Jones’ Request Requires a Class

            W. Dale Jones made an unusual filing with the Marion Conservation Commission during its February 24 Zoom meeting that led to some education for the meetings’ viewers.

            In a public hearing, Jones filed an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) to review and confirm the wetland resource area (BVW) boundaries at the vacant lot on Register Road.

            “We don’t get many ANRADs,” said ConCom Chairman Shaun Walsh, who explained the difference between an ANRAD and a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA). “What an ANRAD does is it asks the wetlands commissioner to approve the wetlands delineation…. The commission may say, ‘Thumbs up, you nailed it, the delineation is accurate and we’ll issue an approval of that wetlands delineation.'”

            Good for three years, the ANRAD assures the applicant of where they can build or at least where they might be allowed to build. Walsh qualified that explanation by noting that any activity that occurs within 100 feet of a resource area would still be subject to further permitting before ConCom, either via an RDA or Notice of Intent (NOI). Sometimes, Walsh explained, people seek an ANRAD so they can more readily sell a piece of property.

            Saturday’s site visits were covered in snow. “It was impossible for the commission to really evaluate the wetlands line as it’s been flagged,” said Walsh. ConCom intends to try again on Saturday, March 6. “This is a fairly extensive wetland system, so we really need to walk the line and make sure that we agree” on that wetland line.

            Walsh instructed the applicant’s representative that if the commission issues an Order of Resource Delineation (ORAD) and the property owner then decides on any activity, if the work is intended within 100 feet of the wetlands line, such activity would require a new filing with ConCom.

            The public hearing was continued to March 10 at 7:00.

            Two separate but identical continued public hearings came to a positive conclusion during the meeting, as ConCom member Jeff Doubrava, 47 East Avenue, and John A. & Carole F. Whittemore, 51 East Avenue, had both filed Notices of Intent to improve access from to the waters off Planting Island Cove, Sippican Harbor, and Buzzards Bay for recreational boating, fishing, and swimming by removing the bottom-anchored chain system with a plan to replace with a pile-held anchoring system.

            The commission unanimously voted to issue an Order of Conditions to both applicants, approving their plans. A special condition stipulates that all work shall comply with the project narrative in the Notice of Intent.

            Doubrava recused himself twice from his role as a commission member for the public hearing, first for his own public hearing and again as a direct abutter for the Whittemores’ hearing.

            Fikile Portia Ndlovu filed an RDA for the construction of a single-family house in accordance with National Flood Insurance Standards within a FEMA flood zone AE16 at Wilson Road.

            Aaron Grady represented the applicant and described the project. Grady said he had met with Building Commissioner Scott Shippey. Walsh called it a “pretty straight-forward project.” The public hearing was continued until March 10.

            Applicant Michael Isabelle filed an RDA to install a single-story shed to house pool equipment at 196 Point Road. The public hearing was continued until March 10.

            ConCom anticipated comments from the Planning Board on a major site plan review for the application filed by Sherman Briggs and Hamblin Homes Inc. for Briggs’ proposed 28-unit residential development on Spring Street near Mill Street.

            Briefly discussing the split-rail fence proposed near Silvershell Beach, Doubrava told fellow ConCom members that no other FY22 Community Preservation Commission applications come into ConCom’s purview.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 10 at 7:00 pm.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

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