Saltworks Marine representatives only want to be upfront with both phases planned for the newly acquired property at 291 Wareham Street, but some members of the Marion Conservation Commission thought their presentation looked too crammed with ‘ifs.’
The public hearing was continued right away since snow cover obstructed an onsite visit to inspect the area; however, Chairman Norman Hills gave Engineer David Davignon and Saltworks owner Dan Crete the chance to present their Phase I plan for discussion.
Phase I would relocate an existing Quonset hut that rests within a velocity zone, which ConCom last fall allowed to remain only until May, to the west of the site to use as boat storage. Davignon added that as part of Phase II, a second Quonset hut would later be placed back in the velocity zone spot affixed to four large storage containers ‘if’ a consultant Crete solicited can present FEMA with a strong enough case to change the flood zone designation at the site.
“They’ve (the consultants) done so much in Marion,” said Davignon, “…that they feel very confident that this flood zone will be taken out of the velocity zone designation.” At that point, Davignon said, Saltworks would revise the plan and return before ConCom.
Phase I also includes the construction of a 4,000 square-foot workshop and a stormwater management system as well as some minor grading and fill.
With tentative V-zone changes still several months away, commission member Jeffrey Doubrava wondered why Saltworks was trying to ‘cram’ everything into one application, “[I]nstead of doing Phase I, which is very clean,” said Doubrava.
“[I’m concerned] that it’s going to be fifty pages of conditions and take us an eternity to figure out what all the conditions will be,” said Doubrava.
Davignon said Phase I is what Crete could actually do now – build the 100-foot by 400-foot workshop, relocate the Quonset hut away from the V-zone by May, renovate the existing Marion Fence building, and install the stormwater management system and parking.
Phase II includes an additional 7,000 square-foot boat storage building, with the tentative second Quonset hut pending FEMA V-zone changes.
“Phase II really is instrumental to everything that goes into Phase I,” said Crete. “It makes it economically feasible…. If we can’t do Phase II, it doesn’t really make sense to us.”
Doubrava said Crete should take any mention of a second Quonset hut out of the conversation. To him, he said, Crete will get where he wants to go without even mentioning the second hut.
“We’re trying to be upfront with the Planning Board,” said Davignon. “We don’t want to be accused of coming back for another bite of the apple and we’re not.”
Also during the meeting, ConCom issued a Negative determination for the demolition of a screened porch, patio, and detached garage at 68 Holmes Street to make way for a bump-out addition, a new garage, and a new patio. The resource area is located on the abutting property.
The owners, Leslie & Harrison Condon, were represented by Davignon, who said half of the work was within the 100-foot buffer zone, but less than 50 feet from the wetlands.
The commission issued a Negative determination for Debra & Douglas Breault of 16 Rocky Nook Lane for a septic system upgrade and leaching field replacement.
Also, the commission allowed the amendment of a Request for Determination of Applicability for 14 Bayview Road, because the size of a proposed addition to the north side of the house was increased and a proposed patio became a proposed deck.
Hills was unsure of how to proceed with this territory unfamiliar to him, so the date on the plan was revised; the commission will document the commission’s decision in a letter, and Hills urged the engineer to send a copy of the letter to the MassDEP.
The public hearing for LEC Environmental Consultants for 345 & 390 Wareham Street was continued until March 25.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 11 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.
By Jean Perry
