The Needham Conservation Commission on Dec. 18 continued the hearing for a proposed house additions and a replacement shed at 11 Amelia Road to Jan. 8, 2026 after commissioners raised access, buffer and stormwater questions.

Jacob Crossen of Goddard Consulting presented the applicant’s notice of intent on behalf of owner Alan Rosenthal, saying the lot includes a perennial stream and riparian buffer and that proposed work includes a rebuilt shed, a back deck and an enclosed porch. Crossen said the proposed replacement shed would be about 14 by 16 feet and that the project includes invasive‑species management (hand removal of English ivy, limited cut‑and‑dab herbicide if strictly necessary) and planting of 18 native shrubs as mitigation.

Commission staff flagged two compliance issues: the applicant requested a waiver for work within the 25‑foot buffer and Justin, a town staffer, said a corner of the proposed shed encroaches on a Town of Needham drain easement, which could hamper future maintenance or emergency access. “Typically, anything in that easement would be problematic because we need to be able to get access to it,” Justin said.

Commissioners pressed for more information. Clari asked whether the structure is a true replacement or a new shed given the larger footprint; Reid and others said the enlargement appears substantial. Tim, the commission’s staff reviewer, asked whether the shed will sit on a slab or on blocks and said that detail affects how the commission assesses disturbance within the no‑disturb zone. Several commissioners suggested the shed be relocated outside the 25‑foot buffer and clear of the drain easement if possible.

The commission also sought technical backup for the proposed stormwater infiltration chamber: chair Dave Harrer asked for a soils analysis and an operations and maintenance plan to show the system will function as designed. Crossen said the applicant will provide additional photos and confirm foundation details and that the infiltration device is intended to manage runoff from a 1‑inch rainfall event.

Because those materials and clarifications are outstanding, the commission voted to continue the hearing to its Jan. 8, 2026 meeting to allow staff time to review the owner’s responses and for the applicant to submit the requested documents.

The commission’s next steps will be to review the infiltration system soils data and O&M plan, confirm whether the shed can be sited outside the easement and finalize a decision on the requested 25‑foot buffer waiver.