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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Comment Abutter Letter March 29, 2026March 29, 2026 Barnstable Conservation Commission 200 Main Street Hyannis, MA 02601 Re: Hearing – March 31, 2026 Property: 536 Shootflying Hill Road, Centerville, MA Dear Members of the Barnstable Conservation Commission, We are writing regarding the above-referenced property and the hearing scheduled for March 31, 2026. We understand that the property owners, Robert and Thomas Remmes, installed a brick paver patio within 50 feet of Wequaquet Lake without first obtaining the required approval from the Conservation Commission. This work was performed in a sensitive resource area, and the permitting process exists specifically to prevent unreviewed impacts of this nature. While we appreciate that a remediation plan has now been proposed, we have significant concerns with the current approach—particularly as it relates to the proposed and already installed plantings. The applicants have already installed seven (7) arborvitae next to the patio area and their proposed remediation includes planting another eleven (11) arborvitae at the top of the driveway. These plantings, both existing and proposed, grow to 60’ tall and will substantially obstruct our view of Wequaquet Lake. This is a defining feature of our property, and any planting around the patio or driveway will materially diminish both our enjoyment of the property and its market value. We are deeply concerned that we are being unfairly and disproportionately impacted as a direct result of the applicants’ failure to follow the required permitting process. Had the proper approvals been sought prior to construction, these impacts could have been identified and addressed in advance. As such, we respectfully request that the seven (7) arborvitae already installed be removed or relocated to a more appropriate area of the property that does not adversely impact abutting property owners. In addition, the current remediation plan should acknowledge the existing ten (10) foot wide right-of-way (ROW) deeded path (Barnstable Deeds Plan Book 85, Page 7). The proposed plantings appear to encroach upon, or conflict with, this deeded access area, where such plantings cannot legally be installed. Given the above, we respectfully request that the Commission: 1. Carefully review the impacts of both the installed and proposed arborvitae on abutting properties; 2. Consider alternative remediation measures that restore compliance with Conservation Commission requirements without causing undue harm to neighboring property owners. We understand there is sufficient planting area on the East side of the property that would achieve compliance without negatively impacting abutters across Shootflying Hill Road. 3. Require the removal or relocation of the seven (7) arborvitae already installed adjacent to the patio, as these were planted without approval and create a significant and unnecessary adverse impact on neighboring properties. We fully support the Commission’s role in protecting Wequaquet Lake and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. However, remediation should not result in a neighboring property owner bearing the burden of another party’s non-compliance. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, Guy and Allison Tlapa 547 Shootflying Hill Road 781-983-3764 View from ROW Deed Path to 547 Shootflying Hill Road Any Planting in this area will negatively impacting abutters across Shootflying Hill Road These new arborvitae next to the patio already obstruct abutters views and they will grow to 60' tall View from 547 Shootflying Hill Road