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Join Us In Protecting Spy Pond
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Join Us in Protecting Spy Pond
We need help with legal costs to make sure that the Conservation Commission enforces the Arlington Wetlands Protection Bylaw and Regulations. Seaver Construction plans to split a residential lot on Spy Pond, replacing one small house with two larges houses that extend into the protected wetlands buffer zone as shown in this diagram https://goo.gl/3SMrdk . After being rejected twice by the Conservation Commission, Seaver filed a lawsuit. Rather than fighting in Court, the Town has agreed to settle with Seaver for only minor changes to the original plans.
Why this matters:
Over past decades, over-development on the shore of Spy Pond has taken a great toll on the health of the pond. As real estate prices rise, developers are building increasingly larger structures. The closer to the pond homes are sited, the greater the harm to the pond due to increased water run-off from impervious surfaces (i.e., driveways, roofs, etc.), habitat loss, and other negative impacts. Enforcement of the Arlington Wetlands Regulations are the only way to protect Spy Pond from over-development, and the Conservation Commission is the single gatekeeper that makes sure those Regulations are upheld. If this settlement with Seaver Construction is allowed to go through, it will send a signal to all developers that they can steamroll over the regulations that protect our precious wetlands. This will lead to increased development around Spy Pond, resulting in negative impacts such as nutrient runoff, water pollution, siltation, erosion, vegetation change, and habitat destruction.
This case sets a terrible precedent for Spy Pond, for Mystic Lake, and for other Arlington wetlands areas.
We are not against development, but we want thoughtful development that considers the health of our precious Spy Pond.
How much is needed:
At this time we seek to raise $5,000 to fund the legal work needed to oppose this settlement. Please contribute as you feel comfortable. No amount is too small. Unused funds if any will be donated to the Friends of Spy Pond Park, whose values and work align with our objectives.
We need help with legal costs to make sure that the Conservation Commission enforces the Arlington Wetlands Protection Bylaw and Regulations. Seaver Construction plans to split a residential lot on Spy Pond, replacing one small house with two larges houses that extend into the protected wetlands buffer zone as shown in this diagram https://goo.gl/3SMrdk . After being rejected twice by the Conservation Commission, Seaver filed a lawsuit. Rather than fighting in Court, the Town has agreed to settle with Seaver for only minor changes to the original plans.
Why this matters:
Over past decades, over-development on the shore of Spy Pond has taken a great toll on the health of the pond. As real estate prices rise, developers are building increasingly larger structures. The closer to the pond homes are sited, the greater the harm to the pond due to increased water run-off from impervious surfaces (i.e., driveways, roofs, etc.), habitat loss, and other negative impacts. Enforcement of the Arlington Wetlands Regulations are the only way to protect Spy Pond from over-development, and the Conservation Commission is the single gatekeeper that makes sure those Regulations are upheld. If this settlement with Seaver Construction is allowed to go through, it will send a signal to all developers that they can steamroll over the regulations that protect our precious wetlands. This will lead to increased development around Spy Pond, resulting in negative impacts such as nutrient runoff, water pollution, siltation, erosion, vegetation change, and habitat destruction.
This case sets a terrible precedent for Spy Pond, for Mystic Lake, and for other Arlington wetlands areas.
We are not against development, but we want thoughtful development that considers the health of our precious Spy Pond.
How much is needed:
At this time we seek to raise $5,000 to fund the legal work needed to oppose this settlement. Please contribute as you feel comfortable. No amount is too small. Unused funds if any will be donated to the Friends of Spy Pond Park, whose values and work align with our objectives.