City Of Cambridge Conservation Commission 147 Hampshire Street

city of cambridge ========================= conservation commission 147 hampshire street cambridge, ma 02139 ph. 617.349.4680

City of Cambridge
=========================
Conservation Commission
147 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Ph. 617.349.4680
Jennifer Letourneau, Director [email protected]
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Public Meeting – Monday, November 18, 2019 at 7:00PM
147 Hampshire Street, Main Conference Room
MEETING MINUTES
The following meeting minutes were taken by Tracy Dwyer and are
respectfully submitted.
Present Commission Members: Purvi Patel (Chair), Kathryn Hess,
Jennifer Letourneau (Director), David Lyons (Vice Chair), Ted
Pickering
Absent Commission Members: Elysse Magnotto-Cleary, Kaki Martin,
Kenneth Nugent (resigned 7/1)
Attendees: Tracy Dwyer, Cambridge Public Works; James Wilcox,
Cambridge Public Works; Dominic Rinaldi, BSC Group; Doug Hartnett,
Highpoint Engineering; Jesse Aguilar, Highpoint Engineering; Rick
Corsi, DCR; Randy Kreie, DiMella Shaffer; Tyson Reynoso, King Street
Properties; Hannah Loope, Wagner Hodgson; James Rafferty, Adams &
Rafferty; Jack Kelly, Bartlett Tree Experts
Purvi Patel opened the hearing.
7:03 – Request for Certificate of Compliance
Muskrat Marsh Pilot Project
DEP File #123-213
Jennifer Letourneau represented the project because the proponent was
unable to make the meeting. Jennifer gave background of the project,
which was a small pilot project which was for one (1) year. There was
a beetle release during the project which was released on the purple
blue strive. There have been no activities outside of the three (3)
years and they wanted to close out the project. Jennifer stated they
did not work with an expired order of conditions. Purvi asked if there
were any discoveries made or any data or outcome from the pilot
project? Jennifer stated this was a good ecological summer program for
the kids. they had Mayor’s Program kids as well as other youth groups.
There was no public comment.
The commission unanimously agreed to approve the Certificate of
Compliance
7:08 – Request for Certificate of Compliance
88 Cambridgepark Drive
DEP File #123-254
Dominic Rinaldi from BSC Group was there to represent the project.
Dominic stated that the Order of Conditions was brought to the
commission back in 2013 and then they filed for an extension in 2018.
The project is now complete with flood storage under the buildings,
they submitted calculations, and Jim Wilcox from DPW did a technical
review and recommended that a certificate be provided
There was no public comment.
The commission unanimously agreed to approve the Certificate of
Compliance.
7:11 – Request for Certificate of Compliance
Charles River – Temporary Tower A
DEP File 123-283
The proponent was not able to make the meeting Jennifer Letourneau
represented them. Jennifer stated that after a site visit it was
determined by her that there was no BVW therefore there was no
vegetation restoration needed for the project. The tower is erected
and currently being used. She stated there was some parking issues
with staff parking in the resource area but that was resolved. The
commission asked why this tower was erected? Jennifer reminded them
that the tower was erected because the current tower needed to be
demolished and they needed a temporary home.
Kathryn asked if this was owned and operated by the MBTA? Jennifer
stated yes, the MBTA and Keolis.
David disclosed that the MBTA is a client of his, so he would recuse
himself from the commission vote.
There was no public comment.
The commission approved with 3 votes and 1 recuse to approve the
Certificate of Compliance.
7:17 – Request for Order of Conditions Extension
Magazine Beach Improvements
DEP File #123-269
Rick Corsi from DCR was there to represent the project. Rick stated
they will be continuing the project and have called it Phase 2-A. The
project includes newly paved pathways, plantings, bluestone paved
patio around Powder Magazine. They would like the extension to allow
the contractor to monitor plantings.
Purvi asked if the commission has reviewed the whole project.
Jennifer stated that the commission has seen the whole project, but
because of funding the DCR needed to break it down into smaller
projects. Jennifer stated this project started at the canoe and kayak
launch, the pathway paving, plantings, pruning, patio paving,
landscape areas all the way to the boat club where they are planning
on putting in a “beach” like area, which would require MWRA approval
because it would be over their structures. Jennifer stated that this
was all in the original permit.
