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Dennis conservation panel instructs staff to draft order for revised 60 Church Street plan, votes to grant variances
Summary
After applicants revised their plan to move a proposed structure back 12 feet and shrink the wetland impact to under 500 sq ft, the Dennis Conservation Commission voted to have staff draft an order and approved variances to allow work within the 50‑foot buffer; the hearing was continued to Jan. 15 for the draft order.
Applicants and the property owner told the Dennis Conservation Commission on Dec. 18 that they had reworked a contentious plan for 60 Church Street, moving the proposed new structure 12 feet farther from Grand Cove and shrinking the wetland impact from more than 1,000 square feet to under 500.
Darren Meyer, the applicant’s representative, said the team also eliminated a proposed garage and revised driveway and drainage details to reduce impacts. “We reduced the area of impact from over 1000 square feet to below 500,” Meyer said, adding that the mitigation planting and tree planting plan remains in place.
Owner Tom Cummings described a personal commitment to restoring the property rather than demolishing it, and said the applicants are “fully committed to whatever mitigation measures … deemed appropriate.” Carolina Sasson said neighbors provided written support and the applicants plan a 3:1 planting ratio, describing 12 new trees to replace four trees requested for removal.
Several commissioners expressed concern about allowing any additional footprint inside the commission’s 50‑foot setback. Commissioner Bill Clark said the rule exists to protect resource areas and that he was not in favor of approving work that extends into the setback. By contrast, Commissioner Bill Norman said the planting plan and drainage improvements would produce better protection than the existing, mostly grassy condition on the site.
After further discussion, Norman moved to accept the revised plan as presented and to instruct staff to draft an order of conditions; the motion passed. The commission also moved to grant the variances required to allow work within the 50‑foot buffer. The panel agreed to continue the hearing to Jan. 15 so staff can prepare the draft order.
Actions and next steps: staff will prepare a draft order of conditions reflecting the revised plan and the granted variances; the public hearing remains open and will resume on Jan. 15.
