HomeMy WebLinkAboutNarrative 3-4-22RyY
Wilcox
3 GIDDIAH HILL ROAD P.O. BOX 439
SURVEYING - ENGINEERING SO.ORLEANS, MASSACHUSETTS 02662-0439
HOME PLANNING & DESIGN TEL: 508.255.8312 FAX: 508.240.2306
EMAIL: info@ryder-wilcox.com
PROJECT NARRATIVE
PYTHON/LOUGHMAN PROPERTY
31 GRIST MILL LANE
January 26, 2022
Rev. 2/1/2022 (Performance Standards)
Rev. 3/4/2022 (Footprint, Septic)
Property Description
The property is'a 9504+/- SF developed site. The property overlooks Mill' -Creek (tidal),
and is separated from the creek by Grist Mill Lane, a paved road. A "salt marsh lies
adjacent to the waters of Mill Creek and extends onto the Site. -The entire site is also
designated as Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage (Zone AE, El I 1 and El 13 -
NAVD 1988). The 35', 50' and 100' Buffers are measured from the landward edge of
the salt marsh. The Riverfront (approximately 9504 SF) extends 200' landward of mean
high water.
An existing one-story single-family dwelling with deck and drive -under garage lies
approximately 17.6 feet from the marsh. According to Assessors records, the dwelling
was built in 1963 and contains three bedrooms. The Riverfront/Buffer/LSCSF is
developed with lawn, plantings, and hardscaping including a brick walkway, concrete
retaining walls and a paved driveway. The square footage of existing buildings and
hardscaping within the Riverfront is approximately 3370 SF.
The existing Title 5 septic system serving the dwelling was upgraded in 2004 and
consists of a 1500-gallon septic tank and 1000-gallon pump chamber discharging to a
mounded leaching field. A 2016 Title 5 Inspection of the system found no evidence of
failure. The property is served by Town water.
Project Description
The Applicant proposes to remove the existing one-story building, including the
foundation, and construct a new two-story building on a poured concrete foundation with
a front porch, deck. and steps constructed on sonotubes. The proposed structure is located
approximately 21.8"from the marsh. The new structure is located entirely within the
footprint of the existing developed area. The net increase in roof area is 397 SF.. The
first floor of the proposed dwelling will be elevated above the 100-year flood elevation in
accordance with FEMA requirements. The dwelling will remain three -bedrooms. A new
Title 5 system with Innovative/Alternative ("I/A") technology will be installed.
The existing paved driveway and retaining walls (approximately 1224 SF) will be
removed and replaced with a new, smaller driveway (approximately 496 SF) constructed
of pervious material and located on the opposite side of the property, further from the
marsh. The existing brick walkway will be removed. A new, permeable patio will be
constructed behind the house.
A comparison of the existing/proposed coverages within the various buffers is illustrated
on the attached "Coverage Calculation Worksheet", and is as follows:
Within the 35' Buffer, the habitable area decreases by 14 SF. The total coverage is
reduced by 1147 SF.
- Within the 35' — 50' Buffer, the habitable area decreases by 25 SF. The total
coverage increases by 283 SF.
- Within the 50' - 100' Buffer, the habitable area increases by 55 SF. The total
coverage increases by 461 SF.
- The proposed project will result in an overall reduction in coverage (402 SF)
The proposed project will result in an overall reduction in coverage (402 SF) within the
Riverfront. (See attached Riverfront Coverage Worksheet.)
As mitigation for the proposed work, native plantings are proposed within the 50' buffer
to the marsh. Approximately 1600 SF of existing lawn/paved driveway area will be
restored with native plants. The remaining lawn area will be restored with loam and a
drought -tolerant native fescue grass mix. ("Harmony" mix from Colonial Seed)
CONSTRUCTION PROTOCOL
PHASE 1 — REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES
The project engineer shall stake the location of the approved limit of work. A fabric
siltfence shall be securely staked in place along the limit of work. The siltfence shall
remain in place until all disturbed areas have been stabilized and revegetated. The
existing septic system components shall be adequately protected to prevent damage from
construction activities.
The existing building, deck, foundation and all hardscaping will be removed. Access to
the work area shall be from the existing driveway. An excavator will demolish the
structures, placing the debris either into a dumpster or directly into trucks to be hauled
off -site. The dumpster shall be provided with a suitable cover or be of adequate depth to
prevent wind-blown debris.
The existing septic system components shall be pumped dry and removed from the Site.
PHASE II — PROPOSED DWELLING
After the demolition and removal of the existing structures, the project engineer shall
stake the proposed foundation for excavation. All excavated material shall be
immediately placed into trucks and removed from the site. There shall be no stockpiling
of material on -site. The project engineer shall re -stake the foundation "in the hole" and
after the footings are poured.
