Fair and equitable Cutlery fencing Oct 12 2022.pdf Richard Hudson and Joyce Vann
393 Riverside Drive
Florence, MA 01062
October 12, 2022
Sarah LaValley
Northampton Conservation Commission
210 Main Street, Room 11
Northampton, MA 01060
Subject: Response to Notice of Intent Project:\6303\Noho Cutlery\Northampton concerning a
fair and equitable approach to fencing
Dear Sarah LaValley,
My wife and I are abutters to the Cutlery raceway which contains hazardous wastes and the
value of our property and our enjoyment has been adversely affected by the chain link fence
constructed between ourselves and our view of the Mill River. We wish to appeal to the
Northampton Planning and Sustainability department to include an upgrade on the temporary
chain link fence along Riverside Drive.
To support this request I will use the Cutlery Building Associates own words.
“On the issue of the chain link fence, Cutlery Building Associates would greatly prefer to install a
four-foot-high fence along the edge of the parking lot immediately behind the buildings, including
behind the old firehouse, with “No Trespassing/ Restricted Area” signs. This would be in place of
the five-foot fence outlined in the IRA Plan. They believe a higher fence will be unattractive
and very adversely impact their property value , and is unnecessary as a means of restricting
access by the public. They believe a four-foot fence behind the buildings will be effective to
deter people from climbing over the fence due to the proximity and active use of the
buildings. A five-foot high chain link fence will still be installed along Riverside Drive as originally
planned as this area is more accessible to the public. Primarily this is an issue of aesthetic
impact of a five-foot fence, and the ability to rent space within the Cutlery Building. The fence
will be very close to the buildings and the five-foot height will have a much more negative
impact on the buildings than a four-foot height without any real additional protection of
the public . They want to make this minor change to the IRA plans, along the parking lot only,
but need assurance from the Department that such a fence will be accepted when this
RTN/RAO-P is audited in the future. We would appreciate the Department’s written response to
this request. “ [emphasis mine]
The Department agreed and permitted the Cutlery to place upgraded fencing around its
property. This brings myself, the Cutlery Building Associates, and the Department into
agreement that the industrial style chain link fencing is “ unattractive and very adversely
impacts property value ”
I would hope that given the above sentiment of the Cutlery Building Associates and affirmed by
the Department that the NOI would be changed to specify a uniform fencing solution that
respects not only the Cutlery Building Associates property values but property value of the
abbutters as well. If the fencing can not be removed I ask that the Department issue a condition
that the fencing be replaced by the black vinyl coated fencing similar if not identical to the fence
found behind the Cutlery Building. This would include black top bars as one finds near the
Cutlery Building.
I prefer the fence be removed for environmental and wildlife concerns. This letter is a simple
appeal that the Department considers the fence found appropriate for the Cutlery Building
property is also appropriate for the fence across from my property. It seems the only fair and
equitable position for the Department to take.
Sincerely,
Richard Hudson and Joyce Vann
393 Riverside Drive
Florence MA. 01062
CC:
Wayne Feiden, FAICP Director Planning & Sustainability
Alex Jarrett, Ward 5 City Councilor
Alan Verson, Cutlery Building Associates
Joshua Surette, Senior Scientist Epsilon Associates
Gary Hartwell, Abutter
Gaby Immerman, Mill River Greenway Initiative
John Sinton, Mill River Greenway Initiative