Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecision - 0 GREAT POND ROAD 12/6/2016 TOWN OF NORTH AN DOVER rw DIVISION OF I'LIBLI %"(RKS 3810SCi00D STREET NOIt"1'11 nNDOVI"IR, MASSAC"IIt��e i�b,�1 ��(I�i 45s ()(* BRUCE 11 it'IIBf)DEAU, t'.firr , DIRECTOR ppGl l John J Botg-esi, PE Telephone (978) 685-0950 Director of TDigineerir7zx "i it l�,; o` Fox (978) 088-957. November 14, 2016 Planning Board Town of North Andover, MA 120 Main Street North Andover, MA 01845 RE: Lake Cochichewick Boat Launch and Parking Upgrades Watershed Protection District Special Permit Request for Waiver Dear Planning Board Members: Per Section 4.136 (8) Watershed Protection Division —Waiver of Watershed Protection District Special Permit of the Town of North Andover Zoning Bylaw, the Town of North Andover Department of Public Works (Applicant) is requesting a waiver for the project activities associated with the revisions to the Lake Cochichewick Watershed Protection Regulations (Regulations) that include the upgrading of the boat launch and parking areas located around the Lake. (See Site Locus Map— Figure 1). As stated in Section 4.136.8.1 of the Bylaw, the proposed project work is not on any existing structures within the Watershed Protection District and will not expand the existing footprint of any structures. The proposed activities will disturb the existing topography; however, the proposed disturbance will enhance the protection of the watershed by minimizing future erosion as described in further detail below. In addition, per Section 4.136 (3)(a)(i)(3) Allowed Uses, The Division of Public Works may conduct routine maintenance of any existing use of property, including the maintenance and improvements of existing roadways and drainage systems. A portion of the proposed work includes the improvement of the shoulder of Pleasant Street. In addition to this waiver request, a Request for Determination of Applicability, that has been prepared in accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, M.G.L. c,131 c.40 and implementing regulations (310 CMR 10.00) and the Town of North Andover Wetlands Regulations, is also concurrently being submitted for the proposed activities. The following sections describe further the existing conditions and proposed activities. 1 Existing Conditions The Regulations are being revised with the goal to continue the protection of Lake Cochichewick (Lake), North Andover's only drinking water supply, and to minimize future erosion around the Page 2 11/14/16 Watershed. The revised regulations will provide the guidance for the proper boat and vehicle registration with the Town and also direct the public to specific areas for the public to park, launch, and store non-motorized boats on the Lake. Upon performing an existing conditions visual survey of the watershed area, an area located along Pleasant Street has been historically used as a boat launch and boat storage area, where numerous boats have been left abandoned and have not been used in years. These abandoned boats are located along the shoreline and embankment within the lake watershed area. The boats create an impervious surface where during rain events excessive runoff is directed towards the lake creating a severe erosion problem along the shoreline and embankment of the Lake. In addition to creating excessive erosion, throughout the day vehicles are parked along both sides of Pleasant Street creating an unsafe area for vehicular travel. To remedy the erosion issues and public safety concerns, while still providing public access to the Lake, the following activities are being proposed: • Designate two (2) specific boat storage and vehicle parking areas on the Lake (Old North Pump Station and "Hatch" area); • Designate three (3) specific boat launch locations - one along Pleasant Street for walk-in walk-out boat launching and No boat storage, a second boat launch area at the Old North Pump Station, and a third boat launch at the "Hatch" area near Stevens Pond; and • Provide a limited amount of off-street parking along Pleasant Street that will accommodate on-street parking and still allow for two vehicular travel lanes. Proposed Conditions_ Boat Storage and Vehicle Parking Areas: Currently parking is provided at the Old North Pump Station located on Great Pond Road for boat access to the Lake. Contract documents are currently being prepared by a design consultant to have the existing building demolished and the area grassedlgraveled to provide an area for both boat storage where boat racks will be provided for the public and an area to park your vehicle on the Lake. The proposed demolition project has been permitted with the Conservation Commission and an Order of Conditions has been issued. The demolition project is anticipated to be completed during the winter of 2016. Upon completion of the demolition project, the existing gravel parking area will be open to permitted users for vehicle parking to access the lake. In addition, approximately 6 boat storage racks will be installed in the remaining grass area where the existing pump station building is currently located. Figure 2 depicts the proposed vehicle