2014.07.17 Staff Report.docTo: Conservation Commission
From: Sarah LaValley
RE: Staff Report, July 17 Commission Meeting
Date: July 15, 2014
5:00 PM – Continuation: Notice of Intent for driveway construction
and bridge to access a proposed single family home. Work to take place in riverfront area (unnamed tributary to Parsons Brook), and buffer zone to bordering vegetated wetlands. Anthony
Vachelli, Sylvester Road, Map IDs 20-006 and 20-010
The applicant has requested a continuation, with no discussion, until August 21 at 5:00 PM
Staff Recommendations:
Continue the
hearing with no discussion, plan for a site visit
Request for Extension of Generic Order of Conditions for maintenance activities. Northampton DPW, DEP File 246-611.
Application Overview
and Staff Recommendations:
The DPW is currently continuing the process of completing a new NOI for maintenance activities. Issue an extension for six months to allow the work to continue
in the interim.
Request for Certificate of Compliance – Water Street Bridge Rehabilitation, DEP File 246-641
Application Overview and Staff Recommendations:
An Order of Conditions
was issued in 2010 for repairs to the Water Street Bridge. Work was completed as proposed in the application; with the exception of a change from Stillwater work conditions to dewatering,
which was approved at the preconstruction meeting.
The only specific condition required planting of four red oak trees, which has been completed. The site is now stable, as verified
by a site visit, and a complete certificate of compliance can be issued.
5:30 PM Notice of Intent for road repairs and paving, and replacement and upgrade of stormwater systems. VA
Medical Center, 421 N Main St, Leeds, map ID 11-001
Application Overview:
The application proposes repaving of the VA access road, replacement of stormwater drain lines and catchbasins,
and construction of several new level lip spreaders to disperse flows to ground for infiltration. A new infiltration basin is also proposed, but is outside jurisdictional areas.
Consistency
with the Wetlands Protection Act and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance
The work meets the stormwater standards, and has been granted a stormwater permit from the Northampton DPW. Repaving
and repair, and installation of stormceptors are all limited to existing disturbed areas, and will create no new alterations. The stormceptor installation will result in water quality
improvement.
The work proposed is well below the 20% threshold established in the ordinance for work within the 50-100 foot buffer zone.
Two of the level lip spreaders, and the construction work associated with them are proposed within the Protected Zone. As noted in the application, this will result in additional clean
runoff. However, as currently proposed, the work does not appear to meet the 337-10 E (2)D performance standard for work to be allowed Projects which will improve the natural capacity
of a resource area(s) to protect the interests identified in MGL c. 131, § 40
As proposed, the spreaders discharge to riprap. Although this will result in infiltration, they will
The
Commission should discuss with the applicant whether there are any vegetated alternatives that would while still achieve the same result while still preventing erosion. If so, these
should be utilized instead.
Staff Recommendations:
Issue an Order of Conditions with standard conditions, once the below issues are addressed:
Work will occur within mapped Priority
Habitat areas. It likely qualifies for the exemptions noted on page 3-1 of the report, but staff is confirming this with NHESP. If NHESP does not respond by the time of the hearing,
staff recommends that the Order be held by staff until comments or confirmation that the work is exempt are provided.
As noted, there is an open Order of Conditions for construction
of the Park and Ride area on the same parcel. However, this project is not fully complete so the Order may be issued.
As proposed, the spreaders discharge to riprap. Although this
will result in infiltration, they will
The Commission should discuss with the applicant whether there are any vegetated alternatives that would while still achieve the same result while
still preventing erosion.
The areas immediately adjacent to the wetland areas where work within the Protected Zone are mown up to the edge of BVW. If these areas are no longer mown,
they could, in conjunction with increased flow, improve the natural capacity of the BVW. A condition should be added to create this no-mow zone in order to comply with the Ordinance.