Millipore revamps Cherry Hill plan to remove pavement from 50-foot buffer; Conservation Commission continues review

The Danvers Conservation Commission on July 24 heard a revised site plan from Millipore for 12 and 17 Cherry Hill Drive and voted to continue the notice of intent (DEP file 14-1438) to its Aug. 14 meeting to allow staff and engineering review.

Jill Mann, attorney for Millipore, told the commission the applicant “was able to eliminate all pavement within the 50 foot buffer on both 12 and on 17.” She said the design also reduces overall impervious area and relocates drive aisles to shrink the paved footprint.

Why it matters: the proposal affects land within the Commission’s wetland buffers and proposes stormwater and invasive-species work intended to improve water quality that currently runs toward an on-site basin and into nearby wetlands.

What the applicant presented: Millipore’s team described three primary changes. They removed parking and pavement from buffer areas that previously encroached on the 50-foot buffer; supplied an invasive-species management plan to remove phragmites and other nonnative vegetation; and redesigned internal circulation to reduce impervious area by roughly 1,000 square feet overall. Mark Baker, identified as Millipore’s responsible party, and Maureen Herold (Nourse, wetland scientist) and Thad Berry (civil engineer, ASB) joined Mann in the presentation.

Mann said designers moved a small sliver of pavement — about 58 square feet — forward where planning requirements demanded a minimum drive aisle width, but removed all other previously unauthorized pavement from the 50-foot buffer. She also described a planting and invasive-control program using native, salt- and wet-tolerant species to improve buffer function.

Commission and staff response: ConCom staff told the meeting they received the revised plans the same day and had not completed a full engineering review. Staff recommended continuing the hearing to allow engineering and planning comments to be prepared in writing. Planning department staff and the project’s planning-board liaison were already engaged, the applicant said, and Millipore asked the commission for a nonbinding sense of support so the planning board could proceed at its August hearing.

Members pressed for specifics about planting lists, bond requirements and long-term maintenance. The applicant said a planting list and a more detailed planting layout can be submitted; the notice of intent narrative already lists candidate shrubs and trees including lowbush and highbush blueberry, bayberry, serviceberry, red cedar, white spruce and pin oak.

Action taken: The commission voted to continue the notice of intent for 12 and 17 Cherry Hill Drive, DEP file 14-1438, to the Aug. 14 meeting to allow a full engineering review and to finalize conditions. The motion to continue was made and seconded on the record; the board voted in favor.

Next steps: The applicant will provide the engineering memo and a more-detailed planting layout for the commission’s packet before the Aug. 14 meeting. Staff signaled a likely request for a planting survival bond if the commission approves extensive planting within the Commission’s jurisdictional areas.