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After‑the‑fact RDA approved with planting, signage and permanent markers at Willow Bray property
Summary
The commission granted a negative determination with conditions for an after‑the‑fact filing at 24 Willow Bray Drive, requiring the owner to install two permanent markers, add plantings or a small tree and erect a no‑disturb sign or marker by Aug. 1, and return with before/after photos in September.
The Peabody Conservation Commission voted 7–0 on May 6 to issue a Negative Determination with conditions for an after‑the‑fact Request for Determination at 24 Willow Bray Drive, where an owner had installed a larger replacement shed and an assembled gazebo in a wetland buffer following a house fire.
The owner, identified in the application as Lee Cahena Rosa and who spoke during the hearing (stating her name as Lina/Lacina), said she was unaware at purchase that portions of the property abutted wetlands and that the earlier shed had burned. “I truly didn’t know we were on a wetland buffer,” she told the commission, apologizing for the unpermitted work and describing efforts to clean up debris left by previous owners.
Staff and commissioners reviewed dimensions and potential storage of fertilizers. Lucia confirmed the new shed exceeds the 200‑square‑foot threshold requiring a permit and identified the fence as the demarcation of the 25‑foot no‑disturb buffer.
Neighbors who spoke did not oppose a conditional approval. John Gulis, a nearby resident, said the owner appeared sincere and urged the commission to require signage so future owners understand restrictions.
The unanimous motion adopted conditions that allow the existing work to remain while imposing these requirements: no landscape debris or fire‑pit refuse may be dumped behind the fence; the fence will act as the no‑disturb demarcation; two permanent concrete posts with medallions or plaques marking the no‑disturb zone must be installed (three feet inside and three feet outside the fence) and photographed by Aug. 1; and the owner must plant either one small tree or three native shrubs from a list provided by staff, and return with before‑and‑after photos at the September meeting. Lucia noted a 10‑day appeal period after the permit is issued before work may legally proceed.
Commissioners discussed placement (inside the fence, visible from the homeowner’s lot, rather than on the wetland side where plant care would be difficult) and emphasized the importance of species that will survive. Lucia will provide the approved plant list and details about the concrete marker design.
