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SC Crew House-NOI Attachments.pdf Smith College: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Crew House Addition & Accessible Walk College Lane Northampton, Massachusetts October 20, 2016 Prepared by: 4 Allen Place, Northampton, Massachusetts 01060 Prepared for: City of Northampton Office of Planning and Development, RM 11 210 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 PROJECT DESCRIPTION This site is located within the Smith College campus in Northampton and is home to the existing Crew House located on the bank of Paradise Pond. The existing 2-story wood framed building sits at the base of a roughly 30’ tall slope. College Lane, the main campus through-road, passes along the top of the hill. This project proposes a small 175 square foot addition and main entryway to the second story of the building. Additional work includes the construction of a new stairs and an accessible boardwalk which would provide access to the new 2nd story entrance as well as to the lawn space bordering Paradise Pond. The main boardwalk structure is designed to sit on helical piles (or concrete footings) and rest at or just above existing grade in an effort to minimize disturbance. The existing site consists of the current boathouse building, surrounded by lawn and bordered on the west by a steep hillside inundated with black locust, staghorn sumac, bittersweet and other invasive plant species. Bare soil is visible in many locations due to the disturbed nature and steepness of the slope. Several large shade trees are also present on the slope. While most of the trees are proposed to remain however due to liability concerns with some severely leaning trees as well as construction layout conflicts, some are called out to be removed. Overall disturbance to the hillside will be minimized to the extent possible though some disturbance and excavation will be required in an effort to successfully eradicate many of the invasive plants and prepare the site for the proposed boardwalk and new woodland plantings. The new building addition occurs almost entirely at the second story elevation and only includes post supports extending down to the existing ground elevation below. A 15’ x 15’ second story deck also extends out beyond the addition and into the hillside to provide an outdoor gathering space and entry location. The remainder of the project consists of a suspended wood boardwalk and deck structure resting on helical piles or concrete footings depending on slope and grades. The overall goal of the boardwalk is to create an accessible means of access to the second-story addition from College Lane as well as to the lower lawn area in a manner that respects and celebrates the wooded nature of the existing hillside. Because of the site’s location on the bank of Paradise Pond, some resource area disturbance is unavoidable. Resource areas affected by the proposed project include work within the 100-year Flood Plain and area located within NHESP Priority Habitat. Work is also proposed within the 100’ buffer zone to Paradise Pond. No work is proposed in bank, bordering or isolated wetlands, or any other resource area. All efforts have been made to minimize disturbance to any and all resource areas. However due to the nature of the project and location of the site, some disturbance is inevitable. With an understanding of standards contained within 310 CMR, the Massachusetts Wetland Regulations and the Northampton Wetland Bylaws, a design was proposed which seeks to minimize disturbance within resource areas, restore previously degraded portions of the site, improve environmental quality, and provide accessible public access to the Crew House and lawn bordering Paradise Pond. With the objectives of this project in mind, there was no reasonable way to develop a design which did not impact some resource area on the site. To help facilitate the review of this project, each resource area is discussed in further detail following this section. Summary of Resource Area Impacts 310 CMR 10.54 Bank This project does not propose any disturbance to Bank. 310 CMR 10.55 Bordering Vegetated Wetlands This project does not propose any disturbance to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands. 310 CMR 10.56 Land Under Water This project does not propose any disturbance to Land Under Water. 310 CMR 10.57 Land Subject to Flooding Portions of this site are located within the 100-year Flood Plain based on the most recent information from FEMA. Due to the nature and placement of the boardwalk structure within the floodplain, some flood storage volume will be lost as a result. In order to offset the volumes lost and provide compensatory storage as required, some re-grading work is proposed. In total, 1,425 square feet of land subject to flooding is being disturbed of which 250 cubic feet of storage volume is being displaced. In compliance with 310 CMR 10.57(4), compensatory flood storage at 1’ intervals is being provided for a total of 278 cubic feet. A table of the compensatory flood storage per foot of elevation has been provided on sheet L- 2 of the submission plan set. 310 CMR 10.58 Riverfront Area This project does not propose any disturbance to Riverfront Area. 310 CMR 10.59 Estimated Habitats of Rare Wildlife. Portions of this project fall within Estimated Habitats of Rare Wildlife according to the latest NHESP mapping. Notification of the project has been provided to the NHESP Program as required by the regulations. Mass GIS Q109894 and Q109898 Scale: