within the buffer? The buffer line actually comes in right here.

D

Okay, okay, I couldn't. I can't really see that, but I I hear you.

A

Okay, so you've got like four stipulations. I think there were five.

E

Two, what was the fifth one, uh the wetland, seed mix and mowing it once a year? I had.

A

One question about whether or not we need to add the um fertilizer. You know.

A

Just slowly, slowly for a while! Well I figured that if we're following nofa standards, that that should.

B

Take care of it yeah, it would take care of it yeah. Okay, thanks and the green snow pro certification.

E

Was that a requirement or a recommendation? I suggested that it should be a requirement.

B

But if you think that it's better to no, I just want to clear the condition, get my notes right.

A

Staff memo also includes this request about signage along the wetland edge. I don't know.

A

If that's for the maintenance people, maybe the wetland edge, I put us I put in my memory.

E

That they could put signs to show where the wetland edge was.

E

If you guys that's up to you guys, you want to add that, yes, thank you.

A

Okay, six, do you want to okay, you want me to rattle them off sure. Okay, so I'll make a motion.

B

To recommend approval to the planning board, uh the application for lafayette road um convenience and.

B

Gas station um with the following stipulations, so one is that they should follow. Nofa standards.

B

Two is that the primary snow storage be in the front of the building and secondary on the.

B

Northwest side in the depressed area that the person doing the plowing is snowplow.

B

Snowpro certified that there's an increase in the number of trees where the pavement was removed.

B

That a wetland seed mix be applied and it's only mode once a year.

B

That there should be signage at the edge of the wetland, and we would recommend that.

B

There be porous pavement used for the patio or some sort of pervious material, perfect.

A

Thank you. Anybody want to second that also thank you. Have a gal um discussion.

B

I think it's an improvement over burger king, that's for sure yeah yeah.

G

Definitely I did have a question, though, about the snow in the front, though, because there are.

G

A bunch of trees in there stuff. So how does that? Well that they said that they were going to put it.

B

There anyway right so, but if that's the, I assume that they would accommodate logistically work.

B

Okay, all right and the snow is removed off-site once it gets to the point where.

B

It's blocking things, yeah, okay, okay, and we will do a roll call. Yes, please, okay, so the.

E

Vote and the stipulations were read out. Lynn. Yes, yes, abigail allison; yes, yes, ted! Yes, sam.

D

Yes, jessica, yes, okay, so it's unanimous motion passes. Thank you very much for your presentation.

A

The next item on the agenda is 70. Pleasant point drive somebody here to speak to that.

E

You got a separate one: okay,.

I

Good afternoon, madam chair members of the commission, corey caldwell of tf moran.

I

With me, today is the owner and applicant rebecca rowe of katera llc.

I

We also have eric burke our landscape architect with terrain planning and design, and we have ben.

I

O'shea builder or mojay, building company and jason cook a project engineer with tf moran.

I

Katera currently owns the three-bedroom house and ranch at 70 pleasant point drive on a 0.642.

I

Acre lot, the lot's at the end of the cul-de-sac, it's mostly cleared and contains six mature trees.

I

Properties located in the general residence zone and it butts the back channel of the moscatico.

I

River on the south and the west, the home is part of a residential subdivision created in the 50s.

I

And the home that exists on the lot was built in 1957.

I

The existing home shown in brown on our colored site plan has a footprint of 1971 square feet.

I

It's an older style home with low ceilings. It has some structural foundation issues.

I

And it's not very energy efficient. The applicant is proposing a new net zero home with a footprint.

I

Of 2343 excuse me 2 343 square feet. The new home will contain two floors with a permeable patio.

I

To the south shown in gray on our color drawing because this will be a net zero home, the inner.

I

The energy efficiency of this home far exceeds what is currently there today. The.

I

New home will be moved back, an additional 15 feet from the back bay of the channel.

I

As to what exists today, the closest point of this new home is about 54 feet from the water's edge. It.

I

Currently sits the home that sits. There today is currently at 38.5 feet, away from the water's edge.

I

The lot is mostly open contains vegetated slopes between the lawn and the river.

I

The property has 336 feet of frontage on the back channel of the scatical river.

I

And the home sits on an elevated plateau that perches 14 feet above the river. If you go to.

I

The site at the end of the cul-de-sac, you have to go upstairs to get to that.

I

That level and it's a it's a beautiful sight that overlooks that the back channel of the.

I

River most of the property is within the 100 foot wetland buffer zone between the home and the river.

I

Is a steep slope which in some areas ranges from 60 to 70 percent? This slope is vegetated.

I

However, it contains a mix of ornamental native and invasive species. The toe of the slope.

I

Is broken ledge and some rip wrap it's pretty well armored site. We believe ledge secures it well from.

I

The channel of the river and its elevation of 14 feet above the river gives it much plenty.

I

Protection from any storm damage that the river can serve up, we're trying to improve the aesthetic.

I

Value of the site and its environmental impact on the back channel of the river, this is being.

I

Accomplished in five ways: first, we're moving the new home further from the river, which creates more.

I

Space between the top of the slope and the home, which allows us to infill it with some plantings.

I

There are on sheets, c3 and c04 in your packet. There are red lines on those drawings which.

I

Represent the footprint of the existing home sheet c03 also shows the existing patio. The steps in the.

I

Driveway shown in a red line with the proposed home and patio and driveway shown in the back.

I

And when you look at those sheets, you can see just how far this new home is being pushed back further.

I

From the water's edge, the home is pushed back 15 feet from the water. The steps are pushed back, 30.

I

Feet from the water and the new driveway is pushed back an additional 20 feet from the water's edge.

I

This additional space allows us more room to install native plantings, as shown on our.

I

Landscape plan in your packets, the second way we're improving the site, isn't with a reduction.

I

Of impervious coverage, the existing home, driveway steps, patio, etc and all those impervious features.

I

Account for approximately three thirty six hundred square feet or thirteen percent of the lot.

I

We're reducing impervious coverage by ninety six square feet or down to twelve point seven.

I

Percent coverage of the lot third, and what I consider most important improvement is we're.

I

Improving storm water management: if you go to the site today, you'll see you go up this plateau.

I

And the roof is guttered, but the roof. Runoff comes down the downspouts into a four inch. Pvc.

I

Pipe and then they all directly discharge right to the river, and we found three points of discharge.

I

Coming out the bank to the river, the rest of the sites flow from the patio, the steps in the.

I

Driveway sheet flows across the lot directly discharging into the back channel of the river.

I

Where? First we're reducing impervious coverage, which will reduce some runoff.

I

We're also capturing the roof runoff and diverting it to the pervious patio in the back via an.

I

Underdrain, so all the roof runoff on the south side is captured with downspouts and then there's.

I

A perforated pipe that runs through that pervious patio in the back, which is a series of stone.

I

And infiltrates in where we're getting treatment and not discharging directly to the river.

I

On the north side of the home, we're collecting roof runoff via a stone drip edge, which then.

I

Flows into a rain garden on the north side, there is an overflow protection from that rain garden.

I

Which would discharge to the south, but most of all of the roof runoff is being captured.

I

And stored and infiltrated on site, we did a series of test bits to make sure we've got.

I

Good soil, well-drained soil and we do the site- is a good good choice for infiltration.

I

And we're proposing all storm water management to to infiltrate.

I

Be treated on site, which is significantly reducing the discharge to the piscatica river.

I

25 percent of the roof runoff flows to the stone drip edges, then overland to the rain garden, 34.

I

Of the roof right off flows to the drip edges on the southeast corner of the house,.

I

Which contain landscapes with native plantings and 25 percent runs over land to the rain garden.

I

The other way we're improving storm water is we're capturing it and treating it via a new pervious.

I

Driveway, the driveway: that's there today is pavers, but it wasn't constructed of a pervious nature.

I

There's no joints and there's no layers of stone or adequate layers of stone. If you will below that.

I

Driveway, this driveway captures some sight runoff. It also captures any storm water that would flow.

I

Or directly onto the driveway, and allows that to infiltrate and get some treating treatment.

I

The fourth and fifth ways: we're improving this site is with many plantings, as shown on.

I

The landscape plan post-construction this site will contain much more native vegetation than.

I

What exists today and we're also managing the invasive species on the slopes, I'm going to ask.

I

Eric from terrain planning to come up and take you briefly through that landscape plan.

I

And how we're improving the invasive species on that site and then I'll close? Thank you. Thank you.

J

Good afternoon my name is eric buck. I'm a landscape architect with terrain planning.

J

And design um so the the the slope that the the buffer that runs in the southwest south.

J

And and southeastern portion of the site is a combination, as corey said, of some invasives.

J

Some ornamentals and some natives it's kind of an overgrown mess there if you've been to the site.

J

Natives, sorry invasives that we've identified there are asiatic, bittersweet, japanese, knotweed.

J

Multiflora rose and fuzzyducia majority of these are small young plants that are sort of struggling.

J

For survival in that zone, so the idea with any of the invasive removal, given the degree of the slope.

J

That's there is, is minimal soil impact, so the the smaller plants can be pulled out with the less.

J

Aggressive roots, anything over one inch would have a cut and dab method recommended for the removal.

J

The ornamentals that are there are also going to be cut back and controlled. As I mentioned, a.

