PB Presentation - 2022.08.2523 LAUREL STREET, NORTHAMPTON
Smart Growth (40B) Site Plan Permit
Planning Board Public Hearing –August 25, 2022
Sponsored by: Valley Community Development
Site Context
1.68-acre vacant parcel
Formerly part of Northampton State Hospital
Owned by the City with restricted use for affordable housing; Valley holds Option to purchase
In Village Hill Sustainable Growth Overlay District Subdistrict C (aka 40R) within URB
New Construction of 20 townhouse-style apartments grouped in 7 buildings (2-4 apts. per building)
100% affordable housing
Overview
Planned Apartments
•(8) One-bedroom
•(10) Two-bedroom
•(2) Three-bedroom
•20 TOTAL APTS (34 BDRMS)
Income of Tenants:
•11 households at 30% AMI
•9 households at 60% AMI
Zoning Compliance
Parking Required in URB = 1 space per 1,000 sf of living area. Total
project = 19,866 GSF.
20 spaces provided plus dedicated area to add 4 future spaces, as needed.
Max. Building Height = Generally, buildings are a minimum of 2 stories
Proposed buildings are 2-stories, with average height of 25’-6”
Screen Mechanicals from View
Dumpster area fully screened. Mechanicals are located within mechanical
rooms or wall mounted with vegetative screening.
Zoning Compliance (cont)
Scale and massing of buildings consistent with the neighborhood
No two buildings are identical creating a variety of appearances
100% electric utilities, no use of fossil fuels
Rooftop PV solar maximized
Most apts. have universal access (17) with 3 being fully handicapped
accessible
All walk-ways and outdoor common areas are handicapped accessible
Walkways within the property connect to public sidewalks
Covered bike storage, playground, pavilion
Reduce paving and improve circulation through use of one-way drive
Other Development Features
Typical Building Height
Typical building height is
24’-6”
Typical height to top of ridge is
28’-8”
Maximum building height in
URB is 35’
Layout and Materials Plan (by Berkshire Design Group)
Rendered Site & Planting Plan (by Berkshire Design Group)
Planting Plan (by Berkshire Design Group)
Tree Removal and Replacement
TREE REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE
•306" Caliper of Healthy Trees to be removed as a result
of this project.
•153" Caliper are required to be planted or paid for into
the City's tree fund.
•Project exceeds this requirement with 166" caliper of
deciduous trees to be planted.
•In addition, the development is proposing numerous
evergreen trees.
Stormwater Management Plan (by Berkshire Design Group)
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lights limited to: (1) at each porch / entry door; (2) in pavilion; near dumpsters
Neighborhood Meetings / Presentations via Zoom on
April 28, 2021, October 13, 2021, and June 6, 2022
Periodic Updates via Ward Councilor list-serve
In-person meetings with immediate abutters
Stormwater Analysis / Report for 4 downslope
neighbors on Laurel Street
Neighborhood Outreach
Concern Response
Abutter privacy Provide fencing and vegetative screening
Noise from Playground Relocate playground toward interior
Pavilion too close to neighbor Relocate pavilion toward interior
Too many units / too dense Reduce from 24 to 20 apartments
Insufficient parking Designate space to add 4 additional spaces
Dumpsters unsightly, smell Relocate dumpsters toward interior and provide
screening
Stormwater Issues Design stormwater management with
redundant and overflow systems
Building rears facing Laurel St Buildings re-oriented to “front” on Laurel St
Sample of Neighbor Concerns & Responses
Sample First Floor Plan (Austin Design)
Sample Second Floor Plan (Austin Design)
Typical Rooftop PV Panel Array (varies by building)
Sample Building Appearance –Bldg #6 (on Laurel St)
Contains two 2-bdrm apartments Apt A Entry and Patio
Building #6 –Apartment B Entry and Patio
Building #6 from above
Building #6 –Street View Rendering
Building #6 –Side View Rendering
Building #6 –Rear View Renderings
Questions?
Call Laura Baker
at 413-586-5855 Ext 100
or email: lb@valleycdc.com
www.valleycdc.com