Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, August 18, 2021 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Approved 9/8/2021 8/18/2021 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm 2. ROLL CALL Members present: Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Stacy Soucy, Lisa Morin, Mike Foote 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG The Commission saluted the flag 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Taylor Daigle, Conservation Technician 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Dean Trefethen, Planning Director 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. August 4th Draft Minutes L. Morin motions to accept the minutes as is. D. Williams seconds. All vote in favor 7. OLD BUSINESS 7.I. Gardens @ Winnipesaukee, Endicott St. E, 164/72/1 Jason from TFM presented updates on the Gardens to the Commission. A site walk was conducted with members of the Commission prior to the meeting, at 4pm. There was discussion about the square footage required by the 100’ radial buffer versus that of the directional buffer. The applicant addressed that the directional buffer has more square footage but will get the exact numbers to the planning department soon. D. Anson mentions that it might be beneficial to consider the overall square footage of the buffer for future directional buffer cases. D. Williams asks the applicant to discuss the phasing plan and timeline. Jason addresses that there are 3 phases, each potentially lasting 2-3 years – however, the owner of the property hopes the entire project will be complete within 3 years. The highway improvements to Route 11B will begin at the start of/before phase 2 to meet the D.O.T traffic requirements. S. Soucy asks when the most recent traffic study for the project was done, and the applicant answered that it was updated in fall of 2017. Both the main entrance and the emergency entrance will be built in phase 1 as will most of the utilities and infrastructure. The loop connecting to the emergency entrance will be roughed in but completed in phase 3. M. Foote asks about unit #77 being entirely within the wetland buffer. The commission discusses that they do not think that this unit will negatively impact the functional value of the wetlands but does ask that deed restrictions address the inability to add accessory structures to properties within the buffer. D. Trefethen asks the Commission if they would like the department to suggest deed restriction  infrastructure. The loop connecting to the emergency entrance will be roughed in but completed in phase 3. M. Foote asks about unit #77 being entirely within the wetland buffer. The commission discusses that they do not think that this unit will negatively impact the functional value of the wetlands but does ask that deed restrictions address the inability to add accessory structures to properties within the buffer. D. Trefethen asks the Commission if they would like the department to suggest deed restriction language to the applicant for the Condo documents. The commission agrees this would be a good idea and the language can be used in future applications as well. The applicant addressed that unit numbers will be updated soon to be more sequential and easier to follow. D. Williams asks for some clarification of the nature trail through the wetland. The applicant says the have removed they foot bridge from the 2017 plans and that the trail will only consist of a simple foot path. There will be no digging for the construction of this trail. The applicant also addresses that the rock pile on site will be processed into gravel and utilized for various things on site. There is also discussion on what the applicant plans to do about invasive species. D. Anson mentions there is a lot of autumn olive and some Japanese knotweed on site. T. Daigle asked the applicant to address the erosion control plans surrounding the vernal pool and directional buffer. The Commission would like to see erosion controls surrounding the entire buffer rather than the initial plan of just the southern areas. The applicant suggests using stump grindings for a natural berm along the northern side of the buffer rather than a silt sox or silt fence. The applicant also mentions that there will be regular inspections from a stormwater pollution protection plan perspective that will address the erosion controls, perimeter controls, and steep slope areas. The applicant also addresses the DES application process and the ARM Fund. They ask the Commission if there are any mitigation projects they can address in the application for the funds to be directed to. The Commission mentions Black Brook restoration projects and Pickerel Pond as opportunities. The applicant will return at a later meeting to discuss the wetlands application in more detail with the Commission. 7.II. Gale Ave Park Re-Design There are no updates from the planning department on the Gale Ave park re-design. L. Morin and D. Anson discuss using this as an opportunity to educate homeowners on “DIY” stormwater management options for their own properties. There is potential to work with Parks & Rec and DPW on this. Options discussed include signage at the park, a section on waterfront property management in the Watershed Management Plan being developed, and “Lake Smart” awards from NH Lakes. T. Daigle will investigate the UNH Cooperative Extension course “Landscaping for Water Quality” and its applicability to homeowners. These plans are something to consider before next summer so homeowners may implement plans early on. 7.III. Lake Host @ Messer St. There are no updates on a Lake Host at Messer Street. T. Daigle will look into what information we have on updating the kiosk at Messer Street, which was previously worked on by Ashley with DPW 7.IV. Perley Pond T. Daigle mentions Parks & Rec’s plans to trim one of the bushes at Perley Pond to increase the view of the pond to those passing by. D. Trefethen will discuss with Parks & Rec on if the Commission can be present when they are trimming to monitor how much it is. 7.V. Pickerel Pond DPW has constructed a small gravel parking lot on the City’s property at Pickerel Pond. It should hold about three cars at a time. The next step for the property is to get the signage installed, which is already paid for. T. Daigle will look into making that happen soon. 7.VI. Water Quality Monitoring D. Anson and T. Daigle are aiming to find a September date for water quality testing.  about three cars at a time. The next step for the property is to get the signage installed, which is already paid for. T. Daigle will look into making that happen soon. 7.VI. Water Quality Monitoring D. Anson and T. Daigle are aiming to find a September date for water quality testing. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. North Water Marina, 18 Endicott St North, 160/40/10 The Applicant did not attend. D. Trefethen mentions they are rethinking their plans. D. Anson would like them to present their entire site plan at some point, not just one phase at a time. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 10. OTHER BUSINESS T. Daigle provided an update on the Black Brook stream restoration at Irwin’s boat storage site. Site work was stalled by the rain in July but has recently begun again. Stream restoration on the Laconia side of the property will hopefully be finished in late summer/early fall. The engineer on the project spoke to T. Daigle about potential for more daylighting opportunities on the Brook. D. Anson discusses this as an opportunity to solidify a project to use the ARM Funds from the Gardens project. There will need to be coordination with the Gilford Conservation Commission and Nick Sceggell (engineer) regarding potential projects and costs. T. Daigle will reach out to Nick about this. T. Daigle asks the Commission what they know about grant funding opportunities for individual homeowners regarding a seawall repair on Paugus Bay. The Commission directs T. Daigle to pass along the NHDES Winnipesaukee River Basin Association contact information to the homeowner. S. Soucy asks D. Trefethen if Parks & Rec has diverted unused funds to landscapers to do work within the city. D. Trefethen mentions that they have been doing so. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT M. Foote motions to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 pm. L. Morin seconds. All vote in favor.