J

Lot of them are sort of overgrown and beyond their usefulness, and then we have a large.

J

Native palette of plant material, that's going to go along that slope area as well as in the.

J

Plant beds that are surrounding the the new home in the front entrance way so part of our.

J

Charge was to develop a landscape plan that is as low maintenance as possible.

J

And so that leads itself to a very native pallet, even in what would normally be an.

J

Ornamental bed around the foundation so we're looking at things like shadow service, berries.

J

Various summer suite cultivars, silky and grey dogwoods, the winterberries virginia rose, we're.

J

Also, looking at a palette of native perennials and ground covers that'll make up a carpet along.

J

The mulch beds, with the intent that these areas aren't things to be re-mulched every year, as you.

J

May expect in ornamental beds, but creates a ground cover matting that allows for moisture retention.

J

And then sort of snuffs out any weeds and invasives that may want to grow in those zones.

J

Okay, thank you. One other thing to mention is, as corey said, the slope area is fairly leggy.

J

So we have some concerns about soil depth and proper planting installation there. So that's.

J

Why, in your packet, we have the one method of grow socks, so any area that has minimal soil.

J

Our plan is to do either live, staking or plug installation in those slope.

J

Zones again to minimize the amount of erosion that may occur during planting okay. Thank you.

I

We realize you're just seeing this for the first time. Our main purpose today is to present the.

I

Project explain the benefits. Allow you some an opportunity to give us some feedback concerns we'd.

I

Like to address those concerns into into revised plans, we have started wetland. Excuse me, state.

I

Permitting wetland and shoreline permitting we like to do that once and with any feedback we get.

I

From this commission we'll revise those permits and submit, we do realize we we do have to come.

I

Back when the state permit is submitted, but we're hoping to get some feedback from the commission.

I

Prior to uh submitting that wetlands permit so that concludes our presentation and we'd.

I

Certainly like to hear any suggestions, you have or feedback that you think may improve the project.

I

Thank you thanks for mentioning that, because I you saw the memo the staff memo too um it that's.

A

Going to be my next question so sure that helps a lot appreciate it allison. You have questions.

B

Yeah, um one thing that I wanted to suggest was potentially rain barrels just to capture some.

B

Of that water, sorry rain barrels, rain barrels could potentially capture some of the water.

B

um And then there are a couple things shown on the planner or uh like there was. There was.

B

One thing that said something about blasting: are you doing blasting on the site only if necessary,.

I

Don't know that it's going to be necessary if you, when you, when you go to the site, you see.

I

Down at the toe of the slope, the ledge is kind of shelly broken up. We think it can be broken up when.

I

We excavate for the new foundation keep in mind that the um the new house is being pushed back.

I

Further and that what we don't know is what exists under that that ground, when we push this site back.

I

Further, so we think it can be broken up, but just in case you know it may have to be blasted out.

B

um And then the other thing is that that you have a a dock and you have steps, and you have.

B

Nothing that's connecting them and usually when we see a dock, there's a separate proposal.

B

And we have no information about it here, yeah that that was just intended to show as a placeholder.

I

With the state permitting, the the dock will be part of the state permitting um just wanted to.

I

Put this commission on notice that a dock is proposed. It won't be in that location.

I

uh It'll probably be further to the southwest, but that will be part of the state application which.

I

You'll get a greater chance to see. Is there a uh a 25 foot vegetated buffer there's an existing.

I

25 foot vegetated buffer yeah and that's the slope of that steep slope. That's out there.

I

We're the only we're not proposing to cut anything in that buffer, we're only proposing um invasive.

I

Species management and, if anything, where there's, if there's an area where there's lawn.

I

In that buffer, which is very sparse, but there is a small area, we'd be planting in that area.

I

So, if anything, we're we're increasing vegetation in that 25 foot buffer, not not proposing removal.

I

Of anything in it other than invasive plants, um another thing I would like to suggest is that.

B

If there are lawn areas, which I'm not sure there they're indicated here, um eco grass is something.

B

That you don't have to mow on a regular basis and it gets to be about five inches or so, and then.

B

It just sort of flops over and it's just very you know, you talk about low maintenance. That's that's.

B

Very low maintenance and it's nice not to have unless you're, using an electric mower, of course,.

B

But the gas and oil from that kind of cutting equipment isn't good near the water.

B

And then, in the notes to the contractor, you should have the slow release, fertilizer and.

B

You know that we like to have everyone follow the nofa standards, if possible,.

A

Okay, thank you. um Yes, there we go yeah um from the drawings and the thing that's up. It looks.

G

Like the the green, the kind of medium green is all lawn area correct, that's existing lawn area.

G

That's existing. um Do you have a okay so but that's the new house plan so yeah, um so you're.

G

Not increasing but you're, not decreasing the lawn area, we're decreasing yeah. um If you see.

I

Those darker green with the reddish brownish circles in them, those are new landscape beds.

I

Which is mostly over there is some landscaping there now, but there's not that much. Those.

I

Landscape beds are over existing lawn, so post construction, the lawn area will be less than what.

I

Exists today, okay, but you still have a lot of lawn area inside the 50-foot buffer zone, really correct.

G

um The the little deck out in the sort of the corner right on the edge of the water for where.

G

They both both are coming together. That circle, that's yeah, that's brand new, correct, correct.

G

um What is the lighting plan for all of this outdoor stuff the circle and then around the house.

G

Because that's you know, habitat is a important part of a buffer zone, and that looks like that.

G

Could be a lot of light pollution yeah. There's no plans that I'm aware of to light that.

I

Sitting area there'll be lights, obviously for the patio building mounted lights, but there's no.

I

Lights, other than building mounted lights proposed. Okay, um these the stairs that you have down to the.

G

Proposed dock, the the existing stairs are really close to the end of pleasant point drive now right.

G

So they've moved more toward yeah. uh No, those stairs are what exist today. Oh, they are those.

G

Are the ones okay? Those are wooden stairs, yeah? Okay, it was pretty cool when I saw them.

I

Yeah, what's interesting is if you go down those stairs from those stairs left is all salt marsh.

I

From those stairs right is kind of barren rocky beach, the dock is certainly going to go.

I

To the right more probably closer to the point, but that will be detailed on the the.

I

State submittal, where we are we're not going anywhere near the salt marsh with the with the.

I

Dog yeah. Okay, I think that's all my questions for now, but thank you and was it samantha yep.

D

Yeah um just to kind of harp on everyone else's point. I would probably like to see less lawn.

D

And more more plantings, maybe a few more trees. I know you're taking one out on the north.

D

I guess northwest corner of the house um that I'd like to see replanted somewhere and then um I know.

D

The dock isn't in front of us yet, but just to kind of get an idea of where it's going to go. There's a.

D

um Architectural rendering that's showing it you know coming out, I guess that would be north.

D

Or south west kind of coming off in between those two trees is that, where it's planning.

D

On going possibly we're still we're still discussing the best location for the dock,.

I

uh It hasn't been determined. We just know that, um where there's salt marsh is not an option and what.

I

That leaves is where it's shown to if you're looking looking at the plan where it's shown.

I

And west are our options. We cannot go from where it's shown east, because that's all salt marsh okay.

D

um Yeah so then I guess my my major thing would just be um to try to reduce lawn even further.

D

A

Yeah yeah, you included this whole brochure about the green locks. You know the sort of I'm curious.

A

Where that would go, and is that just for planting or is it also for stability of the shoreline.

J

It's a combination of both the the.

J

The plant bed, um the buffer area, that's along the 25-foot buffer, uh has sort of a flat.

J

Zone of planting and then it sort of slopes down onto the top of the the ledge and so.

J

There's a balance of how much soil disruption do we want to do in those slopes versus providing an.

J

Opportunity for this native plant material to grow, so we've had success with these grow socks that.

J

Get staked into the slope and provide a growing medium within a filtration tube that allows.

J

For the native plants to get a foothold without excavating into what might be an unstable slope.

J

To in order for plant materials to grow, so it's kind of a combination of slope, stabilization.

J

As well as just providing a controllable growing medium that isn't going to erode.

J

uh Over time right so where, where would it go exactly on the plan, uh so it if it goes anywhere.

J

It would be along that 25-foot buffer, so within some of those uh dark, green dots on the southeast.

J

South and southwestern portion of the slope, not the salt marsh side, not the salt, yeah, okay,.

A

Okay, um I had a question actually um well. I had a question about that. What is that made of.

A

I I looked at the brochure, but then I also looked online. I got two different answers, so some of them.

J

uh The the filtration tubes are synthetic material. um We've used uh hay wattles before that are.

J

Stuffed with that, so the hay eventually breaks down um and at that point the roots of whatever.

J

Has been plugged in or live stative have kind of taken over okay, so not using synthetics, not.

J

Using synthetics yeah, that's the intensity, correct! Okay! Thank you. um Other questions.

E

A

This is kind of a yes different topic, but is there a septic system here or.

A

Are you on city sewer? What's the city city.

A

um I had a question about the patio out front that little circle thing.

A

So I didn't have a question. I had a comment, I'm I that's pretty intrusive in the buffer area.

A

It's something that I would not recommend or approve of at this point I think you're kind of.

A

Pushing the envelope a little bit with putting something down by the water there right on the.

