Commission issues negative determination for Mount Tom loading-dock reconfiguration, requires prior-order compliance within six months

The Northampton Conservation Commission voted unanimously on June 25 to issue a negative determination (box 2) for proposed loading-dock alterations at the Packaging Corporation of America facility in the Oxbow at Mount Tom, allowing the project to proceed with a condition requiring closure of an outstanding order of conditions within six months.

Chris Chamberland of Berkshire Design Group told the commission the work is confined to existing paved areas and the mapped floodplain. He said the project involves reconfiguring concrete loading docks, minor retaining-wall work and repaving to improve truck access, and will result in a small net cut of about 426 cubic feet. Chamberland said a new trench drain is proposed to tie into an existing catch basin and that the change would not alter the site’s overall runoff characteristics.

Commissioners pressed on drainage details and the status of a 1999 order of conditions for the site; Chamberland said the current project team will prepare documentation and, if necessary, rectify outstanding items so the property can obtain a certificate of compliance. The commission added a six-month deadline for that compliance as a condition of the negative determination.

The motion to issue the negative determination and attach the compliance condition was made, seconded and approved by roll-call vote.

The commission’s action does not itself grant local building or other permits; it determines the work’s jurisdictional status under applicable wetlands regulations and the commission’s local bylaw. The applicant may need to submit the requested certificate-of-compliance documentation to staff within the six-month period for the record.

The commission moved on to subsequent agenda items following the unanimous vote.