[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6259690,"mediaKeyId","3138244-74dcc94ab798d4da2c3a5f60b0f7a0a9","parentId",3138244,"title","Conservation commission approves RDA for two Stoneridge Drive lots with conditions after tree removal and stop‑work concerns","audioSeconds",1674,"startMs",2839000,"endMs",4513000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3138244-74dcc94ab798d4da2c3a5f60b0f7a0a9&start=2839&end=4513","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3138244-74dcc94ab798d4da2c3a5f60b0f7a0a9/thumbnail_2839000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259690/Massachusetts/Conservation-commission-approves-RDA-for-two-Stoneridge-Drive-lots-with-conditions-after-tree-removal-and-stopwork-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259690-1aab553c600b4eb8144dada78aa31c99/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963478&Signature=DD~sueLaxA-HPFulFx001S81WMF26dDiV32cR-X~aXTL1lRg9ceXrgTceX38bzDLj3uG0sL9ODaanhw~Yxxg1lEaA2Tj8AuK698f2CjPJnHRzWb3ur1xDl6UHOeK3-4lvJIpbPzLQxnxzSW3Pduk~EdIjj9PhuC2sTSfVQFrcy3b9bOi4CN~dy4P-ZD9YkCZLkSJ2lZ7T21z7ZXruwklw0yudZgKvLA4pS7hXg9qDl3PIrs0wz6zLJ59ugTjhFxYzByC66J0dus-lsZO~D0Cly4LadtxO4c1FTpqdGt~tj5Mvd0MV2bml2t1mu7jvTBZkPCyhFVq-701PTbuIa6-CQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-04-28T16:30:49.98Z","article","The Northampton Conservation Commission on April 24 issued a determination of applicability for proposed driveway and house construction at 17 and 39 Stoneridge Drive, confirming the accuracy of wetland boundary delineation and approving work with conditions after commissioners raised concerns about at least one tree cut within the 100‑foot buffer and outstanding permitting.

The commission found the mapped resource area to be subject to Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act protections and checked Positive Determination Box 1 (resource area present). For work within or near buffer zones, the commission issued a Negative Determination (Box 2) indicating the proposed work would not impact the resource areas provided conditions are met. The conditions authorize staff to verify in‑field limits and negotiate restoration or mitigation for any confirmed unauthorized clearing.

Applicant Charles Perry of Sunwood Builders said the two lots were purchased with an existing wetland, that Ward Smith performed the wetland delineation, and that Harold Eaton surveyors located the flags and mapped a 100‑foot buffer. Perry said the silt fence was placed “a few feet beyond the 100‑foot buffer.”

Commission site-visit reports and comments from staff and commissioners indicated a discrepancy between the plan drawing and the field condition. Commissioner Mason said he observed a stump from a large pine tree within the buffer zone, and others noted the plan as drawn appeared to show some proposed limits of work within the 100‑foot buffer. Sarah (conservation staff) recommended verification — a revised plan and confirmation of where the silt fence and limit of work actually lie — and said some permitting for the common driveway and stormwater has not yet been applied for to the planning board and DPW.

Commissioners agreed to authorize staff to confirm field conditions, require a revised plan that accurately depicts the silt fence and limit of work, and, if appropriate, negotiate restoration or mitigation (for example, tree planting or compensation to the city’s tree mitigation fund) for damage within the buffer. The commission also noted the site is under a stop‑work order related to common‑driveway construction without planning-board approval; staff said no work should be occurring while that order is in effect.

