Conservation commission issues negative 3 determination for 78 Lowell Street addition

The Woburn City Conservation Commission voted to issue a negative 3 determination of applicability for a house addition and deck at 78 Lowell Street, allowing the applicant to proceed without further wetlands permitting requirements. The public hearing was closed before the motion.

The applicant (Speaker 3) told the commission the project would add a single‑floor accessible bathroom and living area for elderly family members and include a small rear addition and deck. "We're looking to build a small addition and a deck on the back of Lowell Street ... we're trying to build a 1 floor accessible house for them," the applicant said.

Commissioners reported they had performed a site walk. Speaker 1 (chair) said most work would be "right at the house" and that the property appeared to be well set back from wetlands. Commissioner Speaker 4 noted the city's GIS showed the closest wetland around 85 feet away, and members discussed standard erosion controls; Speaker 1 recommended installing wattles at selected locations.

After confirming there were no members of the public who wished to speak, Commissioner Speaker 4 moved to close the public hearing and then moved that the commission "issue a negative 3 determination of applicability for the project at 78 Lowell Street for a house addition and deck." The motion was seconded and carried; the commission recorded that the ayes carried.

The commission and applicant exchanged brief logistical notes about signing the determination and upcoming steps. The applicant thanked the commission for its support and said the work would enable their in‑laws to move into an accessible housing unit.

The negative 3 determination is intended to confirm that the proposed work does not require further review under the local wetlands regulations. The record in the meeting shows the commission concluded the project was sufficiently distant from wetlands and that mitigation and standard erosion controls would address on‑site disturbance. The commission directed staff to prepare the paperwork for signatures.