HomeMy WebLinkAboutResponse letter 3.23.2026Wet Tech Land Design, Inc.
Site & Wetland Consultant - Peer Plan Review - Estimate Analysis
P.O. BOX 1580 - SAGAMORE BEACH, MA 02562
wettechlanddesign@gmail.com 508-642-7701 www.WetlandPlans.com
SITE & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS - WETLAND CONSULTANTS
(508-642-7701) E-mail: wettechlanddesign@gmail.com and Website: www.WetlandPlans.com
March 23, 2026
RESPONSES TO YARMOUTH CONSERVATION ON ISSUES FOR LANDSCAPING AT
8 Flintlock Way- Yarmouth, MA Map 122-10
1) GRADING OF DRIVEWAY and MITIGATION PLANTING
Discussion at the first meeting was the need to make the grading for widening the driveway understandable
with a cross section and a proposed grading plan. The new contour were superimposed in thick lines over the
landscape plan. The area of fill required is stipled, or hatched. The straw wattles are replaced with 12” COIR
ROLL, permanently staked in place. A CROSS SECTION PLAN IS PROVIDED.
RESPONSE:
The desire to widen the driveway present a grading problem for approx. 50’ along the driveway length, and to
the property line. The current rolling grade is covered with lawn, and hardly mowable. We intend’ with the
grading and mitigation, is to: (1) Install a permanent COIR ROLL (12”) along the property line (dug in ½ way
and staked); (2) the grading removes fill from the driveway sub-base and used for fill along the side slope;
(3) the resultant slope is between 3:1 and 2:1 (actually 9 to 3.5’=2.6:1) and will be self retaining using the
COIR ROLL at the toe. The edging and driveway grading keep the rainwater in the driveway and will slowly
trickle (through ¾” crushed stone) toward the street culvert Therefore, watershed is being changed from
driveway (side-slope) to driveway longitudinally. Rainwater landing on this new slope will have no headwater
to promote erosion, and therefore, will be attenuated.by the mitigation planting and, likely pine bark mulch.
Residual surface erosion will be blocked by the COIR ROLL at the slope’s bottom.
2) WALKWAY AND SMALL PATIO CONSTRUCTION JUSTIFICATION/MITIGATION
Information was sought on how the construction of the patio and walkway would be permeable and not
actual “coverage”
RESPONSE:
The new technology of “dry” paving surfaces (no cement) places 6” of large gravel at the base. When
compacted a fabric will be placed over, and a 2” course of pea stone used as a setting bed for any and all type
of pavers, The thickness of the gravel makes this base, effectively a “DRYWELL”, rainwater shall be surface-
pitched away at a 2% (maximum) slope. No adverse action is caused by the patio or the walkway.
3) JUSTIFICATION FOR LEAVING THE COASTAL BANK INTACT
Discussion at the first meeting was the various treatments of the (mostly, invasive) vegetation on the coastal
bank.
RESPONSE: Largely a population of 4 invasive species, the argument was made to leave this area
completely alone, to prevent erosion on the steep slope and that the surrounding, equally alike and invasive
species would soon overcome any attempt of replacement native plantings and open the steep slope to
erosion in the transformation. The aerial photo showed the minimal impact of the owner’s portion of invasive
species compared to that of the overall adjacent neighborhood. The cost for such a project is prohibitive and
speculative, at best. At least 2 commissioners agreed with this assessment.
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Wet Tech Land Design, Inc.
Site & Wetland Consultant - Peer Plan Review - Estimate Analysis
P.O. BOX 1580 - SAGAMORE BEACH, MA 02562
wettechlanddesign@gmail.com 508-642-7701 www.WetlandPlans.com
SITE & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS - WETLAND CONSULTANTS
(508-642-7701) E-mail: wettechlanddesign@gmail.com and Website: www.WetlandPlans.com
8 Flintlock Rd -Yarmouthport (cont)
4} CORRECTING THE DEFICIT OF FORMULAIC COVERAGE VS MITIGATION
Accepting the hope that Town of Yarmouth would accept 3: 1 mitigation for an unavoidable amount of
driveway addition and replacement front door entryway within the 0-35 ft buffer zones; then the corrected ratio
of 3:1 for 35’-50’ and 2:1 ratio of 50-100’ buffer zone are also computed. Agent requested groundcover, and
Sweet Fern was chosen as best low shrub/groundcover wildlife habitat; better than other options.
RESPONSE:
The computation by area is on the plan and the area of changed coverage is 1423 SF and the
replacement given, in 3 areas, is 1514 SF. The plants are all native and groundcover is Sweet Fern.
5} CORRECTING THE DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE TO PROTECT TUPELO (providing
for groundcover)
The idea of moving the entrance and/or narrowing the throat of the driveway to allow maximizing distance
from the Tupelo at entry to the driveway.
RESPONSE:
The entrance was reduced from14’ to 12.5’ in width near the Tupelo tree and is 3.5 feet from the tupelo.
The few boulders at the entrance will be relocated to allow for the shift of the driveway entrance to the right.
An explanation of the Tupelo’s root system is on the plan, and a taller groundcover of Sweet Fern is used to
visually protect the Tupelo along with the added distance shall direct cars into the driveway. The Tupelo’s root
will not be impacted, nor shall tree trunk be subject to accidents.
Plans are attached.
Wayne Tavares PWS LA CS
Wet Tech Land Design, Inc
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