Approved 3/11/08
TOWN OF WELLESLEY
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
January 22, 2008, 7:30 PM
NRC Office, Lower Level, Town Hall
Attending: Heidi Gross, Chairman, Paul Cramer, Vice-Chair, Joan Gaughan, Secretary, Richard Bashian, Neal Seaborn, Janet Bowser, NRC Director.
Guests: Mark Paris, Senior Vice President, National Development; Bob Corning, Environmental Consultant to National Development with the SanTec Corporation; Georgia Gomerac-Leiner, Martin Kessel, Robert W. Eisenmenger, David Dimmick, Mike Linehan, all from the Natick Open Space Advisory Committee; Denny Nackoney, Bob White, and Miguel Lessing, Wellesley Trails Committee; Marian Wrobel, 19 Columbia Street, Megan Carroll, 24 Colombia Street, Raymond Capobianco, 18 Columbia Street, Peggy Griffin, 22 Columbia Street, Diane Hall, 80 Prospect Street, Sheila Buckley, 32 Ledyard Street.
Public Voice
No one attending the meeting spoke at Public Voice.
Meeting with Natick Open Space Advisory Com. to Discuss Regional Open Space Issues
Ms. Gross welcomed members of the Natick Open Space Advisory Committee. Mr. Martin Kessel, Chair of the Committee, thanked Ms. Bowser and Ms. Gross for their invitation to attend the meeting to discuss open space issues of common concern. The discussion focused on 2 particular areas along the Wellesley/ Natick border, including the Cochituate Aqueduct along the northern border and the Sudbury Aqueduct along the southern border. With regard to the Sudbury Aqueduct in the south, Mr. Kessel indicated that currently the Natick Open Space Advisory Committee is working with members of the Hunnewell family who will soon be presenting the third phase of a Conservation Restriction (CR) for acceptance by the Town of Natick. There was an extensive discussion regarding how to best work with the Hunnewell family to introduce the idea
of allowing public access along the Cochituate Aqueduct on Hunnewell land, along Pond Road, and connecting to Natick. Ms. Bowser stated that she has conversations with representatives from the Trustees of Reservations, and they are willing to work with both towns and the Hunnewell family in order to explore options for public access on a temporary basis, which will hopefully lead to permanent public access in this area. Ms. Bowser stated that the two towns can work together to develop a master trail plan in this area. There was further discussion and a review of a map outlining possible trail connections along Pond Road, including potential access to the Charles River. In addition, there was discussion about the Cochituate Aqueduct Trail and open space issues along the northern border of the two towns. Also discussed were possible trail connections near Natick’s Lilja School near Morses Pond as a way to connect Morses Pond Trails and to explore boat access points.
After further discussion, it was agreed that the NRC’s Trails Committee will work with the Natick Open Space Advisory Committee and the Natick Trails Committee to further develop possible trail connections. Ms. Gross thanked all members of the Natick Open Space Advisory Committee and the Natick Trails Committee and the Wellesley Trails Committee for attending the meeting.
Discussion with National Dev. Corp. Regarding the 27 Washington St. Redevelopment Project
Project Outline and Site Impact Description
Mr. Mark Paris, Senior Vice President, National Development, introduced Mr. Bob Corning from the SanTec Corp., who is the environmental consultant for National Development on this project. Mr. Paris explained that the 27 Washington Street Development Project involves the demolition of the former Grossman’s Building and the construction of a two-story office and retail building adjacent to Washington Street and 2 four-story residential apartment buildings, which will provide 150-units of housing, 30 of which will be affordable units under Wellesley’s Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw. Mr. Paris stated that currently the existing site is almost entirely developed, and currently 83 percent of the site is covered with impervious surface, including 75,000 sq. ft. of impervious surface within the Wetlands
Protection Act riverfront area. Mr. Paris stated that the entire site comprises 5.3 acres and that the proposed redevelopment of the site will result in a significant reduction in the amount of the impervious area on the site. He stated that upon completion, 62.5 percent of the site will be comprised of impervious surface. He stated that this results in a reduction of more than one-acre of impervious surface, and a 20 percent reduction of impervious surface within the riverfront area. The total reduction in impervious surface is 20 percent over the existing conditions and that the reduction in impervious area, not only occurs almost entirely within the riverfront area, but will also result in a decrease in the peak rate of the volume of stormwater from the site. He stated that the significant reduction in the impervious area results in an increase in pervious open space, including a total increase in open space on the site from 16.8 percent to 37.5
percent.
