Commission closes hearing for 12 Wood Street septic replacement; conditions require permeable deck and plantings

The Conservation Commission closed a public hearing on a notice of intent for 12 Wood Street (Map 1, Lot 22) after reviewing proposed work to replace a failing septic system and to construct a new back porch and deck.

Karen Skinner (applicant representative), Paul DeSimone (surveyor) and owner Alberto Jara provided plans and confirmed a site visit with the Commission and Lucas Environmental. Lucas Environmental reported the delineation and flags agreed in the field, noting a few labeling issues on the plans. The Commission discussed whether the proposed deck constitutes new impervious area; the applicant said the deck is constructed of spaced wood boards and will be pervious at grade, so the Commission treated it as pervious for the riverfront performance standard discussion.

Commissioners asked for mitigation because the proposed deck and porch will be located on the riverside of the existing structure. The owner agreed to provide mitigation plantings; the commission requested a small number of native shrubs (highbush blueberry, spicebush and/or other locally-appropriate species) along the southern edge of the lawn at the river edge and asked stewardship to coordinate species and placement with the applicant and the Commission consultant (Joe). The Commission also asked that any invasive species discovered on the site be removed as part of the conditions.

After no members of the public spoke, the Commission voted to close the hearing and subsequently discussed and approved conditions: require plantings coordinated with Commission staff/consultant, specify the deck and any ground cover under it be pervious, and to require mitigation or invasive removal as appropriate. The Commission recorded its vote to close the hearing; the order of conditions will be finalized with the exact planting list to be supplied by the applicant in consultation with the Commission consultant.