Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, February 2, 2022 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Approved 3/2/22 2/2/2022 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 5:57 PM 2. ROLL CALL Dean Anson, Mike Foote, Robert Harrington, Deb Williams, Stacy Soucy 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG The Commission saluted the flag 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Taylor Daigle, Conservation Planner Technician 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 6.I. Draft Minutes - 1/19/2022 M. Foote motions to accept the minutes of the 1/19 meeting. R. Harrington seconds. All vote in favor. 7. OLD BUSINESS 7.I. NRI - Feedback Of Recommendation Section The commission discusses the recommendation section of the updated NRI and provides T. Daigle with comments. They note that the scenic road designation, aquifer protection district, and invasive species inventory are all important points. D. Williams suggests some type of recommendation focused on ensuring that contractors are aware of the sensitive environmental conditions they are working in so that erosion controls are properly used. T. Daigle suggests some type of letter that is sent out to contractors that will indicate this. M. Foote suggest looking into the current setbacks of Roller Coaster Road and whether it makes sense to add this to the RR2 zone or not. D. Anson asks about a vernal pool inventory. T. Daigle explains that she can keep documentation of them as they come in, but the city GIS would not be continually updated with the information 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. Wetland CUP - Race Point (Southdown) (244-295-9) Applicant Phil Brouillard and wetland scientist Jessica Bailey discussed the proposal with the commission. The lot is located in Southdown and is entirely within the 50’ wetland buffer. They discuss their plans to go to ZBA next and then planning board. J. Bailey discusses the similarities between this project and a previous Southdown lot they worked on with the commission. This proposal includes a  8.I. Wetland CUP - Race Point (Southdown) (244-295-9) Applicant Phil Brouillard and wetland scientist Jessica Bailey discussed the proposal with the commission. The lot is located in Southdown and is entirely within the 50’ wetland buffer. They discuss their plans to go to ZBA next and then planning board. J. Bailey discusses the similarities between this project and a previous Southdown lot they worked on with the commission. This proposal includes a 1727 sq ft home with an 80 sq ft shed across the lot. There will be wetland buffer enhancements with a 82’x2’ rain garden and wetland boundary markers, which were shown to the commission. The applicants focus on the hardships this lot has gone through with the buffer changes over the years. J. Bailey also discusses the unmaintained catch basin found on the property. D. Williams asks about a basement. There will only be slab and a small crawl space. Are the abutters aware of the project yet? No, they will be notified when the project goes to the ZBA. S. Soucy asks for more information on the shed. The shed is 80 sq ft and was added at the request of the landowners. The commission discusses the location of the shed, the practicality of it, and the likelihood of encroaching on the wetlands to use the shed. The commission and the applicant decide to remove the shed from the plans. D. Anson has concerns over people not following the rules of the buffer in the HOA. J. Bailey vouches that the projects they’ve worked on in Southdown are being held to high standards with wetland impacts and that they are properly monitored, etc. D. Anson asks if there is any chance of vernal pools on the property. J. Bailey says no. D. Anson also notes that one of the conditions should be that the catch basin is regularly maintained on the property. T. Daigle will discuss with staff what we can do about enforcing that. Other comments from the commission include the request for the following deed restrictions: no wetland filling, no accessory structures, no removal, cutting, or filling in the rain garden, snow may not be stored in the wetlands (from the driveway), and standard fertilizer limitations for the lawn. There is discussion of what kind of vegetation removal should be allowed on the property. The applicants and commission come to the agreement of allowing removal of dead vegetation with hand tools (including a chainsaw) pre, during, and post construction with J. Bailey’s oversight and direction. To ensure this, there will be a follow up report on the status of the rain garden and the vegetation in the wetland. 9. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 10. OTHER BUSINESS The commission discusses the green space dimensional changes and the discussions had at the MPSC and PB meetings. D. Anson will draft a letter stating the commission’s opposition to the proposed decreases and bring it to the next MPSC meeting. D. Williams asks about how we can better enforce the erosion and sediment control practices in the city. There is discussion of fines being enforced, but it is noted that any fines would have to go through city council. There is discussion of the project on Opechee Street. The commission requests that there be a security fence added to the project because of the kids walking to and from school. There is also concern about the vegetation removal on the site, T. Daigle will look into their DES permit. D. Anson updates the commission on the event to be held at the Loon Preservation Center in July. D. Anson and T. Daigle update the commission on the Antioch intern and the status of the work. It is suggested that he will come for a presentation towards the end of the work. 11. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT M. Foote motions to adjourn at 8:10 PM. D. Williams seconds. All vote in favor. 12. STAFF REPORT 13. ADJOURNMENT M. Foote motions to adjourn at 8:10 PM. D. Williams seconds. All vote in favor.