Town approves Lavines’ permit with stormwater, tree-replacement and parking conditions

The Somerset Town Council voted May 4 to approve a building-permit application from Rebecca and Alexander Lavine for a new two-story house at 4911 Essex Avenue, with conditions addressing stormwater management, tree replanting and construction parking.

Town staff told the council the homeowners combined two lots and proposed a larger house with a stormwater-management plan sized to hold 16,177 gallons; soil borings showed heavy clay, so staff recommended two engineered micro-retention devices to capture runoff. The town manager said the devices are designed to capture the runoff volume the town requires for a one-year storm and that the driveway and roof runoff are included in the calculation.

The applicant’s general contractor, Tyler Abrams of Sandy Spring Builders, said the team will coordinate on-site staging, notify neighbors in advance of deliveries, provide a construction entrance, and work with the town arborist (Tolbert) before removing or altering the retaining wall near a neighbor’s tree. Architect and applicant statements described plans for interior water-proofing, a sump and pump for the new lower-level space, and measures (snow fencing, defined hauling paths) to limit runoff and tracking during excavation.

Neighbors pressed for a parking plan and advance notices for large deliveries because two large projects on the same short street could strain resident parking and emergency access. In response, the town attorney said the code requires a parking plan when more than three construction vehicles will be on site; the town can make that plan a condition of permit approval and record inspection-and-maintenance obligations in land records so future owners are bound by them.

Council members also focused on tree removals. Staff reported a revised tree count and bonding estimate (bonding for nine healthy trees, other trees in poor condition) and flagged a 17-inch red maple on a neighbor’s lot that may be affected by demolition of an existing retaining wall. The council required a replanting plan as a condition of approval and asked the arborist to decide whether a town right-of-way replacement would preempt future sidewalk placement.

Council President Bard moved to approve the application with conditions: the driveway as proposed would be the subject of a future variance (if pursued); the applicant must submit a replanting plan consistent with the arborist’s recommendations; the town manager must approve a construction parking plan; and the applicant must work with the arborist if excavation reveals root impacts that require modifications. The motion passed by voice vote.

What happens next: The council’s action authorizes the town manager to issue the permit if no opposition triggers the 30-day appeal window. The stormwater inspection-and-maintenance agreement will be recorded in land records; the parking and replanting plans must be submitted and approved per the council’s conditions.