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.