Natural Resources Commission demands full restoration plan after unauthorized clearing on Hassan Ahmad property
Summary
Following reported clearing down a steep slope into the buffer zone, the commission told the applicant to replace the removed forested condition with a diverse revegetation plan, not just low junipers, and to submit additional topo and invasive-species monitoring details before returning to the commission.
The Town of Concord Natural Resources Commission directed the representative for a property owner to prepare a comprehensive restoration plan after staff and commissioners concluded that recent tree clearing on a steep slope extended into the wetlands buffer.
David Crossman of B and C Associates, representing homeowner Hassan Ahmad, said landscapers had cleared the slope down to the edge of the wetlands earlier this year; he told the commission stumps remain and some oak sprouts have reemerged. Crossman presented an initial erosion-control idea of 20 junipers to stabilize the slope but said the junipers were not intended to replace the overstory canopy.
Staff clarified that the town first sent a notice on May 23 after being alerted to the clearing, and that a violation letter followed. Commission members responded that 20 junipers would be inadequate to restore a previously forested slope. "When there is removal of a forested condition, the expectation of the commission is that it is returned to a forested condition," a staff speaker said, asking for a suite of canopy, understory and herbaceous plantings rather than low-growing junipers.
Commissioners asked the applicant to provide: a detailed planting plan with square-footage and species lists; an invasive-species monitoring and removal schedule; additional topographic survey showing the fence and precise limits of prior lawn versus woods; and a planting schedule and monitoring timeline sufficient to reestablish canopy. Crossman agreed to return with a more robust plan and additional survey data and said he did not intend the junipers to substitute for canopy-level plantings.
The commission also reminded the applicant of a dock removal timing referenced in a prior order and said the applicant should comply with removal deadlines. The enforcement matter was continued to allow submission of a complete restoration plan and additional topo/survey information.