Description of Proposed Riverfront Pedestrian Pathway/Open Space Protection Efforts
Mr. Paris outlined the riverfront pedestrian walk that is proposed along the 500-ft. riverfront frontage and outlined to the NRC the proposed landscaping and pedestrian access plan for the area connecting to the river. Mr. Paris indicated that on the east side of the property, there will be a paved sidewalk, connecting the rear parking area to Washington Street, and that in addition, a stone dust path will be installed to connect the east side of the property to the river along the railroad right-of-way under the Selectmen’s jurisdiction. Mr. Paris stated that in the west corner of the property abutting the river, that they have now pulled back a significant portion of the parking area in response to concerns from the neighbors. He said that there will be 3 bio-retention systems throughout the
property in order to incorporate low-impact development stormwater techniques. He stated that in addition to benches and picnic tables, they would like to install some historical signage, showing the site’s historical significance and past industrial history. He stated that while this area will not exactly be park-like, they intend to make an attractive area that will be open to the public. Ms. Gaughan inquired if they anticipated allowing direct path access to the Charles River. Mr. Paris replied that due to the extensive grade change and ADA issues that would be needed to provide access to the river, as well as the wetlands 25-ft no-disturb-zone, that they are not proposing to provide direct access to the river in this area. Mr. Bob White of the NRC’s Trails Committee said that they would like to be able to make this new path part of the Town’s marked trail system, since it provides an important linkage between two State owned path systems on either
side of it, and Mr. Paris indicated that marking and mapping the path would be acceptable to Nat. Development. Mr. Nackoney of the Trails Committee voiced his opinion that the path is too closely situated to the residential buildings and that the path appears overwhelmed by the buildings. He inquired as to whether or not the buildings could be pushed back away from the river, and if the buildings could be constructed in a stepped fashion in order to allow for a 2 or 3-story building near the path. Mr. Paris stated that the proposed building footprint is in full compliance with all Town zoning requirements and that they do not want to have to request any variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals that would be required if they had to pull-back the buildings and still construct the desired number of housing units. Mr. Paris stated that they are in the process of having a shade impact analysis completed, which, at this point, indicates very little if any negative impact on vegetation
or the path system in the riverfront area. Mr. Cramer indicated that it would be beneficial to examine the development in terms of the larger site area, including the large parking area behind One Washington Street, and it would be a open space benefit if a two-tiered parking garage could be installed behind this parcel, allowing for the conversion of existing parking area into open space. The NRC discussed this and indicated that this proposal would need to be part of a separate conversation with the Selectmen.
Description of Proposed Landscaping Plan/Impact and Improvements to Vegetation
Mr. Paris explained that they are not proposing to remove any significant trees in the riverfront area and no grade changes are proposed in the path along the river, and they envision the path to be stone dust, which would meander toward the back of the property, and they would provide amenities including picnic tables and benches for pedestrians to use. Mr. Paris said that as part of National Development’s proposed riverfront improvement plan, that they would also be removing invasives including bittersweet and Norway Maples from the riverbank, as well as removing some of the deadwood and preserving as much of the vegetative bank as possible. He stated that they will work closely with the NRC and it’s Wetlands Protection Committee to identify any invasive trees or shrubs to be removed and that only those trees
or shrubs approved for removal by the NRC will be removed. He indicated that they will be planting native plants along the bank area and will install a native vegetative under story in order to prevent erosion on the bank leading to the river. He stated that they are proposing a meadow-type landscape for a good part of the open space area surrounding the buildings and not a manicured lawn. He stated that there is no proposal to provide landscaping irrigation and that they are trying to move away from any high maintenance lawn areas and they intend to incorporate as many environmentally beneficial practices as possible including capturing rain water from roof runoff and providing on-site surface recharge.
