Commission continues Television Lane house-elevation plan to await DEP file number; walls vs. piles debated

The commission continued a notice of intent for work at 21 Television Lane on March 6, 2025, to allow the applicant to obtain a DEP file number and to provide any additional information requested by staff. The project would elevate and slightly relocate a single-family dwelling, replace or upgrade the septic system, add regrading and retaining walls and install a drywell for stormwater runoff.

Matt Layman of Strongtree Engineering presented the plan on behalf of homeowner Alfredo Lopolito and said the primary goal is to raise the house above the floodplain by placing the house on a new foundation and, where needed, installing retaining walls to provide usable yard and to allow proper septic connections. "The entire lot is land subject to coastal flood zone," Layman stated.

Commission questions focused on retaining walls, alternatives and neighborhood flooding

Commissioners questioned whether solid retaining walls in the flood zone would redirect storm or ocean floodwaters and whether alternatives such as piling foundations (to avoid fill and large walls) had been adequately considered. Layman and Katarina Koroloff of Strongtree said alternatives were considered but the combination of lot constraints and the existing leach field limited options; Koroloff said the proposed grading and recharge measures would likely improve stormwater handling from roof runoff and provide some infiltration capacity.

Neighbor and association context

Homeowner Alfredo Lopolito and representatives said neighbors support addressing the lot’s persistent flooding and that the homeowners’ association has committed to pumping during major road flooding events as an interim measure. Commissioners noted that ocean-driven flood events would affect the entire neighborhood and that raising the house would not change the fact that occasional ocean overland flooding occurs.

Next steps

Because the filing does not yet have a DEP number and the commission has invited further review, the hearing was continued to March 20, 2025, to allow for the filing to be completed and any additional materials to be submitted.

Why it matters: The plan raises questions common to coastal-home adaptation — where to place protective fill and walls versus using pile foundations, and how private mitigation interacts with neighborhood flood pathways and HOA interim measures.

Quote: "The entire lot is land subject to coastal flood zone," Matt Layman said when describing constraints on the property.