Request for Community Preservation Expedited R
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED REVIEW
I: Project Information
Project Title:
Bean Farm and Spring Street Open Space and Recreation
Project Summary:
This high priority open space and recreation acquisition project will
protect farmland and open space and provide potential recreation possibilities:
1.Permanent preservation of rich bottomland with no residential development.
2.Permanent preservation of a 200’ riverine corridor along the Mill River.
3.Permanent use of some agricultural fields for agricultural uses.
4.Permanent preservation of the open vistas and landscapes that were once part of the
nineteenth century Northampton Association of Industry farmland.
5.Potential for active recreation fields.
This permanently protected land will be subject to Article 97 of the Article of Amendments to
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Constitution, which guarantees permanent preservation.
If the property is not preserved, it is extremely likely that it will be developed, either as a
subdivision in the rich agricultural bottomland or as a series of spaghetti lots, extending from
Spring Street to the agricultural fields, with the homes likely in the fields.
The final structuring of the project MAY reserving out of the permanently protected land some
or all of the following:
1.Building lots immediately along the road, that would NOT be funded with CPA funds
UNLESS they were used to house a farmer and so permanently tied to the farmland.
2.Granting a long term farm lease.
3.Flipping the land to a conservation land trust or non-profit with the city holding permanent
less than fee interests (agriculture preservation or conservation restrictions) to ensure
permanent protection.
Estimated start date: February 4, 2010 Estimated completion date: December 31, 2010
CPA Program Area (check all that apply):
XX Open Space XX Historic Preservation (although this is not formally a historic project)
� Community Housing XX Recreation
II: Request for Expedited Review Process
Why is expedited review is necessary for successful project completion?
a.When is a CPC commitment needed and why?
b.When is disbursement needed and why? and
c.What is the impact on the project of the deadlines for CPC commitment and disbursement
not being met?
CPC commitment is needed by January 20, 2010 for several reasons. First, the sellers, who
have major pressure to sell and will likely divide up the farm if the City doesn’t purchase,
th,
insisted on a City Council vote no later than February 4, which requires a first reading on
stth
January 21 unless City Council is willing to take two readings on the 4. City Council wants
to ensure that the CPA funds are available if the City purchases the property. Second, the city
has to spend significant sums to purchase the property, especially on expensive survey and site
assessment work, and we would like to know if this is a real project before we spend such
funds.
Actual disbursement of funds are needed in May 2010 to allow the closing.
If the deadlines are not met, the property owner is going to attempt to sell the property
privately. The most likely scenario that would most threaten the property is if the property
owner creates spaghetti shaped lots, with frontage on Spring Street and lots that extend back to
the fields, with the homes in the fields. The City would be unlikely to exercise its right of first
refusal that it has under MGL Chapter 61A because each of the lots would be so expensive and
there is no guarantee if we purchased one that we would ever be able to reassemble the
farmland for any purpose (agriculture and/or recreation).
How are high priority goals of community preservation in Northampton supported by
expedited review?
a.Why is the project important to community preservation in Northampton? and
b.What are the potential negative impacts to community preservation in Northampton of
reviewing this project on an expedited basis?
The property contains what is probably the largest track of prime agriculture farmland outside
of the Mill River and Connecticut River floodplain (a portion of the property is in the
floodplain but the majority is outside). Although very stony, which limits its usefulness, it is a
highly productive soil for agriculture. It also abuts other farmland, creating synergy for
Northampton agriculture.
The property is one of the largest flat sites in the city that is viable for multiple recreation
fields. The only other sites that could serve this same function are also prime agriculture land.
It is also, along with the adjoining Allard Farm, the most centrally located site in the city for
such purposes, which would therefore generate less traffic than alternative recreation sites.
The property contains extensive frontage on the Mill River and protects critical riverine habitat
with very high conservation values.
The property preserves the viewshed from Look Park, especially the largest play structure in
the park and its nearby picnic grounds.
The property contains opportunity to extend the Northampton multi-use (bicycle path) trail
network to serve additional neighborhoods and help provide non-motorized vehicle options.
The property was once farmland of the historically significant nineteenth century Northampton
Association for Industry with some unique interpretive opportunities.
The property is one of the best opportunities in the city to create synergy between recreation,
conservation, and agriculture uses.
Clearly, resources going to this property would not be available to other projects.
III: Applicant/Developer Information
Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Wayne Feiden, FAICP, on behalf of the Agriculture
Commission, Conservation Commission and Recreation Commission
Organizations (if applicable):
Northampton Agricultural Commission
Northampton Conservation Commission
Northampton Recreation Commission
Mailing Address: 210 Main Street, Room 11, Northampton, MA 01060
Daytime phone #: 413-587-1265 Fax #: 413-587-1264
E-mail address: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
Applicant’s Signature: , January 6, 2010