Conservation Commission — June 23, 2026
Commission grants buffer waivers for Lexington High School site after citing program size as justification
All matters were resolved by unanimous roll-call votes with no public comment and only technical discussion among members.
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On June 23 the Conservation Commission voted 5-0 to issue the order of conditions for the Lexington High School redevelopment at 251 Waltham Street. The approval covered both the state Wetlands Protection Act and the local bylaw.
The board addressed multiple incursions into the 50-foot buffer zones around wetlands on the site, including parking areas, roads, and building placement. Findings were drafted to document each incursion and to state that overall mitigation on the property exceeds the sum of the separate impacts.
Construction phasing was accepted with most wetland replication scheduled for phase two, and monitoring requirements were set at 90 percent survival over three years under the local bylaw. The order will be finalized and issued by staff.
Public impact
Large-scale school redevelopment affecting wetlands, buffers, and stormwater
Order of conditions approved 5-0 under both state Wetlands Protection Act and local bylaw, incorporating all discussed waivers, buffer findings, and monitoring protocols.
Order to be finalized and issued by staff.
Topics discussed
Annual renewal of goat grazing permit at Kesha Farm discussed; approved for two years instead of one.
Commission approved motion for two-year permit renewal by 5-0 roll call vote.
Akhil presented Eagle Scout proposal to install standardized kiosk with maps, rules, history QR code, and native species info at lower entrance of West Farm.
Commission approved the kiosk concept by 5-0 roll call vote, with details to be finalized with staff.
Akhil to work with Evan Page and Karen Mullins on website and final details.
Applicant sought informal input on fence installation along phenomarkers and mowing buckthorn in previously maintained backyard area within floodplain.
Commission agreed to conduct site visit to assess plantings, buffer needs, and monitoring status.
Site visit scheduled for July 7 at 5:30 PM.
Applicant requested withdrawal of RDA without prejudice.
Motion to allow withdrawal without prejudice passed 5-0.
Staff to issue non-compliance letter on restoration plantings.
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Updated restoration plan reviewed for unauthorized clearing; friendly enforcement order issued.
Friendly enforcement order with 90% survivability, Nov 1 planting deadline, and three-season monitoring approved 4-0.
Reviewed construction phasing plan showing most wetland replication in phase two; one replication area for wetland 7 to be completed at end of phase one to allow school opening.
Commission accepted the submitted phasing schedule as basis for conditions.
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Discussed requirements under Section 9 for waivers (no reasonable alternatives, substantial public interest); edited draft narrative to include requested waivers and separate performance standards section.
Karen to insert waiver language and separate bullets for each waiver; findings to reference previously disturbed areas.
Thomas Oliver to email suggested waiver text; Karen to circulate revised draft.
Addressed multiple 50-foot buffer incursions (parking lot at wetland 4, Muzzey Street removal, wetland 7 road, school building at wetlands 7/8); required findings of extraordinary circumstances and substantial mitigation improvement.
Commission will include specific findings for each buffer incursion plus general statement that total mitigation exceeds sum of parts.
Finalized conditions: 90% survival in three years under bylaw; piezometers at replication areas 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8; signage or commission-approved demarcation.
Conditions approved for inclusion in order.
Controversy & dissent
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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