parking and boat storage rack areas. Since all of this work will be done after the demolition project, no clearing will be necessary. All of the proposed activities will be located outside the 25 foot "No Disturb" area but within the 50 foot "No Build" area. However, no permanent structures are being built and the proposed boat racks will be constructed on skids and are temporary structures not meeting the definition of a building or permanent structure. In addition to the Old North Pump Station, an area located by the "Hatch" is proposed to have minimal clearing of low growing shrub brush to provide an area for approximately 6 boat storage racks. Figure 3 depicts the approximate area of low brush clearing and proposed boat storage rack locations along the Lake. TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS 384 OSGOOD STREET NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS 01845-2909 Page 3 11/14/16 As shown on Figure 3, the low growing shrub brush clearing area will be located outside the 25 foot "No Disturb" and 50 foot "No Build" areas. No additional surface treatment will be added in this area and after removal of the low growing shrub brush the area will be left in its natural state. Prior to the removal of any low growing shrubs a site visit will be performed by the DPW and the conservation agent to confirm the clearing areas. Walk-ln/Walk-Out Boat Launch Area: As previously mentioned, currently along Pleasant Street there are two areas along the Lake shoreline that are being used for boat storage and boat launch/walk in traffic. The boat storage area is located to the south and consists of numerous boats being stored in this location creating a severe erosion problem along the embankment of the Lake. The majority of these boats have been abandoned and left in place and have not been used in years. Figure 4 depicts an aerial view of the boats left in this area. In addition, further North along Pleasant Street is a second access/walkway to the lake where the public currently park along the roadside and walk to the Lake to launch boats and/or fish. Currently there is insufficient room to allow for on street parking in this area. (See Figure 4) The proposed activities for each of these areas will include the following: 1. The southern boat storage area will be eliminated and the abandoned boats in this area will all be removed. Furthermore additional large size boulders will be placed to deter future boats being placed/stored in this area. 2. The northern boat launch area will be enhanced by providing five (5) on-street parking spaces along Pleasant Street. The existing shoulder will be expanded by performing minimal clearing, relocating existing boulders along the edge of the shoulder, and filling the area with minimal pervious sand/gravel fill. In addition, the walking path to the lake will be enhanced with the installation of wide spread timber steps. These steps will not only encourage the walk in/walk out use for boat launching but will also reduce erosion by reducing the stormwater runoff velocity. Figure 5 depicts the proposed five (5) on-street parking spaces and walking path. The proposed project activities are located on lots created before October 24, 1994. As defined by Section 4.136(2)(b) and from Table 2 of the Zoning Bylaw, the lots are located within the Non- Disturbance Buffer Zone. As outlined in the Bylaw for lots created on or prior to October 24, 1994, the Non-Disturbance Zone shall be all land areas between 150 feet and 250 feet horizontally from the annual mean high water mark of Lake Cochichewick and between 75 feet and 100 feet horizontally from the edge of all wetlands resources. Per Section 4.136(3)(a)(i)(3), improvements to the shoulder of Pleasant Street is considered an allowed use within the Watershed Protection District Bylaw. However, there are activities of the project that are considered prohibited uses described in the By-Law for the Non-Disturbance Buffer Zone at Section 4.136 (3)(c)(ii) -- Uses Allowed by Special Permit. The activities that are the subject of the waiver request are detailed below. Section 4.136(3)(c)(ii) — Non-Disturbance Buffer Zone Uses Allowed by Special Permit; (1) Any activities, which cause a change in topography or grade — Along the Pleasant Street shoulder, the existing shrub brush will be removed and the shoulder expanded to create five (5) - 8' wide x 22' TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS 384 OSGOOD STREET NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS 01845-2909 Page 4 11/14/16 long on street parking spaces, sized in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw. Per Section 4.136(3)(a)(i)(3) Allowed Uses, the improvements to the roadway shoulder are an allowed use within the Watershed Protection District. (2) Vegetation removal or cutting — The project activities will require the removal of low growing shrub brush adjacent to the "Hatch" area and along the Pleasant Street shoulder. The "Hatch" area will be allowed to grow in its natural state and only the shrub brush necessary to be removed to allow the placement of the boat storage racks will be