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Natural Resources Commission closes hearing, issues order of conditions for 1487 Monument Street
Summary
The Town of Concord Natural Resources Commission approved an order of conditions for work at 1487 Monument Street, requiring two no‑mow mitigation areas, monitoring after the first growing season, permanent markers and an as‑built survey before further construction.
The Town of Concord Natural Resources Commission on Tuesday closed the hearing and issued an order of conditions for work at 1487 Monument Street (DEP file 137-1695), approving standard conditions 1–20 and special conditions 21–55.
The commission’s action follows a presentation from the applicant’s representative, David Burke, and conditions negotiated with Natural Resources staff. The approved conditions require establishment of two “no‑mow” mitigation areas adjacent to wetlands and the on‑site stream, installation of permanent markers, a first‑season monitoring report, and an as‑built survey of the new foundation before additional construction.
The project, presented as a continuance at the meeting, calls for removal of an existing chicken barn and construction of a new garage. Burke described plantings and restoration to mitigate impacts near the wetland: “The larger of the areas is 1,880 square feet,” and the second is 825 square feet, for a total mitigation area of 2,705 square feet, he said. The mitigation planting list includes wetland species and shrubs such as silky dogwood and alders, and native sedges and grasses.
Commission members and staff negotiated conditions to ensure the restored areas return to native cover after regular mowing had masked native plants. Sarah Bimler, chair of the Natural Resources Commission, described a monitoring condition the commission added: “We would like to include a special condition that requires a report following the first growing season of no mowing so that a determination can be made at the percent of native species to nonnative species. If the native species coverage is found to be less than 75% in these areas, then we’ll be requiring additional native plantings to reach a minimum of 75% native plant cover.”
The commission also required permanent boundary markers (described on plans as “pin markers”) at roughly 20‑foot intervals to identify the no‑disturb zones, and a preconstruction conference to be scheduled at least two weeks before work begins. Staff will require an as‑built plan prepared by a professional engineer or licensed surveyor showing the foundation location and its distance to resource areas after foundation completion and before further construction activities.
The motion to close and issue the order of conditions was moved by Jim Smith and carried unanimously; the recorded vote was four ayes, no nays.
The applicant’s contractor, Susan Tuller of Tom Curran Companies, spoke during public comment to thank the commission and staff and said the construction team looked forward to starting work "on this fabulous dream of his," referring to the property owner. The commission’s conditions are aimed at allowing the project to proceed while protecting adjacent wetland resources.
The order of conditions lists standard and special conditions by number; builders and owners must follow those conditions and the timelines included in the order. The commission noted that if any technical difficulties or outstanding items arise, the matter can be continued to the next scheduled hearing.
