Conservation Commission — June 25, 2026
Split 3-2 votes on buffer-zone waivers created clear internal division, while the single public comment was addressed constructively and the second item was continued unanimously for a site visit.
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Agenda brief
Commission reviews two residential projects on Centre Street
The Commission will first hear a Notice of Intent from John Lacroix regarding a project at 267 Centre Street (DEP File No. 14-1454).
Following that, the board will consider a Request for Determination of Applicability submitted by Dorjan Sulaj for the property at 264 Centre Street (DCC File No. 2026-03).
Key items
- Notice of Intent for 267 Centre Street (Applicant: John Lacroix)
- Request for Determination of Applicability for 264 Centre Street (Applicant: Dorjan Sulaj)
Why this matters
These items involve proposed activities on properties that may impact local conservation resources. Residents can monitor these proceedings to understand how specific residential developments might affect the surrounding environment.
litellm::gemma-4-26b on 2026-06-24. Not a substitute for attending or watching the meeting.
At its June 25 meeting, the Danvers Conservation Commission approved by 3-2 votes waivers and an order of conditions for 267 Center Street that allow house and ADU construction inside both the 35-foot no-disturb and 50-foot no-build buffer zones around degraded wetlands. Board members expressed reluctance during deliberation, with one noting it always bothers them to approve work in both protected zones, yet the majority moved forward. The applicant had argued the current wetland swale is less valuable than other areas on site and rejected suggestions to relocate the ADU. The hearing for 264 Center Street was continued so the commission can conduct a site visit to verify the boundaries of two small isolated vegetated wetlands before deciding on jurisdiction.
Topics discussed
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Applicant seeks waivers and order of conditions for house and ADU construction impacting no-disturb (0-35 ft) and no-build (0-50 ft) buffer zones around degraded wetlands; board debates alternative ADU siting.
Board closed public hearing then approved 35-ft and 50-ft waivers plus order of conditions (with added debris removal condition) by 3-2 votes despite concerns over intrusion into protected zones.
Applicant may return with amended plan if architect finds alternate ADU siting feasible; construction to follow standard conditions including debris removal and monitoring.
Applicant requests confirmation that two small IVWs (approx. 1,700 and 3,000 sq ft) are jurisdictional under Danvers 5,000 sq ft threshold rather than the larger area shown on MassMapper.
Commission agreed current evidence is unclear and elected to conduct a site visit before deciding on the delineation or issuing a negative determination; no immediate approval or denial of the RDA. Board indicated need for site visit to verify delineation and jurisdiction; hearing opened but no decision reached in segment.
Concom agent to schedule site visit with applicant team; hearing continued to July 9 (or July 23 if visit cannot be arranged). Commission to conduct site visit; applicant to return for jurisdictional determination.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
267 Center Street wetland buffer waivers
Split votes
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
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grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-07-04.