2020.01.09 Staff Report.pdf
Conservation Commission Staff Report 1 January 9, 2020
To: Conservation Commission From: Sarah LaValley
RE: Staff Report, January 9 Commission Meeting
5:30 PM – Notice of Intent for parking lot expansion and related stormwater work within buffer zone to bordering vegetated wetland. 26 Carlon Drive, Northampton
Fire Department, Map ID 24B-086 Applicant: Northampton Central Services
The application proposes to expand the parking lot at the fire headquarters to the rear of the existing
lot into an existing lawn and vegetated area. A solar canopy, refueling station, and battery backup
are also proposed. The work is proposed to include 14,345 sf of buffer zone disturbance, primarily
conversion of lawn to pavement. Stormwater from the additional impervious area is proposed to be
mitigated through construction of a new detention basin. The work required site plan approval from
the Planning Board, which was approved in December. Stormwater review was conducted by DPW
as part of this process, and DPW’s comments are attached.
Application Overview:
Please refer to December 23 2019 Tighe and Bond ‘Response to DEP Comments’ for DEP and staff
comments and applicant responses.
DEP Comments:
As noted by staff in comments, test pits indicated potential wetland indicators in soils shown as
upland areas, and full wetland data sheets were not included in the application. Responses indicate
that runoff within fill created areas of saturation. The Commission should ask for additional
clarification to ensure these areas should not be considered BVW, and copies of wetland data sheets.
Consistency with the Wetlands Protection Act and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance:
The Protected Zone in the HB zone is reduced to 10 feet, and most other provisions of the Ordinance
do not apply in this district. However, development must still ‘include mitigation measures that will
improve the existing conditions of the wetland or adjacent upland.’ It is not clear that this standard,
or overall interests of the Act, is met. The project includes design changes made to address the
‘higher potential pollutant load’ of the parking lot and addition of a treatment unit to meet the
Stormwater Standards. The Commission should discuss potential emergency scenarios and fuel
spills with the applicant. The HydroCAD drainage calculations for the Northampton Fire Station
project uses the Type II 24-hr rainfall distribution curve which is not correct for this area. Normally, the SCS/NRCS Type III 24-hr rainfall distribution curve is used for this area. More recently,
engineers have started to use updated precipitation depths from NOAA Atlas 14 as well as the NRCC
C 24-hr rainfall distribution curve which has been added to HydroCAD. The calculations will need to
be revised and any changes necessary made.
It was not possible to field-verify BVW boundaries due to winter conditions.
Staff Recommendation:
Continue the hearing until April to allow for confirmation of resource areas. Request modifications
to the stormwater calculations as noted above, any wetland data, and all Performance Standard
information still necessary following discussion at the hearing.
Conservation Commission Staff Report 2
December 12, 2019
5:50 PM – Notice of Intent for contractor’s storage yard expansion within riverfront
area and buffer zone to bank (Barrett Brook). Damon Road (Lane Plant Road), Map
ID 18D-003 Applicant: Pauldin, LLC
The application proposes expansion of an contractor’s storage yard that is currently existing on the
western portion of the parcel, within riverfront area to Barrett Brook. 32,764 sf of riverfront area
disturbance is proposed, along with a 1,670 sf planting area.
Application Overview:
Please refer to December 19 2019 R Levesque Response Letter to DEP Comments for DEP and staff
comments and applicant responses.
DEP Comments:
The site contains areas, including the access roadway and compacted gravel area on the western
portion of the parcel outside of riverfront area conform to degraded definitions, but the stockpile
area appears to be topsoil, is vegetated with mature trees, and information is not presented to
indicate what is beneath the pile. Additionally, if the area is degraded and all performance standards
are met, the Commission may allow work to develop the area, providing the proposed work improves
existing conditions. It is not clear that the proposed work is an improvement.
Consistency with the Wetlands Protection Act and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance:
The application as presented does not contain enough information to determine whether the
‘stockpile’ area meets the definition and related 310 CMR 10.58 (5) performance standards for ‘Riverfront With Previously Developed Riverfront Areas’ as noted in DEP’s comments. The
Commission can deny the Notice of Intent based on a lack of information, specifying the lack of
information regarding degraded area, or request all additional information necessary, potentially to
include a full alternatives analysis and performance standard conformance as required in 310 CMR
10.58(4).
Staff Recommendation:
Other Items: Request for Certificate of Compliance, DEP File 246-546, 320 Riverside Drive
Certification of the wetland restoration is needed prior to issuance