Rochester’s Conservation Commission spent most of its Tuesday meeting reviewing and fielding abutters’ concerns over a Notice of Intent for proposed work on an access road for a ground-mounted solar array system within a bordering vegetated wetlands in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road.
The proposal by Logging Swamp Solar c/o ReWild Renewables includes work within the 200-foot riverfront area associated with an on-site perennial stream as well as within a local 25-foot No Disturb zone. Project representative Sarah Sterns of Beals and Thomas Engineering began the hearing by explaining that a former logging road is the only way to access where the 49-acre site will be developed with a solar panel array. Two small areas of vegetated wetlands will be altered to connect them as a way to improve the groundwater flow, and a small timber bridge will be built. This will result in a 2500-foot road that the project’s construction equipment will need, she said.
Abutters responded with strong concerns that the project will send more water onto their properties. Alan Gragnani of 655 Snipatuit Road complained the proposed road would be 40 feet from his property and 100 feet from his well. He said he and his neighbors have a lot of concerns. “I’m terrified by my concern about how this will affect my quality of life,” added Lisa Christensen of 663 Snipatuit Road.
Commission Chair Christopher Gerrior suggested the developer look again into other places to build access to the solar field site, such as through easements across some abutters’ properties more upland of the site. Sterns, taking notes on all the comments she received, said she will look into all suggestions and share them with the developer. Upon Sterns’ request, the board continued the hearing to June 3.
A Notice of Intent filed by Seaport Homes to construct a single-family home with associated clearing, grading and installation of utilities at a new address on Gifford Lane also filled the meeting room seats with concerns and protests that the project should not be built in such a wetlands sensitive area. Andy Hammersmith and other members of the Snows Pond Association said it was unacceptable that a house could be built there. “It is not buildable in any way,” he said.
The commission ultimately issued the project an Order of Conditions, but with special conditions related to the abutters’ feedback. Permanent markers will be placed to delineate where wetlands begin. No fertilizer will be used. A septic system that will hold the groundwater’s nitrogen and phosphorous will be installed.
In other action, the commission certified the completion of a project to construct a single-family home with associated grading and landscaping at 22 High Street by granting applicant Olivia Richard a Certificate of Compliance
The commission approved an After-the-Fact Notice of Intent application for a proposal to cut trees and yard renovations within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone at 56 Marion Road. Applicant Justin Pavao explained he did not realize he was violating wetland laws when he and his wife began clearing the dense brush and the overgrown garden om his property.
The board continued to June 3 a Notice of Intent hearing on constructing a 20,000 square-foot commercial building with associated access drives, parking areas, utilities and storm water management system at a new address on Cranberry Highway. Applicant Seaport Enterprises’ representative Bob Rogers requested the continuance pending the town engineer’s peer review and his hearing with the Rochester Planning Board next week.
The next Conservation Commission meeting will be May 20 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco