A redevelopment project at 75 Shore Road that will eliminate nearly 1,900 square feet of hardscape from the coastal buffer received the green light from the Harwich Conservation Commission on Wednesday night. Paul Maldun of SV Design presented the proposal to raze and replace two existing structures with a single dwelling, a move intended to pull development away from the resource area. Maldun explained that the new structure will sit 61.3 feet from the top of the coastal bank, representing a significant environmental gain. The total net reduction of 1,899 square feet in the resource area I feel like is a positive in this zone, Maldun told the commission.

The project drew attention from the board regarding a major electrical easement on the property that serves as the primary power connection to Nantucket. Member Wayne Coulson emphasized the importance of identifying the cable's exact location before construction begins. I just look at this electrical easement here. I wonder would it be necessary to have them define where that line actually is under there because that is a very big electrical line goes all the way to Nantucket. That's the main cable, Coulson said. The Conservation Agent characterized the project as an overall benefit due to the reduction in hardscape but noted that she would investigate the permit history of existing shorefront access stairs that appeared to have been modified. Motion Made by M. Coleman to approve the notice of intent for 75 Shore Road map 2, parcel K3-f with a contingency that the stairs are addressed. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

The commission also tackled a difficult septic upgrade at 15 Skinnequit Road, where a small lot and steep topography on the edge of Skinnequit Pond required a variance to work within the 50-foot no-disturb zone. Landscape architect Andrew Garulay explained that the system must be placed in front of the house and buried deeply to accommodate the driveway. It's a very small lot on Skinnequit Pond. There is very little room to put the septic system on this property and the topography is pretty nasty as well, Garulay noted, adding that the design provides confidence that the system remains sufficiently high above the water table. Vice Chair Mark Coleman voiced his support for the environmental necessity of the upgrade, stating, I think it's good. Anytime you can upgrade a failing system and make it a lot better for the whole environment, I'm 100% for it. Motion Made by M. Coleman to approve the variance in the project with a negative -3 determination for 15 Skinnequit Road. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

Environmental restoration was a central theme for 140 Forest Street, where the commission worked to resolve mitigation requirements for unpermitted clearing that occurred following the 2019 tornado. The revised plan includes a single-rail fence to protect a new native planting area consisting of winterberry and drip irrigation. You asked for us to infill the area from the street back to 60 feet from the wetland and also remove the private hedge that was there, Garulay said on behalf of the applicant. Member Sophia Pilling pushed for adjustments to the specified seed mix to ensure it did not obstruct views or grow too aggressively. I just wonder if something a little shorter might be more effective at filling under the shrubs. The big blue stem probably would not be appropriate here, and the Joe Pye is a little tall too, Pilling observed. Motion Made by W. Coulson to approve the notice of intent for 140 Forest Street SE32-2624. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

Marine projects dominated the middle of the session, including a plan change for 30 Harbor Road to address safety concerns. Mark Burgess of Shorefront Consulting requested to drop an outer dock section by three feet to fix a ramp that becomes dangerously steep for the homeowners at low tide. The only reason to do that is just to lower the ramp angle so it's just not quite so steep at low tide, Burgess said. The Conservation Agent confirmed there was no salt marsh vegetation in the impact area. Motion Made by W. Coulson to approve the change in plan for 30 Harbor Road. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

In other dock business, the commission reviewed a proposal for a new seasonal aluminum pier at 19 Walkerwoods Drive on Walker’s Pond. Stephanie Sequin of Brighter and Wilcox described the 57-foot structure as consisting of interlocking sections with adjustable legs. No driving piles is necessary. They just sit there and it makes for easy seasonal removal, Sequin explained. While the Agent noted the project meets all freshwater dock regulations, the hearing was continued to coordinate with the Waterways Committee. Motion Made by W. Coulson to continue the hearing for 19 Walkerwoods Drive to February 4, 2026. Motion Passed (5-0-0). Similarly, Burgess presented plans to bring a pier at 32 Dunes Road into modern compliance by raising it to a 1.5-to-1 height-to-width ratio over salt marsh. The fact that you're taking an existing licensed structure and putting it into compliance with today's regulations, I think is mitigation for that slight increase in size, the Agent noted. Motion Made by W. Coulson to continue 32 Dunes Road until February 4, 2026. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

The commission also approved minor additions for 20 Squantum Road, where John O'Reilly proposed a connector between the dwelling and garage along with a small deck and hot tub more than 90 feet from Long Pond. It's over 90 feet away from the edge of the wetland along Long Pond and it's actually landward of the existing home, O'Reilly said. Chair John Ketchum reminded the applicants that the town’s standard protections remain in force, noting, We do have standard condition of no fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides within the 100 foot buffer zone. Motion Made by W. Coulson to approve the request for determination for 20 Squantum Road with a negative three determination. Motion Passed (5-0-0).

Procedural matters included the approval of the December 3 meeting minutes, which included minor grammatical corrections from Member Vivienne Mulhall-Maguire and Chair Ketchum. Motion Made by W. Coulson to approve the minutes of the December 3rd meeting. Motion Passed (5-0-0). The commission concluded by highlighting several upcoming regional meetings, including a joint coastal resilience session with Chatham, Orleans, and Brewster on January 29 at the Chatham Community Center. A previously scheduled town-wide work session regarding fertilizer and road salt pollution has been moved to February 11 at 9:00 AM.