Conservation Commission 04/15/2026

(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)

A bridge project over the Taunton River, a drive-thru redevelopment brushing up against a wetlands buffer, and an ADU on a quiet residential lot all land on the same agenda and the same question: what does “small impact” actually mean when wetlands protection laws are on the line?

We start by wrapping up the Colony Avenue bridge reconstruction, where the key hurdle is whether a DEP number is required. Once DEP confirms the project qualifies without one, we move quickly into issuing an Order of Conditions, including special requirements tied to the DEP water quality certificate and practical limits on refueling equipment near the river. It’s a clear look at how Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act compliance plays out in routine votes that still carry real environmental weight.

Next, we hear a Request for Determination of Applicability for a proposed Chick-fil-A at 600 South Street West, redeveloping the former Party City site. The applicant argues the work within the 100-foot buffer zone is basically repaving an already-paved parking area, while also reducing impervious surface and improving stormwater management with new landscaping and hooded catch basins. But the conversation turns to the unglamorous heart of permitting: one accurate, consolidated plan set, properly signed and stamped, showing wetland flags, buffer lines, and boundaries so the commission can make a defensible decision. We continue the matter to the next meeting to get the record right.

We close with a Notice of Intent for an accessory dwelling unit at 412 Pleasant Street, approved with a straightforward long-term safeguard: permanent “no work beyond this point” signage at the 25-foot line to prevent future encroachment. If you care about local land use, wetlands buffer zones, and how towns enforce environmental rules, hit play, then subscribe, share, and leave a review. Which requirement matters more to you: better stormwater design or airtight plans?

Transcript

Call To Order And Recording Notice

SPEAKER_06 0:06

Evening everyone. I'd like to call the April 15th meeting of the Conservation Commission to order. Please be advised all these meetings are recorded. Bill, if you'd reassign.

SPEAKER_01 0:18

All public hearings and meetings heard by the Rainham Conservation Commission on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 5.30 p.m. in the Rainham Veterans Memorial Town Hall, Donald L. McKinnon Meeting Room, 558 South Main Street, Raynham. Are relative to filings and joint hearings and our meetings under Massachusetts General Law 131, Section 40, as amended, and the town of Raynham wetland protection bylaw.

Taunton River Bridge Conditions Approved

SPEAKER_06 0:48

All right. First on the agenda is a continuous notice of intent for all colony and bridge over the Taunton River. There is no DEP number, it's the bridge reconstruction. As we left at last meeting, the only thing that we were arguing over was whether DEP was going to issue them a number, and their argument was that because of the limited project with DOT, they didn't need one. We received that letter from DEP that they meet that criteria, so they are not going to have a DEP number. So with that said, um alarm. So with that said, uh I think the last order of business would be to um have a motion to close the hearing first.

SPEAKER_01 2:06

Okay, uh motion to close orders of intent or colony Avenue Bridge over the Taunton River.

SPEAKER_02 2:15

Motion being seconded. Have any comments or questions? Oh, I'm sorry. Anybody here have any comments, questions, concerns?

Chick-fil-A Buffer Zone Hearing Begins

SPEAKER_06 2:30

Alright, thank you. Uh motion made seconded. All in favor, aye, opposed, unanimous. So if I could have a second motion to issue with our standard order conditions, plus we have two specials. Uh the one special is the water quality certificate issued by DEP along with any conditions of approval, and therefore are incorporated herein by reference and made part of this order of conditions. So the water quality certificate and refueling of machinery near the river. Alright, ready? Alright. Um in accordance with Mass General Law, Chapter 131, Section 40 of the Town of Rainham local bylaw, the Rainham Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, at 5 30 p.m. in the Donald L. McKinnon Meeting Room in the Rainham Veterans Memorial Town Hall, located at 558 South Main Street, Rainham Mass, on a request for determination of the pipability filed by Bowler? Bowler Engineering on behalf of Chick-fil-A, the applicants proposed to raise the existing 12,000 square foot party city and construct a new Chick-fil-A restaurant with drive-thru at the site location of 600 South Street, South Street West, map 14, lot 214-B. A small portion of the overall site disturbance falls within the 100-foot buffer to the wetlands located on the abutting parcel to the north. The property is owned by RK Associates Incorporated. Copies of the application and plans may be viewed at the Rainum Conservation Commission during normal business hours at the town hall. You may also contact the Rainum Conservation Commission by calling 508-824-2706. All interested parties are encouraged to attend the public hearing. Alright, sir.