Not to scale Figure 1 USGS Locus SMITH COLLEGE Northampton, Massachusetts Project Site Mass GIS – “Oliver” online data viewer Scale: Not to scale Figure 2 NHESP BioMap Locus SMITH COLLEGE Northampton, Massachusetts Project Site AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act And the Northampton Wetlands Ordinance (To be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Conservation Commission when filing a Notice of Intent) I, ___________Jeffrey Squire______________________________________________, Name of person making affidavit hereby certify under the pains and penalties of perjury that on ___10/24/2016________ date I gave notification to abutters in compliance with the second paragraph of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Section 40, and the DEP Guide to Abutter Notification dated April 8, 1994, in connection with the following matter: A Notice of Intent was filed under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act by __Smith College____________________________________ with the Name of Applicant Northampton Conservation Commission on ____10/24/16_____________ for property date located at ___College Lane______________________________________________ Address of land where work is proposed The form of the notification and a list of the abutters to whom it was given and their addresses, are attached to this Affidavit of Service. _____________________________________________________10/21/16__________ Applicant Signature Date Notification to Abutters Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Northampton Wetlands Ordinance In accordance with the second paragraph of the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Section 40, you are hereby notified of the following: The name of the applicant is Smith College. The applicant has filed a Notice of Intent with the Northampton Conservation Commission seeking permission to remove, fill, dredge or alter an Area Subject to protection Under the Wetlands Protection Act (General Laws Chapter 131, Section 40) and the Northampton Wetlands Protection Ordinance (Chapter 337). The address of the lot where the activity is proposed is College Lane. Copies of the Notice of Intent may be examined at the Office of Planning and Community Development, 210 Main Street, Room 11, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, and online at www.northamptonma.gov/opd Copies of the Notice of Intent and more information may be obtained from either (check one) the applicant ____, or the applicant's representative __X___, by calling this telephone number (413) _582_ - __7000____ between the hours of _8:00AM__ and _5:00PM_ on the following days of the week: __Monday - Friday_________________________. Information regarding the date, time, and place of the public hearing may be obtained from the Office of Planning and Community Sustainability by calling (413) 587- 1263. Conservation Commission agendas are also posted at http://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/Conservation- Commission-7 NOTE: Notice of the public hearing, including its date, time, and place, will published at least five (5) days in advance of the hearing in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, and will be posted in a ‘Public Notice’ sign on the subject property. NOTE: Notice of the public hearing, including its date, time, and place, will be posted in the Northampton City Hall not less than forty-eight (48) hours in advance. NOTE: You also may contact the nearest Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office for more information about this application or the Wetlands Protection Act. To contact DEP, call the Western Region at (413) 784-1100. Stormwater Checklist • 04/01/08 Stormwater Report Checklist • Page 1 of 8 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands Program Checklist for Stormwater Report A. Introduction Important: When filling out forms on the computer, use only the tab key to move your cursor - do not use the return key. A Stormwater Report must be submitted with the Notice of Intent permit application to document compliance with the Stormwater Management Standards. The following checklist is NOT a substitute for the Stormwater Report (which should provide more substantive and detailed information) but is offered here as a tool to help the applicant organize their Stormwater Management documentation for their Report and for the reviewer to assess this information in a consistent format. As noted in the Checklist, the Stormwater Report must contain the engineering computations and supporting information set forth in Volume 3 of the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook. The Stormwater Report must be prepared and certified by a Registered Professional Engineer (RPE) licensed in the Commonwealth. The Stormwater Report must include: • The Stormwater Checklist completed and stamped by a Registered Professional Engineer (see page 2) that certifies that the Stormwater Report contains all required submittals.1 This Checklist is to be used as the cover for the completed Stormwater Report. • Applicant/Project Name • Project Address • Name of Firm and Registered Professional Engineer that prepared the Report • Long-Term Pollution Prevention Plan required by Standards 4-6 • Construction Period Pollution Prevention and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan required by Standard 82 • Operation and Maintenance Plan required by Standard 9 In addition to all plans and supporting information, the Stormwater Report must include a brief narrative describing