CPA application MH - BA Open Space AcquisitionMineral Hills to Barnes Aquifer Open Space Acquisition 1
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET
I: Project Information
Project Title: Mineral Hills to Barnes Aquifer Open Space Acquisition
Project Summary: CPA Funding is sought to acquire a 53 acre parcel with frontage
on both Glendale Road and Route 66. Previously approved as a 24 lot subdivision
for which permits are still valid, this acquisition is in accordance with long-term plans
for Northampton and the region, is part of a larger landscape conservation initiative,
and will help further goals and objectives identified in statewide, regional, and local
conservation and habitat management reports. In a related project on an adjacent
two acres, but not part of this CPA request, the project will create four affordable
housing lots.
Estimated start date: January, 2017 Estimated completion date: July, 2017
CPA Program Area (check all that apply):
Open Space Historic Preservation
Community Housing Recreation
II: Applicant/Developer Information
Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Wayne Feiden
Property Owner (if applicable): JPST, LLC
Organization (if applicable): Northampton Conservation Commission and Office of
Planning and Sustainability
Mailing Address: 210 Main Street, Room 11
Daytime phone #: 413-587-1265 Fax #: 413-587-1264
E-mail address: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov
III: Budget Summary
Total budget for project: $266,500
CPA funding request: $265,000 (we will reduce our request to $106,372 if an
applied-for state LAND grant is successful)
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 40% if LAND grant received
Applicant’s Signature:
Date Submitted: September 12, 2016
_______________________
Mineral Hills to Barnes Aquifer Open Space Acquisition 2
Narrative:
Project Location: Glendale Road and Route 66, Parcel ID 41-032
The City of Northampton has been working for many years to expand protected open
spaces in the rural western segment of the City; to preserve habitat connections,
provide recreational access, maintain viewsheds, preserve sense of place, protect the
Barnes Aquifer (one of the largest drinking water aquifers in Western Massachusetts),
protect a clear habitat connection identified for climate change related plant and animal
migrations. Our western hills were the focus of developers through the mid 2000’s,
with the majority of the City’s subdivisions being planned and constructed in these
areas. The economic downturn resulted in a decrease in large developments, but not in
construction. The major threat at that point became single family homes on large lots,
with long driveways curving up ridgelines. Open space acquisitions in the Mineral Hills
and West Farms areas occurred as parcels became available, but opportunities for
protection were somewhat limited in many areas, and development continued. In
2011, we received our first subdivision application in several years. Proposed to be
located on a 55 acre parcel between Glendale Road and Route 66, the plan included
twenty four building lots and a one-third mile road. The proposal received subdivision,
which do not expire, and wetlands approvals, which are valid until 2018. The proposed
developers moved on to other projects, and we are now excited about the opportunity
to purchase and permanently protect this property, which will connect the mineral Hills,
to the north and west, to the Barnes Aquifer, to the south and east. The property
includes Hannum Brook, a coldwater fisheries resource, a portion of the Barnes Aquifer,
and is entirely within a Zone II drinking water supply area. It is also within an area of
importance for climate change adaptation. While development costs likely make
construction of the fully permitted subdivision unlikely in the short-term, creation of nine single-family lots with common driveways without the added costs of roadway
construction, and the parcel will certainly be developed if it is not able to be conserved.
Both development scenarios are included as attachments.
Much of the value of this parcel lies in the connections it serves to the large protected
areas to which it lies near. It abuts 37 acres of existing preserved land, and can serve
as a catalyst for other acquisitions in the area. The parcel is within a much larger
forested block and from here, you could walk north for more than five miles through
the woods and only cross two roads before reaching the Williamsburg line, where you
could hike another two miles to the Brewer Brook Wildlife Management Area.
This acquisition is in accordance with long-term plans for Northampton and the region,
is part of a larger landscape conservation initiative, and will help further goals and
objectives identified in statewide, regional, and local conservation and habitat
management reports.
Geology, Ecology, and Human History
Mineral Hills to Barnes Aquifer Open Space Acquisition 3
The area is located along the side slopes of one of the southernmost knobs in the
Mineral Hills. These hills are the erosional remnants of once-great mountains that
formed roughly 450 million years ago and are composed of metamorphic rocks with
igneous intrusions. These sediments were deposited 15,000-12,400 years ago, during
the time of glacial Lake Hitchcock, when glacially-charged rivers and streams deposited
vast amounts of sand and gravel around this knob and created extensive outwash
plains that stretched from here to Florence and into Easthampton.
Even though it lies more than four miles from the center of Northampton, this part of
town attracted attention early on in the City’s history. In 1685, Robert Lyman of
Northampton discovered lead in the form of galena along an outcrop near the Manhan
River. The site lay just a few hundred yards downstream from the current conservation
area, and for the next two centuries various mining companies worked the claim. Other
nearby sites were also explored for minerals, and although none of them were very
successful, the region became known as the Mineral Hills. Like most of Northampton
and Massachusetts, this area was probably completely cleared by the early 1800s—
partly to feed the nearby sawmills, partly to feed the home fires, and partly to create
pasture for sheep and cows. Now, it is dominated by deciduous hardwoods and a few
patches of hemlock and white pine, as well as wet meadows and remnants of
pastureland.
Hannum Brook, shaded by large trees, provides excellent fish habitat and will be a
valued addition to public open space by local anglers. Protection of this parcel will
ensure the permanent protection of habitat for wildlife and plants, including Eastern
Box Turtle, non-breeding habitat for vernal pool species, and will conserve a migration
route for birds and mammals.
