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Commission continues hearing on proposed Ashley Court basketball court amid Zone 1 and wetland-delineation concerns
Summary
The Lynnfield Conservation Commission continued a hearing on a proposed 84-by-54-foot basketball court at 7 Ashley Court after questions about wetland delineations, Zone 1 drinking-water protections and easement permission from the HOA; the applicant agreed to continue and the Commission requested LCWD and Town Engineer review.
At its May 19 meeting, the Lynnfield Conservation Commission continued its review of a proposal to install an 84-by-54-foot basketball court at 7 Ashley Court amid unresolved questions about wetland delineations, drinking-water protection and easement access.
Chris Sparages of Williams & Sparages, representing applicants Daniel and Melanie Lewis, said the court would be partly in Bordering Land Subject to Flooding but, as proposed, would avoid work inside the riverfront buffer. He told the Commission the plan calls for some tree removals and that the existing driveway would be used for access; he also said the design would use netting rather than fencing. Sparages said he believes the court itself is not a structure and noted that an exception in the zoning bylaw exempts basketball courts from some setback and permit requirements.
Director Emilie Cademartori told the Commission that current plans show differences from a 2011 delineation and recommended comparing those plans, getting the Town Engineer’s review, referring the application to the Lynnfield Citizens Water District (LCWD) because part of the property lies within a Zone 1 wellhead radius, and obtaining permission from the homeowners association before any work in the drainage easement. Cademartori said the LCWD likely has decision-making authority over Zone 1 land and urged clarity on whether Riverfront performance standards apply.
Commissioner John Michalski questioned the wisdom of paving in a Zone 1 area, calling it “the most critical area for protection of the water supply.” Abutter Andrew Smedira said that historically LCWD superintendent Ken Burham would not allow structures there and asked the Commission to seek the LCWD’s opinion about long-term effects on water quality.
Sparages said stormwater would flow away from the detention basin and emphasized that maintenance of the stormwater system is the HOA’s responsibility. He added that paved surfaces, in his view, “do not leach very far beyond their limits.”
Chair Don Gentile asked whether the applicant would agree to continue the hearing to allow the Town Engineer, LCWD and HOA to weigh in; the applicant agreed. The Commission voted to continue the matter to its June 16, 2026 meeting.
The discussion will resume after the Commission receives the Town Engineer’s comments, LCWD input and clarification of wetland delineations and HOA easement permission.
