Commission pushes back on seawall grading and tree removal at proposed 158 Westwood Road rebuild; applicant to revise plans

Zach Pesinski of Bracken Engineering presented a large raise‑and‑rebuild application for 158 Westwood Road Dec. 11 that includes demolition of the existing house, construction of a new elevated dwelling, an open‑faced seawall with riprap backfill, grading to alter backyard elevations and proposed screening plantings. During the site inspection staff observed erosion and 'sinkholes' beneath the mortar seawall and recommended partial rebuilding; the design team said some trees must be removed to provide equipment access and staging to repair the seawall.

Multiple commissioners — notably Jen (staff), Alyssa (staff), Betsy and Courtney — pressed the applicant on why grading and removal of established trees in the A zone were necessary. Commissioners questioned the logic of removing mature vegetation (including cedars) and replacing it with smaller screening trees, and asked that mitigation be located in Zone A (closest to the resource area) rather than farther from the seawall. Concerns included whether the work as currently proposed simply 'chases' failing sections of wall rather than addressing the full seawall, a lack of clear plan sheets for the seawall details (staff requested the second plan sheet with revetment detail), and the potential for future repeat applications if trees remain and later require removal for maintenance.

Neighbors raised view and wind concerns about proposed tall screening trees; the applicant agreed to discuss tree sizes with abutters. Commissioners recommended that, if major repair is anticipated in the future, the applicant consider addressing the full seawall now rather than piecemeal. At the applicant's request the commission voted unanimously to continue the application to Jan. 8 so revised plans (seawall details, mitigation in Zone A, planting sizes and clearer staging/access notes) can be submitted for staff and commission review.