stormwater management practices, including environmentally sensitive site design and LID techniques, along with a diagram depicting runoff through the proposed BMP treatment train. Plans are required to show existing and proposed conditions, identify all wetland resource areas, NRCS soil types, critical areas, Land Uses with Higher Potential Pollutant Loads (LUHPPL), and any areas on the site where infiltration rate is greater than 2.4 inches per hour. The Plans shall identify the drainage areas for both existing and proposed conditions at a scale that enables verification of supporting calculations. As noted in the Checklist, the Stormwater Management Report shall document compliance with each of the Stormwater Management Standards as provided in the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook. The soils evaluation and calculations shall be done using the methodologies set forth in Volume 3 of the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook. To ensure that the Stormwater Report is complete, applicants are required to fill in the Stormwater Report Checklist by checking the box to indicate that the specified information has been included in the Stormwater Report. If any of the information specified in the checklist has not been submitted, the applicant must provide an explanation. The completed Stormwater Report Checklist and Certification must be submitted with the Stormwater Report. 1 The Stormwater Report may also include the Illicit Discharge Compliance Statement required by Standard 10. If not included in the Stormwater Report, the Illicit Discharge Compliance Statement must be submitted prior to the discharge of stormwater runoff to the post-construction best management practices. 2 For some complex projects, it may not be possible to include the Construction Period Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan in the Stormwater Report. In that event, the issuing authority has the discretion to issue an Order of Conditions that approves the project and includes a condition requiring the proponent to submit the Construction Period Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan before commencing any land disturbance activity on the site. Stormwater Checklist • 04/01/08 Stormwater Report Checklist • Page 3 of 8 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands Program Checklist for Stormwater Report Checklist (continued) LID Measures: Stormwater Standards require LID measures to be considered. Document what environmentally sensitive design and LID Techniques were considered during the planning and design of the project: No disturbance to any Wetland Resource Areas Site Design Practices (e.g. clustered development, reduced frontage setbacks) Reduced Impervious Area (Redevelopment Only) Minimizing disturbance to existing trees and shrubs LID Site Design Credit Requested: Credit 1 Credit 2 Credit 3 Use of “country drainage” versus curb and gutter conveyance and pipe Bioretention Cells (includes Rain Gardens) Constructed Stormwater Wetlands (includes Gravel Wetlands designs) Treebox Filter Water Quality Swale Grass Channel Green Roof Other (describe): Standard 1: No New Untreated Discharges No new untreated discharges Outlets have been designed so there is no erosion or scour to wetlands and waters of the Commonwealth Supporting calculations specified in Volume 3 of the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook included. Stormwater Checklist • 04/01/08 Stormwater Report Checklist • Page 4 of 8 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands Program Checklist for Stormwater Report Checklist (continued) Standard 2: Peak Rate Attenuation Standard 2 waiver requested because the project is located in land subject to coastal storm flowage and stormwater discharge is to a wetland subject to coastal flooding. Evaluation provided to determine whether off-site flooding increases during the 100-year 24-hour storm. Calculations provided to show that post-development peak discharge rates do not exceed pre- development rates for the 2-year and 10-year 24-hour storms. If evaluation shows that off-site flooding increases during the 100-year 24-hour storm, calculations are also provided to show that post-development peak discharge rates do not exceed pre-development rates for the 100-year 24- hour storm. Standard 3: Recharge Soil Analysis provided. Required Recharge Volume calculation provided. Required Recharge volume reduced through use of the LID site Design Credits. Sizing the infiltration, BMPs is based on the following method: Check the method used. Static Simple Dynamic Dynamic Field1 Runoff from all impervious areas at the site discharging to the infiltration BMP. Runoff from all impervious areas at the site is not discharging to the infiltration BMP and calculations are provided showing that the drainage area contributing runoff to the infiltration BMPs is sufficient to generate the required recharge volume. Recharge BMPs have been sized to infiltrate the Required Recharge Volume. Recharge BMPs have been sized to infiltrate the Required Recharge Volume only to the maximum extent practicable for the following reason: Site is comprised solely of C and D soils and/or bedrock at the land surface M.G.L. c. 21E sites pursuant to 310 CMR 40.0000 Solid Waste Landfill pursuant to 310 CMR 19.000 Project is otherwise subject to Stormwater Management Standards only to the maximum extent practicable. Calculations showing that the infiltration BMPs will drain in 72 hours are provided. Property includes a M.G.L. c. 21E site or a solid waste landfill and a mounding analysis is included. 