removed. Along the Pleasant Street shoulder, the existing shrub brush will be removed and the shoulder expanded to create five (5) - 8' wide x 22' long on street parking spaces, sized in accordance with the Zoning Bylaw. (3) Construction of a new permanent structure only after a variance has been granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals — The proposed project does not include the construction of a new permanent structure; therefore, this use does not apply. (4) Replacement of a permanent structure — The project does not involve the construction or replacement of any permanent structures. As such, this use does not apply. (5) Any surface or sub-surface discharge, including but not limited to, storm water runoff—The proposed project will reduce the existing surface runoff at the Pleasant Street location. The newly proposed timber steps will be placed along the existing walking path slope to the Lake and will reduce the velocity of runoff. By reducing the velocity the steps will increase the amount of runoff allowed to infiltrate thereby reducing the runoff in this area. There will be no sub-surface discharges. (6) Expansion or construction of any accessory structure or expansion of any existing structure by less than twenty-five (25) percent of the gross floor if the existing structure exceeds 2,500 square feet— The project does not include the expansion of any structure. As such, this use does not apply. (7) Expansion of any existing structure by less than fifty (50)percent of the gross floor area of the existing primary structure is less than 2,500 square feet and the primary structure will be connected to municipal sewer upon completion — The project does not include the expansion of any structure. As such, this use does not apply. As indicated above, the proposed activities are being performed to enhance and preserve the Lake watershed area by reducing erosion of the shoreline, while continuing to allow the public access to the Lake. During the proposed activities, erosion control best management practices will be utilized to minimize impacts to the watershed and surrounding areas, The DPW agrees that, per the By-Law, the Town Planner will have the authority to perform a minimum of two inspections during the construction process and to stop construction if it is determined that proper erosion control is not in place. We thank you for your time and consideration of this waiver request for this project. Sincerely, X2 John J. Borgesi, P.E. BrLi�e b"Thi odeau, P.E. Town Engineer DPW Director TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS 384 OSGOOD STREETNORTH ANDOVER, MASSACI GUST TTS 01845-2909 FIGURES + Elf Orth pump Stafl6n b X'T i ma f 4,41 n r } n � f� d 4 w k v y m 1 , e a r y L F 0 r J 4 i ^ F y f V Y r f � Jf, m fo 1 'f fif t 1 r f, r u.� y E � 1� ��� ,� a c n f IA.1 r�� i f„F 4 „ v� d� ,M1 I xb IY 8"�� t "._ a A r i ,yy m �N "x”, a Om r f(?P r r �coy y Town of North Andover 1,400 700 0 1,400 Feet Lake Cochichewick Boat Launch and Parking Upgrades Figure 1 - Locus Map r�� � fil I , �y' 'i APPROXIMATE EDGE 'r� d I OP WATER i rf, r i fl3� C Q�3C19 f)J ti EXISTING ACCESSIPARKING AREA �,. ��% �'� H , EXISTING ABANDONED AT STORAGE AREA 3�7.C�C1025, -- 1'O4WN OF NORTH ANDOVER 1013 NO: 2016 PLEASANT STREET BAte:NGVEIagER0' TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS SCALE: t`a 30' DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC NAJRK.S EXISTING CONDITIONS 384 Osgood Street North Andover,MAota4s — — ....._ LAKEFRONT REGULATIONS UPDATE FIGURE DESIGNED BY: JJB CHECKED BY: RDA DRAWN 8Y: JJB t t j � I / � � �°tee o�rr/�✓i� e t TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER DA NO. PLEASANT STREET SCALE: I"- ants Tov+.�oFNcrrxTwANDovEtz DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS scA�e: �^�-,an' DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT 304 Osgood Street North ANdover,MA 01845 ------ _ ._._. _ ...... ,.. LAKEFRONT REGULATIONS UPDATE FIGURE 5 DESIGNED by: JJ6 CHECKED BY: RDA ` '. 0 o � / il- ' � APPROXIMATE AREA LOW SHRUB BRUSH fir" ��'>�d w p'//'�f ` WI r' �� > Cy p Y , /DJ % c O J Lo CLEARING r ,� ' J, ;� a r, r , r,, /r, y �r SLI ! ff, w I N It Z a. — / m ��� co �- C7 SCI.. Q w-. O fl7 Z > z o 01--OI— a c r , (1) Q r 1 ,/ 1f / / 100' WATERSHED BUFFER ZONE ' ' ° o M Z /e CY TT I / r F , r r- I I Q t � P 4 I , I I' r° , u r , I I w / J' / ✓ / ./, r %air / �/ I r / f ISI / t J I' I n ! I r m r, v II I I , Y I / r r � s I � (I � / I 1 y, r , I� I m ,I ur I, y o s , ' LLJ / r / v 1 , w I , y I I I � n u i dv v I v. r r I // . 6 1 / / 1 rd w G r ,�_:'�. "''.� ' � `writ '' I ,,19 14�C I��+�I u � I ` !i. i�/,%,�✓� ' ` � %% �y1 '�^�`'w>f.,� e °w,,,urq ,"r,,A .. ?N �G.� ���fil ,�'',�, rw^ � Iri, 11Ji ,�/ uj /"",�,`, /lr� ? �,� J / � 1 k �4r�,'?, ly"'� I° a✓�µ^ )v ,iam r%' '� C.�l �" i � (i�/// ra r raw aw y w !l I r 1i �F✓,, [L � 0] / a ` z r r / "4' " EXISTING PATH r� � � /r r cn <t r Com-• Z:) V) z z APPROXIMATE EDGE < m o �f / OF WATER <o u- 00 0 ftf z w F- /� LAKE COCHICHEWICK o w F- � � za 0 Q 11 F— 0- W W X J f Y r k.Yf 'w o ry Y� f`G JOB NO: _ DATE:OCTOBER 2016 f /rt SCALE: 1" = 20' EXAMPLE BOAT RACK FIGURE 3