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Dennis Conservation Commission signs several orders, approves 18 Pelham Lane with conditions and grants variances
Summary
At its July 17 meeting the commission approved multiple routine orders and certificates of compliance, issued determinations for several residential projects, and approved work at 18 Pelham Lane (raise/replace, pool and invasive management) with conditions including staff monitoring, no heavy machinery for invasive removal, and a variance to work in the 50‑foot buffer.
The Dennis Conservation Commission on July 17 approved multiple orders of condition and determinations for routine shore‑ and yard‑related projects and addressed a larger rebuild at 18 Pelham Lane.
In short consent actions the commission closed hearings and signed orders for after‑the‑fact float and shell walkway permits, issued determinations for 184 Old Wharf Road (Negative 2 — work within jurisdiction but will not alter the resource area), confirmed wetland boundaries at 42 Seaside Avenue (Positive 2) and found the area subject to town bylaws (Positive 5), and approved septic and restoration projects at 35 Division Street and 209 Lower Cutty Road. Several motions were carried by voice vote; staff will prepare orders of conditions for signature.
The commission spent significant time on 18 Pelham Lane in Dennisport, a proposal to raise and replace a dwelling, relocate a failing septic system outside the 100‑foot buffer, and manage invasive vegetation along the coastal bank. Kieran Healy of the BSC Group described the plan to keep most structures outside the 100‑foot buffer and to remove invasive plants in limited areas. Mike Tanis of BlueFlex Design said the project would remove invasive shrubs and vines using a combination of hand removal and targeted herbicide (cut‑and‑wipe), plant hundreds of native shrubs and grasses, and monitor treatments for 3–5 growing seasons.
After discussion about the scale of proposed invasive removal, the risk of short‑term disturbance, and whether mechanical equipment should be allowed, commissioners approved the project with several special conditions: initial invasive removal and replanting must be staged and monitored, staff shall inspect the site after initial invasive removal and before any work that could affect native plants, mechanical equipment is restricted and work should be done by hand where feasible, and replacements must be planted for any non‑viable trees removed. The commission also granted the requested variance to allow invasive management work to occur in the 50‑foot buffer. The approval included a requirement for periodic monitoring reports and staff oversight before a certificate of compliance is requested.
On administrative business the commission continued one certificate of compliance review (sand management issue) pending a permanent sand management plan, reviewed draft regulations for a future work session, and received an update on plover protections at West Dennis Beach. The meeting adjourned after staff updates.
