Randall Acquisition ApplicationBroad Brook Connection Open Space Acquisition 1
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET
I: Project Information
Project Title: Broad Brook Connection Acquisition
Project Summary: CPA Funding is sought to acquire an 18 acre +/- parcel with
frontage on North Farms Road. This parcel will provide the first connection from the
Broad Brook Greenway, all the way to Haydenville Road, through the Beaver
Brook/Broad Brook Greenway.
Estimated start and completion date: Winter, 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): The Randall Family
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: $58,500
CPA funding request: $40,000
CPA request as percentage of total budget: 69%
Applicant’s Signature:
Date Submitted: September 12, 2016_______________________
Broad Brook Connection Open Space Acquisition 2
Narrative:
Project Location: North Farms Road, Parcel ID 07-002
The Conservation Commission continuously evaluates open space acquisition priorities
and opportunities. Some priorities have transformed over time; including the needs for
changing types of recreational access and provision for organic and no-till farming.
Some priorities have remained consistent for many years. One of these has been to
secure a connection for recreation and wildlife passage from the Broad Brook Greenway
and Fitzgerald Lake, which extends eastward nearly to the Connecticut River, to
western areas of the City. Many acquisitions over the years have brought us closer to
that goal, but opportunities for preservation along the westerns side of North Farms
Road have been limited; leaving a gap in the east-west connection. This opportunity
will create a connection from Fitzgerald Lake to Route 9, through the Beaver
Brook/Broad Brook parcel. The parcel includes a small perennial tributary to Fitzgerald
Lake, and includes Prime Forest land.
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 an area where it is currently
limited, and provide opportunity for a longer-distance trail from east to west.
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
The project will also address several of ‘the most pressing open space and
recreation needs’ identified in the Open Space Plan. These are:
• Passive recreation opportunities throughout the city
• Linkage and augmentation of open space parcels, to provide for passive
recreation and wildlife movement between large natural habitat areas.
• Protection of vistas and “viewsheds.”
• Acquisition for permanent protection of a range of critical and natural plant and
animal habitats, including:
• Wetlands
• Rare or endangered species habitat
• Riparian lands along the Connecticut, Mill, and Manhan Rivers and other
rivers and major streams
Broad Brook Connection Open Space Acquisition 3
• Preservation of open space parcels that help define Northampton’s character,
including parcels at the “entrances” to the city and parcels that limit the
expansion of development into previously rural areas.
• Protection of farmland, forestland, and the rural character of outlying areas.
• Encouraging or requiring that development is sensitive to ecological resources,
vistas, and open space.
• Protection of key parcels in the last remaining large undeveloped areas of town –
Broad Brook and Beaver Brook Watersheds, Marble Brook Watershed, Saw Mill
Hills, Mineral Hills, and the Meadows
Saves resources that would otherwise be threatened
The parcel does not meet current zoning criteria, but could be developed with
one home as the lot is currently configured, with a stream crossing to provide
access to the upland portion of the property essentially guaranteed by the
Wetlands Protection Act. If additional property were acquired from adjacent
landowners, more homes would be possible.
Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments
The application is presented by the Conservation Commission and Office of
Planning and Sustainability. It is also supported by the Broad Brook Coalition,
and by Kestrel Trust, who will hold the conservation restriction on the property.
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 $58,500. We are requesting $40,000 from the
Community Preservation Act, and $16,500 will be provided by the Broad Brook
Coalition and private donations. All staff time to oversee the project is donated.
Can be implemented expeditiously and within budget
We will be ready to close as soon as CPA funding is received.
The Project also meets several of the Open Space Evaluation Criteria:
Preserve valuable surface water resources, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds,
wetlands, buffer zones, vernal pools and riparian zones
A perennial tributary to Fitzgerald Lake runs through the eastern portion of the
property, and includes associated wetlands. The woodland on the property is
also classified as Prime Forest.
Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education
The parcel creates an opportunity for new trails, including one that could run
from Route 9 to Fitzgerald Lake that would only include one roadway crossing.
Broad Brook Connection Open Space Acquisition 4
Preserve large strategic tracts of undeveloped land and parcels adjacent to existing
permanently protected open space
The project is bordered to the west by the Beaver Brook/Broad Brook Greenway.
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.
Project Budget and Timeline:
PROJECTED COSTS
Land Acquisition Cost $ 46,500
Soft Costs: Survey, baseline, title search, legal, etc $ 2,000
Stewardship and Conservation Restriction $ 8,000
TOTAL EXPENSES $ 58,000
Staff time: project management and oversight (donated) $ 1,500
SOURCES
Northampton CPA request (acquisition and soft costs) $ 40,000
Broad Brook Coalition and Community Contributions $ 16,500
TOTAL SOURCES $ 58,000
Staff time (donated) $ 1,500
Broad Brook Connection Open Space Acquisition 5
We are currently conducting fundraising efforts, and have an option on the property.
We will be ready to close on the property the day that CPA funds are awarded late this
winter. Our option is valid until July 2017. Kestrel Trust, which generally assesses
costs for conservation restrictions per parcel, has committed to holding the required CR
on the property. If we are able to close in early 2017, we can add this new acquisition
to an amendment of an existing conservation restriction at a cost savings. If delayed,
we will need to prepare a new CR which will be assessed separately, and will add
$5,000 to the cost of the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
Map
Support Letters to be Provided as they are Received
Broad Brook Connection Locus Map