HomeMy WebLinkAboutRDA NarrativeWet Tech Land Design, Inc. Site & Wetland Contractor - Peer Plan Review & Estimates
P.O. Box 1580–Sagamore Beach, MA 02562
SITE & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS - WETLAND CONSULTANTS
(508-642-7701) E-mail: wettechlanddesign@gmail.com and Website: www.heritageoutdoordesign.com
Sept 21, 2021
Town of Yarmouth Conservation Commission
Kelly Grant
1146 Route 28
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
508-398-2231 x 1128
RDA Request for 2 Buttercap Ln Riverfront status–Yarmouth
Dear Yarmouth Conservation Commissioners:
The applicant is submitting a survey plan coupled with a full-size (to Yarmouth town Map (GIS) scale)
USGS plan to disprove the potential issue of the lower embayment of Follins Pond qualifies as a extension of the
river connecting Follins Pond to Kelley’s Bay (Dennis?). The drawings date is Sept 16, 2021 and reflects 4 tests;
all of which are within various zones within the embayment to the north of the actual river. First, it is noted that the
area to the west of the USGS centerline is part of the Town of Dennis. Second, all assessors plans list Follins Pond
immediately north of the subject site. From here, a USGS plan was overlayed onto the Assessors Map aerial and
scaled for exact measuring:
(1) CONCAVE NATURE OF THIS “SUB-POND” TO FOLLINS POND is not a River (Shape of this area
is that of a “Sub-Pond” to Follins Pond;
(2) DIFFERENCE OF WIDTH BETWEEN RIVER ENTRIES (WIDTH) AS MARKED BY KELLY
GRANT;(see USGS plan) (247 FT= River) and 805 FT = entry of the Sub-Bay from Follins Pond;
approx. 3.25 x greater than river entrance;
(3) DISTANCE FROM CENTERLINE OF LOTS ON WEST SIDE; (River centerline is close to land on
the northeast; but deviates severely to land on the South west, (123.5 FT= River Edge to the East) and
518 FT = to subject site (2 Buttercup Ln); approx. 4.2 x greater than river entrance
(4) ANGLE OF COASTLINE (FOLLINS POND) AWAY FROM RIVER CENTERLINE; at almost 118
degrees to the South, too severe to continue as a river.
(5) PROPORTION OF CENTERLINE DISTANCE TO AREA TRAVERSED; AKA AS “SHAPE FACTOR”
(formula)=(the area of this sub-pond divided into the feature perimeter length, squared; THEN compare
to those of actual river between FOLLINS POND and KELLY'S BAY . (684 LF for the Sub-Pond; and
1255 LF for the River); average width of river from centerline is 110 LF; for the Sub-Pond average of
(386+518+145=) 350 LF
Planning boards use “Shape Factors” ratios for NEW LOTS planning; Zoning Boards don’t want lots too
long and skinny, even if they meet frontage requirements. The relationship for this exercise, here, is
“SHAPE” only. Usually, a ratio over 23-24 disqualifies a lot for zoning. Rivers, being long and skinny
would candidates for SHAPE disqualification under this rule, but again this is an exercise,only. The
Shape Factor ratio of the river connecting Follins Pond and Kelley’s Bay is 33.29. The Shape Factor
ratio of the Sub-Bay connecting Follins Pond and the actual river is 16.1. Clearly, this “body of water”,
between Follins Bay (proper) the actual river is different from a river and, if it were upland, qualifies as a
well-shaped lot, and, more importantly, not a river!
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Wet Tech Land Design, Inc. Site & Wetland Contractor - Peer Plan Review & Estimates
P.O. Box 1580–Sagamore Beach, MA 02562
SITE & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS - WETLAND CONSULTANTS
(508-642-7701) E-mail: wettechlanddesign@gmail.com and Website: www.heritageoutdoordesign.com
(cont) 2 Buttercup Ln – Yarmouth
We have included the USGS Map from Kelly Grant showing the relative measurements of all the above. Also
included are aerials. Assessors maps calling out “Follins Pond” directly north of subject site, in the area of
question. The adjacent house (teardown) was approved on a Coastal Bank Plan. If 2 Buttercup Ln site was
included in the survey of this adjacent lot, 2 Buttercup Ln would have been “grandfathered” as “FOLLINS
POND” lot. Simply said, there are 2 “narrowings” on the South end of Follins Pond. These are nothing more than
“straits” connecting “sub-pond” areas that are still a part of Follins Pond. Altogether, they form Follins Pond
proper which, then drains, into Kelly’s Bay further to the south….1255 LF away.
This should be conclusive proof of River delineation separate from headwaters that empty into the river.
.
Wayne Tavares PWS LA CS
Wet Tech Land Design, Inc
508-642-7701
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