A

In the buffer you know pervious impervious, it's still going to have people down there and.

A

um So that that's something that was really a red flag for me. Okay, on that, I can understand.

I

That and I think um I think in the memo it was suggested or was asked of the commission.

I

If they felt the sight, walk was necessary and part of the reason.

I

We, like the sidewalk, is when you get out there, you can visualize where that patio is proposed.

I

And then you hit this, this large, dense, clump of plantings and then you're into like a 70 to.

I

80 percent slope down to the water's edge. So it's almost like you know the water's here you come up.

I

12 feet in that area or so, and then it levels out into the lawn area. So it though it looks.

I

Like it's on the water's edge on the plan view, it's really not an opportunity to go from that.

I

Patio to the water's edge because it's a very steep, dense slope, rocky slope. So for that reason.

I

You know, I hear your concern and if it was flat I think there'd be impact to the water's.

I

Edge, but for those reasons we felt it was a possibility, but certainly open to suggestions. Okay,.

A

Thanks so other comments, well, I think about that patio if they would move it away just a.

B

Bit further yeah closer to the other plantings on the other side, maybe, um instead of having it.

B

Be on the 20-foot point, further away from the water! That's what you're suggesting yeah? Okay.

A

Yeah I mean I feel like it kind of sets a precedent, but I agree that I think sight.

B

Wealth would be beneficial yeah. You too, any other suggestions before we.

A

Make a, I think, a motion to postpone, or are we all set with calling? I think we're gonna have to make a motion to postpone yeah so.

A

Anything else, any other suggestions. What we're looking for.

A

So it sounds like yes, just one background question: um is there a homeowner in mind or are.

A

You developing this for to put on the market yeah. The homeowner is here: okay, just curious in terms.

A

Of like how that conversation unfolds? Okay, sure, oh since we're not having a discussion I'll ask.

G

I went to check out the property, it looks like no one's living there right now. Is this a? Is this a.

G

Newest purchase, or this year yeah it was purchased and the homeowner just moved out last weekend.

G

Yeah, okay and um the previous homeowner excuse me yeah, um and um one of my concerns too. But since.

G

We're continuing I'm just going to throw this out since we won't be discussing inline ourselves.

G

um Right now, a lot of that area is one story. uh You know kind of the ranch houses and.

G

I feel like a second story right on that kind of promontory. Is, um I don't know it felt, especially.

G

Since it's inside the 100-foot buffer zone I felt like uh that was maybe you know. I appreciate the.

G

Fact that you're pushing it back but you're also adding a lot of um paving um and then you add the.

G

Second story and it's on a promontory and just sort of in terms of habitat um area you're. You.

G

Know adding another layer for bird strikes or you know whatever else, but just lights coming.

G

Out into the harbor, that's more light pollution. uh It's higher up it's! So I don't know that.

G

That was something that struck me because that whole area there are- I mean there are a few.

G

Two-Story houses um one's just actually pretty nearby just down the road, but most of it's one.

G

Story and as a result, it, I don't think it's as invasive um in terms of an environmental.

G

Standpoint, I think, but I don't know anyway so sure if I could address this, that was a concern.

G

You're going to redesign the house because yeah um so the the owners are a family of four.

I

And need more space than what's there today and there's two ways to accomplish that right. There's.

I

There's building a larger footprint right and what exists which goes out, which would expand.

I

The buffer impact or go up, we are staying within the zoning height restriction of 35.

I

Feet we are less than that, so we felt you know as designers that better to go up than increase that.

I

Footprint and that environmental impact. For that reason, we chose to add the second story.

A

um Corey yeah, I was the same suggests you know, consider some of the environmental.

A

Concerns with the bird strikes and the lighting and stuff like that associated.

E

With it not not changed to stories, but my suggestion, yeah sam samantha sam, see him.

D

Yeah on on abigail's point about you know the two stories.

D

There's you know looking out from the house. Obviously they want as much of an unobstructed.

D

View as possible, but also from from the water, you know again, like abigail, was saying being.

D

That it's kind of raised up and again to my point of adding more trees around there.

D

Does kind of obscure it from the water view and help it would help block some of that.

D

Potential light pollution from adding a second story and just maybe help it all.

D

Blend in a little bit more into the landscape, that would be just my only other suggestion. Okay,.

A

Good idea, okay, do we want to do a motion alison I'll, make a motion that we uh postpone this.

B

Application of a vote on this application until after sight walk. Thank you second. Could I just.

E

Say can we postpone it to next month's meeting just so we keep it clear in the record sure.

B

Let's respond to the next month's meeting for the site, walking inside.

B

We'll do the site walk for sure, but yeah abby seconded discussion.

A

No discussion and you guys want to do a roll call vote uh ted. Yes, I'm saying yes,.

A

To postponing yes, okay, yes yeah! Yes! For me too! Yes, yes, for alison! Yes for the chair, jessica,.

A

Yes, then, I'm sorry, I have to go now. Okay, thank you and see him. Yes, hey motion passes. Thank you.

A

We'll see you next time or at the site walk. Could we set a date for the sight walk while we're here.

A

Can you do that peter? uh I don't know, I don't know if I I don't have my calendar but yeah.

E

I can reach out to you after the meeting. Okay, yeah that'd be fine. Just you have dates in mind. uh Well,.

I

Just um we certainly want to come back next month, okay and so we'd want it as soon as possible. So we.

I

Can make the revisions and get okay incorporate these comments in any site, walk comments.

I

uh The deadline for submission for next month is june, 29th.

I

Which is three weeks so you know preferably in a week, but I understand we're all busy and.

I

We've just asked for it as soon as possible. Okay, thank you. Thank you.

A

Next on the agenda, we have 81 taft road anybody here to speak to that.

H

Hello members of the commission, my name is dave siccolone. I am the uh I'm here.

H

From yankee construction- and I am the general contractor on the project representing mr tom mida,.

H

There thomas tom and his wife, angela own, the property, um do you have the.

H

I'm sorry for the sight. I do yeah yeah great.

H

The project is a small 235 square foot edition. um Their property is located located on a corner lot.

H

On the corner of elwynn and taft road, there was some wetlands identified on the. I believe.

H

The town owned property across the road, so the buffer, extends across the pro with the north.

H

East corner of the property, I believe the there is currently about a little over 1900 square feet.

H

Of wetland buffer that goes across the northeast corner of the lot, the previously existing home.

H

About 160 square feet of that was within that buffer and then this new addition.

H

Would actually add seven about seven or exactly 17 square feet of impact to that wetland buffer.

H

Very small amount, as you can see the there's, actually a small gable detail on that bump out.

H

Facing elwin the roof line, kind of bifurcates, where it intersects with the wetland buffer, so.

H

All the rain that hits the essentially west side of that roof would then be directed back.

H

Towards the kind of side yard backyard, there are planting beds along the elwin road side of the.

H

House that would be extended along the addition should help with any catchment of any. You know.

H

Storm water that hits the roof there and when we as just a general practice all you know our.

H

Foundation systems footings are always set on washed, crushed stone and then backfilled with.

H

A combination of wash stones, sand and aggregate so basically providing excellent infiltration around.

H

The foundation from such a kind of de minimis amount of water that would be running off that.

H

17 square foot, it would be hard to imagine it would not be captured by just essentially the.

H

Aggregate and void space in that aggregate around that foundation.

A

Okay, questions alison yeah. So um what is that rectangle? That's on the uh elwynn roadside! There.

B

It's just, oh, that what that is, uh unfortunately, just when the pdf was, that was a small call out.

H

Box by on the survey map identifying the site, nothing there, no, it was just it just.

B

Didn't print well, there is a maple tree there is that being removed, or is that staying the maple.

H

Tree actually has been removed already it's been removed already, okay and I don't see any plantings.

B

On this plan- and I think that there should be yeah- we we, I guess, we're not a landscape architecture.

H

Firm but uh there is already a landscape bed along the ellen side and tom, actually we're just talking.

H

About it, he plans to continue that landscaping. Bed just for aesthetic purposes right along.

H

That uh elwin's side of the house, so though I think the current bed is probably about three.

H

Feet in width, it's you know your general kind of foundation plants, and so are you saying that.

B

um You anticipate that the water to come off the gable and then just be infiltrated into the ground.

B

What do you have a? What do you have around the edge? Is there just a stone catchment area.

B

Or yeah they're I mean we will backfill that foundation with stone and aggregate.

H

And that would be at least a foot to two feet off: no, no downspouts or anything like that. No there.

H

Are currently no gutters on the house on that side? Well, I think that that gutters are useful.

B

To avoid having a lot of runoff, we've had a lot of heavy rain situations. I don't, I don't know.

B

What the situation is on this particular lot, but um you know, particularly if you're doing if you.

B

Do have planting beds if you have rain barrels to catch the water, if there's a downspout and.

B

You can put it to a rain barrel, then you can use that water to water, whatever plantings.

B

You put in I, I think that there should be additional plantings, as I mentioned sure,.

H

We did, we did check the usda nrcs soil survey map. The property is located on sandy.

H

Loam, I've done other actually addition projects in the vicinity of that home.

H

And I dug myself there and verified. Actually I worked as a hydrogeologist for 15 years. I.

H

Have a graduate degree in hydrogeology and it is well drained soils in that area. Thank you.