A durable, waterproof tarp (or other suitable material) shall be placed in the driveway and
shall be used to contain any concrete overpour. The tarp and hardened concrete shall be
removed from the site and properly disposed.
Throughout construction, all debris shall either be placed in a dumpster or other suitable
container; the site shall be cleaned of debris on a daily basis.
A new sewage disposal system consisting of a 1500-gallon "FAST" septic tank, 1000-
gallon pump chamber and soil absorption field will be installed in accordance with a Title
5 plan to be approved by the Board of Health. New utilities shall be installed as shown
on the site plan. Gutters and downspouts connected to drywells or crushed stone at the
roof dripline will be installed to contain roof runoff. The proposed patio shall be dry -laid
stone with %2" (min.) joints on a permeable base. (See attached detail.)
Upon completion of backfilling and grading, all disturbed areas shall be revegetated. The
new driveway shall be constructed of pervious material.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
The goal of the project is to provide additional, updated living space. As the existing
dwelling, constructed nearly 60 years ago, lies entirely within the Riverfront, construction
within the Riverfront is unavoidable. In order to minimize the disturbance within the
Riverfront, the proposed building is located as far landward as is possible without further
encroaching on the proposed septic system. A portion of the building will be constructed
on a slab, allowing it to be located closer to the proposed soil absorption system. The
proposed structure and hardscaping are located entirely within existing altered area. The
net increase in roof area is 397 SF, with a 39 SF reduction of habitable footprint within
the 50' Buffer. As mitigation for the proposed increases, the existing paved driveway is
being removed and replaced with a smaller pervious driveway. Native plantings are
proposed within the 50' buffer to the marsh. Approximately 1600 SF of existing
lawn/paved driveway area within the Riverfront will be restored with native plants. The
remaining lawn area will be restored with loam and a drought -tolerant native fescue grass
mix. ("Harmony" mix from Colonial Seed)
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
310 CMR 10.32 Salt Marshes
(3) A proposed project in a salt marsh, on lands within 100 feet of a salt marsh, or in a
body of water adjacent to a salt marsh shall not destroy any portion of the salt marsh and
shall not have an adverse effect on the productivity of the salt marsh. Alterations in
growth, distribution and composition of salt marsh vegetation shall be considered in
evaluating adverse effects on productivity. 310 CMR 10.32(3) shall not be construed to
prohibit the harvesting of salt hay.
The proposed work shall be confined to the westerly side of the existing paved road and
within the Limit of Work/Fabric Siltfence shown on the Site Plan. During construction,
the installation of the siltfence shall serve as a physical barrier to prevent damage to the
salt marsh. Post -construction, the control of roof runoff and the restoration with native
mitigation plantings will provide improved protection to the salt marsh.
(4) N.A.
(5) N.A.
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of 310 CMR 10.32(3) through (5), no project may be
permitted which will have any adverse effect on specified habitat sites of Rare Species, as
identified by procedures established under 310 CMR 10.37.
The project site is not located in Estimated Habitat of Rare Wildlife.
310 CMR 10.5 8 Riverfront Area
(5) Redevelopment Within Previously Developed Riverfront Area: Restoration and
Mitigation.
Notwithstanding the provisions of 310 CMR 10.58(4) (c) and (d), the issuing authority
may allow work to redevelop a previously developed riverfront area, provided the
proposed work improves existing conditions. Redevelopment means replacement,
rehabilitation or expansion of existing structures, 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 by impervious surfaces from existing
structures or pavement, absence of topsoil, junkyards, or abandoned dumping grounds.
Work to redevelop previously developed riverfront areas shall conform to the following
criteria:
(a) At a minimum, proposed work shall result in an improvement over existing
conditions of the capacity of the riverfront area to protect the interests identified
in M.G.L. c. 131 Section 40. When a lot is previously developed but no portion
of the riverfront area is degraded, the requirements of 310 CMR 10.58(4) shall be
met.
The existing impervious surface area, consisting of paved driveway, building, and
brick/concrete hardscaping, is 3114 SF within the Riverfront. The proposed
impervious surface area, consisting of building (roofed) area, is 1976 SF, for a 1138
SF reduction. Additionally, existing lawn area adjacent to the Resource Area will be
restored with native plants. These measures serve to improve the capacity of the
riverfront area to protect the interests identified in the Act.
(b) Stormwater management is provided according to standards established by the
Department.
The existing paved driveway is being replaced with a smaller, pervious driveway
located further from the Resource Area. Roof runoff from the proposed building shall
be contained through the use of either gutters and downspouts to drywells or crushed
stone at the roof dripline.
