There have been a few recent developments in connection to the Piper Lane project currently before the Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission that you'll want to learn more about.
The Acton Health Department requested that the applicant conduct a soil analysis of the property because the site was farmed as an apple orchard during the late 1800s and early 1900s. In the past, farmers applied a lead arsenate pesticide to trees, usually mixed on site. Consequently, land previously farmed with apple trees is now contaminated with lead and arsenic. The results of the applicant's soil analysis can be found here - doc.acton-ma.gov/dsweb/Get/Document-69536/Enstrat%20LSE%20Report%209_24_2019.pdf All ten of the samples tested confirmed the presence of arsenic and lead. SANA conducted soil analysis on adjacent land to determine background levels of these toxins, and our results (from 4 samples) indicate that the levels of arsenic are between 2-36 times higher, and the levels of lead are between 2-40 times higher, on the Piper Lane parcel than the background levels on land which was not farmed. Furthermore, the applicant was asked to provide diagrams for sight distances looking east from the proposed roadway in addition to those already provided for sight distances looking west. Both the applicant's engineer and attorney confirmed at the most recent ZBA Hearing on 9/17/19 that "on the ground" surveying had already been completed, and this information could be readily provided. However, on 9/24/19, the applicant's survey crew was back out on School Street conducting a survey. The new diagrams provided, based on this newly submitted survey, show calculations of sight distances using an inaccurate property boundary. You can read the letter submitted by SANA's attorney here - doc.acton-ma.gov/dsweb/Get/Document-69645/ltr%20to%20ZBA%2010-15-19.pdf The proposed roadway requires the excavation of a trench to be bordered by 200 feet of retaining wall between 11-14 feet high. This excavation and resulting structure puts neighboring properties, including Town Conservation Land, at risk for damage and destruction. The Open Space Committee has requested an assessment of this potential negative impact, "At a minimum this should include an inventory of the trees abutting the excavations, an assessment of the impact of the roadway excavations on those trees, and an assessment of the impact of the roadway and adjacent utility trench excavations on the seasonal high groundwater levels in the immediately adjacent Gaebel property. Given the applicant’s apparent disregard of the above issues during the design of the roadway, the Committee would strongly suggest that the above assessments be conducted by an independent party." Read the letter from the Open Space Committee here - doc.acton-ma.gov/dsweb/Get/Document-69670/OSC%20Comments%20-%20Piper%20Lane%20Comp%20Permit%20road%20cuts_10-16-19.pdf Finally, the Conservation Commission is seeking a review by a third party consultant to assess the claims made by the applicant regarding the efficacy and impact of the proposed stormwater management system on the adjacent wetlands, vernal pool, and groundwater levels and quality. The proposed project requires the clear cutting of more than 5 acres of trees on a 6.5 acre site. The impervious surface of the property will increase from the current 1% to 26%, and the amount of water being discharged into the existing natural wetlands on the site is expected to double. Please attend the upcoming hearings if you are able! This project poses unnecessary risks to the health and safety of current and future residents and our town's natural resources! The next ZBA Hearing is scheduled for December 9th at 7:30 PM in Room 204 of Town Hall.
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South Acton NeighborhoodAssociationAdvocating for a balance of citizen needs, retention of Acton's historic and small town character, and thoughtful development. Archives
August 2020
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