The Marion Conservation Commission met on May 28 with a handful of members present initially. Those being Chair Matt Shultz, Vice Chair Emil Assing, Associate Member Alex Hansell, and Associate Member Tom Drechsler who joined remotely. Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee also joined remotely. Shultz began by saying “we’re a little short on commission members this evening” before electing Hansell to step in as a voting member for the rest of the meeting as well as asking Drechsler to vote on an issue the chair himself submitted for his own property.
The meeting then began with a Continued Public Hearing for a Notice of Intent for pier repairs submitted by Robert Luchetti of 548 Point Road. Along with the pier’s repair, the removal of a stone wall and steps is also desired, alongside the restoration of eroded areas. Bob Rogers from GAF Engineering appeared on behalf of the applicant. Rogers explained removal of some vegetation is now required, as well as the possibility of Special Conditions for the water-side delivery of materials. Without serious questioning, the commission closed the Public Hearing with a unanimous vote.
Next began a Continued Public Hearing on Oren Robinson Revocable Trust 2017’s Notice of Intent for the reconstruction of a single-family dwelling at 16 Spinnaker Lane. The existing structure will be demolished, and there will be a totally new house built. It was also stated there will be minimal alterations to the property’s vegetation or landscaping. Member of the public Lisa McKenzie asked about the size of the new structure. The current building is 539 square feet with the representative saying the new structure would be an increase at 52×32 feet and would be two stories. Abutters expressed concern over this increase in size, especially within the coastal buffer zone. This hearing was closed, though a drafting of the permit will happen at a later time. The chair stated this was due to the number of hearings still left to cover in the meeting.
There was then a hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability for the construction of a deck and portico, as well as the grading of the dwelling perimeter at 28 Parkway Lane, submitted by Monica Gracia. Commission members stated they had visited the site in the days prior. The owners confirmed their property lies in a flood zone when asked of the property’s resource area. There were no further questions, and the commission held a unanimous vote to close the hearing.
Following this was another hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability for the construction of a blue stone patio addition to an existing patio at 21 Bayview Road, submitted by Hurley Nominee Trust. The patio sits near the water edge with the request enlarging it as well as the addition of boulders on the slope to the sea. Without much questioning, the commission closed with hearing with a unanimous vote as well.
The next hearing was filed by Joseph Irvine of Tabor Academy, 218 Front Street, for a Notice of Intent for the construction of a new handicap ramp and surrounding parking improvements for the head of school’s house near the library. With only minor questions on vegetation removal, the commission closed the hearing with a unanimous vote.
Another Notice of Intent was next, this time from Dean B. Burpee 1999 Revocable Trust at 52 West Avenue for the reconstruction of a damaged and eroded seawall. The representative stated this project would be a continuation of a similar project from abutters approved last fall, seeing the seawall mirror and copying that construction, using the same contractor as well. There was general support for this, especially given that the project is the continuation of a recently approved project. The board closed this hearing with a unanimous vote.
The next and final hearing saw the chair recuse himself, given he and his wife are the applicants. Matt and Sara Shultz of 459 Point Road had a hearing for a Request for Determination of Applicability for the replenishment of a gravel driveway and the installation of a cobblestone apron. Shultz stated the “driveway’s in kind of a bad shape, with lots of displacement during the last project.” He also cited heavy rainfall. The commission, with the Acting Chair Emil Assing, closed the hearing with a unanimous vote.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department Conference Room.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Sam Bishop