2021-04-08_Response to DPW & Tree Warden Comments
53 Southampton Road • Westfield, MA 01085-5308 • Tel 413.562.1600
www.tighebond.com
N-0936-011
April 8, 2021
Ms. Carolyn Misch, AICP, Assistant Director
Northampton Department Planning & Sustainability
City Hall
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Re: Roundhouse Parking Lot Rehabilitation Project
Site Plan Review Application – Response to Comments
Dear Carolyn:
On behalf of the City of Northampton Central Services Department (“the Applicant”), Tighe & Bond has
reviewed comments from the City Engineer and Tree Warden on the submittal of the Roundhouse
Parking Lot Rehabilitation Project Site Plans received via email on April 8, 2021. We have prepared the
following responses and clarifications to address the questions raised. The comment is presented in
italicized font followed by the response.
The questions and comments from David Veleta, PE, City Engineer, dated April 8, 2021 follow:
C-101
1. Please provide a note indicating the source(s) and date(s) of the Existing Conditions plan and
associated drain and sewer structure tables.
The information is provided on Sheet G-002 but can be restated on the Existing
Conditions plan.
C-102 Demolition Plan
1. Erosion control barrier is proposed only around the perimeter of the area to be cleared and
grubbed. Additional erosion control barrier should be installed to protect all areas down gradient
of the proposed work limits.
We will re-evaluate areas subject to runoff from the work site and extend barriers to
these areas, particularly along the Northampton House Authority property line.
2. The Limit of Work is shown beyond the property line at the southeast corner of the site. Has an
easement or agreement with the Northampton Housing Authority been secured?
The limit of work will be adjusted to the property line as all pavement to be replaced is within
City property.
3. Are all trees in the southwesterly area to be cleared and grubbed except one 18” maple and one
24” pine along the southerly property line? Please clarify.
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The trees will be removed to accommodate the proposed grading in this area. To note, this area
includes invasive vines and a significant amount of rubbish that will be removed as part of the
project.
4. There is a note for the contractor to retain to the east of the area to be cleared and grubbed.
Please identify any trees that need to be protected in order to be retained.
We will review for additional trees in close enough proximity to the work that warrant
protection during construction.
C-103 Layout Plan
1. Please make a note somewhere on this or another sheet, as appropriate, about what the
subsurface barrier (SSB) is and at what depth it is installed.
The subsurface barrier is a geomarker placed approximately 3-feet below the surface.
Notation will be added to the drawings.
2. Please clarify the extents of sloped granite curb proposed along the southern islands. Indicate
where sloped granite curb ends and vertical granite curb begins.
We will further detail the limits of the sloped granite curb including transition curb
pieces for the change between sloped granite and vertical granite.
3. Please indicate where the proposed dumpster area for the apartments is located.
The dumpster area has been located in the oversized parking stalls at the west end of
the parking lot. The area can be identified as “potential dumpster zone”
C-104 Grading and Utilities Plan
1. Proposed grading and utility work and callouts are slightly bold but do not stand out. Please
revise to make proposed work more distinguishable.
We will review and revise as appropriate so that proposed callouts are clearly
distinguishable from basemap conditions.
C-105 Pavement Marking Plan
1. The “Do Not Enter” sign (R5-1) in the hatched area south of the western most parking aisle is in a
spot where the intended, restricted movements may not be understood until too late. This
potentially may cause unnecessary confusion, with not much room for the driver to correct
themselves. Additionally, unless the pavement markings are refreshed on a regular basis, this
may lead to an increase of these unintended movements.
The sign will be shifted to the leading edge of the island (beyond the swept path of the
NFD ladder truck) and an additional “Wrong Way” sign or directional marker can be
added for supplemental guidance.
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2. The new parking proposed adjacent to and at grade with the bike path is only separated from
the path two feet of striping. Partial curbing, wheel stops, or some sort of barrier should be
provided to prevent vehicle encroachment on the bike path and enhance the safe separation of
uses. Such physical separation is not critical along those sections of the bike path where motor
vehicle movement is parallel and not perpendicular to the bike path alignment.
We have considered both wheel stops and a low rise curb (such as HMA berm), but
after discussions with Central Services, due to maintenance concerns and existing
drainage patters, the decision was made not to include either feature. It is noted that
the existing lot features a similar configuration, but with no buffer to the bike path.
The 2-foot marked buffer will serve as an improvement over the existing condition.
