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Dover ConCom opens complex NOI for 138 Pine Street, orders peer review after abutter concerns over driveway and pond
Summary
The commission opened the Notice of Intent for 138 Pine Street, a major demolition/rebuild project near Hail's Pond; after detailed presentations on wetland boundaries, stormwater infiltration, and tree removals, commissioners voted to hire third-party reviewer Paul McManis at the applicant's expense and continued the hearing while peer review proceeds.
The Dover Conservation Commission opened a complex Notice of Intent (NOI) Wednesday for 138 Pine Street and voted to hire a third-party peer reviewer to evaluate wetland delineation, stormwater controls and driveway modifications proposed for the property.
Janet summarized the application: the 5-acre pork-chop lot contains fringing Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW) along Hail's Pond and an unnamed perennial stream. The applicant proposes to demolish the existing house, build a new single-family residence with attached garage and barn, install a new septic system and construct a rotated pool and pool house; the plan also calls for invasive-species management and a substantial stormwater treatment and infiltration system.
Andrea Kendall of LEC Environmental Consultants, presenting for the applicant, said the pool was moved out of the 100-foot riverfront area and that the project includes compensatory restoration: "they are proposing to actually restore quite a large amount of their current lawn area into a naturally vegetated area. So, it's 2,400 square feet that they are proposing to renaturalize in exchange for the 2,320 square ft of disturbance," she said, emphasizing the applicant is seeking to reduce net impact within jurisdictional areas.
Engineer Brian Nelson of Metro West Engineering walked the commission through the proposed stormwater system, which routes rooftop and driveway runoff to a large infiltration basin sited near the existing swing set. Nelson said the system reduces 2-year runoff to near-elimination and reduces the 100-year storm rate by roughly 30%, with average volume reductions around 20% for storms between two and 100 years. He also noted overall lot impervious coverage would increase by about 2,500 square feet but that impervious area inside the 100-foot buffer would decrease by roughly 1,000 square feet.
Multiple abutters raised concerns. Steve Gallagher and other neighboring residents reported a longstanding local drainage pattern and possible vernal-pool and pond impacts downslope of the driveway crossing; Gallagher described a low point on nearby properties that "generates frogs, salamanders," and asked whether changes to grading or runoff could increase flow to their yards. Andrea and Brian said erosion controls and dewatering plans would be used during construction and that the infiltration system is designed to capture roof and driveway runoff rather than increase discharge to neighbors.
The commission agreed that because of the site's wetland resources, driveway crossing and culvert conditions, and scale of proposed disturbance, a peer review was appropriate. Commissioners moved to hire Paul McManis as the third-party reviewer at the applicant's expense; the motion passed on a roll-call vote. Paul said he will review the full submittal and recommended a site walk with Andrea to confirm flagging and topography.
The commission continued the hearing to allow the applicant to submit any additional driveway/crossing details, to receive Paul McManis's peer-review proposal, and for staff and the reviewer to coordinate next steps. The applicant was advised to submit a continuance request and to engage with the town engineer regarding culvert/driveway upgrades where construction access crosses wetland-drainage features.
