Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout100626-O'Reilly-Revised Plan and NarrativeNotice of Intent 1309 Race Lane, Marstons Mills - 1 - | P a g e PROJECT NARRATIVE (REVISED 1 0/6/26) 1. Introduction This Notice of Intent application has been submitted to permit the single-family home addition, garage and driveway expansion project at 1309 Race Lane in Marstons Mills (the Site). The Town of Barnstable Assessors Department references the site as Map ID #064/ 012/ 001. Portions of the proposed work are located within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to an Isolated Vegetated Wetland (IVW) located on the Site and a Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW) located off-site to the north. Additionally, invasive species removal and native plantings are proposed to mitigate for the additional impervious square footage within the buffer zone as well as to enhance the ecological value of the site. This application is being submitted in accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Town of Barnstable Wetland Bylaw. 2. Site Description The Site is located south of Race Lane and consists of an existing single-family home with a gravel driveway, sheds, rear deck, maintained lawn, landscaped areas, and forested portions of the property. Environmental Consulting & Restoration, LLC (ECR) performed a review of the Site and completed a wetland delineation on April 3, 2026. ECR delineated an IVW within the southern portion of the Site, to the rear of the existing home. The landward limit of the IVW was delineated with pink and black striped wetland flags numbered A1 through A10. ECR also delineated a BVW located off- site to the north of the property. Although the BVW itself does not occur on the Site, a portion of the associated 100-foot Buffer Zone extends onto the northern portion of the property. The majority of the proposed work is located within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to the on-site IVW; however, a relatively small portion of the proposed driveway expansion is also located within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to the off-site BVW. Based upon ECR's field investigation and review of available environmental mapping, the wetland resource areas and areas of Conservation Commission jurisdiction relevant to the proposed project include: • Isolated Vegetated Wetland • Bordering Vegetated Wetland • 100-foot buffer zone to an BVW & IVW Notes: 1. The site is not located within an area mapped as Priority Habitat & Estimated Habitat for Rare Species according to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (MaNHESP). 2. The site does not contain a mapped USGS stream. 3. The site does not contain or is near a Certified Vernal Pool according to the MaNHESP. 4. The site is not located within land mapped as Land Subject to Flooding (FEMA Flood Zones.) 5. The site is not located within an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). 3. Proposed Activities The purpose of this application is to permit the proposed addition, workshop, garage, driveway expansion, associated stabilization activities, invasive species management, and mitigation plantings at the Site. The proposed work within the 100-foot Buffer Zone is summarized below. Notice of Intent 1309 Race Lane, Marstons Mills - 2 - | P a g e • Sediment Controls – Prior to any site work, sedimentation controls will be installed and maintained throughout the work to prevent the transport of sediment toward adjacent wetland resource areas. Erosion controls will remain in place until disturbed soils have been permanently stabilized. • Proposed Addition, Workshop & Garage – The proposed project includes removal of the existing deck located to the rear of the single-family home to accommodate construction of the proposed addition. The proposed addition is approximately 1,250 square feet in size and includes a new workshop, an addition to living space, and an attached garage. The proposed improvements are located to the south and southwest of the existing home within previously developed and maintained portions of the property. The proposed addition, workshop, and garage are located entirely outside of the 50-foot Buffer Zone to the wetland resource areas. • Driveway Expansion – The existing gravel driveway is proposed to be expanded by approximately 475 square feet to provide access to the proposed garage. The driveway expansion is proposed to the north of the existing single-family home and will consist of gravel. A portion of the driveway expansion is located within the very outer limit of the Buffer Zone to the on-site IVW, while a relatively small portion is also located within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to the off-site BVW. The use of gravel will maintain a pervious surface and is consistent with the Conservation Commission's preference for pervious hardscape within the Buffer Zone. • Stabilization Activities – Following construction, temporarily disturbed areas will be restored and stabilized with lawn and/or landscape plantings, as appropriate. No expansion of the existing maintained lawn toward the wetland resource areas is proposed. Landscape plant materials proposed within the 100-foot Buffer Zone will consist of native plant species. Areas requiring seeding will be stabilized with an appropriate low-maintenance seed mix intended to minimize future irrigation and fertilization requirements. 4. Proposed Mitigation In order to offset the addition, garage and driveway expansions, mitigation is proposed at the site. The mitigation has been calculated in accordance with the Town of Barnstable Wetland Bylaw, specifically Section 704-3. The proposed addition, garage and driveway expansion are all located within the outer buffer zone (50-100’) to the IVW and BVW. The proposed addition, garage and driveway expansion is within maintained lawn area and completely outside of the 50-foot buffer zone. The mitigation calculations are summarized below: Work Within 50-to-100-Foot Buffer Hardscape = approx. 