Source: https://ecode360.com/12360663
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 09:15:39+00:00

Document:
§ 280-4 Applications for permits.
§ 280-5 Notice and hearings.
§ 280-6 Coordination with other boards.
§ 280-7 Issuance or denial of permit; terms and conditions.
§ 280-8 Adoption of rules and regulations.
§ 280-11 Enforcement; violations and penalties.
§ 280-12 Burden of proof.
§ 280-13 Authority; relation to state act.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect the wetlands, related water resources, and adjoining land areas in the City by controlling activities deemed to have significant effect upon wetland values, including but not limited to the following: public or private water supply, groundwater, flood control, erosion and sedimentation control, storm damage prevention, water pollution prevention, fisheries, recreation, agriculture, aquaculture, and historic values (collectively, the "interests protected by this chapter").
Except as permitted by the Conservation Commission or as provided in this chapter, no person shall remove, fill, dredge, alter, or build upon or within 100 feet of any bank to a perennial or intermittent stream; upon or within 100 feet of any lake, river, pond, stream; upon or within any land under said waters; or upon any bordering land subject to flooding.
The permit and application required by this chapter shall not be required for maintaining, repairing, or replacing an existing and lawfully located structure or facility used in the service of the public to provide electric, gas, water, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, public roadway, telephone, telegraph, or other telecommunication services, provided that the structure or facility is not substantially changed or enlarged, provided that written notice has been given to the Commission prior to commencement of work, and provided that the work conforms to performance standards and design specifications in regulations adopted by the Commission. The permit and application required by this chapter shall not apply to emergency projects necessary for the protection of the health or safety of the public, provided that the work is to be performed by or has been ordered to be performed by an agency of the commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof, provided that advance notice, oral or written, has been given to the Commission prior to commencement of work or within 24 hours after commencement, provided that the Conservation Commission certifies the work as an emergency project, and provided that the work is performed only for the time and certified by the Conservation Commission for the limited purposes necessary to abate the emergency. Within 21 days of commencement of an emergency project a project review shall take place with the Commission or its authorized staff to determine if a "notice of intent" filing shall be required. Exceptions provided in Wetlands Protection Act Regulations 310 CMR 10.02(2)(b), as amended, shall apply for minor work in the buffer zone, although exceptions in the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations [310 CMR 10.02(2)(a)(1)] for activities in the Riverfront Area shall not apply.
Written application shall be filed with the Commission to perform work regulated by this chapter on resource areas protected by this chapter. The application shall include such plans as are deemed necessary by the Commission to describe proposed activities and their effects on the environment. At the same time the applicant shall distribute one complete copy, including appropriate plans, by certified mail or hand delivery to the City Clerk. No work shall commence without receiving and complying with a permit issued pursuant to this chapter.
The application and plans shall contain data as required by this chapter and regulations by the Commission.
The Commission in an appropriate case may accept as the application and plans under this chapter the notice of intent and plans filed under the Wetlands Protection Act (MGL c. 131, § 40).
At the time of application, the applicant shall pay a filing fee specified in the City of Lowell Code of Ordinances. In addition, the applicant shall agree in writing to pay the costs and expenses of any expert consultant deemed necessary by the Commission to review the applications.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 150, Fees.
Any person desiring to know whether or not proposed work on an area is subject to this chapter may in writing request a determination from the Commission. Such a request for determination shall contain data and plans specified by the regulations of the Commission.
Any person filing an application with the Commission shall give written notice thereof, by certified mail or hand delivery, to all abutters according to the most recent records of the Assessors, including those across a traveled way or railroad bed at a maximum distance of 300 feet from the property boundaries. The notice shall enclose a copy of the application or request, with plans, or shall state where copies may be examined by abutters.
The Commission shall give written notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the City, at the expense of the applicant, five working days prior to the public hearing on any application or public discussion of any request for determination.
The Commission shall commence the public hearing on any application or public discussion for any request for determination within 21 days from receipt.
The Commission shall issue its permit for determination or other action in writing within 21 days of the close of the public hearing or meeting thereon.
The Commission in an appropriate case may combine its hearing under this chapter with the hearing conducted under the Wetlands Protection Act, MGL c. 131, § 40.
For reasons announced by the Commission at the hearing, the Commission shall have authority to continue or postpone the hearing to a date certain announced at the hearing, either for receipt of additional information offered by the applicant or others or for information required of the applicant deemed necessary by the Commission in its discretion. In the event that the applicant objects to a continuance or postponement, the hearing shall be closed and the Commission shall take action on such information as is available.
Electronic copies of all submission materials shall be presented as part of a complete submission package, which City staff shall circulate to the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Health, and Building Inspector within seven days of receipt. Specific plan requirements are located in, and updated periodically by, the Commission's rules and regulations. The application and plans shall contain data as required by this chapter and regulations by the Commission. The Commission may not close any public hearing or take final action on any request for determination until such boards and officials have had 14 days from receipt of the notice to file written comments and recommendations with the Commission, which the Commission may take into account but which shall not be binding on the Commission.
If the Commission after a public hearing determines that the area which is the subject of the application is likely to be significant to the interests protected by this chapter, the Commission, within 21 days of the close of the hearing, shall issue or deny a permit for the work requested. If it issues a permit, the Commission shall impose conditions which the Commission deems necessary or desirable to protect those interests, and all work shall be done in accordance with those conditions.
If the area is deemed not likely to be significant to the interests protected by this chapter, the Commission shall so inform the applicant that the work does not require a permit.
Permits shall expire three years from the date of issuance. Any permit may be renewed once for an additional one-year period, provided that a request for extension is received in writing by the Commission prior to expiration.
For good cause the Commission may revoke or modify a permit issued under this chapter; provided, however, that no such revocation or modification shall occur until the Commission has conducted a public hearing on the matter.
The Commission in an appropriate case may combine the permit or other action on an application issued under this chapter with the order of conditions issued under the Wetlands Protection Act.
An applicant who has received a valid permit, or a determination that the work is subject to this chapter, from the Conservation Commission may proceed at risk with the work upon issuance of a building permit, notwithstanding the pendency of any appeal.
After public notice and public hearing the Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations, including a filing fee schedule, subject to approval of Lowell City Council, to effectuate the purpose of this chapter. Failure by the Commission to promulgate such rules and regulations or a legal declaration of their invalidity by a court of law shall not act to suspend or invalidate the effect of this chapter.
At a minimum these regulations shall define key terms in this chapter not inconsistent with this chapter.
Removal, excavation or dredging of soil, sand, gravel, or aggregate materials of any kind.
Changing of preexisting drainage characteristics, flushing characteristics, salinity distribution, sedimentation patterns, flow patterns, or flood retention characteristics.
Drainage or other disturbance of water level or water table.
Dumping, discharging or filling with any material which may degrade water quality.
Placing of fill, or removal of material, which would alter elevation.
Driving of piles, erection of buildings, or structures of any kind.
Placing of obstructions or objects in water.
Destruction or dislocation of plant life, including cutting and moving of trees.
Changing water temperature, biochemical oxygen demand, or other physical or chemical characteristics of water.
Any activities, changes or work which pollutes or causes displacement of any body of water or groundwater.
Includes any individual, group of individuals, association, partnership, corporation, company, business organization, trust, estate, the commonwealth or political subdivision thereof to the extent subject to City ordinances, administrative agencies, public or quasi-public corporations or bodies, the City of Lowell and/or assigns.
By a proper bond or deposit of money or negotiable securities sufficient in the opinion of the Commission.
By a conservation restriction, easement or other covenant enforceable in a court of law, executed and duly recorded by the owner of record, running with the land to the benefit of the City and members of the public, whereby the permit conditions shall be performed and observed before any lot may be conveyed other than by mortgage deed.
The Commission, its agents, officers, and employees shall have the authority to enter upon privately owned land for the purpose of performing their duties under this chapter and may make or cause to be made such examinations, surveys or sampling as the Commission deems necessary.
The Commission shall have authority to enforce this chapter, its regulations, and permits issued thereunder by violation notices, administrative orders, and civil and criminal court actions.
Upon request of the Commission, the City Solicitor shall take legal action for enforcement under civil law. Upon request of the Commission, the Superintendent of Police shall take legal action for enforcement under criminal law.
In the alternative to criminal prosecution the Commission may elect to utilize the noncriminal disposition procedure set forth in MGL c. 40, § 21D.
City boards and officers, including any City police officer or other officer having police powers, shall have authority to assist the Commission in enforcement.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, regulations thereunder, or permits issued thereunder shall be punished by fine of not more than $300. Each calendar day or portion thereof during which a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense, and each provision of this chapter, regulations, or permits violated shall constitute a separate offense.
The applicant for a permit shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the credible evidence that the work proposed in the application will not harm the interests protected by this chapter. Failure to provide evidence to the Commission supporting a determination that the proposed work will not harm the interests protected by this chapter shall be sufficient cause for the Commission to deny a permit or grant a permit with conditions.
This chapter is adopted under the home rule amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution and the home rule statutes, independent of the Wetlands Protection Act, MGL c. 131, § 40, and regulations thereunder.
The invalidity of any section or provision of this chapter shall not invalidate any other section or provision thereof, nor shall it invalidate any order of conditions which previously has been issued.

References: § 280

§ 280

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§ 280

§ 280

§ 280

§ 280
 § 40
 § 40
 § 21
 § 40