Needham conservation commission approves Order of Conditions for 50 Hancock Street

The Needham Conservation Commission on Feb. 12 issued an Order of Conditions for 50 Hancock Street (DEP file 234‑960), allowing the property owner to demolish the existing house and build a new single‑family home with associated grading and utilities.

Karen Schena Catroni, speaking for the owners, told the commission the lot is about 10,009 square feet and most of it lies within the 200‑foot riverfront area but that no work would occur inside the first 100 feet of riverfront. She said the proposed house would be about 2,204 square feet and that the project includes an infiltration system and plantings to offset additional impervious surfaces.

Deb (conservation staff) noted that DEP guidance typically calls for a 2:1 mitigation ratio for increases in impervious area, which in this case would require roughly 2,694 square feet of planting. The applicant proposed 1,080 square feet of planting and requested credit for stormwater infiltration to meet the remaining mitigation requirement. Deb said the commission may accept infiltration credit but asked for a planting plan that shows exact planting locations and permanent demarcation before the order is issued.

Tim (conservation staff) confirmed the proposed infiltration chambers exceed the one‑inch stormwater volume benchmark and that an operation‑and‑maintenance plan and upgraded erosion controls (12‑inch compost sock) were submitted. Commissioners asked about construction methods near the buffer zone, tree counts, and whether plantings would be placed inside town drainage easements; staff and the applicant said plantings were moved outside drainage easements at the commission’s request.

The commission made the applicant’s submittal of a detailed planting plan and permanent demarcation (a minimum of six approved markers or equivalent) preconditions for final issuance and for release of the certificate of compliance. The Order of Conditions also includes the submitted stormwater operation‑and‑maintenance plan and standard erosion‑control requirements.

After confirming those conditions, the commission voted to issue the Order of Conditions. The vote was recorded in open session and the motion carried by roll call with members voting in favor.