1,433 square feet Required Mitigation = 1,613 x 3 = 4,299 square feet (3:1 ratio) Total Mitigation Required = 4,299 square feet The proposed mitigation program consists of two components. First, approximately 2,700 square feet of established Japanese Knotweed will be treated and removed. Following invasive species treatment, this area will be restored with native trees and shrubs. The invasive species treatment and subsequent native restoration of this area are collectively counted as approximately 2,700 square feet of mitigation. Notice of Intent 1309 Race Lane, Marstons Mills - 3 - | P a g e Second, approximately 1,599 square feet of existing maintained lawn within the Buffer Zone to the IVW will be converted to a native vegetated buffer through the installation of native plantings. The proposed mitigation is summarized as follows: • Invasive species removal and native restoration: 2,700 square feet • Conversion of maintained lawn to native vegetated buffer: 1,599 square feet Total Mitigation Proposed = 2,700 + 1,599 = 4,299 square feet The proposed mitigation therefore provides the full 4,299 square feet of mitigation required for the project. Within the planting areas, 50 native shrubs are proposed to be installed. Shrubs will be hand planted at approximately 10 feet on center in accordance with MA D.E.P. guidance regarding plant spacing. The proposed mitigation will replace an established invasive species infestation and portions of maintained lawn with native woody vegetation, thereby increasing native plant diversity, improving wildlife habitat value, and enhancing the ecological function of the vegetated buffer adjacent to the wetland resource areas. For additional information, please refer to the Proposed Mitigation Plan included with this application. 5. Proposed Invasive Species Treatment & Removal Approximately 2,700 square feet of Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) is proposed to be treated and managed within the Buffer Zone at the Site. The management area consists entirely of Japanese knotweed and will be treated using one or more selective herbicide application methods, as determined in the field by the Massachusetts-licensed herbicide applicator based on the density, size, and location of the plants. The treatment methods may include the following: Foliar Application: Foliar application may be utilized within dense stands of Japanese knotweed where treatment of individual stems is impractical. The licensed herbicide applicator will apply herbicide using a low-volume backpack sprayer equipped with a drift-control agent and indicator dye. Applications will be conducted selectively and, in a manner, intended to minimize exposure to non-target vegetation. Stem Injection: Where appropriate, individual Japanese knotweed canes may be treated using the JK Injection System®. The licensed herbicide applicator will inject herbicide directly into individual knotweed canes in accordance with the herbicide label and applicable supplemental labeling. This method allows for highly targeted treatment of individual plants and minimizes contact with surrounding vegetation. Glove Technique (Hand Wipe): Japanese knotweed may also be treated using a hand-wipe technique. The licensed herbicide applicator will wear an absorbent cotton glove beneath an appropriate chemical-resistant glove. Herbicide will be dispensed from a hand-pumped, low-volume backpack sprayer equipped with specialized ultra-low-volume nozzles and applied to the cotton glove. The applicator will then selectively wipe the stems and leaves of individual Japanese knotweed plants. The treatment solution may include herbicide, an appropriate wetland-compatible nonionic surfactant, and indicator dye. Notice of Intent 1309 Race Lane, Marstons Mills - 4 - | P a g e Side Swipe® Pro Method: The Side Swipe® Pro method may also be utilized for selective treatment of Japanese knotweed. The licensed herbicide applicator will use the wipe-on applicator to apply herbicide directly to the target vegetation. The applicator pad and protective shield allow for selective treatment while minimizing the potential for drift, overspray, or contact with desirable surrounding vegetation. The specific treatment method, or combination of methods, will be selected by the licensed herbicide applicator based upon field conditions and the character of the Japanese knotweed infestation. The herbicide product proposed for use will likewise be selected by the licensed applicator, and the product details will be coordinated with the Conservation Agent prior to application. All herbicide applications will be completed by a Massachusetts-licensed herbicide applicator in accordance with the manufacturer's label requirements and applicable state requirements. Treatment will be limited to the Japanese knotweed infestation, and reasonable measures will be taken to avoid impacts to desirable native vegetation. Following treatment, the approximately 2,700-square-foot management area will be monitored for resprouting, and additional treatment will be performed as necessary to achieve effective control of the Japanese knotweed. Once appropriate control has been achieved, the area will be restored with native saplings and shrubs as shown on the Proposed Mitigation Plan. 6. Summary The Applicant respectfully requests that the Barnstable Conservation Commission issue an Order of Conditions approving the proposed project described in this narrative and shown on the accompanying site plans. The proposed project has been designed to comply with the applicable performance standards of Chapter 704. No new hardscape is proposed within the 50-foot Buffer Zone, and the proposed improvements are located within previously developed or maintained portions of the Site. The proposed driveway expansion will remain gravel, consistent with the Commission's preference for pervious hardscape within the Buffer Zone. Chapter 704 requires mitigation at a 3:1 ratio for proposed hardscape within the 50-to-100-foot Buffer Zone. Based on approximately 1,433 square feet of proposed hardscape, approximately 4,299 square feet of mitigation is required. The proposed mitigation includes 2,700 square feet of Japanese knotweed treatment, removal, and native restoration; as well as the conversion of 1,599 square feet of maintained lawn within the Buffer Zone to a native vegetated buffer. The proposed mitigation therefore totals 4,299 square feet, satisfying the calculated mitigation requirement. The proposed improvements to the existing single-family home are reasonable in scale and represent practical use of the property. When considered together with the proposed invasive species management, native mitigation plantings, and site stabilization measures, the project will result in an overall betterment to the Site and the adjacent wetland resource areas. It is ECR's opinion that the proposed project, when completed in accordance with the project plans and the conditions of the Order of Conditions, will protect the interests of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Chapter 237 of the Town of Barnstable General Ordinances and will be consistent with the applicable performance standards of Chapter 704.