New England Power Company on Oct. 22 presented a notice of intent to the Lowell Conservation Commission for access-way improvements and construction of a stormwater detention basin affecting 32 and 41 Rice Avenue. Commissioners continued the public hearing to Nov. 12 after the applicant said a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) file number and a planting plan were not yet available.

Colin Conswitz of VHB, representing the applicant, said the work would improve a gravel access road that leads to Meadowbrook Substation No. 16 on the Chelmsford–Lowell line and that part of the driveway lies within Lowell. “This project's on the Chelmsford Lowell line, and part of the driveway is located in Lowell, that we are proposing to improve, to pave, grade, and then also construct, a stormwater basin,” Conswitz said.

Conswitz told the commission the existing driveway is roughly 16 to 20 feet wide and the final pavement would be about 20 feet. He said the project will affect bordering vegetated wetland and bordering land subject to flooding, with impacts of about a little over 2,000 square feet of floodplain and just over 2,000 cubic feet of flood storage; within the 100-foot buffer zone the work is just under 12,000 square feet. The applicant proposes compensatory flood storage between contours 103 and 104, erosion-and-sediment controls, temporary and permanent stabilization measures, and a conservation seed mix for revegetation.

Commissioners asked for a planting plan, the MassDEP file number and any local stormwater permit documentation; Conswitz said demolition work referenced in the filing would occur in Chelmsford and that the team will provide supplemental materials. “We can forward along to the commission as well,” Conswitz said about requested materials.

The commission opened the public hearing but continued it to Nov. 12 to allow submission of the missing materials. A commission member moved to continue the hearing and another member seconded; the commission voted unanimously to continue. The applicant was advised to submit requested materials at least one week prior to the next hearing.

Project contacts who spoke at the hearing included Colin Conswitz of VHB and Tim Sullivan of New England Power. Commissioners noted possible tree removal for the widening and construction of the stormwater basin and asked the applicant to provide a planting plan and the seeding mix details.