[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6077876,"mediaKeyId","2963064-2ee1a3666156e28aaf8bc232dbe610be","parentId",2963064,"title","Town of Needham advances plan for fleet maintenance garage at Cogswell site; hearing continued","audioSeconds",1147,"startMs",2888000,"endMs",4035000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963064-2ee1a3666156e28aaf8bc232dbe610be&start=2888&end=4035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963064-2ee1a3666156e28aaf8bc232dbe610be/thumbnail_2888000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077876/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Town-of-Needham-advances-plan-for-fleet-maintenance-garage-at-Cogswell-site-hearing-continued","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077876-b688c7fd7854a4d664cc5e1f10e328c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448251&Signature=XLuR7aNC3Gj66HqitzR~AA4TI9fZmF8z1nBZPVQKg6D9tHRDEXHYXTHvA30ZzGgBe8NF1pxYrdIvI6PSf8A6Ecnw~iaGEgQ1dWa1NznGwouTtj0UMZxxwcwtj9U9dk926dh~qcEiSyZxXwq9DA15sTMaJmTET0pL3WapsdlDNZo7WOBAxH6KtWQdibvoWF8WJuIH~HA0RBpHQ1jMrvkmfqRxf2GTlKE5qFBTbxQR1l4QvSNaudvyPqlmhJI4yZkYvrZ0s-gfWBqX0whdRBk~Zef9B8dbViZIeFRcY9ZyGzXPk94Yth2Hsf~JAkFlvDNg3Ng5~I6RVCePGhMX3tcFuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-04-11T00:00:00Z","article","The Needham Conservation Commission on April 10 heard a notice of intent for a proposed fleet maintenance garage adjacent to the Cogswell Building on Central Avenue. Tyler Caffalicci, project manager for Weston & Sampson, said the proposal adds a roughly 1,200‑square‑foot pre‑engineered metal building, a covered exterior wash pad, a drive‑through maintenance bay and rooftop solar, and would allow conversion of one existing garage bay into a tire bay.

Why it matters: the project occupies a constrained site with wetlands on three sides, requires ledge removal and new stormwater and utility work that will touch the 50–100‑foot wetland buffer. It is part of the town’s DPW long‑range plan and is a capital item that the town intends to bring to Town Meeting.

Caffalicci and Kent Sargent, project manager for the town’s Building, Design & Construction department, described stormwater and site plans. The team told commissioners the stormwater design is sized to meet the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook standards and that roof runoff will be treated through new bioretention features; paved yard runoff will route to a previously permitted detention basin and existing bioretention before discharging to wetlands. Because shallow bedrock limits infiltration on much of the site, engineers proposed manufactured bioretention media and underdrains in places where infiltration is infeasible.

The project team also proposes four standing‑column ground‑source heat pump wells; the team plans to install a test well this summer to characterize yields before final mechanical sizing. The proposal would remove trees from the wetland buffer to make room for grading and drainage; the applicants said they initially identified 14 trees for removal but were able to shift a drainage pipe to save three, and they proposed a 2:1 replacement ratio for trees removed. Caffalicci noted the site is ledge‑heavy and that some ledge removal will be needed; he said pre‑construction surveys and standard blasting controls will be specified to limit impacts to nearby structures.

Commissioners asked to walk the wetland flags and requested a site visit with Weston & Sampson’s delineator, Haley Page. Commissioners also asked for as‑built comparisons to prior delineations, details on tree sizes and planting species, and an operation and maintenance plan for the infiltration/bioretention systems. The project team said they will meet with staff in the coming weeks and return with the requested detail.

The commission voted, by roll call, to continue the hearing to April 24, 2025. No final decision was made.

Next steps: the applicants said the project will go to Town Meeting for funding; the project team indicated they will submit requested planting details, an O&M plan for stormwater, and additional delineation comparisons before the April 24 session.

\"One of the goals of the project is for this to be an all‑electric, net‑zero facility,\" Tyler Caffalicci said during the presentation.