SPEAKER_05 6:12

Good evening, everyone. My name is Joey Fonsec. I'm a project manager with Bowler. So I'll just do a quick overview on this project as just introed. This is the existing party city building here at 600 South Street West. I'm just going to walk over the plan, but in red here is the existing party city building. And that's kind of the area I guess I'll focus. On this point here, it's just indicating where the project area is. In blue at the top, it might be a little bit hard to see here, but there's a green shaded line. That is the off-site sort of drainage ditch that has you know wetland flags that were located on there. We had received a plan from VHB that had the wetland area delineated that are off-site. When we overlaid that with our project scope area, the 100-foot buffer is that thick sort of dash red line. It just crosses into our project by about 15 feet or 20 feet. And really, it's an existing parking lot. This project's strictly a redevelopment, and we're working within the existing paved kind of building footprint area. So we do have some disturbance inside the 100 feet, but it's an existing parking lot and it's going to remain an existing parking lot. We're just repaving it because it's part of the drive-thru. I'm going to switch to a site plan. But as I mentioned, our offside one of the drain just kind of continues along the sort of northeast side of the property boundary. This is the existing curve line. This is all paved. It's very minimal landscaping along the permit here in that 100 football part of the easy condition. That's kind of part of the city building. We use this one we presented with the planning board here. But this shows this just shows the proposed triple building. Again, it's a it's a 5200 square foot building. And you know, basically where the drive-through entrance to the site, again, that's existing paved area. That's where you know there'll be some disturbance inside the 100. I've indicated that red dashed line as well, where we've got the 100-foot buffer there. So there's it's limited disturbance already existing paved area that we're just repaving. Um the overall project though is an improvement to the area. We are reducing impervious coverage by about 4,200 square feet in here. You can see through the various green kind of planted areas and grass areas throughout. So currently it's essentially 100% paved in through there. We're, you know, sort of increasing the landscaping efforts through there along with this building. It gives us the opportunity to, you know, reduce the stormwater. Um, there'll be new catch basins hooded, so you know, increased uh water quality benefits as well. But so again, limited sort of scope inside of the buffer, but it's inside the buffer, which is which is why we're um in front of you all today for an RDA on this.

SPEAKER_06 9:48

Anything else? That's pretty much it. Are you within 50 feet?

SPEAKER_05 9:53

We're not.

SPEAKER_06 9:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 9:56

Yeah, the closest disturbance, I believe, is is uh 75 feet. It might be actually, I think it's eight feet. Um but essentially that curved line isn't, we're just re we're repaving the existing parking lot. So it's not like we're adding impervious coverage in in that buffer zone, we're just repaving as part of uh the overall scope for the checkpoint.

SPEAKER_02 10:17

Yeah, we only do the limit for general is you allowed over what you only my only thing is kind of what in that problem sign of things are left uh, but then that will be sure that Linux ditch, and then we have something else that proposed by H B that shows the Linux ditch and the buffer zone, uh and it's not kind of thin. And then it's in reference to that's in that frox approximate, you know.

SPEAKER_06 10:56

Um so uh the 50-foot mark on they're not within 50, it's easy, but mark I can't tell.

