The Marion Conservation Commission met on February 11 at the Police Station’s conference room and took no issue with a few small projects proposed.
Ryan Burke, of Seahorse Way, filed a Request for Determination of Applicability for water service to two parcels he owns, explaining that the shoreline neighborhood has water services and relies on a water distribution tank. Burke proposed that the water line be connected via Dexter Way and service his home there. Burke said, in the long haul, other homeowners can also tap into the line. Burke also said the flood zone is not within the parcels that he owns.
At member Millie Seeberg’s motion, the commission voted Burke’s proposal a Negative Box 2 determination, thereby approving his plan.
For another project at 137 Allens Point Road, applicant Hope Sidman filed a RDA proposing demolition of a cottage on her property and the addition of an entertainment room. Sidman’s engineer, Bob Rogers of G.A.F. Engineering, disclosed that the work proposed for the property would include disturbing land at the fringe of the 100-foot buffer zone to the coastal bank. In explaining his RDA application as opposed to a Notice of Intent, Rogers said that all excess material would be removed from the site and pointed out on his site plan that the new construction only slightly penetrates the 100-foot buffer zone.
Commissioner Shaun Walsh made a motion, which was approved by the entire board, to issue a Negative Box 3 determination, allowing the work as long as the builders take erosion-control measures to protect the nearby buffer zone prior to the start of any work at the site. Walsh said that the presentation showed limited work that could lead to erosion, but a plan on the record would protect neighboring lands. “We want to make sure it doesn’t fall toward the harbor,” he said.
The agenda on February 11 featured three hearings, but the first one was withdrawn by the applicant – demolishing a home on Beach Street and building a new one.
Commissioners also discussed an ongoing problem but made no motion for change. However, they cautioned residents and officials to be vigilant of the number of downed trees and limbs that have littered various areas in town due to the snowy, windy weather this season.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Jeffrey D. Wagner