Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Accepted October 21, 2020 9/16/2020 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:19PM due to technical difficulties. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present: Chair Dean Anson, Lisa Morin, Deb Williams, Wes Bates, Marnie Schulz, and Mike Foote. Members Absent: Stacy Soucy, Planning Board Liasion. Staff Present: Ashley Ruprecht, Conservation Planner Technician. Guests: Luke Powell representing 126 Clinton St CUP. 3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 3.I. Acceptance Of Minutes From September 2 L. Morin motioned to accept the minutes provided. M. Foote seconded. There were no comments. All voted in favor. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.I. 126 Clinton St Water Main Replacement CUP This item was moved later in the meeting when the applicant arrived. L. Powell provided an overview of the application to install a redundant water main from the water treatment plant to Clinton Street. The existing main is 16" and the redundant water main will be 20". An easement was negotiated with the property owner to allow for no wetland impact, although the proposed work will be in the 50' wetland buffer. The buffer will no be planted as it is existing maintained lawn for the property owners that they wish to keep. Some trees will need to be removed in the upland area of the construction. D. Williams asked about the silt sock limits. L. Powell said the silt sock will extend beyond the wetland buffer area to prevent erosion. L. Powell said the Water Department may want to begin some of the construction work this fall. D. Williams motioned to support the CUP application as proposed. L. Morin seconded. All voted in favor. 4.II. Ordinance Updates A. Ruprecht provided an overview of ordinance updates to the WC and SPOD districts (City Ordinances 235-17 and 235-19). There was discussion regarding the removal of the unnammed stream designation A-I and referencing USGS stream mapping under proposed changes in section E of the proposed changes under 235-17. The Commission would like for these to remain rather than being removed during the ordinance update. A. Ruprecht said she will note that change. L. Morin would like the rewording of section H.(1) under 235-17 to include "the removal of vegetation and/or soils," The Commission agreed on this addition and A. Ruprecht said she would update this  USGS stream mapping under proposed changes in section E of the proposed changes under 235-17. The Commission would like for these to remain rather than being removed during the ordinance update. A. Ruprecht said she will note that change. L. Morin would like the rewording of section H.(1) under 235-17 to include "the removal of vegetation and/or soils," The Commission agreed on this addition and A. Ruprecht said she would update this change. A. Ruprecht will send out a copy of the proposed ordinance updates with the changes discussed and the Commission will provide feedback for the next meeting scheduled in October. A. Ruprecht commented that she plans to have the ordinance updates before the Planning Board at the November 4 meeting. 5. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS There were no comments on the NHDES permit applications listed below. 5.I. 958 Union Ave NHDES Wetlands PBN 5.II. 133 Pendleton Rd NHDES Wetlands PBN 5.III. 798 Weirs Blvd NHDES Wetlands PBN 6. OLD BUSINESS 6.I. Application Checklist L. Morin suggested adding a footnote with the document name and date at the bottom for easy reference. D. Williams suggested adding to the Certified Wetland Scientist (CWS) requirement that the CWS may be required to present before the Commission on behalf of the applicant. A. Ruprecht will make the changes suggested. A. Ruprecht said she will talk with Dean Trefethen about how the checklist will be incorporated and provided to applicants. L. Morin motioned to approve of the checklist with the changes discussed. M. Foote seconded. All voted in favor. 6.II. Rules Of Procedure There is discussion regarding the number of members on the Commission, and whether a 5 member board would be beneficial or not due to the change in quorum required to have meetings. M. Foote motioned to have the Commission become a 5 members with 3 needed for quorum, rather than the current 7 member board where 4 members are required for quorum. L. Morin seconded. There is additional discussion on how many alternates are allowed and their role on the Commission. For a 5 member Commission, 2 alternates are allotted. All voted in favor. 7. OTHER BUSINESS There is discussion about cutting within the 0'-50' shoreland setback at 358-366 Leighton Ave N. A. Ruprecht said that plans for the project were approved by NHDES, and there is some confusion as cutting is indicated on the plans but there is a note saying there is no cutting for the proposed project. There is discussion about NHDES's interpretation and concsensus amoungst the Commission that NHDES clarification on whether the cutting was done to their plans or not. A. Ruprecht said she reviewed the plan with the Director and believe a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) would be required for the cutting within the 50' setback. A. Ruprecht asked if the Commission would like to require an after-the-fact CUP, and there is discussion about fees, and what would be required. The Commission also suggests that A. Ruprecht and the Director conduct a site visit with the owners to discuss. L. Morin motioned to support obtaining NHDES clarification on the project, and having the property owner obtain an after-the-fact CUP. M. Foote seconded. All voted in favor.  be required for the cutting within the 50' setback. A. Ruprecht asked if the Commission would like to require an after-the-fact CUP, and there is discussion about fees, and what would be required. The Commission also suggests that A. Ruprecht and the Director conduct a site visit with the owners to discuss. L. Morin motioned to support obtaining NHDES clarification on the project, and having the property owner obtain an after-the-fact CUP. M. Foote seconded. All voted in favor. A. Ruprecht mentioned that the Planning Board meeting will also be on November 4 and asked if the Commission wants to move the meeting or have the meeting that day in 200B. The concensus is to keep the meeting for Nov 4 in 200B. 8. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS L. Morin had a call with Genuine Local regarding the State School property and they mentioned that their proposal is still on the table for the redevelopment project. There were no additional updates. 9. STAFF REPORT A. Ruprecht mentioned she is joining her local Conservation Commission and thinks it will be useful in assisting the Laconia Conservation Commission. A. Ruprecht mentioned the YSI meter is still with NHDES for recalibration due to some issues with the conductivity portion of the meter. A. Ruprecht will reach out to see the status of the meter as it has been with them for about a week or so and she has not heard an update. 10. ADJOURNMENT M. Foote motioned to adjourn the meeting. W. Bates seconded. All voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:13PM.