(c) Within 200 foot riverfront areas, proposed work shall not be located closer to the
river than existing conditions or 100 feet, whichever is less, or not closer than
existing conditions within 25 foot riverfront areas, except in accordance with 310
CMR 10.58(f) or (g).
The proposed building is located slightly seaward of the existing structure and within
100' of the river. The existing structure (building, deck and steps) within 100' is
1216 SF. The proposed structure (building, porch and steps) within 100' is 1538 SF,
for a 322 SF increase. The removal of 1224 SF of paved driveway and replacement
with 496 SF of pervious driveway provides 728 SF of restoration, exceeding the 1:1
ratio required in accordance with 310 CMR 10.58(f).
(d) Proposed work, including expansion of existing structures, shall be located
outside the riverfront area or toward the riverfront area boundary and away from
the river, except in accordance with 310 CMR 10.58(f) of (g).
The proposed building is located slightly seaward of the existing structure and
entirely within the riverfront. It is not possible to locate the proposed structure closer
to the riverfront boundary due to the location of the proposed septic system. The
existing structure (building, deck and steps) within the riverfront is 1862 SF. The
proposed structure (building, porch and steps) within the riverfront is 2191 SF, for a
329 SF increase. The removal of 1224 SF of paved driveway and replacement with
496 SF of pervious driveway provides 728 SF of restoration, exceeding the 1:1 ratio
required in accordance with 310 CMR 10.58(f).
(e) The area of proposed work shall not exceed the amount of degraded area,
provided that the proposed work may alter up to 10% if the degraded area is less
than 10% of the riverfront area, except in accordance with 310 CMR 15.28(5)(f)
of (g).
The existing impervious surface area, consisting of paved driveway, building, and
brick/concrete hardscaping, is 3114 SF within the Riverfront. The proposed
impervious surface area, consisting of building (roofed) area, is 1976 SF, for an 1138
SF reduction. All proposed work lies within the existing developed area and will not
disturb any native vegetation.
(f) When an applicant proposes restoration on -site of degraded riverfront area,
alteration may be allowed notwithstanding the criteria of 310 CMR
10.58(5)(c),(d), and (e) at a ratio in square feet of at least 1:1 of restored area to
area of alteration not conforming to the criteria. Areas immediately along the
river shall be selected for restoration. Alteration not conforming to the criteria
shall begin at the riverfront area boundary. Restoration shall include:
1. Removal of all debris, but retaining any trees or other mature vegetation;
2. Grading to a topography which reduces runoff and increases infiltration;
3. Coverage by topsoil at a depth consistent with natural conditions at the site;
and
4. Seeding and planting with an erosion control seed mixture, followed by
plantings of herbaceous and woody species appropriate to the site;
As noted above, the removal of 1244 SF of paved driveway and replacement with
496 SF of pervious driveway provides 728 SF of restoration, exceeding the
required 1:1 ratio of restored area to area of alteration not conforming to the
criteria. The disturbed areas are to be loamed and seeded with a drought -tolerant
fescue seed mix. Additionally, an area of approximately 1600 SF adjacent to the
Resource Area will be restored with native herbaceous and woodv plant species.
(g) N.A.
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"Harmony"
Low Maintenance Grass
Mixture
Ingredients: "PILGRIM", Coastal/Wavy Hair Grass (Cape Cod Collection), Sheep Fescue, Blue
X Hard Fescue, Blue Fescue, Hard fescue
Adapted: Sun/Shade, Dry Droughty Soils, Low PH, and Low Fertility.
USES: Ideal mix for low maintenance lawns, windswept coastal expanses, and naturalized golf
course roughs. At low rates Harmony works well as a grass base for wildflowers, or legumes to be
added from plugs or seed in year 2-3 upon successful weed suppression.
Features: Harmony is the lowest growing lawn mix available; very fine textured with a wispy look that
has gained broad acceptance, and tolerant of extreme drought, Harmony can grow in low fertility/low
PH soils. Fertilizer and water will improve the vigor and overall appearance of Harmony. However
when the area produces a layer of organic matter in year 2-3 these species can survive with NO
FERTILIZER/NO WATER and one MOWING/YEAR in sandy soils.
Seeding Rate(s):
Lawns with regular maintenance: 3-0/1,000 sq. ft.
Windswept thin, prairie look & golf course natural area: .5-1 #/1,000 sq. ft.
Wildflowers to be added in year 2 or 3: .25-.5#/1,000 sq. ft
Harmony Is Enhanced With Colony CoatTM
http://www.colonialseed.com/harmony-low-malntanence-lawn-mixture.html ill
z° 'STOu4 .PAVING WITH Z" JOINTS
2" MAX. SAND SETTING BED .
12" MIN. COMPACTED GRAVEL BASE
JNDISTURBED OR COMPACTED SUBSOIL
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