Northampton board delays vote on 10 solar canopies at 182 Mount Tom Road, asks for street-level renderings

The Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals on January 14 agreed to continue a hearing on an application from Parallel Products Solar Energy LLC to install 10 solar canopies at 182 Mount Tom Road, asking the applicant to provide street-level renderings and dimensioned measurements before the board votes.

Board Chair David Bloomberg opened the meeting and led a presentation from the applicant team, including attorney Michael Mano, project manager Scott Daggett of Farland Corporation and Phil Cavallo of Parallel Products. Mano said the proposal would create a dual use of a property long used as an auto salvage yard and that the owner has removed a substantial number of vehicles to make the site cleaner. The project already received Conservation Commission approval with conditions and includes stormwater improvements aimed at protecting runoff from reaching the Mill River, the applicant said.

Why it matters: The board must determine whether converting the site to a dual use with solar canopies would be “substantially more detrimental” to the neighborhood than the existing nonconforming use — the threshold the Zoning Board applies under the town’s code. Several members said the site functions as a visual gateway into Northampton from Route 5 and that a clear, grade‑level depiction of how the canopies will appear from the road is necessary to judge aesthetic impact.

Key details discussed - Proposal: Installation of 10 solar canopies/carports at 182 Mount Tom Road (applicant: Parallel Products Solar Energy LLC). The applicant and engineer confirmed the application is for 10 canopies, not 11. - Conservation/ site work: Applicant said the Conservation Commission vetted and approved the project with conditions and that the plan includes stormwater controls intended to protect the Mill River. - Height & geometry: Applicants described arrays that begin at about 16 feet and tilt 3–5 degrees for production and drainage. The applicant estimated a maximum structure height in the neighborhood of roughly 18 feet (approximate). - Spacing: The applicant estimated about 10 feet between canopies and offered to provide AutoCAD measurements to confirm exact distances. - Lighting: Applicants stated there is "no plan for that" — no intentional new illumination visible from Route 5 was planned. - Setbacks: Planning staff stated the project’s rear setback would be reduced in the zoning data table from approximately 96 feet to 50 feet; front and other setback figures were discussed but some transcript passages were inconsistent and not fully precise.

Board questions and applicant response Board members repeatedly asked for visual simulations taken from the grade of Mount Tom Road approaching northbound on Route 5. "I don't wanna have people complaining to the Daily Hampshire Gazette that a monstrosity was built here," Chair David Bloomberg said, explaining the board’s need for street-level perspective in assessing aesthetic effects. Applicants agreed to prepare an artist rendering showing the approach from Mount Tom Road and to include measurements of structure height and separation "so that you can see them," Mano said. Phil Cavallo described the project as a site improvement and said, "it's a win win," framing the canopies as both a cleanup of the salvage yard and a source of renewable energy.

Board action and next steps Board member Elizabeth Silver moved to continue the findings hearing to February 12 at 5:30 p.m. to allow the applicant time to provide the requested renderings and measurements; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call (David Bloomberg, Elizabeth Silver, Maureen Scanlon in favor). The board asked the applicant to deliver renderings as early as reasonably possible and preferably 24–48 hours before the Feb. 12 meeting so members have time to review them.

Other business The board also approved minutes from the Dec. 11 meeting by unanimous roll call and adjourned the meeting by unanimous vote.

What remains unresolved The board has not yet decided whether the proposed canopies would be "substantially more detrimental" to the neighborhood. The principal outstanding items are a street-level rendering from northbound Route 5 showing the view toward the site, dimensioned measurements (height and distances between canopies), and a discussion among board members about whether a planted green buffer (ideas included evergreen plantings such as arborvitae or other species) should be required as a condition. Planning staff indicated the board can impose conditions related to the proposed use where appropriate under the zoning code.

Votes at a glance - Motion to continue hearing on Parallel Products Solar Energy LLC (182 Mount Tom Road) to Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m.: Passed by roll call (David Bloomberg: yes; Elizabeth Silver: yes; Maureen Scanlon: yes). - Motion to approve minutes (Dec. 11): Passed (unanimous). - Motion to adjourn: Passed (unanimous).

The board will reconvene the findings hearing on Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.; the applicant has agreed to provide renderings and measurements before that meeting.