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Lowell Conservation Commission approves routine determinations, rescinds enforcement order and ratifies emergency work
Summary
Commissioners approved Negative 3 determinations for multiple small projects, rescinded an enforcement order for tree removal at 25 Rita Street, and ratified an emergency certificate for emergency work on Weber Street; several larger items were continued.
At its Jan. 14 meeting, the Lowell Conservation Commission approved several routine determinations and took discrete enforcement and emergency actions.
The commission granted a Negative 3 determination for city road and pedestrian improvements at Jackson and Marston Streets after Dan Kanata of VHB said the work would be confined to existing disturbed areas and include silt-sack protection for catch basins. The commission similarly approved a Negative 3 determination for a driveway repave at 60 Lane (applicant Peter Nolan), with staff noting the work sits well outside immediate wetland buffers.
Fidelis Carpentry’s proposal to remove and replace a deck at 66 Hollis Street was approved with a Negative 3 determination on condition that erosion controls (silt fence or straw wattles) be installed. Staff and commissioners noted the replacement will reduce the deck footprint from the existing structure.
An enforcement order for tree removal within the 100-foot wetland buffer at 25 Rita Street was brought before the commission by residents who said they had cut mainly small saplings while cleaning the yard. After reviewing photos and on-the-record explanations the commission voted to rescind the enforcement order and clear the residents' record.
Separately, staff described emergency work performed the week of Nov. 17 around a sinkhole on Weber Street (installation of mesh fabric and backfill). Evan Walsh, wastewater utility executive director, told the commission the work had been done; members ratified the emergency certification by voice vote. A separate requested emergency certificate for 141 Woburn Street was withdrawn by the applicant after the work was not performed.
Several other agenda items, including a notice of intent for a Reiss (Reese) Avenue stormwater basin and an RDA for a back-landing at 105 Boulevard Street, were continued to the Jan. 28 meeting for additional information or because applicants were not present.
