Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Draft Minutes 3/20/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. 2. ROLL CALL The following members were present: Dean Anson, Deb Williams, Robert Harrington, Michael Foote, Gail Ober, Lisa Morin, and Rick Ball via phone. 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG D. Anson led the Commission in the salute to the flag. 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Savanna Brunelle, Administrative Assistant 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Tyler Carmichael, Assistant Planner Savanna Brunelle, Administrative Assistant 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS D. Anson questioned and corrected a misspelled word in line item 6. D. Williams motioned to accept minutes, seconded by L. Morin. Unanimously approved. 7. NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES APPLICATIONS 7.I. 192 Leighton Ave Standard Dredge And Fill Application D. Anson chose the approved application from 192 Leighton Ave to review and use as an example for a general discussion under 8.3. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.I. 453 White Oaks Road Wetland CUP Mario Focareto was there as a representative for Lady of the Lakes LLC. They are proposing to build 46 houses on White Oaks Rd. About 80 square feet of the wetland buffer would be impacted. There will be no direct impact to any wetlands. Mentioned there would be a trail system to minimize the impact and keep it natural. D. Williams asked if the trails were for residents only and if motor vehicles would be prohibited. Mr. Focareto confirmed trails would be for residents only and motor vehicles would not be allowed. R. Harrington questioned if the sewer would need to have two pump stations. Mr. Focareto confirmed it  keep it natural. D. Williams asked if the trails were for residents only and if motor vehicles would be prohibited. Mr. Focareto confirmed trails would be for residents only and motor vehicles would not be allowed. R. Harrington questioned if the sewer would need to have two pump stations. Mr. Focareto confirmed it would just need the one. He also mentioned that the pump station in Paugus Woods would have to be bigger due to it being at full capacity. D. Williams expressed concern from the abutter about headlights leaving the property shining. Mr. Focareto confirmed the abutter had concerns about this for the current proposal as well as a similar proposal from years prior. Mr. Focareto stated large trees were planted along the road of the abutter’s property for the prior project, but that the abutter has removed the lower branches which defeat the original purpose of the trees screening lights from exiting vehicles. Additionally, Mr. Focareto confirmed that the current location of the entrance is the safest due to line of sight along White Oaks Rd and that the safety of exiting the property would take precedence over concerns over the lights. D. Williams motioned to support the plan; L. Morin seconded. Unanimous. 8.II. 2 Taylor Home Drive Wetland CUP Seth McLellan was the representative of Taylor Home Community along with Sarah Whearty, Project Manager at DuBois & King. Taylor Home is looking to build additions to the existing house that include a deck, porch, and two-car garage. The addition would impact 932 square feet of the wetland buffer. There will be no direct impact to the wetlands. There is no sign of wildlife in said wetlands but could be too early for amphibians to be coming out. D. Anson reviewed conceptual plans for the project. G. Ober questioned if Chairman (D. Anson) was comfortable being a chair and making decisions for this property. D. Anson advised that he and another committee member (R. Harrington) are current residents of Taylor Home. L. Morin motioned to vote that the committee members who are residents of Taylor Home recuse themselves so there is no conflict of interest. R. Ball stated it’s not up to the committee, it’s up to D. Anson and R. Harrington themselves. M. Foote then motioned to vacate the previous motion; L. Morin seconded. Unanimous. Once all committee members had a chance to review the plan. D. Anson questioned if the wetland in question is natural. S. Whearty expressed there is an efemoral stream that was man made. M. Foote expressed the wetland in question is already heavily manipulated by man. D. Anson expressed concern as to why it is not being built on the other side (right side). The applicant stated there was a significant ledge on the other side of the building. M. Foote asked if there was any way to move the addition forward. The applicant stated no because it would interfere with another door from a different building. D. Anson questioned if there was a different place to recreate wetlands that would be compromised. S. McLellan expressed potentially yes. There would have to be more exploration of the property to find new places. L. Morin mentions it’s negligent to build due to the cutting of trees. D. Anson suggested putting together a list of questions for the applicant who would then answer all committee members individually before the next meeting. M. Foote agreed that the Commission needs more information. All parties came to agreement that the commission would postpone their decision, take a walk through of the property (individually or no more than 2 at a time), draft questions, and then make recommendations at the next Conservation Commission meeting. 8.III. Dredge And Fill Discussion D. Anson discussed that the planning department received a copy of a Standard Dredge and Fill Permit. Refer to 192 Leighton Ave N application.  recommendations at the next Conservation Commission meeting. 8.III. Dredge And Fill Discussion D. Anson discussed that the planning department received a copy of a Standard Dredge and Fill Permit. Refer to 192 Leighton Ave N application. D. Anson had concerns about whether the NH Department of Environmental Services follows up on permits they’ve issued to ensure the applicants are compliant. L. Morin requested the Conservation Committee receive a copy of permit applications prior to DES approval. R. Ball mentioned that any complaints made to the state would file an investigation. The project wouldn’t be shut down during the investigation period, but the applicant would be made aware of complaints. L. Morin expressed a desire to make this procedure more formal. It was mentioned that maybe the Conservation Tech (Vacant position) would do this type of job. T. Carmichael stated that would have to be brought to Director and would require review of that job description. D. Anson expressed that DOT asked for information on environmental impact on route 106 abutting route 107. An email was sent out and different boards were cc’d on it. It will be further investigated. Noted that it was news to everyone hearing about it. 9. OLD BUSINESS L. Morin mentioned there’s a Natural Resources Assessment on March 28 th at 6:00pm. The meeting will be held at 70North Restaurant and Market, 70 Endicott St., Laconia. D. Williams also mentioned the Department of Environmental Services has updated their website about Cyanobacteria. D. Anson brought attention to other important dates coming up. NH Gives June 11 & 12 th , 2024 and Day of Caring September 13 th , 2024. Looking for ideas/projects. L. Morin also discussed putting in a pollinator garden. In communication with the Director of DPW. D. Anson also brought up the Presentation on Paugus Bay Water Quality by Lake Winnipesaukee Association being held Friday March 22, 2024, at 2pm. 10. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS T. Carmichael introduced/confirmed the hiring of a new administrative assistant. G. Ober had no reports from the planning board. 11. ADJOURNMENT D. Williams motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:13PM, seconded by M. Foote. Unanimously approved.