Conservation Commission Votes 4-2 to Approve Bridge Drive Extension Wetlands Order

PEPPERELL — May 1, 2018 — Pepperell Conservation Commission approves 40B housing project order of conditions 4-2 after wetland fill is scrapped. The commission voted Tuesday to issue an order of conditions for the Bridge Drive Extension roadway and stormwater infrastructure phase, a multi-lot comprehensive permit development by Edge Dome Properties Inc., after engineer Joe Pesnova of Hancock Associates announced the team had revised plans that same day to eliminate all proposed filling of a 500-square-foot finger-like wetland projection. Pesnova said a DEP comment revealed the fill would require a separate 401 water quality certification under 314 CMR 9 because the site is within an Outstanding Resource Water, triggering the requirement regardless of fill size. The revised plan shifts several homes outward — lots 12 and 15 now sit at 51 and 50 feet from wetland resource areas respectively — and eliminates a wetland replication area. Stormwater recharge calculations show 18,000 cubic feet provided against a required 3,100 cubic feet. The project includes five affordable units with deed restrictions requiring resale to qualifying affordable buyers. Also during open session, Canal Street residents Bill and Lynn Kennison urged the commission to oppose a town meeting citizen's petition to rezone 15 Canal Street from Town Residence to Commercial, citing proximity to the Nashua River and an ongoing Land Court challenge to the current business's special permit.