501 Main St - Notice of Intent
Replace leaning retaining wall at 501 Main Street with a new Shea block wall; work affects ~395 linear feet of bank and 334 sq ft of riverfront/Bordering Land Subject to Flooding and is under Conservation Commission review.
AI summary
The applicant proposes to remove a leaning block retaining wall and replace it with a Shea block wall at 501 Main Street along the Merrimack River. The filing lists alteration of approximately 395 linear feet of bank and 334 square feet in both Bordering Land Subject to Flooding and the riverfront area; plans are dated 8/28/2025. The Notice of Intent is under Conservation Commission review and NHESP review is pending.
Gallery
Project details
What is proposed
The project proposes to remove an existing leaning block/concrete retaining wall at 501 Main Street and replace it with a new Shea block retaining wall. The applicant states the replacement is intended to protect the land behind the wall from wave action, ice damage and further erosion, and to prevent collapse of wall material into the Merrimack River. The filing indicates no change in the use of the property.
Where and how big
The work is located on the Merrimack Riverfront at 501 Main Street. Plans submitted with the Notice of Intent (GA Consultants, Inc.; signed/stamped by John Hargreaves, PE/PLS; final revision date 8/28/2025; scale 1"=20') indicate alteration of the river bank, listing 395 linear feet of bank in the filing. The application reports 334 square feet of alteration in Bordering Land Subject to Flooding and 334 square feet of alteration within the riverfront area (the property lies entirely within 200 feet of the Merrimack River).
Environmental considerations
Because the parcel is entirely within the riverfront area, the NOI addresses the Wetlands Protection Act standards for riverfront, bank and land subject to flooding. The applicant states there will be no loss of flood storage volume and that the proposed wall will not impede tidal flow during storm flooding. The site appears on Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) mapping for Estimated/Priority Habitat of Rare Wildlife; the applicant included proof of mailing to NHESP and the NOI notes NHESP review/response is pending.
Status
A Notice of Intent and accompanying plans were submitted to the Amesbury Conservation Commission with the required filing fee (total $633; state share $304; city share $329). The applicant is listed as Jackson Bailey and the project representative is John Hargreaves of GA Consultants, Inc. The project is under Conservation Commission review and awaiting NHESP input as part of the permit review process.
Discussion at meetings
- APPROVEI will entertain a motion to approve the NOI subject in addition to the standard conditions to those specified in the supplemental project narrative of October 15th.
- CONTINUEI move that we continue this hearing to October 20th.