C-502 Site Details
1. A detail is shown for a Cut-In Manhole, presumably for drainage, that indicates “All other
sections and construction details comply with the appropriate manhole detail.” No manhole
details are shown. Provide a standard drain manhole detail that includes bedding material and
thickness.
We will provide the requested details.
2. Provide bedding material and thickness for Stormwater Treatment Unit.
We will provide the additional information for the Treatment Units.
3. Provide a detail for electrical handholes that are H-20 loading compliant.
We will include an H-20 load-rated handhole with the details.
The questions and comments from Richard Parasiliti, Jr., Tree Warden, dated April 8, 2021 follow:
C-102 Demolition Plan
1. Trees that are to be removed in the ‘clear & grub to limits shown’ are not clearly quantified.
There is a section on page C-106 that states that 101 inches of caliper is to be removed. Is this
where this area is quantified?
Per the demo plan, 21 trees will be removed from the clearing and grubbing area. The
landscape plan includes the required amount of tree replacement for the “significant
trees” that are removed (51-inches) and the provided replacement (72.5-inches).
C-106 Landscape Plan
1. There are prime planting locations on the East & West side of the new parking area that seem to
be blacktop. Could we possibly include some large trees in that area? The pedestrians, bicyclists
would have the benefit of shade and it would help to mitigate the urban heat island effect.
The project already includes tree replacement in excess of the City’s standards, but
additional trees could be located in the referenced areas at the direction of the Board.
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2. Possibly replace Prunus sargentii on the end caps with medium to large single stem trees to help
offset the UHIE. These trees are 35 feet tall & 30 feet wide and will be susceptible to equipment
damage when maintaining the lot.
We will revise the tree species as requested by the Tree Warden.
3. Possible replace the Pyrus ussurian with a medium to large single stem tree to help offset the
UHIE. This tree will be 40 feet tall & 40 feet wide, which will become an issue when trying to
maintain the lot with equipment, many lower branches will be broken off, thus shortening the
life of the tree.
We will revise the tree species as requested by the Tree Warden.
C-504 Site Details
1. Tree Protection Detail should use the correct word, root.
We will correct the typo.
2. Tree Protection Detail should state Tree Warden, not city arborist.
We will refer to “Tree Warden”
3. There should be trunk protection in place always prior to critical root zone protection. “PROVIDE
ROOT PROTECTION ZONE EQUAL TO TWELVE (12) TIMES THE TREE DIAMETER. PROTECT ROOTS
BY INSTALLING PROTECTIVE FENCE PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTAINING FENCE UNTIL
PROJECT COMPLETION. IF ANY PART OF PROTECTION FENCE IS MISSING, PROTECT ROOTS BY
INSTALLING WOODCHIPS AS SHOWN AND PROVIDE TRUNK PROTECTION USING FOAM WRAP,
FRAMING BOARDS AND ADJUSTABLE STRAPS. HEIGHT OF TREE PROTECTION SHALL BE
DETERMINED BY TREE WARDEN. DO NOT NAIL OR SCREW INTO TREE. INSTALL ADDITIONAL
PROTECTIVE MEASURES AS DIRECTED BY ENGINEER OR CITY ARBORIST”
We will include the requested note.
4. There is no indication of air spading or root pruning on this plan. There will be severe sub soil
disruption to the CRZ of the trees to remain. There should be a note on page C-504 that states:
'Root pruning should follow the ANSI A300 Part 5 Standards as directed by Engineer or Tree
Warden.'
This language can be referenced on sheet C-504 as requested and will be included
with the project specifications.
5. There should be a note on page C-504 that states:
'Protected trees must be watered thoroughly during construction within the TPZ as directed by
the Engineer or Tree Warden.’
The note will be added.
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6. The last island to the west of the lot does not indicate any pollinator plantings on page C-106, is
there a reason for this?
The size of the pollinator bed is not clearly defined on page C-106 of the plan, is there a reason
for this as well?
There should also not be any pollinator plant beds within the drip line of a tree, there will be too
much competition for water.
When the pollinator beds under a tree canopy, they intercept the water before it is able to
penetrate the soil for the tree roots.
The pollinators will cover most of the island, ending at the drip line of the existing tree
to remain. No pollinators will be proposed within the drip line of the trees.
If you have additional questions or would like to discuss any of our responses, please
contact me at (413) 875-1620 or ADFagnand@tighebond.com.
Very truly yours,
TIGHE & BOND, INC.
Alex Fagnand, PE, ENV SP
Project Manager
Copy: David Pomerantz, Director of Central Services, City of Northampton
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Comments.docx