Purvi asked if they need to include a special condition for them to
come back to review each phase?
Jennifer stated that was in the permit already they are required to
come at each phase for the commission to review the work.
David asked if the public was involved in the design?
Rick stated that they have had public input with the Magazine Beach
partners.
Jennifer also stated that the City has used CPA funds as well as
historical funds for projects along the river.
There was no public comment.
The commission unanimously agreed to approve the Order of Conditions
Extension.
7:28 – Notice of Intent
87/101 Cambridgepark Drive – Proposed Life Sciences Building
DEP File # To Be Determined
Doug Harnett from Highpoint Engineering opened up the project. They
are proposing a project at 87/101 Cambridgepark Drive, which consists
of lab/office space with ground floor retail space as well as a three
(3) level below grade parking garage. The project would include a bike
path connection to the Fitchburg Rail Trail which would run along the
side of the building. They will be improving the flood storage onsite.
The resource area is in the rear of the project where there is a
stream that is connected to a culvert. Jim Wilcox stated that was
Little River. Doug stated that their resource areas off site that are
close to MBTA property.
Jennifer stated that those are man made resource areas and those are
not in the commission’s jurisdiction.
Doug stated that the project would include widening a driveway,
plantings, the bike path and along the river front they would be
removing a pole as well as a transformer pad and adding in plantings.
The compensatory flood storage would include grading onsite and
underground detention system in the courtyard, consisting of an R-tank
system which is similar to cultic systems.
Jennifer stated there would be an order of conditions and one of the
special conditions would be elevation certificates. She stated as part
of Jim Wilcox’s review he would like to see 1 to 1 square inch by
square feet.
Doug stated that utilities are outside the buffer, with the exception
of a hydrant the CFD is requiring them to install. They would be
adding 555 cubic yards of storage.
Purvi asked about the additional impervious area that they would be
adding in. Jesse Aguilar stated that would be about 48 square feet and
would come from the removal of the pole and transformer pad. She also
asked about tree removals and the calipers of the trees? There was one
tree set to be removed with 12-inch calipers.
Kathryn asked about the change of the impervious area? The impervious
area would be a reduction due to removal of some parking.
Ted asked about the temporary and permanent impacts to the riverfront.
Jesse stated again that would be about 48 square feet with the removal
of a riser pole and transformer.
Doug went on to explain to the commission they were still pursuing the
MBTA for access to their adjacent property to move the bike path.
Currently the project is proposing a bike path that would be a shared
driveway with their service area.
Jennifer stated that they would need to also think about construction
vehicles and the tree impacts that would have if they moved the path.
Kathryn asked about the volume of traffic they are expecting in the
driveway?
Tyson Reynoso stated that it was a service driveway for the lab/office
space, so they are expecting more trucks than for a normal office
space, because of the labs.
Purvi stated to them they can come back to the commission with a
Notice of Intent if they get the permission from the MBTA, and the
MBTA would be a co-applicant. Purvi stated they should review with the
proponents Jim Wilcox’s review.
Jim recommended a special condition for multiple field inspections
during construction by the Engineering Division. He is asking that
as-built drawings and photographs be submitted to properly document
the work that is completed.
Jim recommends a detailed vegetation management plan be submitted with
a plan for maintaining the landscaping on site.
Jim recommends an Operation and Maintenance plan for the stormwater
utilities on site as part of DPW’s Stormwater Control Permit. DPW will
be performing annual inspections.
Jim recommends as-built flood storage calculations demonstrate that
the compensatory storage requirement for the project has been met.
Purvi stated that Jim’s last recommendation also be a special
condition.
Tyson stated that they can have the flags be put back up as soon as
possible.
There was no public comment, and it remains open.
The commission unanimously agreed to continue the Notice of Intent to
the December 16, 2109 hearing.
8:06 – Administrative Topics
Meeting Minutes from October 21, 2019 meeting were approved.
Purvi asked if there was any news about the new commission member.
Jennifer stated the new member was appointed by City Council tonight,
November 18th, so she would be in contact with her for the December
meeting. Her name is Erum Sattar.
8:12 – Meeting Adjourned
.