Agreement to Grant Conservation Restriction to NRC by Nat. Development on Site’s Open Space
Ms. Gross inquired as to whether they would be willing to place a Conservation Restriction on the site’s open space, especially the areas within the riverfront area. Mr. Paris stated that he has spoken with Ms. Bowser regarding the NRC’s desire to have a CR placed on open space and he indicated that National Development is willing grant a CR to the NRC. Ms. Bowser gave Mr. Paris a copy of the NRC’s standard Conservation Restriction language for use by the National Development. The NRC will work with Nat. Dev. to further define the areas to be protected under the restriction.
Nat. Dev.’s Willingness to Work w/Town to Improve Selectmen’s ROW and State Bridge to Newton
The NRC inquired if National Development would be willing to help pay for improvements to the bridge leading to Newton as well as for possible improvements to the open space on the Town’s right-of-way adjacent to 27 Washington Street. Mr. Paris said that they are willing to help the Town make any improvements that the NRC would like to see, including improvements to the bridge over the Charles River connecting Wellesley to Newton.
Neighborhood Residents’ Concerns
Residents attending the meeting outlined the following 6 major concerns regarding the development:
1. Excessive scale of the west building compared to existing building and abutting residences;
2. Increased noise from the parking, trash and apartments;
3. Increased light pollution from the apartments, balconies;
4. Lack of year-round natural screening and plan to eliminate the current vegetative screening;
5. Encroachment onto the Charles River Watershed; and
6. Noise, dirt and safety during construction.
Several of the neighbors voiced concern about the proposed grade change and removal of trees along the west side of the development. Mr. Bashian inquired as to whether it would be possible to swap parking from the west to the east side, and perhaps some parking on the Selectmen’s right-of-way to address the neighbor’s concerns. Mr. Paris stated that it would be a very difficult and a time-consuming process requiring Town Meeting approval and would also present some wetlands issues, and National Development considers this to be too risky a proposal to pursue.
NRC Commits to Work with Nat. Dev. to Further Develop Open Space Protection Plans
After further discussion, Ms. Gross indicated that National Development has made significant efforts to maximize open space and improve access to the Charles Riverfront area, and has made a commitment to grant a conservation restriction to the NRC to preserve open space, and that they have committed financial support to restore the Charles River Railroad Bridge connecting Wellesley to Newton, as well as pledging financial support to improve the open space along the railroad right-of-way on the Selectmen’s land. After further discussion, it was the sense of the NRC that they are encouraged by National Development’s redevelopment proposal and that they will continue to work with them to maximize open space and improve public access in the riverfront area and ensure that a CR is granted to the NRC by
National Development. Ms. Gross stated that the NRC will continue to work with National Development as it moves forward with its project for redeveloping 27 Washington Street, and she indicated that National Development will be meeting with the Wetlands Protection Committee for their Notice of Intent Filing on January 31st. Ms. Gross stated that a member of the NRC will be attending that meeting to outline the NRC’s concerns. Ms. Gross thanked the neighbors for attending the meeting and for voicing their concerns regarding the project.
Discussion Re: Sprague Field Remediation Master Plan and Use of Playing Field User Fees
Mr. Bashian reviewed with the NRC background information regarding the Terra XPS artificial turf infill product, as well as additional information regarding product alternatives to the tire crumb rubber infill for use in for the artificial turf surface for the Sprague Field Project. Mr. Bashian indicated that through his discussions with members of the Sprague~Field Task Force that the Terra XPS artificial turf infill product seems to have a positive profile, and it appears to be a safer product than the crumb tire rubber infill rubber material previously considered by the Task Force. Mr. Bashian indicated that the Task Force will be voting tomorrow night on the infill product to be used and that he would like to have a sense of the NRC on this matter. After further discussion, a motion was made and
seconded, and the NRC concluded by a vote of 5-0 that based on the information provided to the NRC, that the Commission supports the use of a TPE product that meets or exceeds the environmental/health safety profile of the Terra XPS profile.