The motion to issue the determination (Positive Box 1 and Negative Box 2 with conditions) carried by roll call; commissioners voting in favor included Downey, Melissa, David, Elizabeth, Mason, Paul and Kevin. The determination includes staff authority to confirm limits of work and to negotiate appropriate restoration before the commission considers any further related filings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton Conservation Commission | April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Northampton Conservation Commission on April 24 issued a determination of applicability for proposed driveway and house construction at 17 and 39 Stoneridge Drive, confirming the accuracy of wetland boundary delineation and approving work with conditions after commissioners raised concerns about at least one tree cut within the 100‑foot buffer and outstanding permitting.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6259695,"Conservation commission continues hearing on nine solar canopies at Mill River; cites site‑wide cleanup concerns",2782,142000,2924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3138244-74dcc94ab798d4da2c3a5f60b0f7a0a9&start=142&end=2924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3138244-74dcc94ab798d4da2c3a5f60b0f7a0a9/thumbnail_142000.jpg","/articles/6259695/Massachusetts/Conservation-commission-continues-hearing-on-nine-solar-canopies-at-Mill-River-cites-sitewide-cleanup-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259695-1760c87c0a9717172e64126625110aca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963478&Signature=lrZsaVdsp8A0NxV7ynYu5HNIG03Vi6BZJX4-WFp~JPVw2967MOBgY6DMSea2cUmm8YQ-XUpz-KonG3txIeduqJ-peLAFPeO02DkZVxqL~RX~e~k0Z5Oe-C3fyelDM3N2GBrksSce-xEywbMU-ql2D5h~sAul8cad7ok5oU-1NXnhyInA97qVpwUoUiwDJHQDVQgMnT~8Ste3-a~0zzYSDycoPjN8rzPjvmlE54YXrIlIIHcRLPCt9G9jFhj7diwR24-80lUu118AmENYRoR7PJGMLu6uhylKK-aar55HdMLLY2YZclni~bMSwIOsgze686l1tPAppthZxg~PvZFXfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton Conservation Commission on April 24 continued a hearing on a plan to install nine solar-panel canopies over a junkyard at 182 Mount Tom Road, saying the application focuses on canopy construction but does not demonstrate durable, site‑wide improvements to riverfront resource areas.

Commissioners said they could not close the hearing because the proposal did not address long-standing operating and material-storage conditions across the property that affect riverfront performance standards. The commission voted to continue the hearing to June 26 at 5:30 p.m.

The project applicant, represented by Christian Fylin, principal engineer and president of Fylin Corp., and project counsel Michael Minot, said the team submitted a response letter to the commission’s April comments and that town stormwater approval has been received. “We feel we’ve been going back and forth quite a bit,” Fylin said, and asked the commission to make a decision that evening if it deemed the submittal sufficient.

Wetland scientist Brad Holmes said the wetland delineation followed Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) guidance for banks and mean annual high water, placing flags at the first observable break where the Mill River shows a steep bank. Engineer Scott Daggot described stormwater and compensatory flood‑storage calculations and said the electrical equipment must be elevated to Elevation 123 to keep utilities above the flood zone. Daggot said compensatory storage at elevations above 116 is not physically available on the site, so his approach spreads required volumes into lower elevations where storage can be provided.

Commissioners repeatedly raised two central concerns: that the proposed canopy work alone does not address the broader junkyard operations — tires, stacked vehicles, trailers, and equipment that appear to reduce flood storage — and that the application lacks clear, durable measures to push active operations away from resource areas. Commissioner Kevin, who presided over the meeting, said he had previously urged the applicants to work with city staff to produce plans that address the entire site, not only canopy construction.

Several commissioners questioned whether existing trailers and accumulated materials on-site were considered in the compensatory storage calculations. Daggot acknowledged the trailers farther north are outside the immediate canopy scope and said the design team limited its scope to areas near the canopies. Commissioners pressed whether on‑site structures could be removed or otherwise managed to provide compensatory storage; the applicant said they had spoken with a DEP staffer who offered guidance but that approval ultimately rests with the local commission.

Commissioner Elizabeth and others said they were not satisfied that the redevelopment proposal demonstrated the durable improvement required under the Rivers Protection Act regulations (310 CMR 10.58) and the city’s wetlands ordinance. The commission asked the applicant to work with the property owner to show how operations will be changed, to provide clearer compensatory storage documentation (the applicant referenced a foot‑by‑foot table on the grading plan), and to submit any National Heritage (NHESP) responses to reflect plan revisions.

