Peabody commission approves in-ground pool at 15 Crestwood Lane with strict draining and erosion conditions

The Peabody Conservation Commission on March 12 approved an order of conditions allowing installation of an in‑ground saltwater pool, permeable deck and associated site work at 15 Crestwood Lane.

The commission approved the applicant’s plan and standard Order of Conditions 1–50, and added riverfront-specific language requiring that pool water not be discharged to the surface and that, where feasible, all pool water be drained to a dry well. Commissioners also required the property owner to notify the Conservation Commission prior to any draining. The motion to issue the order of conditions passed 5–0. Prior to that, the commission closed the public hearing by a 4–1 vote with Chairman Lazarus recorded present for that roll call.

Michelle DiStefano of The Patio Company presented the plan on behalf of homeowners Eric and Jillian Esposito, describing a 16‑by‑32 gunite pool with a roughly 930‑square‑foot permeable deck made from interlocking pavers and open‑graded aggregate to allow infiltration. DiStefano said the proposed deck system is “100% permeable” and that the contractor will install a dry well so that any necessary pool draining can be routed off‑site rather than across the surface.

Homeowner Eric Esposito told the commission he has not experienced significant flooding at the property and that the proposed work will be in the rear yard, over 100 feet from the wetland edge but within the 200‑foot buffer. Commission staff confirmed the pool footprint is 104 feet from the mapped wetland but still subject to riverfront and buffer‑zone conditions.

Commissioners stressed standard erosion‑control measures before work begins and flagged a pool‑specific condition read into the record: pool water should remain standing without added chlorine for at least seven days before discharge so volatile chlorine concentrations decline, and the commission office must approve the method of draining. The condition was stated to “remain in perpetuity.”

Vote details: the motion to close the public hearing was made by Commissioner Michael Vivaldi and seconded by Commissioner Arthur Athas and passed 4–1 (Chairman Lazarus voted present). The motion to issue an order of conditions (standard 1–50 plus the pool/draining condition and erosion‑control requirements) was made by Commissioner Vivaldi, seconded by Chairman Lazarus, and passed by roll call 5–0.

The commission’s action allows construction to proceed once required permits and erosion controls are in place and the firm installs the dry well and follows the draining protocol.