Evening vote: the commission voted to continue the hearing to April 24, 2025. The conversation ended without a final order of conditions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Needham: Conservation Commission 04/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Needham Conservation Commission on April 10 heard a notice of intent for a proposed fleet maintenance garage at the Cogswell site; the commission continued the hearing to April 24 after questioning on trees, delineation and stormwater design.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6077866,"Votes at a glance: Needham Conservation Commission, April 10, 2025",4875,109000,4984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963064-2ee1a3666156e28aaf8bc232dbe610be&start=109&end=4984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963064-2ee1a3666156e28aaf8bc232dbe610be/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6077866/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Needham-Conservation-Commission-April-10-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077866-a267f77bad59d786d3ca36913939ac13/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448251&Signature=hFCwehmhIKJc6wxZlbu4g7SNkYJ7jOnHOAVwOHzRg8cEPD4DxjUOHJ6ZqaGrEI42v2JqhvoGdeYws5YfP5q~Dpjx14OnGJ5IaCnfzLMi992vReNuFPR84bPTDDqijqjfkR~dbcrYL19EVSZsKqhjKRbaruHlhGcrSlhuUd2seJ5V08rN8uvs1udJ8DV5Avf8~X3BcM2JFTf0yjC-yMdF~kST4wyNH1G3u~ITcNJ53zJDfxT-Z8oUCzie9VH~UOz6-OZKnnqikLHIn2La4ahDPfvqqt89TI9F5qoYOGWNkCIgDzsWmNgD6NsgfloyXglJ3hW8~g3yeXzv-AEZ~sHeFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Conservation Commission took several formal actions on April 10, 2025. This roundup lists each motion, its outcome and any immediate conditions the commission recorded.

Minutes: The commission approved the minutes for its March 27, 2025 meeting by roll call.

131 Oxbow (minor modification): The commission approved a requested minor modification that widens a patio adjacent to a previously permitted pool from 5 feet to 8 feet; staff confirmed the change increases impervious surface by about 35 square feet and is not in riverfront area. Vote: unanimous by roll call.

11 Glover Road (DEP 234-946): The applicant requested a continuance while working on stormwater; the commission continued the hearing to April 24, 2025. Vote: unanimous.

72 Valley Road (no DEP file yet): The applicant presented an initial notice for demolition and a new single‑family house; the site flags and a planting plan are incomplete and the commission continued the hearing to April 24, 2025 for additional detail, topography and a planting schedule. Vote: unanimous to continue.

1407 Central Avenue (DEP 234-948): Town of Needham / Weston & Sampson presented a notice of intent for a fleet maintenance garage at the Cogswell site; commissioners requested additional delineation and planting/O&M details and continued the hearing to April 24, 2025. Vote: unanimous to continue.

293 Rosemary Street (DEP 234-949): The commission continued the hearing for a proposed two‑story addition that increases impervious area within the 200‑foot riverfront; commissioners requested a mitigation planting area pursuant to the redevelopment standard, a soils/test‑pit evaluation for infiltration, and an O&M plan. Hearing continued to April 24, 2025. Vote: unanimous.

997 South Street (DEP 234-926): The commission closed the hearing and voted to issue an amended order of conditions after the applicant presented a new building footprint and related changes. Motion passed unanimously; the commission required the applicant submit a planting plan (species and caliper) and construction documentation for the infiltration system before work starts.

15 Heather Lane (certificate of compliance): The commission voted to issue a certificate of compliance for an earlier single‑family house project. Staff reported required plantings achieved at least 75% survival; the commission accepted staff recommendation and issued the certificate. Vote: unanimous.

