WORCESTER, Mass. — At its June 30 meeting the Worcester Conservation Commission reviewed an updated wetland replication plan for 277 Providence Street. The project team told commissioners they had added approximately 1,603 square feet of replication area in the northern portion of the lot and would submit a full replication plan and procedures for staff review.

Tom Schutz of Goddard Consulting said the applicant added replication to mitigate for the portion of bordering vegetated wetland that would be affected. “We’ve come now with 1 and a half to 1 square feet of replication,” Schutz said, describing two connected replication areas that would recreate hydrologic function and redirect flows eventually to the Blackstone River.

Matthew Ashley of Boller reported test pits and groundwater checks in the replication area and said the team updated the pipe network and some retaining walls to route flows into the replication areas. Staff confirmed the replication ratio met the ordinance requirement and had reviewed a planting plan provided the same day. Staff raised one primary concern about the separation between the western replication area and a proposed subsurface infiltration unit: the stormwater handbook recommends a 50‑foot setback for that infiltration chamber, and the current plan showed about 15–20 feet separation.

Commissioners asked for revised plans showing increased separation, and the project team said they would attempt to relocate chambers to create more buffer but cited shallow ledge and groundwater constraints on the eastern portion of the lot as limiting options. The commission voted to continue the hearing to July 21 to allow submission of revised plans and additional detail; Commissioners Kirschner, Nystrom and Chair Diane Fratoni voted in favor of the continuance.