Woburn conservation panel closes hearings on 183 Lexington lots, issues order for Lot 2

The Woburn Conservation Commission on Nov. 21 closed public hearings for a two-lot single‑family proposal at 183 Lexington Street and issued an order of conditions for Lot 2 after applicants submitted revised plans to reduce riverfront impacts and clarify stormwater connections.

Engineer Mark Slager of Allen Engineering told the commission the updated preliminary flood‑plain analysis shows the site is not within the preliminary floodplain and that the applicants revised the plans to restrict combined riverfront disturbance to 5,000 square feet for lots 1 and 2. Slager said he relocated a proposed retaining wall and moved the roof infiltration system out of the riverfront area “to the extent possible,” and that roughly 300 square feet of roof and the driveway on the constructed house will be routed into a new infiltration system; the remainder of roof runoff will discharge overland.

Commissioners pressed for clarifications about as‑built details and the existing retaining wall’s construction. Slager confirmed an existing retaining wall on Lot 2 (previously unshown on plans) and asked that it be included in the new Notice of Intent and order of conditions; he said portions of the wall exceed 4 feet and therefore required a building permit and structural review when constructed. Commissioners asked Slager to amend plans to show the deck stairs and final infiltration connections and to submit an operation and maintenance (O&M) plan for the sediment trap and infiltration system.

The commission moved to close the public hearing on Lot 1 (DEP file 348‑0877) and separately closed the hearing on Lot 2 (DEP file 348‑0879). Staff presented draft orders of conditions; after minor edits and clarifications (including deed‑restriction language to limit future disturbance), the commission voted to issue the order of conditions for 183 Lexington Street, Lot 2 as drafted and amended. Staff said orders would likely be prepared after the meeting and provided to the applicant before the next meeting when possible.

The commission also discussed the applicant’s request to pave portions of Lot 2 during the appeal period at the applicant’s risk. Commissioners indicated they did not believe the commission has authority to authorize work during the appeal period and expressed concern about setting a precedent; the applicant stated he would proceed only “at his own risk” if allowed to begin paving.

Next steps: Slager will submit amended plans showing the missing stairs and infiltration connections and the O&M plan for inclusion in the order of conditions. The commission will finalize and distribute the written orders to the applicant and post them in the file.