1 80% TSS removal is required prior to discharge to infiltration BMP if Dynamic Field method is used. Stormwater Checklist • 04/01/08 Stormwater Report Checklist • Page 5 of 8 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands Program Checklist for Stormwater Report Checklist (continued) Standard 3: Recharge (continued) The infiltration BMP is used to attenuate peak flows during storms greater than or equal to the 10- year 24-hour storm and separation to seasonal high groundwater is less than 4 feet and a mounding analysis is provided. Documentation is provided showing that infiltration BMPs do not adversely impact nearby wetland resource areas. Standard 4: Water Quality The Long-Term Pollution Prevention Plan typically includes the following: • Good housekeeping practices; • Provisions for storing materials and waste products inside or under cover; • Vehicle washing controls; • Requirements for routine inspections and maintenance of stormwater BMPs; • Spill prevention and response plans; • Provisions for maintenance of lawns, gardens, and other landscaped areas; • Requirements for storage and use of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides; • Pet waste management provisions; • Provisions for operation and management of septic systems; • Provisions for solid waste management; • Snow disposal and plowing plans relative to Wetland Resource Areas; • Winter Road Salt and/or Sand Use and Storage restrictions; • Street sweeping schedules; • Provisions for prevention of illicit discharges to the stormwater management system; • Documentation that Stormwater BMPs are designed to provide for shutdown and containment in the event of a spill or discharges to or near critical areas or from LUHPPL; • Training for staff or personnel involved with implementing Long-Term Pollution Prevention Plan; • List of Emergency contacts for implementing Long-Term Pollution Prevention Plan. A Long-Term Pollution Prevention Plan is attached to Stormwater Report and is included as an attachment to the Wetlands Notice of Intent. Treatment BMPs subject to the 44% TSS removal pretreatment requirement and the one inch rule for calculating the water quality volume are included, and discharge: is within the Zone II or Interim Wellhead Protection Area is near or to other critical areas is within soils with a rapid infiltration rate (greater than 2.4 inches per hour) involves runoff from land uses with higher potential pollutant loads. The Required Water Quality Volume is reduced through use of the LID site Design Credits. Calculations documenting that the treatment train meets the 80% TSS removal requirement and, if applicable, the 44% TSS removal pretreatment requirement, are provided. Stormwater Checklist • 04/01/08 Stormwater Report Checklist • Page 6 of 8 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands Program Checklist for Stormwater Report Checklist (continued) Standard 4: Water Quality (continued) The BMP is sized (and calculations provided) based on: The ½” or 1” Water Quality Volume or The equivalent flow rate associated with the Water Quality Volume and documentation is provided showing that the BMP treats the required water quality volume. The applicant proposes to use proprietary BMPs, and documentation supporting use of proprietary BMP and proposed TSS removal rate is provided. This documentation may be in the form of the propriety BMP checklist found in Volume 2, Chapter 4 of the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook and submitting copies of the TARP Report, STEP Report, and/or other third party studies verifying performance of the proprietary BMPs. A TMDL exists that indicates a need to reduce pollutants other than TSS and documentation showing that the BMPs selected are consistent with the TMDL is provided. Standard 5: Land Uses With Higher Potential Pollutant Loads (LUHPPLs) The NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit covers the land use and the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) has been included with the Stormwater Report. The NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit covers the land use and the SWPPP will be submitted prior to the discharge of stormwater to the post-construction stormwater BMPs. The NPDES Multi-Sector General Permit does not cover the land use. LUHPPLs are located at the site and industry specific source control and pollution prevention measures have been proposed to reduce or eliminate the exposure of LUHPPLs to rain, snow, snow melt and runoff, and been included in the long term Pollution Prevention Plan. All exposure has been eliminated. All exposure has not been eliminated and all BMPs selected are on MassDEP LUHPPL list. The LUHPPL has the potential to generate runoff with moderate to higher concentrations of oil and grease (e.g. all parking lots with >1000 vehicle trips per day) and the treatment train includes an oil grit separator, a filtering bioretention area, a sand filter or equivalent. Standard 6: Critical Areas The discharge is near or to a critical area and the treatment train includes only BMPs that MassDEP has approved for stormwater discharges to or near that particular class of critical area. Critical areas and BMPs are identified in the Stormwater Report. Stormwater Checklist • 04/01/08 Stormwater Report Checklist • Page 7 of 8 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands Program Checklist for Stormwater Report Checklist (continued) Standard 7: Redevelopments and Other Projects Subject to the