Commission tables East Stark Lane home proposal over drainage, septic and interview requests

The Environmental Impact Commission on Sept. 10 tabled an application (regulated activity 12:53) to build a single-family house on a vacant lot on East Stark Lane, citing unresolved drainage and site-review questions and scheduling an interview with the applicants.

An applicant representative described the parcel as vacant and said wetlands lie across the road; the presentation noted the site’s topography slopes toward a culvert under the roadway and that the team plans a stormwater-management system and a large sediment trap to handle construction runoff. The representative said the proposed house would have a large single-floor footprint with an elevator to accommodate Alicia Shado’s mobility needs and that the septic system is designed for seven bedrooms to accommodate possible full-time in‑home care in the future. The representative told commissioners, “It’s a vacant lot,” and said the stormwater plan collects much of the impervious area into the proposed management system.

Commissioners pressed the representative about the culvert that conveys runoff across the street, noting surveyor notes that the pipe is clogged with sediment. Commissioner Jeff Harold asked about the pipe material and diameter; participants discussed that the pipe is likely corrugated metal and may be about 15 inches in diameter, and that the surveyor could not confirm the exact condition because it was buried. Commissioners and the presenter agreed that cleaning might be handled by city highway crews but that a partial or full replacement could require road work and coordination with the highway department.

The commission also questioned whether the residence would be treated as a single‑family dwelling; the representative said there is no separate in‑law apartment, but multiple rooms could function as bedrooms, which led to the septic being sized at seven bedrooms. Commissioners asked the applicant to clarify occupancy and septic permitting at the follow-up interview.

Commissioner John Schwartz made the motion to table the item until the next meeting for an interview with the applicants; Jeff Harold seconded, and the motion passed on a voice vote. The tabling leaves unresolved whether culvert cleaning or replacement, and the septic/occupancy issues, will change the project scope or approvals required.

The commission scheduled the follow-up at its next meeting. The matter remains pending.