2023.12.14 Staff Report.pdf
December 14 2023 Staff Report
To: Conservation Commission From: Sarah LaValley
RE: Staff Report, December 14 2023 Commission Meeting
5:30 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if the boundaries of
resource areas are accurately delineated. Smith Vocational High School. 80 Locust
Street, Map ID 23B-047
Application Overview:
The application proposes confirmation of delineated resource area boundaries only. Delineation
includes a wooded swamp bordering Broughton’s Brook, and incised channels leading up the slope.
Consistency with the WPA and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance, Staff Recommendations:
Staff visited the site and flagging, and have no concern with the resource area delineation. Issue a
positive determination by checking box 1, to indicate that the area is subject to the Act, box 5 to indicate
it is subject to the Ordinance, and 2a, to confirm the boundary. Note that only the flagging shown is
confirmed, and that the determination does not confirm the absence of other resource areas. Staff
observed a wetland to the south of the ‘gravel road’ shown on sheet 2.
5:40 PM Notice of Intent for Storm Drain Outfall reconstruction. Northampton DPW.
MassCentral Rail Trail at Adare Place
Application Overview:
DPW proposes to reconfigure and reconstruct an existing 36” stormwater outfall system. A series of
stepped manholes are proposed to be built within the system underneath the bike path before flows
reach the outfall. The outfall, which is in poor condition and has broken apart, will be reconstructed
with a replacement energy dissipation basin to slow flows and decrease channel erosion
147 lf of bank, 565 sf of BVW, and 1 sf of land under water impacts are proposed. All are temporay,
construction related impacts. Disturbed areas will be reseeded, and plantings will be installed along
the slope
DEP Comments:
The commission should ensure it references the most current NOI/narrative/plan when it issues the
OOC.
Noted. A prior planset included incorrect depiction of limit of work.
Consistency with the WPA and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance, Staff
Recommendations:
December 14 2023 Staff Report 2
The project is proposed to protect the bike path from damage, and reduce incision downstream. Page
4 of the application provides a detailed description of the overall stormwater system, and issues that
have developed that are threatening the bike path infrastructure, creating scour and erision and
degrading the stream system. Slowing velocity was the goal of a designs with nature project for which
the City developed designs. This work is a component of those plans, and has ecological restoration
components. An Order with standard conditions could be issued. Require an assessment of plantings
along with a request for certificate of compliance, and require that any plantings not surviving at that
time be replaced.
6:00 PM Notice of Intent for street paving and related work. Sovereign Builders,
Northern Avenue Right of Way
Application Overview:
The application proposes paving of 528
sf within the roadway right-of-way at the
end of Northern Avenue. The
application is necessary since the work is
being proposed by a private firm, but
would otherwise be included in DPW’s
bundled Order. Work will take place
within buffer zone to BVW, 60 feet from
resource area at the closest point, in
areas that include broken pavement and
compacted gravel. Vegetation removal is
not proposed. No other work is
proposed at this time; any work on lot
25C-017 will require an additional
wetlands filing.
DEP Comments:
None.
Consistency with the WPA and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance, Staff Recommendations:
Staff visited the site and have no concerns with wetland boundaries as shown. An Order of
Conditions with standard conditions can be issued.
December 14 2023 Staff Report 3
6:15 PM Notice of Intent for building demolition, construction of a new 5,600 sf
building, walkways, utilities, stormwater management and related work. Smith
College. 8 College Lane, Map IDs 31B-246, 247, 294, and 31D-002
Application Overview:
The application proposes removal of an existing structure, construction of a 5,600 sf building and
site improvements, including accessible walkways, sidewalks, stormwater management, outdoor
spaces, landscaping and plantings, and utility work. It will result in a reduction of degraded area,
and includes stormwater bmp’s to treat water quality, increase infiltration, and decrease nutrient
runoff.
DEP Comments:
[1] One of the plans should show the MAHWL along with the 200 foot Riverfront so the
commission can confirm the 200 foot Riverfront Area.
Staff agrees, require this on the construction planset
[2] Map parcel 31 B/246 appears to be totally outside jurisdiction and only a small portion of
31B/247 is within the Riverfront.
[3] One cannot submit work in Riverfront as both new development and redevelopment. For this
site, 310 CMR 10.58(5) is appropriate.
Correct; this is a redevelopment project only. The Commission should refer to the relevant
standards on page 7 of the application. The alternatives analysis, though helpful, is not required.
[4] For 310 CMR 10.58(5)(e), the proposed work area includes the entirety of the Riverfront on
the three parcels. Reducing degraded area does not necessarily qualify as restoration, (310 CMR
10.58(5)(f)) though it would qualify as an improvement over existing conditions. Plantings of
herbaceous and woody species appropriate to the site means restoring the Riverfront Area to the way
it was prior to any anthropogenic changes.
Correct, though as a riverfront redevelopment project, restoration is not required.
Consistency with the WPA and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance, Staff
Recommendations:
The application includes an analysis of compliance with 310 CMR 10.58 (5) riverfront redevelopment
standards with which staff agrees. It would also likely comply with standards for new work. If the
Commission can find that the standards are met, issue an Order of C0nditions with standard
conditions. Suggested additional conditions:
Prior to the start of construction and issuance of a Building Permit, the applicant shall record an
executed Stormwater Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection Agreement that is binding on all
subsequent owners of land served by the stormwater management facility by recording it in the
land records of the Hampshire Registry of Deeds. The maintenance schedule and responsibility
for maintenance of all components of the proposed stormwater management system must be
December 14 2023 Staff Report 4
adequately specified in Attachment A. The Commission shall be provided a copy of all required
reporting.
Require that an assessment report on plantings be submitted along with a request for certificate
of compliance. Any plantings not surviving at that time shall be replaced.
Request for Certificate of Compliance, Old Wilson Road, DEP Files 246-591 and 246-606
A certificate of compliance is requested to release parcels 44-137 and 021, portions of which
were originally part of a contiguous parcel from these orders. The Orders were for a common
driveway and house construction on what are now adjacent lots. A certificate can be issued; it will not affect any other parcels.
Request for Order of Conditions Extension. Smith College, Paradise Pond Sediment
Management. DEP File 246-0725
Smith College is requesting an extension in order to continue work . The Commission should
discuss the project with the applicant, including work completed and work proposed, to
determine if any new information should prevent a continuation. The Order included review by
Natural Heritage, DEP and others, and included 9.8 acres within the pond, and redistribution of
1500-3000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment between October and May with heavy equipment.