A

More questions comments, yes, tim yeah. This is really a question for the homeowner is.

C

Many property owners when they're close to wetlands.

C

uh Agree to follow uh organic land management standards.

C

On their property and there's one organization, it's a northeast organizat northeast farmer's.

C

Organization- and they have a very good- we can get it to you. It's a very general.

C

uh uh Guidelines- and we just ask that you follow up for a ones and give you some real guidance on.

C

Native plantings and other things, it's a very useful book itself. You know uh so we'd ask.

C

That you try to follow organic land management standards when you maintain it in the future.

H

I'm tom yeah, if you send me that information I'd, be happy to.

K

To take a look at it share it with my neighbors too, or also yeah, we'll get it sure.

A

Any questions, no no skies, oh sorry, uh sam's hand is not up. Okay, oh yeah and just left so.

A

I don't think I had any questions other than a bit about the plantings which you seem to try to cover.

A

I think pretty much, um it does say in here wetland buffer plantings, but that's your intention. I think.

H

No, it says it on do sets map, it doesn't say, but it keeps running into the never mind. Okay,.

E

It doesn't say that it doesn't say that it runs into the other application. On my mind,.

H

No, but it would be very simple to add some plantings along the foundation there.

H

Yeah well no other questions. Anybody want to make a motion.

G

And make a motion: we approve this project. Am I doing this right? um Are there any stipulations.

A

I don't think allison only promotion that we recommend approval to the planning board of.

B

This application, with the following stipulations, that they follow know for standards and that.

B

They increase the uh plantings in the buffer area, all right I'll. Second, it thank you. Thank.

A

Let me do you roll call, uh let me just check on discussion. Oh yeah, is there any discussion.

E

Not from sam, it's a shame that tree got removed. Yeah, that's a big picture. There was actually from.

H

The previous homeowners there was like an old satellite dish that was totally ingrown in the.

H

Tree and the tree was like actually pretty dead, be good to put another tree in they absorb carbon.

B

I believe you know there was part of the project with the uh dimensional variants the fence had to.

H

Be removed so I mean there'd be a lot of options for them to probably add some trees or different.

H

Things for just privacy barriers, yeah. I agree with that. That's part of our future plans once we.

K

You know the construction is done. Thank you. All right. Roll call vote.

A

And I'll start with go ahead, you want to go I'll. Do it yeah sure, okay, sam? Yes,.

A

Ted, yes, allison, yes, evan, yes, lynn, yes and the chair votes. Yes, thank you very much. Thank you.

A

Okay, next on the agenda is 11 fletcher street. When I keep running into when I scroll down.

E

Sorry alex I'll get that up in a second, that's: okay,.

E

E

E

You just want the site plan.

K

I guess the site pictures first would be great if we could do that. The site photos yeah.

K

Okay and then I guess other people want that.

K

Thanks, um I'm alex ross uh engineer and surveyor. I made the plans for this site, I'm here with the.

K

Owner lanson lachance: this is a really simple project. What we have here is is a vacant lot.

K

Off the end of fletcher street.

K

And what we've been required to do, which is typically not required for any residential lot, is.

K

Dpw wanted us to do a storm water management plan and a drainage study, so.

K

We've been making plans toward that goal meeting with dpw.

K

And the plans that we have here are the end result and they reflect the recommendations of the dpw.

K

So you can see this this first sheet here shows the site, um which is surrounded by houses.

K

um And a wooded wetland buffer area, if we can go to the next sheet.

K

So right now this this parcel has been cleared and up on fletcher.

K

There is some ledge um and then the site slopes down the hill um towards benson, the next street.

K

And then off into um a wooded wetland buffer area and then if we can go to the next one.

K

um And in working with with dpw, we actually had a bunch of different design options. Our first goal.

K

Was to stay completely out of the 100-foot wetland buffer and not do anything in there.

K

But because of the site, topography dpw wanted us to put our.

K

Storm water under drain outlet, which is essentially I'm sure, you've all seen like a.

K

Foundation drain for a house, so it'd be a small four inch pipe with some stone around it.

K

They really wanted that in that back corner, where you can see here whether it's.

K

Not not a steep grade and headed directly towards the wetland.

K

That is not in that wooded area. Behind there.

K

So now peter, if we can go to the plans.

K

So on this existing conditions plan.

K

So this this is our parcel up here you can see there's some ledge outcrops up by fletcher.

K

And then this site slopes down the hill down here you can actually see that there's a house.

K

The neighbor's house way way down here, that's very close to.

K

We did delineate the wetlands and they're out here, so we have our 100 foot buffer.

K

Cutting across the site right there and then, if you could skip to the next sheet.

K

So this is our site plan. um You can see. We we've cited the new house.

K

And all the structures, the driveway, uh the deck everything beyond the 100 foot buffer. So there's.

K

Really nothing in the hundred foot buffer, but then dpw did want this storm underdrain located in that.

K

Corner um so we've done our best to design that so that it's minimal impact it would just be putting.

K

In a four inch drain line that, as it comes down that corner, it would run for about 12 or 13 feet.

K

Perforated in a stone trench and then there would be a an area of stone where it daylights.

K

And then we've also shown some wetland buffer plantings around that area in green.

K

um And and this site has gone through a bunch of different design options, um while there is ledge.

K

On the site, there is also decent soil on the site, so we did design a septic system for the parcel.

K

Leech field, because, as it happens, the city, sewer and water does not come all the way down. Fletcher.

K

So we we were able to do that. That was approved by the state and we did find that the soils were.

K

A four minute per inch perk, which is which is pretty good well-drained soils.

K

um Just by the location of that and the house we've, the owner has decided to actually.

K

Go down fletcher and then into sims to tie into the city sewer and water, which is what dpw prefers.

K

So there won't be any septic on-site it'll just be that house.

K

We we have done an extensive storm water management plan and a drainage study to review all.

K

The different storms that has been submitted to dpw, so it's really getting a very thorough review.

K

Which is typically not required for a resident residential parcel um and and very minimal impact.

K

In the buffer, um it'd be 550 square feet, but that would really be all temporary because there's.

K

You know when we're done, there's going to be a perforated pipe that had that drains.

K

To daylight, with a small area of stone, so there's there's no structure really in the wetland buffer.

K

So I think that covers just about everything. I'd be happy to go over any of the design features.

K

And review any questions.

K

That the homeowner can help out with as well. Thank you allison. So are those two small green blobs, the.

B

Buffer plantings you're talking about yes, so the remainder of that property is going to be lawn.

K

Well it it could be a mix. um You know right now the that that area to the west is a wooded.

K

Wetland buffer um to the west of the property, I mean this lot has been completely cleared of.

B

All the trees that were on it, yes, yeah, it would be great to see some trees go in there. It would.

B

Be great to see not so much lawn, um I'm not sure about where the water is running off the house.

B

But are have you thought about rain barrels? um We, we could add some rain barrels, uh you know and and.

B

Just taking a treed area and the amount of carbon that absorbs and just turning it into grass really.

B

Isn't going to do anything for the environment and uh grass in a sensitive area such as.

B

Right next to this wetland now granted, there may be, you know heavily wooded area where the wetland.

B

Is but it's it starts with this piece of property and so uh seeing an increase in the number of.

B

Plantings in this in the buffer area would really be appreciated.

B

And, as you know, we've said to every other uh project: that's come before us following.

B

The nofa standards is really important as well, particularly in a sensitive area like this. Yes,.

A

Did you have a planting plan for that? uh Well, we wanted to see you. I mean we've only.

K

Shown those two small areas: we didn't have a full landscape plan for the whole parcel.

K

And it, and I think the end result would be um you know: a mix of woodland, trees, shrubs and grass.

K

Part of that that backyard is is steep, so.

K

It probably wouldn't make sense to make that whole parcel of grass. You wouldn't want to mow it.

A

Right yeah, and my other concern is what I brought up with the others. Is that we don't really know.

A

What you're gonna do in that little buffer planting area and in addition to what allison.

A

Was asking it's, you know if you plant a couple of bushes and then you mow around them, we're really.

A

I mean it helps, but we're not adding any kind of you know. I guess real protection as far as.

A

You know natural infiltration and things like that. It's going to be a you know, lawn area, that's going.

A

To be a vehicle going on at to mow it, and it's just it helps if they, if there's a plan or an idea.

A

What's going to be done sure so, yes abigail um my my strongest point when I saw that lot was.

G

Why was everything in that buffer zone cut down and destroyed? uh It seems to me.

G

Is that okay, I thought you have to get permission to cut anything down in a buffer zone? Is that.

G

That whole lot is clear-cut ground up um and even a tree, a white pine off the corner. I don't.

G

Even think it's on the property, it was outside the the the orange markers that was cut down.

G

So- um and that was probably a two and a half foot diameter tree, I think so.

G

And there's an oak one up by the by the street: that's still there that has all the wood chips.

G

um Piled up against it, which side point. I don't think it's good for the health of the tree to.

G

Have um you know four or six feet of wood chips up against it? I think the bacterial and insect.

G

Invasion into the bark can destroy the tree, but anyway, um so.

G

That disturbed me, which kind of just set off a, was there. What was the reason for clear-cutting.

