142 Riverbank Road NOI Narrative and Plans_Revised-0319-2020
4 Allen Place, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 582-7000 bdg@berkshiredesign.com
Berkshire
Design
Group
March 18, 2020
Northampton Conservation Commission
210 Main Street, Room 11
Northampton, MA 01060
RE: 142 Riverbank Road
Revised Notice of Intent Application
Dear Commission Members,
On behalf of Tyson Holub and Alexis Neubert of 142 Riverbank Road, Berkshire Design Group respectfully
submits the attached Notice of Intent for your review and approval. This project requires a permit from the
Conservation Commission for proposed seasonal dock development activities that involves four resource areas,
as well as NHESP Priority Habitat, along the bank of the Connecticut River.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Residents, Tyson Holub and Alexis Neubert, of 142 Riverbank Road propose to develop a small wooden patio
adjacent to their house, and a seasonal floating dock to access the Connecticut River on the east side of their
riverfront property. They propose to develop a narrow wooden staircase, supported by wooden posts, leading
to a small platform base with hinged gangway that connects to the floating dock.
The site of 142 Riverbank Road consists of approximately 21,200 square feet of land, bound by Riverbank Road
to the west, the edge of the Connecticut River to the east, and residential properties, 144 and 148 Riverbank
Road to the north and south, respectively. The property currently contains one residential building and a small
gravel drive.
SUMMARY OF RESOURCE AREA IMPACTS
The site is entirely contained within the Riverfront Area of the Connecticut River. Approximately 16,590 square
feet (77%) of the land is within the 100-foot inner riverfront area and approximately, 4,940 square feet (23%) of
land is within the outer 200-foot riverfront area.
The site contains additional resource areas including Bank, Bordering Lands Subject to Flooding, and Land Under
Water. The site contains approximately 158 linear feet of Bank along the Connecticut River. Within this, the
proposed stair structure will impact approximately 4 linear feet, or 2.5%, of Bank.
Bordering Land Subject to Flooding provides regulations for activities within the 100-year floodplain. The
designated floodplain elevation for this entire property is 125’, which covers the entire property. Proposed
activities will not alter flood storage or impede floodwaters.
310 CMR 10.53(3)(j) Qualifications as a Limited Project
Under 310 CMR 10.53(3)(j), the construction and maintenance of catwalks, footbridges, docks, piers, and
observation decks, may quality as a Limited Project, “provided, however, that such structures are constructed on
pilings or posts so as to permit the reasonable unobstructed flowage of water and adequate light to maintain
vegetation”. The proposed activities include construction of a 4’ wide stairway to a 4’ x 4’ landing that connects
to a seasonal 12’ x 12’ floating dock. The stairway and landing will be supported by wooden posts to allow
intermittent flooding and flow of water to be unimpeded. The 4’ width of stairway and platform will impact a
March 18, 2020
142 Riverbank Road
Notice of Intent Application
Page 2 of 3
4 Allen Place, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 582-7000 bdg@berkshiredesign.com
total of 128 square feet, or 1.1%, of vegetation along the Bank. We believe that it is reasonable for these
proposed activities to quality as a Limited Project.
310 CMR 10.54 Bank
In accordance with 310 CMR 10.54(4)(a), we believe the proposed activities will not impair any of the following
performance standards:
1. The physical stability of the Bank: The proposed stairway and platform within the bank will be
connected to the bank at 8 locations using micro piles. This connection method is selected to minimize
the impact of stairway on the stability of the Bank.
2. The water carrying capacity of the existing channel within the Bank: The proposed activities will
occupy a very small footprint within the channel of the Connecticut River, and therefore will not impact
the carrying capacity of the existing channel.
3. Ground water and surface water quality: The proposed activities will occupy a very small footprint
within the Bank and will not alter ground water or surface water quality.
4. The capacity of the Bank to provide breeding habitat, escape cover, and food for fisheries: The
proposed activities will occupy a very small footprint that will have minimal, if any, effect on breeding
habitat, cover, and food for fisheries.
5. The capacity of the Bank to provide important wildlife habitat functions: The proposed activities will
occupy a very small footprint that will cumulatively impact approximately 4 linear feet, 1.1%, of Bank,
which will have minimal, if any, impact of important wildlife habitat functions.
310 CMR 10.56 Land Under Waterbodies and Waterways
In accordance with 310 CMR 10.56 (4)(a), performance standards of Land Under Waterbodies and Waterways,
we believe the proposed project will not adversely affect this resource area. Four (4) 30-lb mushroom anchors,
commonly used as river moorings, will be placed on the surface of the river bottom. No alteration, dredging, or
filling of the river bottom will take place.
310 CMR 10.57 Land Subject to Flooding
In accordance with 310 CMR 10.57(4)(a), performance standards of Bordering Lands Subject to flooding, we
believe the proposed activities will not impact the floodplain.
FEMA floodplain data indicates that the 100-year floodplain elevation in the area of the property is 125’. This
places the entire property within the floodplain. The proposed activities will not alter the floodplain to impact
flood storage capacity or flow of floodwaters.
1. Compensatory Storage: The proposed activities will not alter the topography of the floodplain;
therefore, compensatory storage will not be required.
2. Restricting Flow within Bordering Lands Subject to Flooding: The proposed activities will not restrict
flow within the floodplain.
