Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, February 21, 2024 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Draft Minutes 2/21/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER D. Anson: Called the meeting to order at 6:02PM 2. ROLL CALL The following members were present: Dean Anson, Richard Ball (via Phone), Mike Foote, Deb William, Robert Harrington, and Gail Ober. 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Robert Mora, Planning Director 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Robert Mora, Planning Director 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS R. Harrington motioned to accept minutes, seconded by D. Williams all voted in favor. 5-0 (R. Ball had departed) 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.I. 492 Endicott Street North PL2024-0001CS And 0002CUP R. Mora discussed with the board that they had previously been to the Conservation Commission and wanted to confirm that the board supported the project. The board then discussed that the applicant had planned to allocate an area into Conservation, and they fully supported that. Also, D. Williams mentioned that they had discussed one of the culverts on the site along with the Conservation land. R. Mora stated that he had a copy of the proposed HOA documents that went over the Conservation land and if any of the board members were interested, they were more than welcome to come into the office and review them. 7.II. 711 Weirs Blvd PL2024-0005SU & 0006CUP Tom Selling, who is the Engineer and Agent for Applicant Kevin Hayhurst, recently went over the application with the Conservation Commission. During the meeting, he requested support for a waiver for soils and a tree inventory. He explained the review process that the application has undergone and the revisions that have been made. He also highlighted that the site has several steep slopes, and they have been analyzing these constraints to determine the best way to manage the site's development. They have been working on creating a road that meets the required grading and allows emergency access to the site. During the discussion, the Commission asked about egress and the slope of the road for emergency fire access. They also discussed the number of sites, which has been amended down to 40. It was mentioned that the Glamping use will utilize a community well for water and not be on the municipal system. T. Selling also described that the sewer line is already in place and was designed by Steven  They have been working on creating a road that meets the required grading and allows emergency access to the site. During the discussion, the Commission asked about egress and the slope of the road for emergency fire access. They also discussed the number of sites, which has been amended down to 40. It was mentioned that the Glamping use will utilize a community well for water and not be on the municipal system. T. Selling also described that the sewer line is already in place and was designed by Steven Smith and Associates. The proposed Fire Suppression system was discussed, including the use of multiple cisterns. The board then discussed the drainage and the alteration of terrain. The water retention/detention ponds were also discussed, along with the proposed vegetation types. The board then discussed the tree waiver and mapping and the surveys that have been or not been completed on the site. It was mentioned that the site will be inadvertently surveyed with the timber cut. 7.III. Letter To City Council The commission discusses a letter that they have drafted to City Council. It was debated whether they should present that they would like to purchase the property on Lafayette Street or wait until they have completed a site walk. 7.IV. Paugus Bay MILFOIL Grant During the meeting, D. Anson provided an estimate of $100,000 for cleaning up MILFOIL. While we have a grant of approximately $54,000, it may not be enough, given the extensive cleanup required. Therefore, it was suggested that we get an updated estimate from Amy at NH DES that aligns with our current budget of $65,000. Additionally, the commission proposed drafting a document with recommendations for the city council on how to prioritize the cleanup efforts. 8. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS Justin Sherman, from GZA, was present with Conner, as well as Eversource representatives Doug and Ashley. They discussed the proposed replacement of the transmission lines documented as J125. The project aims to replace about 120 structures from Franklin through Laconia, with only 14 of them located within the City of Laconia. However, the project will have temporary impacts on the wetland buffers in Laconia. The team will be submitting a Conditional Use Permit once they obtain all the required state permits. This is the reason why they are before the board now as part of NH DES permit. 9. OTHER BUSINESS During the Commission meeting, the overall budget was discussed. Additionally, tributary and deepwater testing was brought up and it was decided that they need to be scheduled and completed this year. We will need to contact the Water Department to arrange a time for us to go out upon completion of their testing. The commission also discussed completing the plantings at the end of Gale Ave and working with Parks and Recreation to determine when and where the plantings should be completed. 10. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 11. STAFF REPORT 12. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:09 PM. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Robert Mora