At the end of the discussion, applicant Phil Cavallo of Parallel Products proposed a continuation to allow time to coordinate with the landlord; the commission moved, seconded, and by roll call vote continued the hearing to June 26 at 5:30 p.m. The roll call showed seven affirmative votes.","The Northampton Conservation Commission continued a notice of intent for construction of nine solar-panel canopies at 182 Mount Tom Road after commissioners said the proposal focuses on canopies but does not show durable improvements to the broader junkyard site in the Mill River riverfront.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6259685,"Commission approves memorandum with New England Mountain Bike Association to support Sawmill Hills stewardship",0,4355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3138244-74dcc94ab798d4da2c3a5f60b0f7a0a9&start=4355&end=4355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3138244-74dcc94ab798d4da2c3a5f60b0f7a0a9/thumbnail_4355000.jpg","/articles/6259685/Massachusetts/Commission-approves-memorandum-with-New-England-Mountain-Bike-Association-to-support-Sawmill-Hills-stewardship","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259685-986f85876dc0a852412cf2f2844b6c17/orig.mp4?Expires=1770963478&Signature=ljU2EjWU2fXmqTaYz70HBNKYtr~seDDHet2UivqeOnzHWISd3HIU9Fa99hzXlMTrWcXH9gdStAKICDDPZPVf~L~P8v8v8ai3kBzh~uSZl4fziIWBN-W04RfO4nsiloxRJQ2w4FfUoKubVANEWTkNmcfenKzPwJZCH8ddt4JWTRZDIv3b8zEBp6G6QQJqABIcZMcMZl3UmBzymMtqCAkgoxZVPllF6XPYfvKmgVISCHxtDShqgE2duOp7kxiiA5PwNfLLlU~QrElbaXjxoZUiVdVLmdQ76zB8alIXkd6Pqz2nxPzHzn9YbNF-2cWwyIGaZwDxyIa~9PJZT25V2TIHJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton Conservation Commission on April 24 unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the local chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association to support trail maintenance, monitoring and limited improvements at the Sawmill Hills Greenway.

Sam, identified as the chapter president, described the group’s goals as organized trail maintenance, removal of unsafe or unauthorized features, and modest improvements such as boardwalks and bridges. He said the local chapter has about 200 members and that the group is a registered nonprofit; regional NEMBA has several thousand members across New England. The MOU allows NEMBA workdays and volunteer maintenance subject to staff oversight and excludes motorized vehicles.

Commissioners said they welcomed the partnership, noting it provides additional capacity for monitoring erosion, maintaining kiosks, and addressing user‑created features that harm resource areas. The MOU requires groups of more than 10 people to seek approval and does not automatically permit organized races or large competitive events. The commission voted in favor of the MOU on a roll call; the motion was moved by David and seconded by Paul.

Sarah said the city and NEMBA will work toward a city‑sanctioned map of trails in the area; commissioners observed that user‑generated mapping exists but that a more authoritative map would help in management and in evaluating changes to trail density. Commissioners also noted that e‑bikes and evolving bike technology raise site‑by‑site policy questions that could be addressed later as an addendum to the MOU.

The MOU establishes a formal partner to assist with stewardship and gives staff the authority to coordinate volunteer workdays and minor trail repairs, provided activities adhere to conservation objectives and exclude motorized vehicles.","The Northampton Conservation Commission unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA) local chapter to assist with trail stewardship, monitoring, and limited maintenance at Sawmill Hills Greenway.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conservation commission approves RDA for two Stoneridge Drive lots with conditions after tree removal and stop‑work concerns

Conservation commission continues hearing on nine solar canopies at Mill River; cites site‑wide cleanup concerns

Commission approves memorandum with New England Mountain Bike Association to support Sawmill Hills stewardship