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Commission requires lawn be restored to original conservation restriction at 22 Bowditch
Summary
After reviewing a draft conservation restriction complicated by a 2002 pool approval and prior unauthorized clearing, the Sudbury Conservation Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 7 to restore a small noncompliant lawn pocket to the original conservation restriction line rather than create a special‑use carve‑out.
The Sudbury Conservation Commission on Oct. 7 directed that a small lawn area at 22 Bowditch be restored to the original conservation restriction line rather than be designated a new "special use" area.
Coordinator Lori Capone summarized the property’s complex history, including a 2002 Order of Conditions that allowed a pool and reduced the original restriction by about 4,208 square feet. Capone said the only remaining noncompliant feature in the draft conservation restriction was a small pocket of lawn that conflicts with a habitat restoration zone intended to maintain a 100‑foot offset from a nearby vernal pool.
Commissioners, led by Comm. Ken Holtz and Comm. Jeremy Cook, argued there was no strong justification to permit continued lawn in the restricted area and said restoring the lawn would prevent future encroachment and ensure clarity in the restriction boundary. On motion by Comm. Holtz, seconded by Comm. Cook, the commission voted unanimously to require the lawn be restored to the original conservation restriction line. The vote directs staff to reflect that requirement in the final conservation restriction documents.
The commission also reviewed other items in the meeting’s business section, including the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance for work at 173 Union Avenue, and updates about hunting, vandalism at Tipping Rock and an OARS grant for drainage work on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.
