Commission accepts staff recommendation and continues Racing Beach deck application to Nov. 13
Summary
Designer Tom Bunker presented a proposal to reconstruct a garage, add a 369.6 sq ft deck and mitigation plantings at Racing Beach Avenue; staff recommended additional mitigation and noted possible encroachment on Salt Pond Bird Sanctuary land. The commission agreed to continue the hearing to Nov. 13 for plan revisions and written permissions.
Tom Bunker of BSS Design presented a proposal for work at 129 Racing Beach Avenue that would include reconstructing a deck (369.6 sq ft), a patio, mitigation plantings and addressing an unpermitted generator. Bunker told commissioners the lot and structure lie in flood zone AE and said the team had proposed 1,127 sq ft of mitigation overall to offset impacts.
Staff (Alyssa) recommended a negative 3 under state regs and a negative 2 under the town bylaw for the revised proposal in the staff report and noted resource area boundaries were not yet confirmed. Jen and staff also told the applicant the team had identified encroachment on Salt Pond Bird Sanctuary property and requested that mitigation be extended to include restoration on that property if written permission could be obtained.
Commissioners focused on mitigation placement and contractor qualifications. Commissioner Courtney asked that tieback materials be marine‑grade stainless and asked whether coarse sand or planting media would be used; Brad (consultant) said coarse sand would be used and that work could be done by hand or with a small excavator but staff conditioned that manual placement could be required to avoid marsh damage.
Outcome and next steps: The applicant requested a continuance to allow the mitigation plan and permissions to be revised; commissioners voted unanimously to continue the matter to Nov. 13 so staff and the applicant can provide updated mitigation locations and any required permissions from the Salt Pond Bird Sanctuary. No permit was issued at the meeting.
