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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNarrative 10.15.2026Notice of Intent 108 Wilfin Avenue Yarmouth, Massachusetts PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION The proposed Project is located at 108 Wilfin Avenue in Yarmouth, MA (the Site) and involves construction of a single-family home with appurtenances including a new garage, septic system with a leach field, a modified driveway, and underground utilities (the Project). This application is being submitted in accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act 310 CMR 10.00 (WPA) and the Town of Yarmouth Wetland Protection Bylaw and Regulations (the Yarmouth Bylaw). 2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION The Site is located in a residential area, with Crowell Pond located to the east of the property. The Site itself is a partially forested lot with an existing driveway, garage, and single-family dwelling. The proposed project falls within the following areas of conservation jurisdiction that are protected under the WPA and the Bylaw include: • Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage (LSCSF), FEMA Flood Zone AE (Elevation 11) • Buffer Zone to Top of Coastal Bank • Buffer Zone to Salt Marsh • Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW) 3.0 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES The proposed project involves the construction of a 3-bedroom single family dwelling and a new deck with access stairs. A new garage with an attached porch will be connected to the existing single family dwelling unit. A two-compartment 1,500-gallon septic tank and a 1,000- gallon pump chamber, and the modification of the existing driveway. The existing and proposed dwelling will be supported by a Title V septic system with a leaching field underlain by a 40-mil poly liner. The Site is partially developed, with an existing driveway, single-family dwelling, and a garage. Roughly 0.25 acres of forested areas will be cleared to accommodate the proposed project elements. This clearing will include 30 mature pines. An existing septic system on the Site will be pumped, crushed and removed from the Site. The new septic tank will require 130 cubic yards (CY) of fill. Additionally, to meet FEMA Flood Zone compliance the Site will be elevated using 60 CY of clean fill around the front of the house to bring the top of foundation to elevation 13.3 ft with a finished first floor elevation of 14.5 ft. The foundation of the new dwelling will contain five (5) flood vents at elevation of 7.0 ft. Portions of the proposed Project are located within jurisdictional wetland resource areas and associated buffer zones. In accordance with Part 6, Buffer Zone Requirements of the Town of Yarmouth Wetland Protection Regulations, no new structures are proposed within 50 feet of the Coastal Bank, Salt Marsh, or BVW. The Project will result in no net increase in disturbance within the 0-35-foot Buffer Zone to the Coastal Bank. Approximately 477 square feet (SF) of existing structures and hardscape are currently located within the buffer zone to Top of Coastal Bank. The Project will reduce this area by approximately 10 SF, resulting in approximately 467 SF of structures and hardscape within the 35-50-foot Buffer Zone, representing a net reduction in existing impacts. Notice of Intent 108 Wilfin Avenue Yarmouth, Massachusetts Within the 50-100-foot Buffer Zone to Coastal Bank, the Project will reduce existing structures and hardscape from approximately 2,680 SF to 2,672 SF, resulting in a net increase of 8 SF. The Project is located entirely within the LSCSF, resulting in approximately 8,400 SF of work within this resource area. To offset project impacts and enhance site conditions, the Project proposes approximately 470 square feet (SF) of native mitigation plantings, including 300 SF along the northeastern perimeter of the site and 170 SF along the southwestern perimeter. Table 1. Mitigation plantings Quantity Botantical Name Common Name Mature Size Size Spacing Shrubs H x W 20 Carex pensylvanica Pennsylvania Sedge 1’ x 2” 4” Pot 2’ O.C. 20 Gaylussacia baccata Black huckleberry 3’ x 4’ 1 Gal. Pot 3’ O.C. 20 Comptonia peregrina Sweet fern 3’ x 3’ 1 Gal. Pot 3’ O.C. At the limit of disturbance/edge of clearing, sediment controls will be installed along portions of the southern, eastern, and northern side of the site. No clearing, access, temporary storage of materials, or other activities will occur beyond this limit. The proposed project activities will follow a typical construction timeline. 1. Sediment controls will be installed along the limit of work and a temporary construction entrance and a concrete washout area will be established, 2. Site preparation includes clearing, grubbing, and debris disposal, followed by site grading and placement of fill 3. Areas on the site that are not needed for construction work, or access will be stabilized via hydroseeding or other appropriate measures 4. Utilities, septic system, and other underground features will proceed, alongside the construction of the new dwellings 5. Final site stabilization of the remainder of the Site will immediately follow construction work with loaming and seeding of all disturbed areas. 