SPEAKER_02 11:09

Well, right, and then uh uh but any information that you're submitted for the commission to rely on should be tenants in by the appropriate professional in this particular case, it has to do with boundaries and regulatory, so put property boundaries or land boundaries and uh uh regulatory boundaries vis-a-vis the bank, the one national resources. If if it's shown right here, it's fine, then have the surveyor that's responsible for it. Standard, yeah, because we'll get to me that issue the decision. The references the document and the person, the appropriate person that's certifying that document.

SPEAKER_05 11:50

Sure. No, I and we I can certainly talk to our surveyors about that. We I guess our thoughts are considering the existing use, considering that it's it's it's currently paved today, that we were sort of anticipating this as being considered more of a parking lot maintenance um portion of the project because we're not changing the proposed surface, we're just repaving it because it's within the drive-thru. We could certainly saw cut along the buffer and not touch inside the buffer. We could do that too, it just would look a little bit um odd, just do it. It's it's within there. We were just again just trying to to repave that area just so it's all the same within that project scope.

Plan Stamps And One Master Plan

SPEAKER_06 12:30

To me, it's not more than it's more that normally we have one plan, yeah. It shows the wetlands, it shows the hundred foot, the fifty-foot, the twenty-five no touch. We're walking, we're working off of three different plans, and this plan is reference referencing this plan, but they're not stamped and signed. So it should be I'm correct, everything should be incorporated into one plan. It's not that we don't, at least I don't have a problem with the plan, it's that everything needs to be incorporated into one plan, so we're working off a master plan. So I'm not trying to go back and forth.

SPEAKER_05 13:08

Sure. Yeah, we can we can certainly we'll work with our surveyors, they can they can incorporate that um that boundary uh and reference it. And we can we can add the appropriate buffers on there as well.

SPEAKER_02 13:22

That's the way that is a basic require fundamental requirement of our projects. If you make an exception here, somebody else who who might even and that's no issue with the project itself. No, but it's the uh the the requirements for consistency so that somebody else doesn't come in here with a more onerous and more invasive project. We say, Well, they didn't have to provide any standard. Um quite frankly, we got to, you know, bully engineering companies are a small company, they should no distance.

SPEAKER_05 13:54

No, I I not not that I don't disagree. I I guess we were just looking at it as an overall scope for the project, considering that we're essentially just repaving within that buffer a portion of it. Um you know, it it's it's essentially this this portion of the site that you know we were just in front of you just because it was inside that hundred foot. I mean, if we had if we were preparing a full notice of intent for this, that's a that's a completely different story. I guess in our opinion, it was such a limited scope with it more being A, a redevelopment and B more of a parking lot uh sort of maintenance situation because we're not really changing grades. It's just again, that's where the drive-through entrance is. We just wanted to make sure it was all paved so it's all consistent.

SPEAKER_06 14:35

And like I said, I don't disagree with you, yeah, but it's got to be incorporated on one plan. We don't see it, yeah. Sure. So that we're not oh that plan's on this one. Oh, wait a minute, sure. Where's this one? Yep. We pulled these out today. With three plans, I'm going like, wait a minute, where's the wetlands one? Oh, it's over here. Yeah, sure. So it's yeah, I don't want to say it's semantics, but it just It's our record. It's our record the way we do things.

SPEAKER_05 14:59

Yeah, that's fine. Sure. We can we can we'll disagree with your project.

SPEAKER_06 15:02

Yeah. So with that said, we're gonna need a uh you know the style plan we need. So um it's up to you, but um do you want to continue to next meeting? Can you get it to us?

SPEAKER_05 15:21

Sure. Did do is it another formal meeting or could do I do I have to do we have to come back to present? I guess we have our planning board meeting tomorrow night. I just want to make sure that I can let them know.

SPEAKER_06 15:32

It's up to you. I would say it would be in your best interest to to come back.

SPEAKER_05 15:37

Okay.

SPEAKER_06 15:37

Um but that is up to you. I can't make that decision before you. Sure. Sure, that's fine.

