Owner seeks pervious bluestone patio and planting changes at 28 Robinwood; hearing continued to March 27

The commission continued public hearings for a proposed landscape amendment at 28 Robinwood Avenue to March 27 after reviewing plans to replace an existing impermeable paver patio with a bluestone pervious patio, extend the patio down a slope, and alter planting and lawn areas near a bordering vegetated wetland.

Why it matters: The property includes a bordering vegetated wetland and a 25‑foot buffer; the application would alter existing lawn and planting areas within that buffer and requested waivers for erosion-control placement and the waiver fee. The commission flagged potential water‑quality impacts from lawn care products where lawn exists adjacent to the wetland.

Project and design details: John Rockwood (Echotec) described the proposal to remove a non‑pervious paver patio constructed in approximately February 2014 and replace it with a bluestone patio set on sub‑base layers designed for infiltration (stone joints ½–¾ inch, appropriate base courses). The patio will encroach slightly into the 25‑foot buffer where an existing small patio and stairs already exist; some existing landscape wood‑chip areas will be converted to lawn while other areas currently lawn will be returned to native plantings. Rockwood said existing stairs that fall partly in the 25‑foot buffer are not proposed to be changed.

Planting and erosion control: The applicant proposes several native shrubs and shade trees, a near‑term planting list and erosion control measures; Rockwood requested a waiver of the erosion‑control placement and the fee because much of the work involves restorative plantings. Commissioner Fred and others expressed concern that lawn maintained with fertilizers or herbicides adjacent to the wetland could increase nutrient runoff; the commission suggested adding a special condition limiting chemical lawn treatments within the 25‑foot buffer (organic lawn care and no herbicides/pesticides was discussed as a standard condition).

Questions and follow-ups: Commissioners asked for clarifications including the exact square footage of new vs. removed lawn inside the 25‑foot buffer; Rockwood reported “in the 25 there is a total of 266 square feet between the erosion control barrier and the 25‑foot buffer line” and described trades between lawn and planting bed that result in approximately equal exchanges of lawn area inside the buffer. Commissioner Chloe (asked whether) confirmed the applicant will provide a plant schedule showing mostly native species and a planting list on the landscape sheet.

Outcome: The commission continued the hearing to the March 27 meeting so staff can prepare an order of conditions and the commission can consider waiver requests and a special condition limiting chemical lawn treatments in the 25‑foot buffer.

Source and attribution: John Rockwood (Echotec) presented; Monique Porter identified herself as the owner/applicant; Colin Hand is listed as the landscape designer and was present on the call. Deb (Conservation staff) and multiple commissioners questioned and requested conditions.