Standards only to the maximum extent practicable The project is subject to the Stormwater Management Standards only to the maximum Extent Practicable as a: Limited Project Small Residential Projects: 5-9 single family houses or 5-9 units in a multi-family development provided there is no discharge that may potentially affect a critical area. Small Residential Projects: 2-4 single family houses or 2-4 units in a multi-family development with a discharge to a critical area Marina and/or boatyard provided the hull painting, service and maintenance areas are protected from exposure to rain, snow, snow melt and runoff Bike Path and/or Foot Path Redevelopment Project Redevelopment portion of mix of new and redevelopment. Certain standards are not fully met (Standard No. 1, 8, 9, and 10 must always be fully met) and an explanation of why these standards are not met is contained in the Stormwater Report. The project involves redevelopment and a description of all measures that have been taken to improve existing conditions is provided in the Stormwater Report. The redevelopment checklist found in Volume 2 Chapter 3 of the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook may be used to document that the proposed stormwater management system (a) complies with Standards 2, 3 and the pretreatment and structural BMP requirements of Standards 4-6 to the maximum extent practicable and (b) improves existing conditions. Standard 8: Construction Period Pollution Prevention and Erosion and Sedimentation Control A Construction Period Pollution Prevention and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan must include the following information: • Narrative; • Construction Period Operation and Maintenance Plan; • Names of Persons or Entity Responsible for Plan Compliance; • Construction Period Pollution Prevention Measures; • Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Drawings; • Detail drawings and specifications for erosion control BMPs, including sizing calculations; • Vegetation Planning; • Site Development Plan; • Construction Sequencing Plan; • Sequencing of Erosion and Sedimentation Controls; • Operation and Maintenance of Erosion and Sedimentation Controls; • Inspection Schedule; • Maintenance Schedule; • Inspection and Maintenance Log Form. A Construction Period Pollution Prevention and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan containing the information set forth above has been included in the Stormwater Report. Stormwater Checklist • 04/01/08 Stormwater Report Checklist • Page 8 of 8 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands Program Checklist for Stormwater Report Checklist (continued) Standard 8: Construction Period Pollution Prevention and Erosion and Sedimentation Control (continued) The project is highly complex and information is included in the Stormwater Report that explains why it is not possible to submit the Construction Period Pollution Prevention and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan with the application. A Construction Period Pollution Prevention and Erosion and Sedimentation Control has not been included in the Stormwater Report but will be submitted before land disturbance begins. The project is not covered by a NPDES Construction General Permit. The project is covered by a NPDES Construction General Permit and a copy of the SWPPP is in the Stormwater Report. The project is covered by a NPDES Construction General Permit but no SWPPP been submitted. The SWPPP will be submitted BEFORE land disturbance begins. Standard 9: Operation and Maintenance Plan The Post Construction Operation and Maintenance Plan is included in the Stormwater Report and includes the following information: Name of the stormwater management system owners; Party responsible for operation and maintenance; Schedule for implementation of routine and non-routine maintenance tasks; Plan showing the location of all stormwater BMPs maintenance access areas; Description and delineation of public safety features; Estimated operation and maintenance budget; and Operation and Maintenance Log Form. The responsible party is not the owner of the parcel where the BMP is located and the Stormwater Report includes the following submissions: A copy of the legal instrument (deed, homeowner’s association, utility trust or other legal entity) that establishes the terms of and legal responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the project site stormwater BMPs; A plan and easement deed that allows site access for the legal entity to operate and maintain BMP functions. Standard 10: Prohibition of Illicit Discharges The Long-Term Pollution Prevention Plan includes measures to prevent illicit discharges; An Illicit Discharge Compliance Statement is attached; NO Illicit Discharge Compliance Statement is attached but will be submitted prior to the discharge of any stormwater to post-construction BMPs. Existing Site Photos Image 1: View looking south behind the existing Crew House. This gravel area is located at the toe of the steep hillside on the left. Image 2: Looking west across Paradise Pond through the hillside of invasive plants including black locust, Norway maple and bittersweet. Image 3: Looking south along the slope with the current boathouse in the foreground and the 2-story Crew House behind. The new boardwalk is proposed in the wooded hillside on the left. Image 4: Lawn area on the south side of the Crew House at the base of the steep hillside. The new boardwalk will provide an accessible means of accessing this lawn which is to remain.