As part of the overall project, we are creating four lots along Glendale Road to be used
for Habitat for Humanity homes. CPA funds are not being sought for the creation of
those lots but it does leverage the affordable housing project at not cost to CPA; we
have Community Development Block Grant funds in hand for that portion of the work,
but establishing additional community housing in an area that makes sense will help to
advance more than one CPA program area while also being consistent with the goals
and objectives of Sustainable Northampton.
The project meets several Community Preservation general criteria:
Contributes to the preservation of Northampton’s unique character, boosts the vitality of
the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents
Part of Northampton’s character is the amount and diverse types of open space
and recreation opportunities available throughout the City. This acquisition will
create a new opportunity for public access to a new portion of the Mineral Hills.
Mineral Hills to Barnes Aquifer Open Space Acquisition 4
Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive
plan and/or the Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan 2011-2017 or is
consistent with other city-wide planning efforts that have received broad-based scrutiny
and input and can demonstrate wide community support
This project contributes to many of the goals and objectives of the City’s Open
Space Plan. These include:
• Preserve the character of rural areas through preservation of large
undeveloped tracts, vistas, and farmland.
• Preserve existing forests, floodplains, wetlands, and agricultural soils of
high ecological value.
• Protect rare and endangered plants and animals and important wildlife
corridors.
• Preserve land to provide ecological and human connection between
protected land at the Mineral Hills to West Farms
• Acquire land for recreation, conservation and open space needs,
preservation of plant and animal habitat, protection of scenic vistas, public
enjoyment, and to enhance the character and sustainability of the
community.
• Preserve the character of rural areas, farms, forests, and rivers.
• Purchase land for open space corridor from West Farms Conservation Area
to existing Park Hill Road Conservation Restriction and Agriculture
Preservation Restriction Cluster.
Saves resources that would otherwise be threatened
This parcel will absolutely be developed if it is not preserved. The subdivision
plan for which permits currently exist includes a great deal of infrastructure costs
that may make that full buildout a challenge in the current economic climate.
Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments
The application is presented by the Conservation Commission and Office of
Planning and Sustainability. This acquisition is one of the Commission’s top open
space priority at this point. It is supported by the Natural Heritage and
Endangered Species Program, and Kestrel Land Trust. Additional support letters
will be provided as they are received.
Leverages additional public and/or private funds, or demonstrates that other funding
sources are not readily available or sufficient
The total project cost is $266,500. Of this, our local match for a state Local
Acquisitions for Natural Diversity Grant, 40% of the project cost, is being
requested from the CPA. If the grant is not received, there are no other funding
Mineral Hills to Barnes Aquifer Open Space Acquisition 5
sources readily available, and the CPA request will include the entire project cost.
All staff time to oversee the project is donated.
Can be implemented expeditiously and within budget
We are planning on a January 2017 closing. There is a very small possibility that
the LAND grant, if received, would be for FY2018 instead of FY2017, which
would create some new challenges we hope to avoid.
The Project also meets several of the Open Space Evaluation Criteria:
Permanently protect important, unique or threatened plants, animals, habitat or
corridors, including areas that are of significance for biodiversity
Preserve valuable surface water resources, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds,
wetlands, buffer zones, vernal pools and riparian zones
The parcel includes Hannum Brook, a coldwater fisheries resource, and also
extends east into the northern portion of the Barnes Aquifer drinking water
supply area.
Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education
Preserve large strategic tracts of undeveloped land and parcels adjacent to existing
permanently protected open space
This parcel protects 55 acres of valuable open space that abuts existing
conservation land.
Promote the creative use of former railway, waterways and other corridors, including
connecting corridors, to create safe and healthful non-motorized transportation and
exercise opportunities
Community Need/Protections/Project Feasibility and Success
The project will protect sensitive ecological resources, land for passive recreation, and
invaluable historic landscapes. All of these resources are identified as priorities in the
Open Space and Recreation Plan.
A permanent conservation restriction will be placed on the property once acquired.
The project will require minimal maintenance by City staff, including inspection of signs.
Any trail development beyond the existing network or more intensive maintenance will be done by volunteers.
Mineral Hills to Barnes Aquifer Open Space Acquisition 6
Project Budget:
A state LAND grant has already been applied for, and we are optimistic that it will be
received – announcement expected in late fall. With a successful LAND grant, we will
be ready to close immediately upon receipt of CPA funds, and will return $158,628 to
the CPA.
PROJECTED COSTS
Land Acquisition Cost $ 250,000
Soft Costs: Survey, baseline, title search, legal, etc $ 3,400
Stewardship and Conservation Restriction $ 11,600
TOTAL EXPENSES $266,500
Staff time: project management and oversight $ 1,500
SOURCES (IF LAND Grant Received)
Northampton CPA request $106,372
(acquisition, soft costs & stewardship)
LAND Grant $160,128
TOTAL SOURCES $266,500
Staff time (donated) $ 1,500
SOURCES (IF LAND Grant NOT Received)
Northampton CPA request $ 265,000
TOTAL SOURCES $ 266,500
Staff time (donated) $ 1,500
Due the aggressive timeline of the project and the necessity to fundraise for several
other very costly projects, we cannot commit to a solidified fundraising amount to be
committed to this project. IF the LAND grant is not received, and we are able to raise
funds or obtain any other grants, any surplus will be returned to the CPA account.
Project Timeline:
Soft Costs, grantwriting and fundraising: Fall 2016 to Spring 2017
Closing: Spring 2017
ATTACHMENTS:
Approved Subdivision Plan and Alternate Development Scenario
Maps
Support Letter from Natural Heritage
Northampton
@ 8.5" x 11"1:25,000
0 5,000 10,000 Feet E
Kensington_grant
corporate limits