G

That um inside the buffer zone, sure yeah, so I uh anybody know if that's allowed. I can. I can speak.

E

To it, if you want go ahead, um if you want to do it later again, I can speak to it now. I agree. It's.

E

It it is unfortunate and unsightly and not great for the buffer. um Unfortunately, our regulations.

E

Regulate the first 50 feet of vegetation clearing, they didn't do any ground disturbance. They just.

E

Cut that whole area, so they didn't technically violate the ordinance but you're right. They.

E

They cut if there are stumps that are ground up, though I I find it hard to believe that the.

G

Forest just magically stopped at that property line. When you see it on the satellite, the google.

G

Google maps it's it's forested, so how is there no soil disturbance if you are grinding up.

G

Trunk stumps of old, you know wide diameter trees is that? Does that not count as disturbance.

K

I can answer that a little bit I I wasn't involved in the uh in the cutting of the lot, but I know.

K

I did speak to the contractor afterwards and um what he wanted to do was chip up as much as.

K

He can, as he could, and make a barrier around that property to kind of act as a silt sock.

K

So it's really a temporary measure. I I agree, you know it shouldn't yeah, but you're, taking.

G

Probably 50 50 year old trees out um that doesn't strike me as temporary because when you well that.

K

That's beyond the 50-foot buffer, so there is no requirement: okay and okay. um My other question was.

G

um You have the um what the db, what dpw suggested um was that drainage down in the corner uh since.

G

It's such a slow, steep slope. Why? um Why can't you go across more and stay in between the 50 and 100.

G

Foot buffer zone um because it's still steep and it seems like maybe water, coming at a less steep.

G

Trajectory I know, there's a filter, but maybe it's. um It comes down in a less aggressive manner.

G

So you mean yeah instead, move it up, yeah move it up the hill, in other words, yeah toward sure.

G

Is there a reason? Dpw said: that's the best place because it seems like it's closer to the house and.

G

Then it doesn't have if you're going in sideway. If you go off more to the left, you have more.

G

Percolation and distributed distribution before it even gets close to the other house, let alone.

G

The you know the wetlands, I mean yes further away. No, that that's a good point and a good question so.

K

um We did have other locations on the parcel um one. One was actually.

K

um More here kind of behind the house, but outside the 100 foot and then another one was up here but.

K

We did do a sidewalk with with dpw and their thinking is. The outlet should not be in a steep.

K

Area where you can see, as you go up that sideline on the left, the contours get closer and closer.

F

So they really wanted it in this in this area, that's very gradual down in the corner.

G

You can see also on this, this plan that that house to the south, you know probably the corner of that.

K

House is 15 feet from the actual wetlands, so that's in a low-lying area right and what dpw.

K

um Does not want to have occur is if, if we had a drain outlet over here,.

K

It would it could possibly flow more towards that yeah. I wouldn't have thought that I had it off. I.

G

In my thoughts, I had it going off more to the side so that to the left side of this, drawing.

G

Just to keep it further away from the house too, but the other house, but.

G

But it seems I mean, I know it's steep along that, but it's not exactly flat once you get to that.

G

Area where the little you know where that, where, where it's drawn here um still got a.

G

Good steepness, it's not exactly flat, but it is um less steep than the other areas.

K

And- and we can um add some details to that- the wetland buffer plantings around that stone outlet.

K

And even expand it. um What we're trying to do is really contain any disturbance in in any.

K

Area, but you know probably some red maples down there and other shrubs would would fit in nice.

B

I'm wondering about a rain garden, potentially yeah, so we did think about that.

K

In the past doing rain gardens under city review, they do like to have an underdrain, in other words,.

K

Your rain garden is up here and, and you have your filter mix, it comes down and it may be three feet.

K

Below the top, you have an under drain, so we we'd have trouble doing that down in that corner, like.

K

That so, like just in front of where you have that drain, you couldn't put a rain garden at that point.

K

um I I guess we'd have to come up the hill yeah um quite a bit to gain an elevation to do that. Okay,.

A

Because of the slope.

A

Yeah, it is kind of hard on a slope, but it's a good idea. Yeah.

A

um Other questions, sam, had her hand up, see him it's down now.

D

um Well, I I don't know if this should just wait for discussion, but um you know I just wanted to.

D

Say that, in light of how much disturbance has already happened on this property, with regards.

D

To the clear cutting I I feel like there needs to be, I need to see an extensive replanting plan.

D

In order to be able to move forward on this project in one way or another, and I guess.

K

Just to clarify there hasn't been any disturbance, there's been cutting, which is allowed correct.

D

Right no disturbance of soil, but this property has been disturbed in terms of the extent of.

D

Cutting that has happened for sure the buffer has definitely been disturbed in that way.

K

Right but but just to clarify you know if if there were a developed parcel similar.

K

To this, with the setbacks, and somebody wanted to remove all the vegetation on their parcel there'd.

K

Be no permit required, I mean we. We definitely want to do the best protection we can and just.

K

Want to make sure we have the regulations correct right. Yeah I mean I think it's in sort of exchange.

A

For you know putting in the bmp in the buffer you're, you know just asking for you to really do.

A

As much as you can to mitigate that well, you know I I personally, I have having trouble on this.

C

And I would like to see a a landscape plan before I'm ready to vote on it myself. If not, I'm going.

C

To vote against it, I'm just want to state that, because I want to see some sort of plan you know.

A

Okay, all right more, more questions. Yes, this is maybe just more of a background question, but.

A

Why is dpw going through all this extra effort with you? Is there a history of flooding? It.

A

Sounds like in those adjacent properties? Yes, so that parcel down here to the south.

K

Before any work was done on the site that homer homeowner has approached dpw quite a few times.

K

Because they're so close to the weapons. Because they're in such a low-lying area and because of.

K

That dpw said for this parcel: they want a full storm water management plan, a drainage study and.

K

All that to be engineered stamped and submitted, so we have that done that too, we've given all.

K

That to dpw right. Wasn't that also a board of adjustment requirement? Yes, I think it was okay, yep.

A

Okay, it's just kind of flooding, yeah and the trees just to like kind of reiterate.

A

I mean replanting that and putting trees in will also help with storm water too, because.

A

So much of the water gets caught, you know in the tree canopy and never even reaches the ground. No and- and I'm sure um the owner can speak to this, but I'm sure it's.

K

His intent that, after this gets built out, um there will be uh extensive plantings around the site.

K

And if, if the board needs a landscape plan to show how that's gonna shake out, we can prepare that.

A

Okay, thank you. So, in light of that, uh there's no other questions. I was.

A

I was wondering if the applicant would prefer us to postpone a vote.

K

um To prepare a landscaping plan, well that I guess what what are the options if.

K

Is it? Is it possible to review, as is with the condition that a landscape plan be submitted or.

B

I don't think we're comfortable with that. I think that we need to see the landscape plan before we.

B

Could vote on this? Otherwise, I think that from hearing from others that it would not pass so.

B

I think postponement and we can hear it again at the uh the next meeting.

C

Yeah would probably be your best bet. I know that the owner is up against a tight schedule.

K

But if uh and I don't know if you want to speak to that reason,.

J

My name is lanson lachance currently resident at 281 dennett and the owner of uh 11 fletcher.

J

uh Thanks for your time and consideration here, um so so a couple comments regarding the the lot.

J

um A few of those trees that were cut in that the the buffer area, they were.

J

Dying anyway, and so that was some of the decision process behind we do plan on.

J

Planting some new trees in there that the details of that aren't aren't here. Yet I would.

J

Really appreciate if we could get something approved with stipulations, because we are.

J

Running against construction schedules and whatnot and everything we we've done a lot of work to move.

J

The house outside of the wetland buffer, um you know those those types of things so um yeah just.

J

You know if we, if we postpone this further, it's just it's a it's a hardship for us and um yeah. I.

J

Would I really appreciate some flexibility if we could consider you know approving this with some.

J

Specific stipulations on planting, so thank you, okay, thank you all right. Do you have any kind of.

A

A vision for the landscaping there, no I'm I you know I'd I'd, really be interested to hear your.

J

Recommendations on stuff in this area- I'm not you, know a landscape expert myself, but you know.

J

uh You know we're quiet people, we like nature and you know so we you know we we do want. You.

J

Know to maintain that conservation kind of feel you know outside in the back of the house, there.

J

So if you do have some specific ideas, you know happy to you know, take those under consideration.

J

It's a great spot yeah. Thank you. If you want to save that oak I'd say: move the wood chips away.

G

Okay, um anyway, thank you. It's a cool tree. Okay! Thank you. Yes, no, I'm just wondering peter.

B

Is it possible for you to look at a landscape plan? I mean I want a landscape plan in place.

B

Before this is approved and whether we have to look at it or if you look at it, I think that's.

E

If you, if you can give me some guidance on what you're looking for so, do you want it to look like.

E

Like how many I mean do we want to just pick a number of trees? How do we, I guess, what I'm usually.

E

When we have the landscape planets, we want a nice bunch of shrubs in the buffer or something this.

E

Is like a forested landscape plant, I think you're yeah well well. I think that it depends on the type.

B

Trees that are being planted, but I think there need to be trees and shrubs, and I would say that.

B

If we had say maples, if we had them about 20 feet apart along the buffer area, that that would be.

