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Hampshire YMCA_comment responses_11.10.22.pdfHampshire YMCA City Comments / BDG Responses 11.10.22 Site Plan Submission Comments received via email on October 2, 2022. 1)Sound and lighting Speakers are brought outside for programs, which this proposal will likely increase. Have sound levels been investigated? What times of the day is projected sound planned to be used? There is currently an average of 1 class a day outside – many days have none and some days have 2 – this was the same during COVID. There is also camp running all summer from June – August which includes many outdoor activities as well. With the proposed pavilion, they anticipate having 2 – 3 group classes outside per day, as well as supervised time when individuals can utilize the fitness equipment. The goal is to install a small, permanent exterior sound system in the pavilion specifically designed for the space by an acoustical design company. The intent is to direct all sound towards the specific area of use and prevent sound from echoing and traveling beyond the site. Decibel levels will be measured before and after as part of the installation process and can be provided. The classes are typically between 9:00 – 11:00 am and 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Individuals might be using the exercise equipment throughout the day, however no sound system will be required. The application indicates that no new lighting is proposed, however the proposed pavilion is dark with a black roof, and appears to necessitate interior lighting even during the day. Has a white or clear roof or skylights been considered? There will likely be recessed lighting below the roof canopy to provide a safe pedestrian environment. These will be small, recessed LED lights with all light directed towards the ground surface however the specifics of the individual fixtures are currently being designed by the fabricator. The majority of the existing lights onsite do not meet lighting requirements and create glare throughout the site and off site. This is perhaps the time to consider replacing the fixtures to downlit LEDs. This has been brought up several times and the goal is to provide as zoning compliant a site as possible, understanding that many of the current site features pre-date current requirements. Replacing the site lights is among a list of priorities for overall capital improvements and will be primarily predicated by project costs and available budgets. 2) Trees and Vegetation A tree recently died along the frontage of Prospect Street from the previous parking lot. This tree must be replaced; pulling the stump and planting a new tree. Plans should be corrected to show that the tree is no longer there. This tree has been removed from the plan and a new tree is now proposed in its place. Three significant hemlocks were removed along the path from the main parking lot to the basketball court. If these were removed after September 27, 2021, the Significant Tree Ordinance applies, and replacement trees are required. We believe these trees were removed prior to September 27, 2021 as indicated on the attached aerial images. Any remaining trees proposed to be removed are less than 20” DBH so are not subject to the Significant Tree Ordinance. The application indicates that all trees over 20" dbh proposed to be removed will be replaced. Does the application include a replacement calculation table? No trees over 20” DBH are proposed to be removed. 3) Solar Are new buildings solar ready? The goal is to make the new pavilion structure solar ready. 4) Signage A new ground-mounted sign is proposed along Prospect Street. A special permit from the ZBA will be required for this proposed sign in accordance with Section 350 7-2, and a separate zoning permit application will be required. All new ground signs have been deleted from this application. A ZBA Special Permit will be submitted if the signs are pursued in the future. 5) Plans The digital plans for the public are not scalable - could you submit a revised set with either a graphic scale or measurements on the buildings? There is a graphic scale on the plans in the lower right corner of the title block. We will need one full size 24x 36" plan set so we can scale the plan. A full-size hardcopy is included with this response. GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE FROM 2018 GOOGLE IMAGE FROM 2022 Existing Larch, south of walkway. (3) Existing Honey Locusts in proposed pavilion location. Existing Larch, south of walkway.