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Commission approves Scottswamp redevelopment as nonsignificant; applicant offers 2‑acre conservation easement and stormwater upgrades
Summary
Metro Realty’s Scottswamp redevelopment was approved by the commission as a regulated nonsignificant activity after the applicant shifted buildings away from wetlands, added a retaining wall to reduce clearing and proposed a roughly 2‑acre conservation easement plus stormwater quality improvements and site cleanup; approval is conditioned on resolving town staff comments.
The Inland Wetlands Commission on Jan. 6 voted to approve Metro Realty’s Scottswamp redevelopment as a regulated nonsignificant activity after the applicant revised plans to reduce impacts to wetlands and offered a permanent conservation easement.
Andre Gomes, counsel for the applicant, told the commission that revisions submitted after a December site walk incorporated staff and commission comments and that the applicant accepted proposed staff conditions. Tom Daley, a professional engineer with SLR Consulting, said the project team shifted Buildings B and C roughly 20 feet away from the wetlands and added a modular retaining wall that reduced clearing by about 2,200 square feet and decreased imported fill by roughly 2,000 cubic yards.
Daley described two deferred maintenance actions to improve drainage: (1) removal of sediment and a root ball that blocked an outfall pipe and (2) replacement of one pipe section near Route 6 with riprap protection to stabilize the discharge point. He said the project will add water‑quality features and meet the newer 1.3‑inch runoff standard under the town/DEP guidance, with an underground water‑quality chamber and additional measures to match peak flows.
Matthew Sanford, a registered soil and wetland scientist with SLR, said ‘‘there are no vernal pools on the site’’ and recommended that any machinery access be kept outside the wetland and that maintenance be performed during dry periods to avoid resuspending sediment. The team also proposed to remove a deteriorated cinder‑block structure and other debris within the site footprint.
Commissioners repeatedly praised the applicant for revising plans to reduce wetland impacts and welcomed the proposed two‑acre conservation easement intended to protect the wetland in perpetuity. Commissioner Robert Eisner moved approval with the condition that town staff comments be addressed to the town’s satisfaction; Commissioner Andre Simons seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.
The record also includes a brief staff note that asbestos was found in the old cinder‑block building and will be remediated following appropriate standards; the applicant said demolition and disposal will follow required procedures.
The commission’s approval is conditioned on the applicant addressing outstanding town staff comments and coordinating any in‑wetland maintenance work to avoid harm to wetland functions. The zoning and planning commissions retain separate jurisdiction over related land‑use approvals.
The applicant and town staff will coordinate a timeline for the work and identification and placement of conservation easement markers prior to final recording.
