HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-18 Planning Board Supplemental Materials (29) Eggleston Environmental
32 Old Framingham Rd Unit 29 Sudbury MA 01776 tel 508.259.1137 fax 866.820.7840
May 20, 2013
North Andover Planning Board
1600 Osgood Street
North Andover, MA 01845
Attn: Judy Tymon, Town Planner
RE: Stormwater Review
1665 Great Pond Road WSP
Dear Ms. Tymon and Board Members:
Per your request, I have conducted a technical review of the March 28, 2013 Watershed
Special Permit Application packet submitted by Andover Consultants, Inc. for the above-
referenced project. Included in the materials I received and reviewed were the following:
§ Watershed Special Permit Application, 1665 Great Pond Rd Lot B, Technical
Training Foundation Trust, Petitioner, prepared by Andover Consultants, Inc. and
dated March 28, 2013.
§ Site Plan, Great Pond Road, prepared for Technical Training Foundation Trust by
Andover Consultants Inc. and dated March 28, 2013.
My primary focus in this technical review is on the overall stormwater management
approach and design concepts used in the project, as well as its compliance with the
Town of North Andover’s zoning requirements for Watershed Protection Districts, the
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Regulations, and the North Andover
Wetlands Bylaw. It is my understanding that either a Notice of Intent (NOI) application
or an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) has been or will be
filed with the Conservation Commission for this project. My review is aimed at assisting
both the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission in their respective reviews of
the project.
The proposed project entails the construction of a single family home and driveway on a
mostly vacant lot. The lot is wholly within North Andover’s Watershed Protection
District, and portions of the lot are also within the buffer zone of regulated wetlands. My
comments on the proposed plan are outlined below:
1. The proposed development activity is located within Non-Disturbance and Non-
Discharge Zones of the Watershed District. It is my understanding that this lot
was created before October 24, 1994, hence the limitations of the General Zone of
the Watershed Protection District regulations do not apply. As shown, the project
includes clearing, grading and construction of a paved driveway and associated
1665 Great Pond Rd WSP, Stormwater Review 2
May 20, 2013
drainage structures within the Non-Disturbance Zone and construction of a new
house within the Non-Discharge Zone. Regrading and vegetation removal are
allowable in the Non-Disturbance Zone only by Special Permit. Construction of a
new permanent structure within the Non-Disturbance Zone is also allowed only
by Special Permit and only after a variance has been granted by the Zoning Board
of Appeals. I believe that a driveway would be considered a permanent structure
under the Town’s Zoning Bylaw; therefore a variance from the ZBA is needed for
this project.
2. The boundaries of these buffer zones are based on the horizontal setback from the
edge of all wetland resource areas as defined by the Wetlands Protection Act and
the North Andover Wetland Bylaw. It is not clear whether the wetland boundaries
shown on the plan have been confirmed by the Conservation Commission, e.g.
through an ANRAD or NOI.
3. The Plan should also show the Zone A for the Lake Cochichewick public water
supply, defined by the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations (310 CMR
22.02) as including the land area within a the land area within a 400 foot lateral
distance from the upper boundary of the bank of a Class A surface water source
and 200 foot lateral distance from the upper boundary of the bank of a tributary or
associated surface water body.
4. The Plan should show the proposed edge of vegetation clearing/limit of work.
While much of the proposed development area is already cleared, the creation of
any new lawn or landscaped area should be limited to that which is absolutely
necessary and constructed in such a manner as to minimize the maintenance that
is required, e.g. the soil should be well aerated, it should have a minimum of 6-
inches of topsoil and, where possible, native vegetation should be planted to
minimize the need for fertilizer and watering. The Planning Board may also want
to request a planting or landscape plan for the property.
5. As with similar projects permitted within the Watershed Protection District, both
the limits of approved clearing and the Board’s standard restriction on lawn care
products should be permanently recorded on the deed to the property.
6. The narrative indicates that roof runoff from the proposed house will be directed
onto lawn areas for infiltration; however it is not clear from the plan how this is to
be accomplished.
7. The plan calls for driveway runoff to drain to a stone trench along the northern
edge of the driveway, which in turn drains to a 60-ft flat swale at the base of the
driveway (within the 100-ft buffer zone). The plan also calls for a 8-in overflow
pipe from the swale under the driveway, discharging toward Great Pond Road. It
is not clear why this overflow pipe is needed, as the trench and swale should be
designed to handle all of the runoff from the proposed driveway.
1665 Great Pond Rd WSP, Stormwater Review 3
May 20, 2013
8. Given its nearly 10 percent grade, I recommend adding check dams in the stone
trench to slow the rate of flow and promote infiltration.
9. A design detail for the proposed swale is needed. Given its proximity to wetland
resource areas and the town’s water supply the swale should be designed to
maximize water quality treatment and promote infiltration, e.g. incorporating a
bioretention area with an overflow swale.
10. Ongoing maintenance and preservation of the proposed stormwater management
structures should be addressed.
I appreciate the opportunity to assist the North Andover Planning Board and
Conservation Commission with the review of this project, and hope that this information
is suitable for your needs. Please feel free to contact me if you or the applicants have any
questions regarding the issues addressed herein.
Sincerely,
EGGLESTON ENVIRONMENTAL
Lisa D. Eggleston, P.E.
C: Jennifer Hughes, Conservation Coordinator