Dennis Conservation Commission approves multiple wetlands orders, grants buffer variances

On Aug. 6, 2026, the Dennis Conservation Commission voted to close multiple continued hearings and issue orders of conditions for several properties in Dennis, approving projects under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Town of Dennis Wetlands Bylaw.

During the meeting the commission closed the public hearings for 196 South Street in East Dennis, 274 Merchant Ave in West Dennis, 24 Luscombe Lane, and 2 Nutch (Nudge) Hatch Way and instructed staff to prepare orders of conditions for each file. Committee members also moved to grant variances under the town bylaw to permit work to occur within the 50-foot buffer zone where shown on the plans; those motions were seconded and carried by voice vote.

"I make a motion to approve the project under the Wetlands Protection Act and the Town of Dennis Wetlands Bylaws," a committee member said during the 196 South Street item, and the motions to close and approve were adopted without further conditions beyond the order forms to be prepared by staff.

The approvals included a narrower variance for 24 Luscombe Lane that also sought relief to allow a leaching field to be located within the 100-foot buffer under section 2.2 of the town bylaws; that motion was also moved, seconded and passed. The commission noted staff will prepare the formal orders of conditions and any required recording language.

Procedural materials and order sheets were circulated at the meeting; the chair thanked staff for preparing the packet that enabled efficient voting. The commission did not identify any separate enforcement or restoration requirements for these consented matters beyond the standard conditions to be drafted by staff.