Two speculative and conceptual residences were proposed for lots located along Clapp Road when the Rochester Conservation Commission met on January 18.
Coming before the commission with the two individual plans was David Davignon of Schneider Davignon and Leone, Inc. The first filing was a Request for Determination of Applicability for a lot identified as 3A, owned by Clapp Nominee Trust c/o William D. Clapp.
As Davignon described the design and overall layout, he said that the property abuts the riverfront area of Sherman Brook but that all planned construction for the proposed four-bedroom home, two-car garage and in-ground pool would be outside jurisdictional areas. As the discussion proceeded, Davignon’s assertion that the wetlands boundary is correct was challenged by member Dan Gagne.
Gagne said that the plans did not bear an engineer’s certified stamp and that given that independent certification of the riverfront line was not submitted, he was not comfortable with the project as presented in the RDA form. Gagne’s concerns were echoed by the majority of the commission.
Gagne voiced his opinion that the project should be filed via a Notice of Intent versus RDA and that through that process more assurances including possibly a peer-review consultant would help to clear up riverfront questions.
Davignon offered to continue the hearing in order to give the commission an opportunity to make a site visit to see the line of boulders that now denote the riverfront line, but Gagne said, “I don’t think we are the right ones to do that.”
The hearing was continued to February 1 to give Davignon time to work with his client.
On the next Clapp Road conceptual design also filed on behalf of William Clapp for a lot described as 2-3, the application was a Notice of Intent.
Again, Davignon described in detail a proposed residence nearly identical to the previously proposed conceptual design. He stated that no work was planned for the riverfront area noted as being 250 feet from the construction area. Although the parcel is 5 acres, only a single-family house lot could be developed due to surrounding jurisdictional spaces, Gagne commented. That point, Gagne said, would be important to point out to potential buyers. “They won’t be getting country living from an urban-sized lot,” he said.
Comments to Davignon from the commissioners centered primarily on trying new ways to orient the future residence on the lot to maximize its potential. The issue of a shared driveway was also touched on with Gagne saying it could be a problem.
Davignon requested a continuance to February 1.
Earlier in the proceedings, the commission approved a Certificate of Compliance for 8 Thistle Lane, owned by Michael Santos and another to Andrew Diagiammo and Donald Look for property located at 15 Elizabeth Drive.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, at 7:00 pm.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell