Homeowners propose coastal resilient redesign for Westwood Road property amid seawall concerns

The Falmouth Conservation Commission held a meeting on December 11, 2024, to discuss a proposed redevelopment project at 158 Westwood Road, a single-family home lot. The property, which has an existing seawall and is located in a coastal flood zone, is undergoing plans for a new coastal resilient design by its new homeowners.

The project aims to reposition the house further back from the seawall to enhance its resilience against rising sea levels. The design includes the construction of a new elevated patio and the regrading of the backyard to mitigate seawater impacts. However, the existing seawall is eroding, prompting plans to dismantle and rebuild it with modern materials that allow water to flow through, thereby reducing sediment erosion.

During the meeting, several commissioners expressed concerns about the proposed removal of trees on the property. Some members argued that the removal of established trees could negatively impact the coastal ecosystem and questioned the necessity of extensive grading. They suggested that maintaining existing vegetation might better support coastal resilience than replacing large trees with smaller ones.

The discussion highlighted the balance between the homeowners' desires for property improvements and the commission's responsibility to protect local environmental resources. The commission emphasized the importance of adhering to regulations regarding vegetation and coastal management, urging the project team to consider alternatives that would minimize tree removal while still achieving the project's goals.

As the meeting concluded, the commission indicated that further evaluations and adjustments to the project plan would be necessary to address the concerns raised. The next steps will involve a detailed review of the proposed changes and their potential environmental impacts, ensuring that the project aligns with conservation standards while meeting the homeowners' needs.