2016.10.27 Staff Report
To: Conservation Commission
From: Sarah LaValley
RE: Staff Report, October 27 Commission Meeting
Date: October 25, 2016
5:30 PM: Continuation- Notice of Intent for bank stabilization and stream channel
structure realignment. Work to take place in land under water, bordering land subject
to flooding and riverfront area to Roberts Meadow Brook. Northampton DPW, parcel
IDs 10-006 and 009, 10B-103 and 15-001 The applicant has requested a continuation,
with no discussion to be held at this time, until December 8, 2016, at 5:30 PM
Staff Recommendation: The applicant is still working with the Army Corps of Engineers regarding
that permitting process, continue the hearing as requested.
5:30 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if construction of a
bench in riverfront area (Mill River) is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act or
Northampton Wetlands Ordinance. Northampton Office of Planning & Sustainability,
Trail off Ward Avenue, Map ID 31C-36
Application Overview:
The application proposes installation of a bench along the Mill River walking trail off of Ward
Avenue. This is the only location in which the trail is located within conservation property. The
bench will be installed in an area without vegetation, approximately 40 feet from bank.
Staff Recommendations:
Staff-assisted application, no specific recommendation. If the Commission agrees that the work will
not create an alteration, a negative determination, including any conditions necessary to protect
resource areas, should be issued by checking box 2.
Request for Extension of Order of Conditions – ‘Hospitality North’ 23 Atwood Drive.
Map IDs 39-041, 39-043, DEP File 246-674
The applicant is seeking a three-year extension for the Order of Conditions, as explained in the letter.
An amendment request will later be filed for a modified project, but demolition work has begun, so
an extension is needed to remain in compliance in the interim.
The issuing authority may deny the request for an extension and require the filing of a new Notice of
Intent for the remaining work or a new Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation in the
following circumstances:
1. where no work has begun on the project, except where such failure is due to an unavoidable delay,
such as appeals, in the obtaining of other necessary permits;
2. where new information, not available at the time the Order was issued, has become available and
indicates that the Order is not adequate to protect the interests identified in M.G.L. c. 131, § 40; or
3. where incomplete work is causing damage to the interests identified in M.G.L. c. 131, § 40;
4. where work has been done in violation of the Order or 310 CMR 10.00; or
5. where a resource area delineation or certification under 310 CMR 10.02 (2)(b)2. in an Order of
Resource Delineation is no longer accurate.
None of these situations apply.
Conservation Commission Staff Report 1
October 27, 2016