SPEAKER_05 15:42

We can we can continue it, sure. Okay. It is is there any discussion regarding, I guess, the RDA versus the I think if you're outside the 50, I would be okay.

SPEAKER_01 15:54

Yeah, I mean everything.

SPEAKER_06 15:55

I can't tell from the plans that you provided that you are. Um, and that's part of my problem.

SPEAKER_05 16:03

I think we end so we we indicated in the this work description, I again we didn't want to show on the buffer, but that the uh closest construction activity is within 75 feet, is outside 75 feet of the BBW. So it's not shown on the plan, but we're outside of 50 feet.

SPEAKER_02 16:18

Yeah, so let's show it on the plan. Okay, show it on the plan, and then have the surveillance stamping.

SPEAKER_06 16:29

Okay, okay. All right, so thank you. You request uh continues until the next meeting? Yes, and when when is that next? Um May 6th. May 6th Okay, all right, we have a motion. Motion to what you have to move to the audience, we know what they're called. Oh, right. Anybody from the audience have any questions? Okay, thank you. Thank you.

unknown 17:01

Where is it going then?

SPEAKER_06 17:04

Where the old party city is. Do you know where the party city is? Right there.

SPEAKER_03 17:19

Okay, the what?

unknown 17:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 17:22

Are we part of the planning board discussion?

SPEAKER_04 17:24

That would be the plan tomorrow.

SPEAKER_06 17:30

Um, right on the that's for another discussion. Uh motion made and seconded, right?

SPEAKER_01 17:47

Well, motion to continue determination of applicability for 600 South Street West Chick-fil-A to May 6th.

SPEAKER_05 17:58

Second.

Pleasant Street ADU Notice Of Intent

SPEAKER_06 17:58

Motion made seconded. All in favor? Aye. Opposed, unanimous. Thank you, sir. Okay, up next is notice of intent for four twelve Pleasant Street, uh DEP number two six nine, ten eighty-six. Proposed accessory dwelling eighty unit. ADU unit. She's your friend?

SPEAKER_04 19:07

No.

SPEAKER_06 19:07

Oh, I thought she was. I'm sorry. Oh, then she's more for the U chicks away.

SPEAKER_04 19:13

Yeah, she she was she went with me.

SPEAKER_06 19:14

Oh, oh, I thought she was with you. Oh, okay. Um public hearing will be held by the Conservation Commission on Wednesday, April 15th at 5.30 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Town Hall, Donald L. McKinnon Meeting Room, 558 South Main Street, Rain Him, Mass. On behalf of Patent Development for the filing of a notice of intent for property at 412 Pleasant Street, Map 9, Plot 4, for the construction of a dwelling unit with a 100-foot buffer zone. Uh interested participants should call the conservation office at 508-824-2704 for details. Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the hearing, call Amy at 508-824-2704. We request that you provide five business days. Notice for proper arrangements must be made. Welcome.

SPEAKER_00 20:27

Hi, uh Samantha Cripps from PMP Consulting. Um so this is an existing single-family lot owned by JP. He also resides here in the city's home. And um it is a four-acre lot with some APW to the rear. He is proposing to put an AV to the right rear of his home. Um 127 square foot ADU water electric sewer um and a driveway.

SPEAKER_02 22:12

Well I mean that's that's the way to go these days everybody's own ADUs. Um and I think uh if they had pulled over their project, you know, where they show the surface, if they had pulled it up, uh pulled it another 10, not even 10 feet, another eight feet. They could have done a request for determination.

SPEAKER_05 22:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 22:33

Yeah. Because they were showing the driver one. Yeah. Let's even pull this this whole thing back here. Because you're stopping the greeting right here. Yeah, but it is what it is. And we're consistent with my comments. You uh need a severe stamp and then you see the stamp, and you have both. Yeah. So we're good.

SPEAKER_06 22:55

So um yeah, the only thing I'm gonna request is at the 25 foot no buffer, um, put signage. Okay. That'll be part of the order conditions, yeah. That um there'll be no work beyond this point.

