At its Feb. 13 meeting the Needham Conservation Commission closed the hearing on a demolition‑and‑rebuild project at 35 Meadowbrook Road (DEP file 234‑942) and voted to issue the order of conditions after the applicant expanded mitigation in the riverfront area.

Susan (applicant) and Michelle Mandino joined the commission to report that the team had increased the proposed mitigation area adjacent to Rosemary Brook. "We are now at 3,450 square feet," Susan said, describing the expanded naturalized no‑mow area and a plan to install placards to mark the permanent demarcation.

Commission staff said the applicant will use placards supplied by the conservation office on concrete‑bound posts to mark the protected area. Staff added a special condition allowing the new owners to mow the meadow once annually in early spring to keep woody vegetation from encroaching; Deb (conservation staff) told the meeting she would include a two‑year monitoring condition for plant establishment and required recording at the registry of deeds.

The commission voted to close the hearing on DEP file 234‑942. The close‑hearing motion passed on a roll-call vote in which Bill, Fred, Sue, Paulina, Reid and Chair Dave Harrer all voted aye. The commission later voted to waive the regulatory restriction against work in the 25‑foot no‑disturb zone for this mitigation work and to waive the associated fee; both waiver motions passed on roll-call votes with the same six aye votes. The commission then voted to issue the order of conditions for 35 Meadowbrook Road.

Commission staff noted site details for the record: the applicant had originally proposed less mitigation and added roughly 1,400 square feet to reach the 3,450 square feet total; the restoration area will be delineated and protected in perpetuity by the recorded restriction. Staff also provided a placard specification: 48 inches tall with 2 feet set below grade and 2 feet above grade to make the demarcation visible.

Actions recorded: the commission closed the hearing for DEP file 234‑942, approved the waivers for work in the 25‑foot zone and fee waiver, and issued the order of conditions with monitoring and permanent demarcation requirements. The applicant will record the restriction at the registry of deeds and submit a recording reference to the commission.