34 Dewey Court - Wetland compliance statement_08.16.19.pdf
August 16, 2019
34 Dewey Court, Northampton MA (URC Zoning District)
Wetland Bylaw Compliance Statement
Under §337-10B, the Conservation Commission waives any of the §337-10 performance standards that
are over and above state law with the exception of the setback requirements in the Protected Zone Table
(1) and the requirements in §337-10E(2)(b).
Table (1) reduces the required protected zone for wetlands to 35 feet for zoning district Urban
Residential-B and C. §337-10E(2)(b) permits the reduction of the resource area to 35 feet “where
development includes mitigation measures that will improve the existing condition of the wetlands or
adjacent upland.”
The 34 Dewey Court project meets the requirements for the reduction of the resource area to 35 feet
based on the following mitigation measures:
Water quality and peak flows: Under existing conditions, stormwater runoff from the site
impervious surfaces which include access driveway, walkways and garage and home roofs is
untreated and uncontrolled. There are no water quality or infiltrations features on the site. The
proposed development includes 4 rain gardens and a large infiltration system. The rain gardens
will improve the water quality of the runoff from the site. The infiltration system will reduce
peak runoff and “even out” runoff from the site and into the wetlands.
Native plantings: Native plantings are proposed throughout the site. Native plants provide
habitat and food for wildlife and support pollinators while requiring less care (mowing, fertilizer
and pesticides) and water than non-natives. Native plantings represent an improvement to the
adjacent upland area and the adjacent wetlands.
Sanitary Sewer Replacement: The existing 8-inch clay sanitary sewer main runs from the end of
Dewey Court approximately 200 feet to a manhole at the rear of the 34 Dewey Court parcel,
then turns northeast to Fruit Street for approximately 265 feet. The entire length run through
private property (34 Dewey Court and 21 Fruit Street) with no easement. The City cannot
maintain the sewer. Investigation by CCTV and visual observation indicate that the existing
sewer main is in disrepair; during the survey the camera was blocked with roots at 103 feet
south of Dewey Court and 80 feet east of the rear manhole. In addition, the sanitary sewer was
taking on surface water about 80 feet west from the manhole. The proposed plan includes a
replacement sewer main from Dewey Court to Fruit Street to safely convey sanitary waste and
eliminate the current inflow of surface water into the sanitary sewer. The proposed plan
includes a realignment of the sanitary sewer to avoid existing and proposed structures. The
proposed alignment crosses into the Smith College owned parcel to the south and runs to Fruit
Street within a proposed easement. This alignment offers good maintenance access.
§337-10E (2) provides exceptions for work within resource areas.
Work within the 35 ft. protected zone at Dewey Court includes:
1. Utility work: sanitary and storm sewer utilities
2. Footpath and elevated boardwalk
Proposed utility work is a temporary disturbance of the wetland area. The existing sewer main is in
disrepair and runs through the top of the wetland at the rear of the parcel. The proposed alignment will
cross the wetland perpendicularly and then turns to Fruit Street. This new alignment will result in less
disturbance to the wetland then the current alignment. The proposed drainage system has been
designed to parallel the sanitary alignment thereby causing minimal additional disturbance.
§337-10E(2)(c) provides an exception for walking and multi-use trails designed for nonmotorized use.
The proposed plan includes two access points from the 34 Dewey Court property to an established trail
to the east. One of the access points crosses the wetland. An elevated boardwalk is proposed for the
crossing to minimize impact to the wetland. The path alignment was chosen to avoid large trees and
minimize grading within the 35 ft. protection zone.