HomeMy WebLinkAbout1541 Main (SE3-5767) - Plan Revision - Pavilion Stone Mulch
Infrastructure Northeast
100 Nickerson Road, Marlborough, MA 01752
Tel 508.786.2200 Fax 508.786.2201 tetratech.com
January 20, 2026
Edwin Hoopes, Conservation Administrator
Barnstable Conservation Commission
230 South Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Re: Revised Plan Request – Stone Mulch
Japanese Pavilion Project (SE3-5767)
1541 Main Street
Cotuit, MA
Dear Mr. Hoopes:
This letter and attached supporting documentation requests Commission approval of a proposed plan revision
to the Japanese Pavilion Project to (1) substitute washed stone mulch (turkey grit) for the Pennsylvania
Sedge Grass previously proposed in the passive landscape areas in front of the pavilion, (2) substitute the
same stone mulch for a large area of granite paving surrounding the sculpture behind the pavilion and (3)
update the plans with actual location and species of installed plant materials and related layout changes.
The substitution of the turkey grit for the sedge grass follows the design originally approved by the
Commission which included large open sand beds as passive landscape between the pavilion and the pond.
The sand beds were initially proposed extending to the edge of the wetland but were revised in response to
comments from the Commission and/or its representatives suggesting the edge of the sand field be pulled
back from the wetland edge to allow for an interceding patch of native shrubs to protect the pond from
windblown or waterborne sand. The project incorporated the request which was documented in the March
2020 submission approved by the Commission. A copy of the approved mitigation plan and summary is
included in Exhibit A.
The design was later modified to incorporate a re-purposed granite sea wall from Boston Harbor and included
a change in the passive landscape from open sand beds to sedge grass with no interceding shrubs. The
sand/sedge substitution was largely driven by the Project’s concern that the sand could be susceptible to
erosion from wind and rain despite the extensive tree cover. The patch of shrubs was eliminated when the
sand field was changed to sedge grass since there was no longer an erosion risk. The modification was
documented in a March 2021 submission approved by the Commission. A copy of the approved mitigation
plan and summary for the March 2021 revision is included in Exhibit B.
While executing the work the Project was able to source a washed stone mulch used in the poultry industry
(turkey grit) to aid bird digestion. The turkey grit is a homogenous small stone with rougher edges that
completely addressed our erosion concerns while its color and uniformity more closely aligned with the
original design intent. The stone’s uniform size, shape and roughness create an ideal surface for the
application since the material resists movement and compaction. Since the turkey grit is completely pervious
and not intended as a walkable surface, we consider it a softscape element consistent with how the sand field
was treated under the initial application. The mitigation plan and summary for the requested revision is
included in Exhibit C.
Accordingly, the Project requests the Commission approve a plan revision incorporating the washed stone in
lieu of the sand field/sedge grass previously approved and including the area of interceding shrubs at the
Revised Plan Request – Stone Mulch
Japanese Pavilion (SE3-5767)
January 16, 2026
TETRA TECH
2 Infrastructure Northeast
pond edge as shown on the attached revised plans dated January 20, 2026 copies of which are included in
Exhibit C. The following table summarizes the required and proposed mitigation of the prior approvals in
comparison to the proposed revision.
Original Project
(Mar. 2020)
Revised Project
(Mar. 2021)
Proposed Revision
(Jan. 2026)
New Hardscape in Buffer 986 sf 1,409 sf 1,292 sf
Required Mitigation 3,096 sf 4,364 sf 3,883 sf
Proposed Mitigation* 12,077 sf 14,448 sf 20,186 sf
Mitigation Ratio 12:1 10:1 16:1
* includes 3,635 sf of mitigation planting in the south paddock which has been incorporated into the paddock wetland
expansion
Please note, we have also updated the BVW line to reflect the most recent delineation performed by Goddard
Consulting for the Pond Dredge Project. As a result, the revised buffer zones extend slightly further into the
project area. The new larger buffer zones are incorporated into the mitigation analysis as noted by the change
in structure area within the buffer zone despite there being no change to the pavilion placement or its
dimensions.
Enclosed is a completed Form R and supporting documentation (including two (2) stamped original Sheet C2
and C4 depicting the proposed change, a check in the amount of $50 and eight (8) collated copies of the
request. We would appreciate being added to the agenda of your earliest available hearing regardless of time
or date. If you have any questions or require any additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact me
directly by phone at 508-786-2230 or by email at sean.reardon@tetratech.com.
Very truly yours,
Sean P. Reardon, P.E.
Vice President, Tetra Tech
Attachments:
•Form R
•Original Approved Plan - Sheets C2 and C4, Mitigation Planting and Summary Table (March 2020)
•Approved Revision - Sheets C2 and C4, Mitigation Planting and Summary Table (March 2021)
•Proposed Revision - Sheets C2 and C4, Mitigation Planting and Summary Table (January 2026)
•Fee Payment
Copy. M. Ford – Ford & Ford Atty.
P:\89057\143-89057-24001_MISC_ON_CALL\DOCS\REVISED PLAN REQUEST - PAVILION STONE MULCH (2026-01-20).DOCX
Revised Plan Request
Japanese Pavilion Project (SE3-5767)
1541 Main Street, Cotuit
January 20 2026
TETRA TECH
Exhibit A - Original Project
Approved Plans, Mitigation Figure and
Summary Table