SPEAKER_00 23:14

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_06 23:14

Some markers, yeah, and that's in perpetuity.

SPEAKER_00 23:17

Okay. Do you guys um like them offset any particular distance or it will say it will say everything 30 feet, no more than 30 feet apart.

SPEAKER_02 23:25

Gotcha.

SPEAKER_06 23:25

That'll be in the water reading. Yeah.

unknown 23:29

Okay.

SPEAKER_06 23:30

And we do that just as kind of a standard, just to remind people that some people once they get beyond here, they like, oh, I can just keep going on my yard. So it's a friendly reminder.

SPEAKER_01 23:41

And the slope isn't bad, so the model should be good. Yeah. I don't have any issue.

unknown 23:53

No.

SPEAKER_06 23:53

And they got a dewatering basin, looks good. Um else no, this is good. Anyone in the audience have anything?

SPEAKER_02 24:03

Okay, well, I've got no name you want to make a comment.

SPEAKER_06 24:10

Um all right. Um I need to close. Would you like the balls in your club? What would you like to do?

SPEAKER_00 24:19

Yeah, we we would like to close and you know issue.

ADU Approved With Buffer Signage

SPEAKER_01 24:22

Uh motion to close notice of intent, 412 Pleasant Street, DEP 269 1086, proposed accessory dwelling.

SPEAKER_06 24:31

Second. Motion made seconded. All in favor? Aye, oppose, unanimous.

unknown 24:39

Okay.

SPEAKER_06 24:40

And do you want to issue one remote?

SPEAKER_01 24:42

Motion to issue notice of intent with the standard conditions, 412 Plus Street DP 269 1086 proposed accessory dwelling.

SPEAKER_02 24:52

With the special condition of a statement consistent with the special conditions that the required, that is for a permanent bio markups at the 25-foot line with our warning signs. No work beyond this point.

SPEAKER_06 25:10

Okay. Second voice remained second. All favor, aye. Aye. Opposed, unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Um, does Amy have your email? Yes. Okay.

SPEAKER_00 25:22

Yes.

SPEAKER_06 25:22

She'll she'll email you when it's ready, okay?

SPEAKER_04 25:25

Okay, perfect.

SPEAKER_06 25:26

All right.

SPEAKER_04 25:27

Thank you.

SPEAKER_06 25:28

The lady he did a good job. Yeah, this is good. Sorry about that. Now it's my turn. Now it's my turn.

SPEAKER_01 25:40

Let the mothership come. Let the mothership come.

SPEAKER_06 25:50

Do you live in Rainem? You want to chop?

SPEAKER_00 25:53

Unfortunately, I'm a little far away.

unknown 26:01

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 26:06

Yeah, thank you well. Is that your easy or ours? Oh, okay. Yeah, that's a very clean plan, you know? Yeah, because everything is very readable.

SPEAKER_01 26:29

Makes it easy.

Minutes Approval And Site Visit Update

SPEAKER_06 26:30

Amen. Okay, um, nothing for informal, uh, general business. Everyone get a chance to see the meeting minutes of April 1st. I do have one correction on it, and halfway through we just changed um from mass DOT to mass DEP to reference the letter we were waiting for from the bridge people. Uh other than that, there were no changes, just that one. Uh motion to accept as amended. Second. Second is all in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Uh we don't have any bills, Amy.

unknown 27:20

We do not.

SPEAKER_06 27:20

We do not. Wow. Okay. Uh correspondence. I have nothing. Um site visits. Uh I did one today at the old gap restaurant. Um, looks like they may have a violation. I'm going to meet the engineer there tomorrow and do a walkthrough and figure out what's going on. And I will let everybody know when we figure it out.

unknown 27:48

Okay.

SPEAKER_06 27:49

Uh anybody else got anything? Nope. Nope. All right then. Motion to adjourn. Second. Motion made seconded. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you.