Thanks to everyone who has already registered their attendance for Thursday at https://linkto.run/p/C9RJ1ENO. It is extremely important to show up in large numbers, as that is our best chance of pushing back against the settlement agreement and holding the Town accountable for defending our conservation bylaws. Our presence matters a great deal. If you haven't done so, please register.
The hearing will be held on Oct 4 at Town Hall (730 Mass Ave) on the second floor in the Lyons room. The hearing starts at 7:30. Please plan to arrive by 7:45pm. The 47 Spy Pond case is scheduled to begin at 8:15, but it may start earlier. This is a public hearing. It will start with the developer's presentation, followed by public comments of 3 to 4 minutes each.
Everyone is encouraged to speak. Please remember that the Con Comm's purview is conservation and environmental causes. We are not against development. We are seeking thoughtful development that considers the health of Spy Pond and other wetlands.
When this issue was last active in 2016, the Conservation Commission denied the developer's proposal to build two large houses on the site where there is currently one small house. In the original 2016 proposal, both houses would have extended deep into the protected wetlands buffer zone. In the intervening two years, the Con Comm unanimously rejected this proposal twice. Seaver construction subsequently filed suit against the town. A few weeks ago, the town chose to avoid litigation. We believe that the Con Comm was pressured to settle with Seaver construction, agreeing conceptually to a new plan to build two large houses with only minor modifications from the original proposal. In the new proposal, both houses still extend into the protected 100-ft buffer zone, with one of the houses mostly inside the 100-ft zone, as shown in this diagram: https://goo.gl/3SMrdk For many years, new construction has been tightly controlled within the 100-ft buffer zone in order to protect Spy Pond. This will set a terrible precedent for all wetlands areas in Arlington, including Mystic Lake and Spy Pond, among others. The new plan has not been formally approved, and there is still a chance to stop it.
Once again, the hearing will be held at 7:30 PM at Arlington Town Hall. If you are able to attend, please register at the following link. https://linkto.run/p/C9RJ1ENO