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Commission accepts mitigation plan, cistern solution for 26 George Agate addition
Summary
The commission closed the hearing and approved an order of conditions for a 250‑square‑foot addition at 26 George Agate Road (DEP 234951) after applicants added a 2:1 riverfront mitigation planting plan and an above‑ground cistern to manage stormwater when subsurface infiltration is not feasible.
The Needham Conservation Commission closed the hearing and approved an order of conditions for 26 George Agate Road, DEP file 234951, where the owner seeks a 250‑square‑foot addition and a reduced deck footprint. The site lies within the 200‑foot riverfront area for Elder Brook, and past soil testing showed high groundwater prevented subsurface infiltration.
Ryan Vickers of Dillis & Roy presented the project with applicant Aaron Steves of Capito Builders. Vickers explained that the site’s poor soil conditions led Needham Engineering to recommend an above‑ground cistern to capture roof runoff; the selected 305‑gallon tank will store water for irrigation and has an emergency overflow that connects to the existing subdrain and the town system. Vickers said the stormwater design was submitted to and signed off by Needham Engineering.
Because the proposal cannot claim removal of existing deck area as reduced impervious, the project represents a net increase of about 250 square feet in the riverfront area. To meet riverfront performance standards, the owner agreed to provide 500 square feet of mitigation plantings (a 2:1 ratio) and to mark the mitigation areas with permanent markers and informational placards. Vickers presented a planting plan that uses native species to mirror existing vegetation — including red maple, highbush blueberry, inkberry and witch hazel — and said the owner would accept demarcation with boulders or placards.
Commission staff visited the site and supported the mitigation locations and cistern approach; staff requested an operation and maintenance plan be recorded with the order of conditions and a monitoring requirement be added. Commissioners asked that the mitigation areas be permanently demarcated on site and that the cistern have a simple O&M schedule recorded with the condition; the agent said the commission’s standard O&M form would be supplied.
The commission voted to close the hearing and to issue the order of conditions, contingent on submission of the final planting plan and a recorded O&M plan. The commission also directed that monitoring of the mitigation plantings be required and that the mitigation areas be defined with permanent markers or natural boulders.
