Commission closes RDA hearing for 177 5th Street West Dennis and records determinations

The Dennis Conservation Commission closed the public hearing on an application to build a three‑bedroom single‑family dwelling at 177 5th Street in West Dennis after a presentation from the applicant’s site designer.

For the record, Asa Mintz of AJM Site Design said the undeveloped lot at Warring and Fisk would host a modest 3‑bedroom home with an attached two‑car garage connected by a breezeway, a conventional septic system (a 1,500‑gallon tank and pipe‑and‑stone leach field) and a flood‑compliant foundation. Mintz said the design shows just under 6 feet of separation to groundwater and that a recent change to the flood elevation required additional flood venting. He also said the parcel became developable under the Affordable Homes Act of 2024, which created certain pre‑existing nonconforming lots now considered buildable.

Commissioners and members of the public pressed the applicant on floodplain exposure and whether the house would be required to sell at an affordable price; Mintz said he did not know whether the owners would sell the finished home as an affordable unit. Commissioners noted the adjoining owner at 62 Kelly’s Pond has long used an access that crosses the lot and asked about reestablishing that driveway; Mintz said the driveway will be reestablished from the north property line and limited grading at the front will be used to maintain positive drainage and effectively raise the finished elevation at the building.

After questions, the commission voted by voice to close the public hearing and recorded motions on determinations as reflected in the hearing record. The transcript shows motions described as a “positive 5” determination and a separate “negative 3” determination (the latter stated as the work being within the buffer zone but not altering an area subject to jurisdiction under the Act); both motions were seconded and carried on voice votes with ayes recorded.

The applicant was thanked and told to proceed with any follow‑up items requested by staff. The commission did not specify additional permit conditions on the record at the close of this item.

The commission’s next step is to issue the written determinations and any conditions in its order of conditions.