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Designer outlines 20 Beach Street plan; commission pauses to resolve missing files and mitigation details
Summary
The commission heard a detailed presentation for 20 Beach Street from designer Tom Bunker, who described additions, a new garage and relocated driveway, removal of one oak, and proposed mitigation of about 1,377 sq ft plus two native trees. The hearing was continued for plan corrections and a missing file number.
Tom Bunker of VSSS Design presented plans for 20 Beach Street, describing removal of an existing patio and portions of the house to make way for two additions, a new two-car garage, relocation of a shed and a 20-foot-wide driveway shifted away from nearby wetlands. He said mitigation calculations total about 1,377 square feet plus two native trees and that staff would help choose species.
The proposal would remove one oak tree near the new garage; Bunker said the garage foundation is a 4-foot crosswall and acknowledged the work might affect root systems. Staff cautioned that even limited excavation can harm roots and recommended contractor measures and improved backfill to help the tree survive.
Bunker told commissioners the wetland data sheets were omitted from the full Notice of Intent packet initially but had been delivered to staff by email and in hard copy, and he agreed to add the missing information to the plan. Staff and commissioners also noted a patch of missing mitigation from an earlier 2015 plan; Bunker said he would work with staff to resolve that area and meet on site as needed.
Commissioners pressed Bunker on foundation depth and tree protection; one commissioner said the oak is about six feet from the proposed garage and urged careful monitoring if the owner seeks to retain the tree. Staff confirmed the applicant lacked a D-file number on the plan; Bunker and staff agreed to add it and return with corrected plans.
The commission accepted a motion to continue the hearing to June 24 to allow the applicant to supply the missing file number, update mitigation locations, and finalize materials for staff review. No formal permit decision was made at the meeting.
Next steps: the applicant will provide corrected plans, added wetland data sheets, and mitigation clarifications to staff before the continued hearing on June 24.