All roll‑call votes were recorded during the remote‑hybrid meeting format and are reflected in the commission minutes.","A summary of formal actions taken and continuances at the Needham Conservation Commission meeting of April 10, 2025, including approvals and continuations of multiple hearings and a certificate of compliance issuance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6077871,"Conservation commission approves amended order for 997 South Street after discussion of larger footprint and tree removals",1171,405000,1576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963064-2ee1a3666156e28aaf8bc232dbe610be&start=405&end=1576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963064-2ee1a3666156e28aaf8bc232dbe610be/thumbnail_405000.jpg","/articles/6077871/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Conservation-commission-approves-amended-order-for-997-South-Street-after-discussion-of-larger-footprint-and-tree-removals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077871-be937b2259fce7d68ef2824692361089/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448251&Signature=NOE624UHBFyqbI8Te9H8y~a5q39n6b6ETBmdSPQ1Vrg2JPBWQlnqZyImcc2qPw5nliCAUNVei3oPubux8GyCii8GJi4XkrDvEYACAXQ5I4ZnxnP0qD1HaetNF0~qNtSoZeZW~7FSxfYwbRQUMtz1p9njiB6XJy8gti50O-7oiHU9D4A3TcoJxdJ9~xreDKW66L-ibBrLex3R-~zfTNt5zJ6hygGeZdbtoE5gWUr4JnousgJusivEjt8qY9~islq4PnkKvSTMIzt1FyupkmX1KWgN6yQd0gHjqJFoaNg7vReKCxOGnhRKSXLueXwnd-PPHHiCaMDM-wbYVVcXauccRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Needham Conservation Commissioners voted April 10 to issue an amended order of conditions for 997 South Street after the applicant described a change of ownership and a revised house footprint that increases work inside the 50–100‑foot wetland buffer zone.

Why it matters: the new design expands yard grading and impervious area compared with the plan previously approved for a different developer. Commissioners required a planting schedule and species list as a condition before work may begin.

Fred Keeler of Hancock Associates presented the amendment on behalf of owner Corey Schneider. Keeler said the previously approved plan called for roughly 2,280 square feet of work in the 50–100‑foot buffer; the applicant’s new plan calls for approximately 6,440 square feet of work in that buffer. Keeler told the commission the total impervious area on the earlier approval was about 1,600 square feet; the proposed plan shows about 6,734 square feet of impervious surface on a roughly 100,000‑square‑foot lot.

Keeler said the increase in lawn and a side‑entry garage requires modestly more driveway width and grading to create a walk‑out basement and usable backyard. The proposal retains an infiltration system in the same location that was sized for one inch of runoff; Keeler said the system provides the storage required (the plan notes 561 cubic feet required and 564 cubic feet proposed). The applicant proposes removal of five trees to make room for grading and lawn; Keeler said the plan includes 10 replacement trees. Commissioners repeatedly requested a planting plan that lists species, planting sizes (caliper) and exact locations.

Owner Corey Schneider spoke briefly to clarify that two trees fall within the foundation line and that the other removed trees are being 'pushed back' to create contiguous lawn for family use. Commissioners noted two oak trees marked on the plan and said preserving mature trees would be preferable; Keeler responded the proposal will plant larger, specified replacements and that the applicant will provide the planting schedule as required by the original order.

The commission closed the hearing and then voted to issue the amended order of conditions, carrying forward the prior conditions and adding the requirement that the applicant submit a planting plan with species and sizes before starting work.

Roll‑call vote to close hearing and to issue the amended order of conditions was unanimous among commissioners present.

\"We put an X on the plan marking the five trees to be removed and we are showing ten replacements; we can provide a planting plan as part of the condition,\" Fred Keeler said during the presentation.

Condition: the commission retained the prior condition requiring a formal planting plan showing species and caliper and the commission recorded that the infiltration system sizing must be documented in construction submittals.","The commission closed the hearing and issued an amended order of conditions for 997 South Street. The new owner presented a different footprint that increases buffer‑zone work and impervious surface; the commission required a detailed planting plan and retained the previously approved infiltration system with modest upsizing.","actionData","errors"]

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Town of Needham advances plan for fleet maintenance garage at Cogswell site; hearing continued

Votes at a glance: Needham Conservation Commission, April 10, 2025

Conservation commission approves amended order for 997 South Street after discussion of larger footprint and tree removals