4.0 COMPLIANCE WITH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS UNDER THE YARMOUTH BYLAW Below is a discussion of conformance with the applicable performance standards for projects within LSCSF and within the Buffer Zone to Coastal Bank included in the Yarmouth Wetlands Protection Regulations (3/24/2026). Yarmouth Wetland Protection Regulations 4.05 Coastal Banks (3) a. Performance Standards Notice of Intent 108 Wilfin Avenue Yarmouth, Massachusetts (a) No new bulkhead, revetment, seawall, groin or other coastal engineering structure shall be permitted on a coastal bank that provides significant sediment to an adjacent or downdrift coastal beach; except that such a coastal engineering structure shall be permitted when required to prevent storm damage to buildings constructed prior to August 10, 1978, including re-construction of such buildings subsequent to the effective date of these regulations, provided that the following requirements are met: i. Coastal engineering structures or modifications thereto shall be designed and constructed so as to minimize, using best available measures, adverse effects on adjacent or nearby coastal beaches due to changes in wave action; ii. The applicant demonstrates that no method of protecting the building other than the proposed coastal engineering structure is feasible; iii. Protective planting designed to reduce erosion may be permitted; and iv. The applicant provides sufficient evidence that the building was constructed pursuant to a Notice of Intent prior filed before August 10, 1978. Not applicable, no new bulkhead, revetment, seawall, groin, or other coastal engineering structure is proposed as part of this project. (b) Any project on a coastal bank or within 100 feet of the top of a coastal bank, other than a structure permitted under section 4.05, (3), (a), shall not have an adverse effect due to wave action on the movement of sediment from the coastal bank to coastal beaches or land subject to tidal action or flooding, The proposed Project complies with this performance standard because it will not have an adverse effect due to wave action on the movement of sediment from the Coastal Bank to coastal beaches or land subject to tidal action or flooding. The Project consists of the construction of a new single-family dwelling, a new deck with access stairs, a garage with an attached porch connected to the existing dwelling, installation of a new septic system, and modifications to the existing driveway. No new structures are proposed within 50 feet of the Coastal Bank or Coastal Vegetated Wetland, and the Project will result in no net increase in disturbance within the 0-35-foot Buffer Zone to the Coastal Bank. The proposed work is landward of the Coastal Bank and will not alter the bank's form or function, interfere with coastal processes, or affect the natural movement of sediment. Although the Project is located entirely within the LSCSF, it includes approximately 470 SF of native mitigation plantings, consisting of 300 SF along the northeastern perimeter and 170 SF along the southwestern perimeter of the site, to enhance site conditions and vegetative cover. 4.10 Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage (3) a. General Performance Standards ix. Existing septic system and cesspool repairs will be allowed provided they meet all Title 5 and local Board of Health thresholds. The proposed septic tank will meet the performance standard. x. All groundwater elevations shall incorporate seasonable adjustments if test holes and or leaching components are 100 feet or closer from major estuaries. Notice of Intent 108 Wilfin Avenue Yarmouth, Massachusetts The proposed leaching system is located outside 100 feet of a Major Estuary (Bass River); however, groundwater elevations have been adjusted for seasonal high groundwater in accordance with the Town of Yarmouth Wetlands Protection Regulations. The leaching field is also outside of the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Top of Coastal Bank. xi. Any proposed deck, shed, or other similar structure must be securely anchored to a footing or foundation. Project will comply. xii. Any activity shall preserve existing soils, vegetation, and other natural conditions that serve as buffers to coastal flooding and storm surges. Roughly 0.4 acres of the 0.65-acre Site will be preserved as wooded or open area. Project will comply to the greatest extent possible. The project proposes 470 SF of mitigation consisting of native plantings. Because the project has an overall net decrease in structure/hardscape impacts, no mitigation is required under the Yarmouth bylaw. 5.0 MITIGATION Erosion controls (staked straw or biodegradable wattles and/or staked silt fence) will be installed along the limit of work line. These controls will remain in place and in operational condition until final site stabilization is complete. All construction materials will be staged as far from resource areas as possible. Roll off containers or other appropriate containers will be placed within the cleared portion of the Site, near the construction access and debris will be removed regularly. A contained concrete washout area will be established along the construction access and will be kept in good order during project activities. Should any concrete escape from the contained washout area, all materials will be excavated and removed from the Site. Following construction, all building materials will be removed from the Site. Any disturbed area within the project Site will be stabilized with grass seed and topped with straw mulch to protect the soil and seed until the area is sufficiently stabilized.