B

A good start, so maybe oaks or you know those we're talking big trees. Okay,.

G

Oaks and white pines right now, yeah, and so if we could have something replicated that.

B

Is you know like what the surrounding canopy is? um That would be great. So a couple of.

B

Very large trees, unless they wanted to put in you, know a small orchard. They could do some.

B

Apple, pear, plum, there's lots of things that grow in this area, so they could. They could.

B

Intersperse, those between the 20 foot, sections of larger trees that would be going in and then.

B

Concentrate some native species down in the buffer area, where the infiltration trenches.

E

Yeah what I think I might do, I think I understand what you're looking for, but.

E

um I think if you do decide to move it on with me reviewing the plan. I might.

E

Bring the plan back to you, I don't know if the applicant has to be there or not, but let me give.

E

You my my thoughts on it and why I thought it was okay and if you want to ask them to bolster it up,.

E

Hopefully, they'll be agreeable to that, but it's unusual that we would do something like that, but.

E

You know if we want to try to meet his schedule. I think we can come up with a plan. It sounds.

E

Like he's agreeable to it, so I'm willing to work with with him. um How do others feel about that.

B

That's finally, I'm okay, if they're yeah, if there's certain stipulations that.

G

Yeah be great, if you give me a number of trees, if you want to do that, I'm not sure I'm not.

B

Sure what that section would be along that uh buffer boundary? Well, if you're, given even the.

E

Ratio of the 20 foot apart 20 feet, apart um of trees that are going to be 50 feet in height.

B

And then you could put smaller trees closer in that area.

K

And, and that would be along the hundred foot buffers a long hundred foot buffer, a hundred down.

E

To about fifty hundred and then down to the fifth slope, yeah everything that's been stripped out.

A

That corner of the property- yeah- probably not probably 80 feet, would be the closest to the house.

E

Yeah, because otherwise there's no, you would want them too close to the house. Yeah say 80 feet and.

A

I have a question that you have to go to the planning board.

K

Yes, we do because this is a conditional use permit for any disturbance within the buffer.

A

Can you put that plan together before the planning board meeting, because that.

A

Would give us at least a little? Yes, we can yeah and then that way can be conditional.

A

You can make a recommendation to the planning board yeah. I can say that it meets what the.

E

Conservation patient was looking for yeah and they'll have a better sense.

G

Okay, is that something you guys like come up with a plan email it out to us and we all.

G

Respond, or is this no, this is they would look it over yeah. I could bring it back to the next.

G

Meeting in terms of the planning board, I won't be able to do that. Okay, good point. Okay, sorry,.

K

And and just to clarify, I heard 80 feet from that. Well, I said the closest if you're going.

E

To be 20 foot spacing you wouldn't want to put any closer than 20 feet from the house.

E

The buffer line is right at the house, so that's why I was thinking the 80 foot from 80 feet from.

E

80 feet from the edge of the wetland would be the closest trees to the wetland got it.

G

Where the house is and then as it goes away from the house, it could maybe meet up to the.

G

100 go up to the 100 foot, long yeah, maybe yeah I mean we probably can have a back and forth.

E

On it alex, if you want to get a design sure I think aesthetically, it would be an improvement.

G

Also because right now you have this wall of tall trees um and, and you know, and there's a noticeable.

G

Thing so it kind of looks like wow what happened here, so I think it. I think it would be a benefit.

E

But are you looking for the whole area to be forested? Is that the no, I think, ultimately, the.

B

Tree canopy will hopefully over the longer they'll touch and and come together. But at this point.

B

Just 20 feet on center should uh should do it covering the whole area but out to 80 yeah. Okay,.

G

So be more like a glade, be sort of an interim. Is that that's what you're thinking right now, yeah.

B

And then, along that, that back corner, if there could be some native shrubs put in yeah right.

A

And alex, I think, a maintenance plan of some sort would be great sure, because.

G

Would there be an issue with light and the shrubs if we have trees and a survival rate on the trees.

E

Like 80 the first year, those first two years really did you have another question: abby.

G

um Just um if there's shrubs down around that drainage thing and there are trees around, are they.

G

It should be something that's going to work in a shaded area.

B

Yeah there are lots of natives. No, I know there are, but I didn't want somebody.

G

Just putting in something that needed a full sun and it's like a rhododendrons.

A

Okay, all right, so we need a motion, then, to go with this allison I'll, make a motion that we.

B

Recommend approval to the planning board with the stipulation that a complete landscape plan.

B

To the specifications that we have just suggested.

B

Be completed in time for the meeting in front of the planning board and that there will also.

B

Be a maintenance plan and that nofa standards are followed for maintenance of this property.

G

All second, okay, uh any more discussion, no.

A

Maintenance plan I mean what about mowing underneath the trees. Do you want to discourage.

A

That could it be a wetlands. Well you could. You could put in like that eco grass or something.

B

That really doesn't need to be mowed um or but the thing is that, ultimately, if you have.

B

Anything that's just bare ground you're going to get invasive species in there, and so probably.

B

Within the first few years, you're going to have to do something to keep that area down at least.

B

Once a year, but should they at least should that be part of the stipulation that they.

G

Plant something that is sort of a what about a wetland buffer seed mix mode manually. That would.

A

Be fine, okay, you guys. Okay with that yep, it won't be on okay,.

G

All right helps in the long term any more discussion, roll call vote. um Lynn, yes,.

A

Chair, yes, ted samantha, yes, okay! Thank you. Thank you very much.

A

Okay, next on the agenda, we have um 20 230 commerce way uh two things: one we're supposed to vote at 5.

A

30, whether or not we want to extend the meeting so does somebody want to make a motion right now to.

A

Do that allison I'll make a motion that we extend the meeting to accommodate the entire hearing.

B

Process necessary for the next application. Okay, we are limited till six o'clock. Okay,.

E

Yeah there's hdc today because there's another meeting: yeah, okay, okay, anybody want a second.

C

No second ted second, and can we do all on favor? No, oh shoot! Yes. Yes, I think the state law, yes abby.

A

Yes, yes, alison, yes, barb, yes, ted, yes, sam! Yes, okay, thanks all right, so we have 230 commerce way, go.

A

Ahead uh good afternoon, neil hansen with tyne bond, so we're here for a wetland conditional use permit.

L

For a project located at 230 commerce way, this is our third time meeting with you on this project, so.

L

Were here for a work session in february, and then we had a site walk on the 16th of march.

L

We also were met with tack yesterday and received a recommendation of approval for this project.

L

To move on to the planning board for the site review.

L

um So peter, would you mind sorry, thank you, so I'm just gonna run through some of the changes that.

L

Have happened to these plans since the last time we met yeah words since last time we met with you.

L

As peter's pulling it up, the biggest change to the project is the driveway that previously was shown.

L

Going to portsmouth boulevard has been removed from the plans, so the plans at this point just.

L

Consists of the construction of a two-story vet clinic at the rear of the existing parking lot.

L

And then the reconfiguration of the parking.

L

Facility between the existing office building and the proposed vet use.

L

This project is significantly reducing the paved area within 100 foot wetland buffer. It's a total.

L

Reduction of just over 5 000 square feet of paved surface, the remainder of the paved surface is all.

L

Going to be collected and treated through a storm water filtration unit, where the existing condition.

L

Of the site is entirely untreated and she flows directly into the wetland at the rear of the site.

E

What sheet do you want me to go to? uh I think it's like the. They just keep scrolling.

L

Okay right there that way, yep! So again, this is the site plan. um What sheet is that c102.

L

Not sure which number in the set it is so it's very very similar configuration to what we had.

L

Shown you at uh at work session minus the uh the driveway out to portsmouth boulevard.

L

um To the right of the plan, there is where you can see where we're proposing.

L

To restore the buffer area, so that is the area where we're moving pavement along with the area.

L

We are disturbing for the storm water outlet, which is discharging to that wetland area in the back.

L

The other two areas I want to point out here, while we're on the sheet, is at the top of the.

L

The parking area there's two sort of clouded hatched areas. Those are two proposed snow.

L

Storage areas for the this site, so they are right along the 100 foot, wetland bumper, but I do want.

L

To note that, along that, entire property line is a very large berm, so any of that snow melt as it's.

L

Melting is going to actually sheet back into the parking lot and then be collected in the storm.

L

Water system and treated before it gets discharged because that so then, that berm wraps around the.

L

The kind of the top of that parking area and then also down the the right side of the site.

L

If you go to the next sheet, please.

L

So this is our grading and uh drainage plan. So, as I've already stated, all the.

L

Surface runoff from the site is, is being collected, it'll flow through a jellyfish filtration unit.

L

And then discharge out to the the rear of the site, which is on the right of the sheet here.

L

We had some comments when we met with the previously work session about trying to.

L

Reduce the run of that outlet pipe and pull it as far away as we could. Unfortunately, given that the.

L

Grades of the site uh that you know the discharge elevation of that is was such that um that's kind.

L

Of where it had to end up, if you could go to, I think, skip the next sheet and go to the one.

L

Yes, thank you uh and then also included, is a landscape plan for the project area.

L

So uh all new plantings in the landscape islands, because we've had to relocate a number of those.

L

And then the buffer enhancement, restoration area is a wetland.

L

Buffer seed mix lined with shrubs and trees along the existing tree line.

