The Inland Wetlands Agency Approved a connector between two parking lots used by the Hindu Temple near Middlesex Community College, and approved a new house on Congdon Street. Each is within about 50 feet of existing wetlands, but the Agency felt there was no feasible alternative but the new construction being proposed.
Parking at the Hindu Temple
Two representatives from the Temple explained that their two parking lots were each narrow and dead-end, and that when cars needed to exit from the lot, they frequently needed to cautiously back out of the end of the lot. They proposed to add a horseshoe-shaped connector, 11' wide and 82' long, between the two lots so that cars could continue into the other lot.
The Wetlands Agency members expressed frustration that this connector would be within the wetlands review area, and wished that something else could be done. Ultimately, none questioned the need to make parking more convenient, and with no other options available none voted against the expansion of the parking lot, "There's nothing we can do."
New home approved contingent upon letter from Lord
John Rogalsky requested permission at the last Wetlands Agency meeting for approval to build a new home on a lot which is largely within 100 feet of wetlands. His original site plan called for a detached garage, which would necessitate a longer driveway but would place the building construction 65' from the Wetlands. In response to a suggestion from Agency members, Rogalsky returned last night with a plan for an attached garage. This new plan would place the construction barely 50' from the wetlands, but the driveway would be shorter.
The Agency also requested that a registered soil scientist testify that the wetlands functioning would not be disturbed by the new construction. Rogalsky arranged for David Lord to appear at the meeting. Chairman Joe Carta rearranged the agenda to delay consideration of the Rogalsky plan, waiting for Lord's arrival. After all other matters on the agenda had been considered and a 10 minute recess taken, Carta agreed to consider the plan without Lord's testimony.
The Commissioners again felt that the plan as presented was the best plan which would allow construction of the new home on this lot. They approved the plan contingent upon receiving a letter from Lord stating that the wetlands would not be impacted.
1 comment:
I value the preservation of natural spaces as much as anyone but the simple reality is that we need to be able to park our cars and if it means killing ecosystems and destroying habitat that's just too bad.
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