Planning Board approves amendment to reduce 8 View Avenue development from 12 to 7 units; conditions on tree protection and stormwater remain

The Northampton Planning Board approved a site plan amendment for 8 View Avenue, a development by Sovereign Builders, to reduce the approved project from 12 residential units to seven, while keeping the previously permitted road alignment, stormwater system and conservation area commitments in place.

Jeff Squire of Bridgeview Design Group, representing Sovereign Builders, told the board the change responds to market conditions and construction economics. "The amendment before you now is a request to reduce the number of units from 12 units to 7 units," Squire said, adding that the previously approved stormwater system covered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) superseding order of conditions (issued Aug. 7) remains essentially unchanged.

Squire said the reduction increases the size of most units: most now exceed roughly 2,000 square feet and the plan retains at least two units near 1,200 square feet to meet zoning requirements. He said the road alignment, emergency access and the stormwater design approved under the superseding order will not change materially. Designers also replaced some exterior bike shelters with interior storage in the lower‑level garages for the revised units.

Several abutters and nearby residents raised concerns during public comment. David Fenton, who said his property abuts the development, asked about potential root damage to two mature trees where a new sidewalk will cross his property and requested confirmation whether an arborist had inspected the trees. "The roots do run along the top of the ground, so they will be making a significant cut into the roots," Fenton said.

Online commenter Jacqueline McCreener characterized the site as wetlands and said the petition group that appealed the conservation commission permit had concerns about stormwater performance. "The truth is basically that this is a swamp of wetlands that is completely unsuitable for this type of development," McCreener said. Planning staff and the applicant reiterated that wetlands jurisdiction and the conservation commission’s order had been adjudicated by the DEP’s superseding order of conditions.

Planning staff and the applicant explained that existing conditions and permit requirements carry forward. Staff identified applicant obligations that remain in place: submission of final construction plans; compliance with stormwater permit pre‑construction conditions; and arborist certification and tree protection measures along View Avenue. The plans call for flexible porous pavement within 5 feet of affected tree roots and standard erosion and sediment controls during construction. The applicant confirmed they will coordinate with DPW and seek any necessary administrative amendments to stormwater documentation prior to starting work.

Board members also noted a zoning-based traffic mitigation fee tied to the number of new trips. With the unit reduction the required payment was reported to be reduced to $6,000; staff indicated that notation may be included in the board’s decision rather than as a separate ongoing condition.

Stacy Daykey recused herself from the hearing; the board then voted to approve the site plan amendment. Approval was recorded by voice vote. Conditions discussed in the hearing — including arborist confirmation of tree protections, DPW sign‑off on final stormwater plans, and conservation land/trail commitments — remain applicable under the amended plan.