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Commission continues two linked beachfront revetment projects after detailed review of bank stability and vegetation plan
Summary
Major beachfront projects at 15 and 11 Bay Lane were presented and continued to July 14 after commissioners and staff requested additional photos, access plans and a phased vegetation approach to protect the coastal bank.
Engineers and landscape designers presented two linked shoreline projects at the Bayside — 15 Bay Lane and adjacent 11 Bay Lane — and the Eastham Conservation Commission voted on June 23 to continue both matters to July 14 to allow the applicants to supply more detailed plans, photos and access/staging information.
Bob Perry of Cape Cod Engineering described the 15 Bay Lane proposal as a reconstruction of a settled stone revetment, relocation of a seasonal stairway, and restoration of coastal bank plantings. In presenting the design rationale he said the goal was to "reconstruct it ... to be more consistent with the flood elevations although it will not exceed the 100‑year flood elevation," so that the structure gives the bank some room to remain vegetated and functional as habitat.
Landscape designer Laura Kelly outlined a planting plan for the top of the bank and the backyard area that would replace repeatedly vista‑pruned woody shrubs with low‑growing native species such as bayberry, American beach grass and low roses. Commissioners and staff pushed back on any proposal that would "wholesale" remove root systems near the crest of the coastal bank; several commissioners urged a phased approach to avoid destabilizing the slope and asked the applicants to show clearer site photos and a more constrained work limit landward of the crest. Commissioner Cinnamon warned that "once you start removing I think you're going to find out that you are going over some of the slope to achieve what you want as the view," and recommended staged work from the deck outward.
At 11 Bay Lane Perry proposed removing an aging timber bulkhead and replacing it with a stone revetment with geotextile, integrated stone steps, and planting of American beach grass in areas of disturbance. Staff noted the bulkhead is mostly buried under recently nourished sand, making it hard to evaluate the condition of embedded anchors. Where anchors or "dead men" cannot be practically removed, the engineering team proposed cutting rods back and sequestering them behind the new revetment, with compaction and profile restoration required.
Because both filings lacked some requested technical details (file/D numbers, clearer photos of existing conditions, and access/staging plans for equipment), and because the vegetation proposal required additional detail on limits and a possible phased implementation, the commission voted to continue both notices of intent to July 14 so staff and the commission can review revised plans and photos.
What happens next: applicants will return with revised plans, clearer photo evidence of existing revetments and anchors, and an access/staging plan. The commission requested that any plan show work limits, erosion controls (waddles/silt fence), and a planting/mitigation schedule tied to construction staging.