3. Protection of Wildlife Habitat: The proposed activities will impact approximately 122 square feet and
is outside of the 100-year floodplain, therefore will not create a significant negative impact on wildlife
habitat within the floodplain.
March 18, 2020
142 Riverbank Road
Notice of Intent Application
Page 3 of 3
4 Allen Place, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 582-7000 bdg@berkshiredesign.com
310 CMR 10.58 Riverfront Area
In accordance with 310 CMR 10.58(4)(d), we believe the proposed activities will have no significant adverse
impact within the Riverfront Area. The proposed patio will alter 168 square feet and the stairs and landing will
alter 128 square feet, in total 296 square feet, or 1.4% of the Riverfront Area. The proposed 4’ wide stairway
and landing is slated to be installed within an undisturbed, vegetated embankment approximately 158-feet
wide. After construction, there will still be well over 100-feet of contiguous undisturbed vegetation to provide
for wildlife habitat.
310 CMR 10.59 Estimated Habitat of Rare Wildlife
The proposed activities do fall within areas outlined in NHESP Estimated Habitat and Priority Habitat as shown in
Mass GIS Data. This requires a copy of the NOI application be submitted to NHESP for review within 30 days of
filing.
310 CMR 10.60 Wildlife Habitat Evaluations
While the proposed activities are within Resource Areas, described above, the proposed activities have been
found to have no significant adverse impact in any of the Resource areas in 10.54(4)(a) Bank; 10.57(4)(a)
Bordering Land Subject to Flooding, and 10.58(4)(d) Riverfront Area. Notwithstanding the evaluation by NHESP
of potential impact on rare wildlife habitat, we believe this project will not have a significant adverse impact on
wildlife habitat, groundwater, or surface water quality.
We believe that the information provided in this application is sufficient to allow the Commission to grant an
Order of Conditions allowing this project to proceed. We look forward to presenting our work at your next
meeting.
Sincerely,
Berkshire Design Group
Jeff Squire, R.L.A.
Landscape Architect
Abutter #Owner Address
1 Nancy B Whitley 144 Riverbank Road
2 Peter M Salvatore 148 Riverbank Road
3 Sheryl V. Watling 145 Riverbank Road
& Rachel B Perry
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32'-3"100' RIVERFRONT AREA16,590 S.F. (77%)P
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142 Riverbank Road
Parcel ID: 25-007-001
148 Riverbank Road
Parcel ID: 25-008-001
Abutter: 2
144 Riverbank Road
Parcel ID: 25-006-001
Abutter: 1
145 Riverbank Road
Parcel ID: 25-021-001
Abutter: 3
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ELEV: 125-FT28'200' RIVERFRONT AREA4,940 S.F. (23%)12'1
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PLANTING SCHEDULE
SPECIES COMMON NAME QUANTITY SIZE
CORNUS SERICEA RED-OSIER DOGWOOD 6 18"-24"
0'40'20'80'120'
SCALE 1"=40'-0" (if printed full size @ 11" x 8.5")
FAX 413-582-7005 413-582-7000
4 Allen Place, Northampton, MA 01060
DATE
SCALE
DRAWN BY
DOCK INSTALLATION
SITE PLAN
142 RIVERBANK RD.
DWG 1
NORTHAMPTON, MA
1/30/2020
1" = 40'
WDS
FLOATING DOCK & GANGWAY
4' x 4' PLATFORM
4' WIDE WOODEN STAIRS
MEAN HIGH WATER (Assumed)
128 S.F. (0.6%) IMPACTED RIVERFRONT AREA
4 L.F. IMPACTED BANK
OLW: 100' (Low Stage)
MLW: 103' (Water Line)
OHW: 112' (Flood Stage)
PROPOSED 12'x14' WOODEN PATIO (168 S.F.)
PT FRAMING LUMBER w/TREX DECKING
IMPROVEMENT PLANTINGS
CORNUS SERICEA SHRUBS (6)
REVISED 3/18/2020
122
120
115
110
105
102
100
095
MLW: 103.0' (Water Line; USGS)
OHW: 112.0' (Flood Stage; USGS)
OLW: 100.0' (Low Stage; USGS)
RIVER DEPTH ~90' (Assumed)
4.0'12.0'
100-YR FLOODPLAIN ELEV: 125.0'
(4) 30LB MUSHROOM ANCHOR WITH CHAIN
REMOVED SEASONALLY
12' x '12' FLOATING DOCK
PT LUMBER 4 x 4 POSTS
4' DEPTH
PROPOSED 4' x4' LANDING
2x12 PT LUMBER FRAMING
COMPOSITE DECKING
WOODEN STAIRS
2"x12" PT LUMBER FRAMING
COMPOSITE DECKING
PROPOSED 4' x4' LANDING
2x12 PT LUMBER FRAMING
2x4 TREX DECKING
EXISTING SUBGRADE
EXISTING SLOPE
ALUMINUM HINGED GANGWAY
0'10'5'20'30'
SCALE 1"=10'-0" (if printed full size @ 11" x 8.5")
FAX 413-582-7005 413-582-7000
4 Allen Place, Northampton, MA 01060
DATE
SCALE
DRAWN BY
DOCK INSTALLATION
PROFILE VIEW
142 RIVERBANK RD.
DWG 2
NORTHAMPTON, MA
1/30/2020
1" = 10'
WDS
REVISED 3/18/2020