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Commission continues 83 Rebecca Road 'raise-and-reconstruct' plan after questions over porch proximity to seawall and pile details
Summary
The Conservation Commission continued a proposal to raise and reconstruct a dwelling at 83 Rebecca Road to July 6 after commissioners requested piling and erosion-control details, and asked for a larger mitigation/planting plan because roofed porch area will be closer to the seawall.
Attorney Jeff and project consultants described a raise-and-reconstruct project at 83 Rebecca Road that would elevate an existing dwelling on piles, remove roughly 1,300 sq ft of obstruction (a seawall segment) to allow dune migration, and replace the existing foundation with a flood-compliant first floor set at least three feet above base flood elevation.
Staff and the applicant noted the project had obtained necessary zoning approvals for reduced setbacks and that coastal consultant Stan Humphre provided a letter concluding the plan met the coastal-dune performance standards. Applicant representatives said the project reduces ground impacts and replaces a barrier that currently impedes dune migration.
Commissioners pressed the applicant on several technical points: the apparent shift in the roofed (covered) porch area that brings parts of the dwelling ~4–5 ft closer to the seawall in a narrow band, whether piles or other below‑grade elements will be closer to the dune, the composition of material under the raised structure and whether mitigation plantings proposed are sufficient for the encroachment. Dylan Brady (project consultant) stated the piles for the principal structural supports are not closer than existing piles, but confirmed porch piles would be up to about four feet closer in places.
Commissioners requested specific details: erosion-control plans, a pile/specification detail (open‑driven wooden piles vs. other types), the material to be placed under the elevated structure, and a more robust mitigation planting plan or protective fencing to prevent continued parking/compaction of the dune. The commission also requested any missing plan sets be refiled with a consistent plan date so all reviewers are looking at the same revision.
The commission voted to continue the hearing to July 6 to permit submission of the requested piling/erosion-control details and revised mitigation plantings; the motion passed with recorded votes in favor by Brendan, Roger and Frank.
Next steps: applicant to provide pile and erosion-control details, clarification of materials under the house, and a revised mitigation plan for review prior to the continued hearing.
