Commission OKs Order of Conditions for 120 Wildwood Drive but withholds release until stormwater specs are filed

The Needham Conservation Commission voted March 26 to issue an Order of Conditions for the demolition and reconstruction of the house at 120 Wildwood Drive, with a condition that the permit not be released until the applicant submits the stormwater-system sizing and specification documents requested by staff.

Susan MacArthur (MacArthur Environmental Consulting) described the project: the one-acre lot contains an intermittent stream that originates on the property; approximately 26 feet of the existing house lies within the 100-foot stream buffer. The proposed new house will place about 174 square feet of new structure and a raised back deck within the outer 80 feet of the 100-foot buffer. Susan said test pits showed infiltration is feasible and that a front-yard infiltration system will be provided; the applicant will submit additional test-pit data and system details.

A neighbor asked whether demolition of a 1960s house could release asbestos or lead into the nearby stream and Charles River; staff said erosion-and-sediment controls will be installed and that building-permit review typically addresses hazardous materials. Another audience member (Nancy) asked whether a propane tank would be added; the commission said a propane tank would be shown on the plans and would be a board-of-health issue if proposed.

Commissioners voted to issue the Order of Conditions but explicitly withheld release of the permit until the stormwater design and system specifications are submitted and accepted by staff. The OOC includes standard erosion-and-sediment-control requirements, stockpile placement outside the buffer zone and as-built submission at project completion.