08.06.2020_-_Response_Letter_to_Email_dated_07.16.2020[1]R LEVESQUE ASSOCIATES, INC.
40 School Street, P.O. BOX 640, Westfield, MA 01085
p 413.568.0985 · f 413.568.0986 · www.rlaland.com
A L AND P L ANNIN G SERVICE S COMPANY
August 6, 2020
Mr. George Kohout, Chairman
City of Northampton Planning Board
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
RE: Response Letter – Updated Site Plans
Adult Use Retail Marijuana Dispensary
391-393 Damon Road (AKA 371 Damon Road) - (Parcel IDs # 25A-013 & 25A-15)
RLA Project File: 20 0214
Dear Mr. Kohout and Board members:
On behalf of the applicant, John Ferriter, our office is herein providing a response letter to comments
received via email on July 16, 2020, as well as updated site plans regarding the application submitted
for Site Plan Approval and special permit for the above referenced project. The format has been kept
consistent for ease of review.
Email Dated July 16, 2020 from Ms. Carolyn Misch
I have done an initial review of the electronic plans and have determined that we need additional
information in order for this application to be complete and scheduled for public hearing.
1. There is no landscape plan with detailed plantings/schedule shown for the "landscape" area.
RLA Response: The landscape plan has been updated to reflect the requisite detail.
2. What will happen to the existing 12" birch? If it is to be retained, then a detail of tree protection
must be shown.
RLA Response: The 12” Birch will remain and tree protection will be installed per the updated
plans.
3. There is another maple at the edge of the sidewalk that was not picked up on the survey but is
on street view. Does that still exist? Will it remain? What is the size and tree protection plan
for this?
RLA Response: The 8” Maple will remain and tree protection will be installed per the updated
plans.
R LEVESQUE ASSOCIATES, INC.
40 School Street, P.O. BOX 640, Westfield, MA 01085
p 413.568.0985 · f 413.568.0986 · www.rlaland.com
A L AND P L ANNIN G SERVICE S COMPANY
4. The size and species of the "twin tree" to be removed must be identified. It appears that it
would fall under the tree replacement criteria in 12.3. Please show how you will be meeting
these requirements.
RLA Response: The 15” twin tree will need to be removed as it is too close to new edge of
parking lot. Three replacement trees will be required. See sheet C-6 for tree replacement
calculations.
5. There appears to be ample room on site to plant replacement trees and meet the standards for
HB design for trees along the sidewalk and the bike path in the rear. This could take place in
the area north of the parking area and south of the parking area toward the roundabout.
RLA Response: Trees have been added along Damon Rd and bike path to meet HB
requirements.
6. Trees are also required to meet the parking lot standard at 1 per 15 parking spaces. Landscape
plans should show 1 or more trees in the island or abutting the edge of the parking area.
RLA Response: The plans have been updated showing four American Smoke Trees, two in each
island.
7. You will need a connection to the bike path in order to meet the standards in 11.5 and 11.6.
RLA Response: A sidewalk connecting to the bike path has added to south side of building.
7a. Bike racks must also be shown on the plans.
RLA Response: There are four bike racks proposed based on the Northampton zoning
requirement of 1 bike rack/10 parking spaces.
8. There is no lighting plan. Please show new fixture specs and photometric plan in compliance
with 12.2.
RLA Response: A site lighting plan has been added to the plan set (Sheet SL-1).
9. Roof signs are not allowed. Wall (front and/or side) shall be used.
RLA Response: The architectural drawings have been updated to adhere to the HB design
guidelines. Please the revised architectural plans provide herewith.
R LEVESQUE ASSOCIATES, INC.
40 School Street, P.O. BOX 640, Westfield, MA 01085
p 413.568.0985 · f 413.568.0986 · www.rlaland.com
A L AND P L ANNIN G SERVICE S COMPANY
10. You must show how you are addressing the incremental change in traffic generation -- if there
is an increase. See 11.6(b). Please provide a tabulation of existing and proposed trip
generation figures. You may calculate net peak hour generation by adding the restaurant use
plus retail space minus the new retail marijuana utilizing the values in 350-11.6.
RLA Response: Please see the attached traffic generation letter from McMahon Associates.
11. You may be addressing this in your addendum regarding the 2nd curb cut, but it does not
appear on these plans that the one-way driveway at the southerly end is restrictive enough to
prevent left in and out. Please revise.
RLA Response: Based on plans for the roundabout, it appears the new traffic island will extend
far enough north/west to prevent vehicles from taking a left turn. A “do not enter” and a “no
left turn” sign could be added as a condition to the approval should a concern remain
regarding the function of this curb-cut.
Please go through the HB design standards and indicate why you cannot meet them fully. If it
is not possible for the portion in front of the building that you are retaining, then the
improvements should be made at least for the portions north and south of the access drive and
parking area. See attached HB Landscape Standards. Let me know if you need help with
responses to this stuff
RLA Response: Please see below. For ease of convenience, the headers have been extracted
and addressed individually.
Landscaping Standards
1. Tree Belt – addressed
2. Front Buffer Plantings – addressed
3. Site/Parking Lot Landscaping - addressed
4. Buffer to Residential Districts – N/A
Building and Site Design Standards
1. Pedestrian Flows/Pedestrian Amenities – addressed
2. Entrances and Entryways – addressed (to be discussed)
3. Facades and Exterior Walls – see revised architectural plans
4. Roofs and Eaves – see revised architectural plans
R LEVESQUE ASSOCIATES, INC.
40 School Street, P.O. BOX 640, Westfield, MA 01085
p 413.568.0985 · f 413.568.0986 · www.rlaland.com
A L AND P L ANNIN G SERVICE S COMPANY
5. Materials – see architectural storyboard
6. Loading, Storage, HVAC Equipment, Garbage Collection Refuse - addressed
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact our office at your
convenience.
Sincerely,
R LEVESQUE ASSOCIATES, INC
Robert M. Levesque, President, RLA, ASLA
cc: Damon Road LLC
John Ferriter