L

And then, in the cover letter with the submission we we addressed the six criteria.

L

For the conditional use permit, um I don't think I need to run through those that I think pretty.

L

Straightforward application as we're mostly removing all the impervious out of the buffer.

L

So take any questions at this point. Questions yes alison. I just can't commend you enough for.

B

Not putting that roadway through to portsmouth boulevard, really yeah, I think that's exactly.

L

I think we got the exact same feedback from every board we met with. So um thank you.

B

I'm pretty good with it. Okay, I'm I'm good too, even though I'm not allowed to vote stan.

D

Yeah is there a um fence, um that's going down the line of where all those buffer plantings are going.

D

To be so in between the one-way road and the new buffer area, so there is not, I know, on sheet c102.

L

There is a call out for one which should have been removed that was caught yesterday. Attack.

L

Okay, there are- and I I did not mention this earlier, but there are two.

L

Fenced in areas adjacent to the building for pet relief areas, there's one.

L

There's one right at this corner of the building, which is for.

L

Yes, it's not the right word patience. Also, not the right words.

L

Yeah people bringing their own dogs out and then there's a second area at the back for staff.

L

uh To bring the dogs out that are are being uh kenneled, their post or pre-surgery, and those are.

L

Fenced and enclosed so that that will keep the uh pets from doing their thing out in the buffer area.

D

I think if there is no fence, which I think is fine, I think there should be some signage up just to.

D

Show that this is a wetland buffer and to make it very clear that it is not to be used for pets.

A

D

That's it for me, thank you ted you all set. Yes, I didn't. I wasn't here when you came for your work.

A

Sessions, I just wanted to make sure I kind of understood the project so you're actually.

A

Like ripping up pavement and creating vegetation peter, could you go back one sheet for me? Please.

L

So this is the existing condition of the site. It is just a large paved parking.

L

Area uh and then you can see along the back here this bag and a line is the buffer line.

L

So all of this pavement, that's in the buffer, is being removed as part of this project.

L

And then the area where that pavement is is going to be restored and planted with with.

L

The wetland buffer mix and shrubs and trees that's great, and it's awesome that you're, like.

A

You know redeveloping a parking lot and adding some pretty wasted. Some additional use totally.

A

um I had a question, so this is the one where your weed barrier fabric. I did look that one up.

A

Is polypropylene? What is that? Which was that it was a weed barrier fabric.

A

And I don't know what page that's on, because I can't find the same page.

E

In the details it might be in the details: yeah, oh you're, looking for it now, I'm looking better.

A

Is it a planting detail or was it something else? Why is it not telling me what page.

A

It's on page 215 of the packet.

A

So I don't know if that helps.

A

That's the whole packet yeah. I can't I don't have numbers and because I'm.

E

Sharing my screen, I don't think I know you don't have the numbers yeah. So 215 um is c506.

A

L

Is it on one of the planting details, maybe yeah and one of the which one is it.

E

Which would you in one of these planting details yeah, I think so, but I just wrote down 215.. That's.

A

The problem with doing this c5- oh you wrote it down before you, you don't see it now right, c5.

A

I was just going to look at my screen. Six yeah hold on. Let's see if I can find oh wait, I found.

A

506.. Okay, thank you. I'm just going to say it's page 20 if you did the packet but yeah, so it's.

A

On um c506, under perennial planting, you have a diagram, I think.

A

um Do you see the diagram yeah so at the top it says: weed barrier fabric, murafi.

A

Mir escape or approved equal, yes,.

A

So it'd be nice not to have polypropylene all over the place.

A

If you can come up with a so, you want a natural natural.

A

I know it's going to biodegrade it eventually, but so does the polypropylene yeah.

L

That's yeah, that's fine, like cardboard yeah like cardboard or something and just maintain it.

A

My other question was a little bit on the. um I just want to reiterate the signage at the.

A

Very least on that area that you have where the wetland seed mix is and the plantings are yep.

A

And the maintenance of that wetland, seed mix just to be mowed once a year or whatever. Yes, that is.

L

The intent, that's it any other questions from anybody, no no want to make a motion.

B

Yes, I'll make a motion that we recommend approval to the planning board of 230.

B

Commerce way with two stipulations, one is that there's signage regarding the.

B

Wetland buffer and no pets allowed and then a natural weed barrier, not plastic.

A

Thank you discussion. Oh second I'll. Second, I was all ready, happy seconded and discussion.

A

I think everybody kind of mentioned that moving the driveway was awesome. Yeah. That's that's the.

G

Only issue I've had before. That's why I wasn't. Actually I I don't think we can have you second.

A

Right what abigail can't? Second, oh, I can't second person, although they took out the issue.

G

I talked about so that's why I was when you said. I was like well wait a minute. Why? Because, anyway,.

G

Okay, that was the only issue out of it just to so I'm out of that yeah. Somebody else is clean.

A

Second, one second, sorry, and um we had discussion a little bit and no other discussion.

A

We're going to do a roll call, samantha.

D

Yes and lynn: yeah, yes, and we have one of steam and allison. Yes, abs and ted.

A

Yes and the chair votes. Yes, thank you. Thank you. Okay. Next item is other business. um We had a.

A

Couple of things, I think, was the information that ted had sent out ahead of time um before we get.

A

Into that peter did we have one two other business ones is in addition to. That was the meeting with.

A

Those guys well, the document that allison sent out was awesome.

A

um If you have a chance to look at it, get some really good background information in there.

A

um So I suggest going through it for the coastal flood risk yeah and then there's.

A

They're going to talk about that yeah and then, in addition to that, we were going to be doing.

A

We brought up last time that we were going to participate in a coastal flood risk.

A

Sort of session really right, yeah an all-board session, so the cooperative extension at unh.

E

Has as part of the coastal adaptation network has been trying to get communities.

E

Together to just talk about the state's coastal flood risk and hazards guide and.

E

They want to talk to communities, especially the boards and communities, so that they're aware.

E

Of what the state perceives as a coastal flood risk so that, when boards review applications.

E

They have a better understanding of sort of the. What the state understanding is is that what the.

B

Joint meeting is or is that the joint meeting is on june 29th and that's a different meeting. That's.

E

A conservation, commission and planning board just to talk about wetland regulation. This would be a.

E

Later date, probably in the winter, um and it would invite all the different landis boards.

E

Just to learn about coastal flooding just keep so ties in bit with your document that you had sent.

A

Out too, which was good timing yeah and the 29th is um that's something that we should all attend for.

A

Sure, because it's an opportunity to be with those guys and then also there's going to be some really.

A

Good presenters, I think, on wetlands and steve buckley and sandy crystal what day is that going.

C

To be that's june, 29th, the the conservation and planning board is june, 29th at 6 00., 6, 30, 6, 30 p.m.

D

Thursday, is there a zoom option? Do you think, probably okay.

A

Yeah because it has to be videos, yeah it'll be at least broadcast, but probably zoom yeah.

E

So you can ask questions, I believe I'll double check on that. Okay and then you just wanted to.

A

Mention that kate had started working and what she would be doing. So everybody knows kate omay is a.

E

Associate environmental planner so she's going to be able to help us.

E

She's, probably going to help with the conservation meetings to some degree and also.

E

Get us she started already looking at our conservation lands. Looking at the.

E

Pool of study and trying to do better for the city to do a better job of.

E

Being stewards of our conservation land so and then she's also going to work on.

E

The climate action plan, um which will be ramping up starting in the summer with the rfp, but then.

E

The plan will get going in the fall in terms of the writing. The plan there'll be a lot of.

E

Outreach with that too so it'll be really good to have the help and there's a lot of other things.

E

We're working on as well glad to have you yeah really excited. Okay, so I mean there's.

A

Other things, but look we're running out of time, so um yeah I'll be pretty quick. You know.

C

Basically, the city council passed a resolution back in 2017 and I'll read part of it.

C

Not only were they not to use pesticides on city-owned property anymore,.

C

In addition, city staff will consult with the city conservation commission to prepare an.

C

Outreach program outlining viable alternatives to synthetic pesticides for the general public's use.

C

And I think there was a hope here that is part of the messaging on stormwater. They could handle.

C

This as part of an outreach program too, but in my opinion, what was accomplished by this mailing.

C

Is not an outreach program and I don't think we've accomplished that goal.

C

We've met that what the city council asked us to do, so I like to propose is that we can talk about.

C

Another meeting, but we set up a a working subcommittee. Not just have you know, you know poor.

C

Brian guest is a busy guy, so peter you announced that the last meeting in december that we're going.

C

To do something kind of like the province plan, and this is really good and that the stormwater.

C

Division is going to oversee it and make it happen, so I immediately contacted peter. I think once.

C

I think I must have ceased you peter, but I reached out to brian a number of times.

C

That never really happened and what they did actually probably was a negative more.

C

Than a positive one, when they actually came out with so I'd like to have something set up, that.

C

uh Some sort of little subcommittee that it could be the working people like someone like colin.

C

Hallowell or chuck baxter, who were both accredited in organic land management, they should be part of.

C

Setting up an education program, you know they're, very knowledgeable, uh folks, there's somebody else.

C

That somebody mentioned this stevie rafferty. I think that works in stormwater management or.

C

Something she's the one that actually does those little movies and puts those things together is.

