Do I need to file?
If you are you within a 100 feet of a wetland, intermittent stream,
river, pond or floodplain you should talk to the Conservation Commission
about filing. (In coastal communities, you would also need to file
if you are near a beach, coastal bank or coastal dune. These resources
are rare in Melrose.)
Filing does not mean your project will be prohibited. It does mean
that the Commission would like to review your project for potential
impacts to any of the resource areas listed above. If there are potential
impacts, mitigation measures will be necessary.
Additionally, if your project is within 200 feet from a river or
a perennial stream ( a stream that runs year round), than you also
need to file.
If your project is within a resource area, there is a chance that
portions or all of the project could be denied.
Can someone help me fill out these forms?
Yes, call or write the Conservation Commission to arrange assistance
with the forms.
What is the buffer zone?
The buffer zone is the area that extends 100 feet perpendicularly
from one of the resource areas listed above (in Do I need to File?).
The buffer zone is not a resource area itself, but rather buffers
the above listed resource areas. Vegetation, pervious soils, and natural
grades often serve to buffer a resource area from the impacts of development.
Although, activities in the buffer zone require a filing with the
Commission, many of these activities are allowed. Those with no impact
to the adjacent resource areas usually require no mitigation measures.
Those activities in the buffer zone that could potentially impact
the adjacent resource area must be mitigated. Activities that cannot
be mitigated, cannot be permitted.
In short, the buffer zone buffers a wetland, stream, pond, dune,
coastal bank, vernal pool or other resource area from potential impacts.
The Commission reviews all activities in the buffer zone to ensure
enough buffering occurs.
Where can I get a map of the trails in Melrose?
Trail maps are available on-line under the "Trails
and Open Areas" section of the Conservation Commission website.
As the budget allows, the Conservation Commission makes printed copies
available at City Hall and the Melrose Public Library. Camera-ready
copies are also available for organization that would like to make
multiple copies to distribute. Please contact the Conservation Commission
for more information.
How long does it take to get a permit?
An applicants clock starts ticking the moment a completed application
is brought in. The emphasis is on complete. The Conservation Commission
will call you and alert you to any omissions. The Commission has twenty
one days to review the application and hold a public hearing. Although
an application may be complete, upon review the Commission may decide
that it needs additional information in order to make an informed
decision. If this is the case, the hearing may be continued for two
more weeks. After the hearing is closed, the Commission has 21 days
to issue a permit.
In general, the Conservation Commission tries to issue permits soon
after the hearing, however, a permit cannot be issued until DEP has
reviewed the file and issued a State number. State numbers can be
delayed due to incomplete submissions to the State or if the forms
are not mailed to the state promptly (the applicants responsibility).
What do I need to submit with my filing?
A Request for Determination. An Abbreviated Notice of Intent or
Notice of Intent.
How do I notify abutters?
Notice of Intent and Abbreviated Notice of Intent applications require
abutter notification. The city assessors office will provide you with
a list of abutters. All abutters must be notified about the date and
time of the public hearing via certified mail or hand delivery.
Can I cut down trees in or near a wetland?
Not without checking with the Conservation Commission first. Even
dead trees prevent erosion and host wildlife. Not all tree cutting
requires a filing, but all tree cutting in the buffer zone requires
checking.
Can I clean out my stream?
Some minor stream cleaning can be done without a formal filing. However,
no stream cleaning can take place without first notifying the Conservation
Commission.
I have a permit but there has been a change of plans. What do I do?
Submit a request in writing, that includes a brief narrative about
your change, to the Conservation Commission. The change will be placed
on the Commission’s next agenda. The Commission will then vote whether
the change is one of the following:
- The change is de minimus. This means the Commission will
not need to add extra conditions to your Order of Conditions.
- The change will require amending the Order of Conditions.
This means that the Commission will need to add additional conditions
to your Order of Conditions. The change will need to be advertised
and abutters will need to be notified.
- The change is so significant that the Commission would
like the work to be submitted as a new Notice of Intent.
Do I need to file for landscaping?
Most landscaping within 100 feet of a resource area, other than maintaining
existing vegetation, would require some sort of filing.
I don’t know whether I have a wetland near me, or not. How can I
tell?
Contact the Conservation Commission and ask for a Commissioner to
take a look at the project area. Although the Commissioner will not
delineate and flag an exact wetland line for you (the applicant must
hire environmental consultants for that), she/he can give you a rough
idea where the wetland line is.
|
