HomeMy WebLinkAboutConsultant Review - 323 DALE STREET 5/9/1984 U
COLANTONIOZ
ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS
February 19, 1996
Ms. Kathleen Colwell
Town of North Andover
146 Main Street
North Andover,MA 01845
RIF: Engineering Review
Lot 1 Dale Street
Special Permit
Dear Ms. Colwell:
As requested, Coler & Colantonio, Inc. has reviewed the submittal prepared by Merrimack
Engineering Services. The Application is not dated, however the plans are dated April 12, 1995.
It is our understanding that the purpose of this review is to evaluate the Application for
conformance with the requirements of the Watershed Protection District as they relate to a
Special Permit Application for a lot created prior to 1994. It is our further understanding that the
Bylaws dated"Final 10/13/94"are the governing regulations.
We offer the following comments:
1. The parcel lies within the Watershed Protection District. The site is a 43,874 square foot
parcel of land on the southeasterly side of Dale Street. Wetlands flank both sides of the site.
2. The proposed limit of work is within 37.5 feet of wetlands along the west side of the site and
43 feet on the easterly side. The Bylaw requires a setback of 100 feet as a non-disturbance
zone.
3. The limits of the "Non-Disturbance" zone are not indicated on the plan as required in the
Bylaw. The entire locus lies within the"Non-Discharge"zone.
4. A report addressing the impact of site development on water quality in Lake Cochichewick
was prepared by Normandeau Associates. If the Board is not familiar with the
qualifications of Normandeau Associates a statement of their qualifications to perform this
type of work should be provided. The analysis presented appears reasonable for the
individual site except as noted below. The Planning Board should also consider the
incremental degradation of water quality in the lake due to other similar projects. We
question the assumption that only 3700 square feet of the site will be landscaped area. The
plan indicates a zone of approximately 10 to 15 feet around the building and driveway as
the limit of work. This will be difficult to enforce after construction and provides very
limited construction work space. It is likely that a future homeowner would wish to expand
the yard area on the lot. A restriction on the deed limiting the developed portion of the lot
to the area stated should be required as part of any approval.
101 Accord Park Drive, Suite One 617-982-5400
Norwell. MA 02061-1685 Fax: 617-982-5490
5. The elevation of the cellar floor in the proposed building is below the elevation of wetland
areas on site. It is likely that groundwater will be encountered in the excavation for the
cellar and will be a problem relative to infiltration of groundwater into the cellar.
Typically, this would be controlled through the use of a sump pump. The regulations
require that designs recharge runoff to the extent feasible, if a sump pump is used this
would have the effect of pumping groundwater to a surface discharge point. We
recommend that a test pit be excavated and observed by a certified soil evaluator to
estimate the maximum seasonal high groundwater table. The proposed cellar floor
elevation should be a minimum of one foot above this elevation.
6. The plans indicate a grass swale which would collect runoff along the easterly side of the
building for discharge across the driveway to Dale Street. It also appears that a small
depression on the easterly side of the proposed driveway, in the Dale Street layout would
be created. We do nor recununend creating a trap for water in ahe layout of a public street.
The proposed swale would discharge to an existing ditch along Dale Street. The
regulations require that site runoff from impervious areas be recharged to the extent
feasible. The proposed Swale does not address this requirement. Based on the report by
Normandeau Associates, soils on the site should be suitable for on-site recharge.
7. It does not appear possible to grade to the limits shown on the plan along the westerly side of
the driveway in the vicinity of the proposed 196 and existing 198 contours.
We appreciate the opportunity to assist the Planning Board on this project and hope that this
information is sufficient for your needs. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to
contact us.
Very truly yours,
COLER& COLANTONIO,INC.
C `
John C. Chessia, P.E.
xc Merrimack Engineering Services