The Southborough Conservation Commission continued the public hearing on a notice of intent and stormwater management permit for a flexible development at 26 Meadow Lane (Map 56, Lot 14) that would create three single-family homes and one duplex.

Civil engineer Peter Beam and wetland consultant Joe (Lucas Environmental) presented the site and field findings. The project proposes roughly 8.5 acres with a development footprint of about 3.5 acres, five dwelling units in four buildings, removal of approximately one acre of former asphalt (runway) and replacement with a mix of buildings, driveways, lawn and restored meadow. The plan includes septic systems for each dwelling and infiltration chambers for roof and pavement runoff; the applicant described a rain-garden-style replication area for an isolated vegetated wetland flagged on-site.

Commissioners questioned whether the isolated wetland replication should be provided at a 2:1 ratio rather than the 1:1 shown on the plans. Joe advised the flagged isolated wetland appears consistent with field observations and recommended additional detail about the function of the existing wetland versus the proposed replication area. The applicant said soils and test pits at the chosen replication site indicated prolonged saturation within two feet of the surface and that the proposed replication area would be about 838 square feet — a bit over the required 2:1 ratio for the 410-square-foot fill area — and argued the chosen location reduced impacts to native trees and provided easier access during construction.

Commissioners and the applicant agreed to continue the hearing to March 6 to allow the applicant to revise plans and provide additional documentation addressing the replication ratio, buffer mapping and Fuss & O’Neill peer-review comments. No permit decision was taken on Feb. 13.