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Planning Board delays review of 16,000 sq. ft. Industrial Drive project over stormwater and soils concerns
Summary
The Northampton Planning Board continued the site-plan review for a 16,000 sq. ft. building at 106 Industrial Drive after staff told the board DPW had not completed its stormwater review and flagged groundwater and soils discrepancies; the hearing was continued to Oct. 23 to allow further review.
The Northampton Planning Board on Sept. 25 voted to continue review of a proposed 16,000-square-foot building and site changes at 106 Industrial Drive, citing unresolved stormwater and soils issues.
Planning Office staff (Speaker 2) told the board the applicant, identified in filing documents as Michael Schafer, had submitted updated stormwater calculations about a week earlier but the Department of Public Works had not finished its review. "Seasonal high groundwater was right basically at the surface of the infiltration basin, which we can't allow — we need two feet of separation," the staff member said, and also noted that existing soils classifications did not match the applicant's proposed soil characterization. Staff recommended more time for DPW to assess the updated materials and sign off as the city's engineering reviewer for stormwater on a major project.
A board member moved to continue the matter to Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.; another member seconded. The board voted by show of hands and the motion carried unanimously.
Why it matters: stormwater separation from groundwater and accurate soils data are central to infiltration-basin design and the city's stormwater permitting on major projects. DPW sign-off is required before the planning board can close its review on this case.
Next steps: the matter remains continued to Oct. 23. The board and staff said they expect DPW to complete its review and report back before the board takes further action.
