Falmouth conservation panel hears proposal for beach sitting area at Beckles Road and takes hearing under advisement

Jake Pricky, a professional land surveyor representing the homeowners, presented a plan on May 6 to create a 10-by-22-foot stone sitting area at the base of existing timber stairs on Beckles Road.

“For the record, my name is Jake Pricky. I’m a professional land surveyor with Caven Islands Engineering representing the homeowner,” Pricky said, describing a sitting area set at “approximately elevation 5.3” that would be built by manually reshaping existing boulders and using 3/4- to 1½-inch native stone to level the platform. He added that any imported material would be approved by the town before use.

Staff told the commission they had reviewed the proposal and “believe the project meets the performance standards per the state and local bylaws,” and had no substantive comments at the meeting. Commissioners asked practical and resource-protection questions. Commissioner Ron asked directly, “what are they gonna sit on?” — pressing whether the commission should anticipate chairs or other stored items on the new platform — and expressed concern about leaving furniture on the beach. Pricky and other commissioners discussed tidal exposure; Pricky noted that the mean high water elevation was about 2 and the proposed top of the platform was about elevation 5.3, and said the feature would not normally be inundated except in extreme storm events.

After the presentation and questions, Commissioner Driscoll moved, with Bowman seconding, to close the hearing and take the matter under advisement. The commission voted by roll call to close the hearing; no final order or permit was issued at this meeting. The commission indicated conditions addressing storage and storm vulnerability could be considered before a final decision.

The commission is expected to issue a written decision or conditions after staff drafts recommended language and any required materials are submitted and reviewed.