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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMcAuliffe NarrativeJohn & Dawn McAuliffe 16 Cove Island Road, Centerville, MA Discussion of Proposed Activity John and Dawn McAuliffeare seeking an Order of Conditions for the proposedconstruction of a pool with pool apron, spa, retaining wall and fence, accessory to an existing single-family dwelling at 16 Cove Island Road, Centerville. Work is to occur within the outer riparian zone to an unnamed river. Resource areas Riverfront In accordance with 310 CMR 10.58(2)a(1)a, a river or stream shown as perennial on the current United States Geological Survey (USGS) or more recent map provided by the Department is perennial.The stream behind the dwelling is shown on the USGS Topographic Map to be perennial and was observed during several site visits throughout the year to be flowing. As such, it has been identified as a river for this Application. The mean annual high-water line was field-located at the break in slope coincident with bankfull conditions. The limit of the riverfront area occurs at the 200-foot setback from the mean annual high-water line. The edge of river and inner and outer riparian zones are shown on the accompanying site plan. Bordering vegetated wetland The edge of bordering vegetated wetland was delineated at the limit of the plant community supporting 50 percent or greater wetland indicator species. Two DEP Bordering Vegetated Wetland Delineation Field Data Forms are attached, one each for upland and wetland plots. Project description The Applicants seek approval to construct a pool with pool apron, spa, retaining wall and fence. The construction will occur beyond the 100-foot buffer zone to the BVW. The only resource area within which work is proposed is the outer riparian zone of the riverfront. Many designs were considered by the McAuliffes in consultation with Hamlyn Consulting and Shoreline Pools, taking into consideration the performance standards of 310 CMR 10.58 and the site conditions. The design shown on the Site Plan accompanying the Notice of Intent Application was determined to best conform to the standards of the regulations relative to the redevelopment of the riverfront, and minimally disturb the resource area. The pool construction is proposed at the outer boundary of the riparian zone, largely within the footprint of historical fill placed at the time of the house construction. In order to accommodate theproject in this location, it will be necessary to construct a retaining wall to level the upgradient area. A structural engineer is to design and certify the wall design due to the height of the structure; the maximum wall face is proposed to be ~8 feet. The pool apron is to be constructed with travertine pavers set in stone dust, which will allow percolation into the substrate beneath. The concrete retaining wall is to be backfilled with ¾-1½ stone to provide drainage for run-off from the apron that does not percolate during heavy precipitation. Excessive run-off will also drain to the adjacent lawn area. The pool is to be maintained with salt chlorination and cartridge filters, and the pool equipment is proposed to be located outside of the riverfront area. If the pool needs to be emptied for maintenance/repairs, the water will be pumped and removed from site or emptied into the backwash pit located outside of the riverfront and buffer zone to wetland resource areas. Prior to any work being done on the property, a work limit line is to be established with staked straw wattles as shown on the site plan, and shall be maintained to construction completion. Access for the construction is to be from the east side of the dwelling. All disturbed areas are to be revegetated upon completion of construction in accordance with the Landscape Mitigation Sketch. Performance standards, 310 CMR 10.00 310 CMR 10.58(5) Riverfront Area The majority of project footprint is located within the riverfront area and is being presented as redevelopment of the riverfront 310 CMR 10.58(5), Redevelopment Within Previously Developed Riverfront Areas; Restoration and Mitigation: Notwithstanding the provisions of 310 CMR 10.58(4)(c) and (d), the issuing authority may allowwork to redevelop a previously developed riverfront area, provided the proposed work improvesexisting conditions. Redevelopment means replacement, rehabilitation or expansion of existingstructures, improvement of existing roads, or reuse of degraded or previously developed areas.A previously developed riverfront area contains areas degraded prior to August 7, 1996 byimpervious surfaces from existing structures or pavement, absence of topsoil, junkyards, orabandoned dumping grounds. Work to redevelop previously developed riverfront areas shallconform to the following criteria:At a minimum, proposed work shall result in an improvement over existing conditionsof the capacity of the riverfront area to protect the interests identified in M.G.L. c. 131 § 40.The existing dwelling and proposed construction are located within the outer riparian zone. The pool construction has been specifically located within the footprint of fill previously placed at the time of the house construction. The edge of the fill line is visible onsite and is shown on the Site Plan. The tree canopy was removed historically in a large swath, located within the riverfront area and 50-100-foot buffer zone. As mitigation for the pool construction, the Applicant proposes to plant trees within the open swath to reestablish the canopy, improving the existing conditions on the property in the inner riparian zone and buffer zone.(c) Within 200 foot riverfront areas, proposed work shall not be located closer to the riverthan existing conditions or 100 feet, whichever is less, or not closer than existing conditionswithin 25 foot riverfront areas, except in accordance with 310 CMR 10.58(5)(f) or (g). The existing dwelling is located closer to the river than the proposed construction: The minimum setback from the existing deck to the edge of river is 124.9’; the retaining wall is proposed a minimum of 158.5’ from the river.(d) Proposed work, including expansion of existing structures, shall be located outside theriverfront area or toward the riverfront area boundary and away from the river, except inaccordance with 310 CMR 10.58(5)(f) or (g).The proposed construction has been specifically designed to be located toward the boundary of the riverfront area, within the footprint of historic fill.g) When an applicant proposes mitigation either on-site or in the riverfront area within thesame general area of the river basin, alteration may be allowed notwithstanding the criteriaof 310 CMR 10.58(5)(c), (d), or (e) at a ratio in square feet of at least 2:1 of mitigation areato area of alteration not conforming to the criteria or an equivalent level of environmentalprotection where square footage is not a relevant measure. The proposed construction is2028squarefeet. Of that, 1271 sf of the new hardscape is located within existing lawn area. In accordance with 310 CMR 10.58(6)b, which references minor activities as identified in 310 CMR 10.02(2)(b)1, the conversion of lawn to pools and patios are exempted from the requirements for the riverfront area. Consequently, 1271 sf of the proposed pool and patio are exempted from the requirements for the riverfront area as located within existing lawn. The Applicants will mitigation at a 2:1 ratio the remaining 757 sf (2028-1271=757).There is no construction existing or proposed within the inner riparian zone. The mitigation will restore the canopy layer in a 1525 sf area where it was historically removed, enhancing the wildlife habitat value of the buffer zone. The disturbed area between the retaining wall and the work limit line is to be revegetated with native plant species, as shown on the Landscape Mitigation Sketch.