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public comment10/8/2020 City of Northampton Mail - October 8 Hearing (36 Hampden Street, Map ID 38D-21, DEP File 246-746) https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=fec0f72d97&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1679882605251730687%7Cmsg-f%3A16798826052517…1/2 Sarah LaValley <slavalley@northamptonma.gov> October 8 Hearing (36 Hampden Street, Map ID 38D-21, DEP File 246-746) 1 message Claudia Chierichini <claudia.chierichini@gmail.com>Wed, Oct 7, 2020 at 4:54 AM To: slavalley@northamptonma.gov Dear Ms. Lavalley, I hope this finds you well. My name is Claudia Chierichini, and I am writing in connection with the upcoming hearing on October 8, 2020 and the Notice of Intent filed by Pioneer Development, LLC for the property at 36 Hampden Street (Map ID 38D-21, DEP File 246-746). I am hoping you can share my email with the other Members of the Northampton Conservation Commission. I live at 32 Hampden Street, and I am one of the abutters of 36 Hampden. Hampden Street is a dead end street directly above Protected Vegetated Wetlands, ultimately extending to Arcadia Sanctuary. I have lived since 2011 in a small farmhouse from the early 1900s, the next-to-the-last house on the left side of Hampden Street. As it stands, the wetlands are so close that I can see them change with the seasons from my windows, while both snap and painted turtles come up to lay their eggs in the ground on the sunniest sides of my yard, and my neighbors' yards. Several other animals, mammals. rectiles, and birds, consistently find their way up from the forest and the wetlands to the open space of our neighborhood's yards, and seem to use them as an extension of their natural habitat. I am concerned about the impact of Pioneer Development's project on this ecosystem. As you can see from the site plans, there are currently over 70 ft of open space between the wetlands and the developed area of the neighborhood, on the slope at the end of the street. Adding three new dwelling units on that slope will reduce that space to about 13 ft. I am concerned that that will mean actually closing a corridor that rare species use for their own survival, as they leave their priority habitat to lay their eggs above the slope. I am also concerned about the general impact on that sensitive area of a serious increase in the amount of residents. Two dwellings already exist there. This project proposes to add three more. This means more than doubling the amount of buildings, cars, movement, light, noise, etc. Snow removal and water management are equally a concern. Thank you for your careful consideration of these matters, and any other ecological concerns I might be overlooking. All best, Claudia Chierichini 10/8/2020 City of Northampton Mail - Oct 8 Hearing - 36 Hampden St. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=fec0f72d97&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1679914437431922866%7Cmsg-f%3A16799144374319…1/1 Sarah LaValley <slavalley@northamptonma.gov> Oct 8 Hearing - 36 Hampden St. 1 message Molly Reynolds <mollyrey7@gmail.com>Wed, Oct 7, 2020 at 1:20 PM To: slavalley@northamptonma.gov, Claudia Chierichini <claudia.chierichini@gmail.com>, Chris Nolan <cnolan1951@gmail.com>, Mariah Freemole <mariahdfree@gmail.com>, Ruth von Goeler <ruthvongoeler@gmail.com>, Iain Stewart <griain@verizon.net>, Michele Spring-Moore <springbyker@yahoo.com>, Kate Arata <katearata9@gmail.com>, Molly Reynolds <mollyrey7@gmail.com> Dear Ms. Lavalley and the Conservation Committee, This is a brief note to let you know that most, if not all, of the abutting and near neighbors of the proposed development at 36 Hampden St. have strong concerns about the negative impact that this would have on the wildlife that we enjoy so much. Our family moved here in 2014 (4 Reed St., which is one house away from the proposed development), in good part, because of the adjacent wooded area and we have enjoyed many observations of creatures, large and small. This property is too small and will create crowding and traffic issues for this quiet neighborhood. We are hopeful that you will protect the environment from this negative impact. Sincerely, Molly Reynolds Here is my contribution: Dear Ms. Lavalley and the Conservation Committee, My name is Ian Stewart. My 2 family home abuts 36 Hamden St. and Arcadia Conservation land. I am very concerned about the proposed development and construction of three, two bedroom townhouses on that property. If you have been there to review the site, you have noticed that it is a small, yet significantly sloping, plot that is adjacent to a seasonal flood plain including vernal ponds. In the fifteen years that I have been living at 2 Reed St. I have enjoyed the abundant wildlife, deer, turkeys, turtles, fox, raccoons, skunks, birds, and bears, that have all come to visit over the years. I would like to echo the concerns of my neighbors, that this proposed development would negatively impact not only the quiet and peaceful nature of our neighborhood, but also threaten the health of the wetlands and inhabitants who live there. This property is too small for a development of this size, the additional paving and parking will result in potentially toxic run off into the wetlands, not to mention a snow plowing, and resulting snow melt, fiasco. I am hopeful that you will protect the environment from this unnecessary and unwelcome development. Thanks you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ian Stewart 2 Reed St.