The Marion Conservation Commission, at their September 24 meeting, continued one public hearing, held two others for 5 Main Street and 14 Aucoot Avenue, awarded two Certificates of Compliance to Zora Enterprises, Inc. for work on Olde Meadow Road and Olde Farm Road, and appointed a new member of substantial applicable experience.
Natalie Burgo was approved as an associate member of the Conservation Commission. Burgo stated she had previously worked for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 10 years, saying she had worked with numerous conservation commissions and was leaving the federal agency at the end of September. Her work has primarily focused on plastic and hazardous waste affecting waterways around the South Coast and Greater Boston.
The multi-billion-dollar developer Toll Brothers, Inc. requested to continue their Public Hearing for the 48-unit condominium development at 78 Wareham Road (Route 6). The hearing will now take place at the Conservation Commission’s next meeting on October 8.
First for discussion was two Certificates of Compliance for Zora Enterprises, Inc. for two adjacent properties. The house on the first property had previously been approved in 1985 and revised in 1987. Members of the committee had recently visited the site, with commissioner Shaun Walsh stating, “the house has been there for a number of years” and “seems fine,” though he did mention it encroached on the property line by a few feet. Both Certificates of Compliance were granted by the committee.
There was a Public Hearing for a Notice of Intent for 5 Main Street by applicant Helm Realty Trust. The hearing was for the proposed addition of a blue stone patio with accompanying landscaping improvements. David Davignon of Schnieder, Davignon & Leone, Inc. spoke on behalf of the applicant. He initially stated, “this project started out bigger when we filed the NOI, and it has shrunk.” Originally, Davignon had said that the proposed staircase was supposed to extend farther to the property’s lower lawn and closer to the water. Now, he says, it would be “a very minor project.”
Much of the discussion with the commission revolved around leveling the land and grading. Commissioner Walsh questioned how erosion patterns would change, finishing with “make sure that obviously it’s installed properly.” The Public Hearing was closed with no further questioning.
The next Public Hearing was for an Amended Order of Conditions by applicants Matthew de Groot and Justin Brasington of 14 Aucoot Avenue for the modification of an approved site plan including razing, grading, and reorienting of structures and pool, and tree removal. Rachel Watsky of Watsky Law represented the applicants alongside project engineer Chris Gilbert of Farland Corp.
Gilbert explained the proposed plan and the new changes in it. Originally proposed was a raised and pile-supported living space above ground-level toward the southern end of the property. The new plans shift the dwelling north, closer to the road. All living space is above the flood zone. For the pool, instead of a bordering fence there would now be a retractable cover. In migrating the house, the current non-FEMA-compliant dwelling would be demolished to make way. Chair Matt Shultz said he had “no issue” with the proposed amendment, and the hearing was closed.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission will be held on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Sam Bishop