C

She, the one she's gone she's. She left, whoever we would replace her. Is there another function.

C

You know just so, we could have a few means and throw out some ideas and.

C

And see what we can do, because nothing happened and we still well. I guess I would disagree that.

E

Nothing happened. I think that that outreach piece is significant and I wouldn't say it's a negative.

E

I would say it's a positive and it's and it's a step in the direction of doing things so.

E

All right, let me I didn't want to do this, but I will point out. I said this to brian. He sent me.

C

Some kind of draft like this I said this is going to be the whole thing, and I said, first of all,.

C

You don't want to tell people to put a half an inch of compost on all their lawn.

C

It's very expensive to do and they're not going to get the results they expect. So then, the very.

C

Next year, they're going to go back to using the scots for whatever they've been using. You know.

C

And then there's some typos in here, and that said for more ideas, notify.net.

C

That's not even a real address, it doesn't take you anywhere.

C

Nofa has a very good program for homeowners and I had sent brian the link for that. This isn't.

C

Even the correct link, if you just sent her out, I guess I would say it's. It may not be perfect.

E

But it's a step in the direction that we're trying to do and it's not the end point. It's not just one.

E

Effort, the idea according to brian, is that they will continue to do outreach as part.

E

Of their program, and if you have suggestions for improvement, I would say that those would be those.

E

Will be well received yeah, but I point out: this is the exact same card they sent out there before.

C

Pretty picture on one side: you're wasting all the space, you can body information. We have this.

C

Little piece on the other side I mean you know: I sent out tax bills and property tax information.

C

For years you know you want to get the most out of any mailing, you do and it was fully insufficient.

C

In my opinion- and I'm saying I'm more than happy to do the work and told brian too, I'm happy to me.

C

Anytime, but I think that we should put together some sort of interdepartment.

C

Little working group and throw out some ideas, people that do it on a regular basis. You know.

C

Maybe somebody like mika might have some ideas from our side too she's an educator. You know.

A

So um I also talked to brian and- um and he reiterated that this was sort of just the.

A

Beginning you know of getting things started, um so I think your concerns about the document I I can.

A

See where you know it isn't perfect. Definitely, but um so you know if you want to do a working group.

A

That sounds good. um I think it should be separate of the city effort um but coordinate with them on.

A

Some level, but not a working group, to tell the city what to do well. The city council told the.

C

City, what to do develop an outreach program? We don't have one damn it. You know it's been five.

A

Years it and we've done efforts that have flyers and things like that. We don't have a.

A

Huge comprehensive program, which I think is awesome to have a comprehensive program, but.

A

They have sent out flyers in the past, they've done educational. You know on the website. They have some.

A

Educational information in there too, because they need to do that to meet their stormwater permit.

A

So I don't think they haven't done anything and I don't think the city council specifically said.

A

That we had to do a huge, comprehensive program, but I don't think that's a bad idea. I just feel like.

A

We need to not be telling the city what to do and that we figure it out and we coordinate with them.

A

And I think you know that's a great idea to have a working group. I don't disagree with that at all.

A

You know I've done. This is what I did with my career was outreach and education around just.

A

These topics- and I think there are things that work and don't work and obviously you've had some.

A

Experience with it too, I think you can bring a lot of great people to the table. I think you know if.

A

Other people on the commission are interested and have backgrounds in this.

A

Which I think they are so why can't we have a subcommittee, it can be a subcommittee or a work.

A

Like you say a working group on that yeah, I think a working group would be kind of more.

A

Appropriate term, but would brian be welcome to have more ideas of how to get word out. I mean.

G

I personally wouldn't want to be responsible, for you know having to.

G

Message: people because everybody messages they receive things differently right. So if we had a a.

G

Lot of different ideas would would that be helpful to to brian, and is he looking for help um in this.

G

Or yeah, or to coordinate on some level I mean or just to give suggestions, yeah right suggestions.

A

Just like brainstorming on behalf of him or for him, um because you know more minds, are you know.

G

Get better at you right, and we may have something come out of it that we need the city's help to do.

A

But which is a little different than telling the city what to do? I think.

A

So- and I think that you know you certainly can have criticism about it, but I think.

E

You know if we look at it in a positive way that there's at least something going on now. How do we.

E

Make something better: let's move in that direction, instead of saying we didn't do what we supposed to.

E

Do what we did wasn't good, I mean, I think, why not make it a positive thing and move forward and and.

E

Let's make it better sure, I have no problem with that. I guess I what I have a problem with you.

E

Saying it's a step in the wrong direction? Well, it is a step in the right direction and it can.

E

Be better, of course, so let's make it better and how we do that is is what we have to figure out.

A

So do we want to vote on having a working group on this? I do that.

C

I make a motion that we have a subcommittee working group. You know that one that reports.

C

Back every meeting you know on our monthly means gives the report back. This is what's going on.

C

This is the progress that's been made so that we keep the focus on this because.

C

Look what's happened, we could have got a much better result. You know definitely could have.

C

So I'd like us to get a better result next time around you know winter time is the perfect time to.

C

We can figure it out. We could run our educational program with the library there's a lot of things.

C

We could do, I can maybe try to get people to volunteer their time from the private sector or.

C

Others and run some, you know, but I'm happy to work with people to do something that could be.

C

Significant because portsmouth is important and the best thing by our efforts that we could do.

C

Would be to create a stronger private sector that really understands organic long care. People have.

C

A lot of money in this town and nobody cuts them all along. Very few, do you know and they're green.

C

Washed, you know people come up to them, say: oh yeah, we use organic stuff and they're using.

C

Biosolids that you know that they produce from you know, wastewater treatment plants so.

C

You know, I think, they're we could help the citizens a lot and by our efforts, because.

C

I think they're getting ripped off now and people don't know. What's going on out there.

A

So we have a motion on the table and um if it's a subcommittee, does it mean it's just.

G

um It's a good question members of this, or can we bring other people in because there.

G

Are some people that like they might not want to be on the conservation commission, but they.

G

Would definitely like to just have this sort of you know more limited sure exercise, and you know.

G

Something to do on behalf of portsmouth um is that so yeah. So I think the terminology.

A

Working group works a little better for that, I think um external. I don't know bureaucratism.

C

Official imprint by calling it the working group of the conservation commission, you know.

C

Or it's something of that nature to have some official. You know you know motion. So if I call.

C

Up someone and and eldridge lumber or something and say hey: can the guy up there come down and do.

C

A program at the library for for us, I'm not just a crazy citizen, I'm a member of the conservation.

C

Commission calling on behalf of this working subgroup, you know so we can iron that out after we.

A

Meet sounds good, okay, um start internally and then look at in our first meeting how we want to.

A

Go beyond that and identify it, so it's anybody. Second. Second, thank you. Any more discussion.

A

We'll need to schedule the meeting, um and so all those in favor of this.

A

Motion to start a working group, uh roll call samantha she's gone. Yes, yes, okay,.

A

Yes, yes, yes, yes, chair, ted, yeah, okay, emotion passes. Could you.

A

Just like articulate the purpose of the working group, is it like.

A

Water quality, more broadly non-point source, or is it just like pesticide use? This is herbicides.

A

Pesticides, herbicides pesticides really related to water quality, but okay and it could who knows.

A

As a working group, but not fertilizers, like that's little fertilizer too yeah.

G

Anything kind of lawn care, yard care, uh landcare land, the city's done a wonderful job.

C

I have to say, and the last three or four years in terms of advancing their efforts towards organic.

C

Landcare they've done a really good job. You know they now have four people that are accredited.

C

Some of those guys, like colin hollowell, he's in charge of the parks.

C

He should be involved, you know and he's got experience.

E

Maybe it's a trees and greenery effort. It could be just to clarify, though this is.

D

More like a residential we're trying to impact the residential sector correct, I would say yes, but it.

C

Would be nice to able to influence the commercial sector too yeah the business sector would be nice.

A

So, okay- um and we just have to discuss like you, know, quorum and all that stuff and.

A

Beating yeah, I guess you have to set it up. However, you want really figure that out. That's part of the.

A

Beauty though it's the working group versus a quorum, yeah yeah, I don't think it won't happen.

E

I mean the quorum of a concept of the conservation question, though, if the conservation all goes.

E

Then we have a meeting right. We just have to advertise it right. So that's the case which.

A

We've done before for that kind of thing nobody else comes, except for maybe somebody that saw it.

A

You want the public will be invited, that's the. If there's you know, that would be the bottom.

E

Line and we have to go through isaac to have him, uh get us to meet, or can we somebody else take.

A

The lead we'll figure that out okay, yeah, all right so figure out how we can you guys have.

E

To say when you want to meet okay and who wants to participate, you want to have a first meeting.

E

Well, one day, one of the first meetings in about two weeks.

C

You know if we're gonna talk, we have to plan the sidewalk first. Maybe you want you.

C

Want like I I would like the advice of colin and his thoughts. You know people like that.

A

Is there any other other business, the climate group that you talked about.

A

No other time yeah, if we're not related to the city whatsoever, smith, climate solutions, sorry.

A

We're starting to convene or adjourn no other business I'll, just adjourn real.

E

Quick, you can adjourn, you don't even have to vote. You can just say you're we're adjourned.

C