Mr. Bashian stated that he and Ms. Bowser attended the most recent Playing Fields Task Force Meeting, and the question was posed as to whether or not some of the Playing Fields User Fees could be used for maintenance and replacement of the artificial field, should the project be approved. After some discussion, it was the sense of the NRC that they could agree to having the same amount of the user fees be used for maintenance of the artificial field, as long as there is sufficient money for use by the DPW to adequately maintain the Town’s playing fields.
Discussion Re: Advisory Committee’s Request for NRC FY09 Capital Budget Reductions
Ms. Bowser reviewed with the NRC a memo from the Advisory Committee outlining that because the proposed Town capital budgets requests are 23 percent higher than anticipated, there will need to be reductions in all departments to reduce and/or defer capital requests. The NRC reviewed their FY09 Capital Request and identified some potential areas for reduction, but noted that they will wait until after the Inter-Board Budget Meeting on January 31st before taking any action in reductions.
Director’s Report
Preparation for Jan. 23rd Advisory Meeting Re: NRC FY09 Operating Budget and Morses Pond FY09 Operating Budget Requests
Ms. Bowser stated that the NRC’s Pond Manager Dr. Ken Wagner will be attending this meeting to present with the NRC, the Morses Pond Operating Budget and that she, along with Ms. Gross, and Mr. Seaborn will attend to present the NRC FY09 Operating Budget. She stated that based on current projections, the Town projects a $3 million deficit, and therefore Advisory will be requesting reductions in operating budgets.
Update on Membership Applications to the Wetlands Protection Committee
Ms. Bowser stated that in response to her recent letters in the Wellesley Townsman and the Boston Globe several resident applications have come in, and that the NRC will be reviewing these with the Wetlands Protection Committee in order to choose two new members and two new associates. Ms. Bowser stated that Kristen Phelps, the Acting Wetlands Administrator, is providing technical review on wetlands applications, and Ms. Bowser is providing administrative and departmental support for the Wetlands Protection Committee.
Wetlands Protection Permit Appeal on 205 Cliff Road Order of Conditions
Ms. Bowser stated that the applicant on the Order of Conditions for 205 Cliff Road has appealed the permit issued by the Wetlands Committee and that this is the first appeal that has been filed in over ten years. She stated that she is working with the Wetlands Protection Committee and the applicant to resolve this matter administratively without further litigation.
Liaison Reports/Continuing Business/New Business
Update on Naming Rights Policy Ad Hoc Committee
Ms. Gross stated that she and Ms. Bowser continue to work on this Ad Hoc Committee and that there is a draft policy and bylaw that will be presented to the Board of Selectmen prior to being presented to the 2008 Annual Town Meeting this spring. She stated that once a final draft policy is available, she will present it for the NRC’s review and discussion.
Update on Wellesley’s 25th Tree City USA Award Ceremony at Elm Bank in April of 2008
Mr. Seaborn stated that he is working with the State Department of Conservation and Recreation to organize the “Tree City USA Award” ceremony at Elm Bank at which the NRC will receive its 25th Tree City USA Award. He and Ms. Bowser are working to encourage several local companies to help sponsor the event.
Review and Completion of NRC Members 2007 Campaign Finance Reports
Ms. Bowser circulated for signature by the Commission Members the 2007 Campaign Finance Reports required by the State. Ms. Bowser stated that she will submit these to the Wellesley Town Clerk on behalf of the NRC Members.
Next Scheduled NRC Meeting
The next NRC meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, at 7:30PM in the NRC Office.
Adjournment
After a motion was made and seconded, the NRC voted 5 – 0 to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted:
Janet Hartke Bowser
NRC Director
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