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Taunton conservation panel OKs negative determination for pavement removal at 53 County Street
Summary
The Taunton Conservation Commission voted to issue a negative determination for removal of pavement and landscaping changes at 53 County Street, finding the work will reduce impervious area and placing special conditions on the approval.
Taunton Conservation Commission members voted at their March 3 meeting to issue a negative determination of applicability for work at 53 County Street, a filing from Mechanics Cooperative Bank that will remove asphalt in a portion of the site and replace it with loam, seed and plantings.
The project, presented by Jamie Bissonnette of Zenith Consulting Engineers on behalf of applicant Joseph Baptista of Mechanics Cooperative Bank, involves removing pavement in a previously disturbed area inside the riverfront area and within the 100-foot riparian buffer to the Tartan River. Bissonnette said the bank is separating the parcels at 53 and 75 County Street so each property will have its own entrance and exit, and the removal will allow a small landscaped area, new trees and shrubs and an ADA parking stall.
Michelle, a commission staff member who presented the agency report, said the work would decrease impervious surface and would be located in a previously disturbed area. "I recommend the commission approve the project and issue a negative determination," Michelle said, recommending inclusion of the listed special conditions.
Commissioners heard that the curb cut on County Street will not be changed, but the shared driveway will be widened to 24 feet to permit two-way traffic. The applicant also proposed a dumpster pad adjacent to the landscaped area. A DIRB review had requested additional plantings; the applicant said those plantings will be provided.
The commission’s staff report notes the property falls within FEMA flood zones, including Zone AE and Zone X, and that resource boundaries were delineated by a qualified consultant. The report stated the limit of work will be at least 120 feet from the river and that the work area will be within about 160 feet of the river; the applicant said the actual removal takes place between the 102-foot riparian zone marker and the previously disturbed portion of the lot.
The commission moved to issue a negative determination with special conditions as read. No public opposition was recorded during the hearing. The voice vote recorded all commissioners in favor; the chair declared the motion carried and closed the hearing.
Commissioners did not provide a recorded roll-call vote; the affirmative voice vote was recorded as unanimous.
