In October 2024, several Northampton residents who live near a proposed Sovereign Builders development at View Avenue asked the state’s Department of Environmental Protection to issue a Superseding Order of Conditions. The project had been approved by Northampton’s Planning Board and Conservation Commission, but the residents asserted that the project did not meet state standards […]
Response to Comments Submitted to Massachusetts DEP by Berkshire Design Group for Sovereign Builders
On January 21, MetroWest Engineering, the stormwater consultant retained by Northampton residents concerned about Sovereign Builders’ proposed development around View Avenue, sent the Massachusetts DEP this response (PDF) to comments submitted by Berkshire Design Group (PDF) to the DEP on January 10. MetroWest maintains that the stormwater management plan submitted by Berkshire Design Group may […]
MADEP Surveys Site of Proposed Project at 8 View Avenue
On December 4, 2024, staff from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection visited the site of the proposed development at 8 View Avenue. Sovereign Builders seeks to build 12 units of housing there. The visit was prompted by a Request for Superseding Order of Conditions filed by Northampton residents and abutters in October. The neighbors […]
Northampton Residents File a Request for Superseding Order of Conditions with State DEP
Following the Conservation Commission’s approval of Sovereign Builder’s View Avenue project at the end of September and the issuance of a wetlands Order of Conditions on October 3, Northampton residents including several abutters filed a Request for Superseding Order of Conditions (PDF) with the state Department of Environmental Protection. The request was prepared by the […]
Second Peer Review Still Finds Deficiencies in Sovereign Builders’ Proposal for View Avenue
Robert Gemma of MetroWest Engineering has returned to evaluate the latest stormwater management plan from Sovereign Builders for their View Avenue proposal. He continues to find areas of concern. Download Mr. Gemma’s review (PDF) or read it below. The View Avenue proposal will be considered at tonight’s Conservation Commission meeting. The public is encouraged to […]
View Avenue Proposal Returns to Conservation Commission on September 26
The View Avenue Proposal from Sovereign Builders returns to Northampton’s Conservation Commission tomorrow at 5:30pm. An updated Stormwater Drainage Report was filed on September 20. We urge the public to attend online via Zoom. Northampton Conservation Commission 5:30 PM, Thursday, September 26, 2024 On-line meeting This meeting will be held using remote participation. Please follow this link to […]
Breaking: Conservation Commission Continues View Avenue Hearing to September 26
After reviewing the Sovereign Builders’ proposal for View Avenue and hearing comments from the public, Northampton’s Conservation Commission voted to continue the hearing to its September 26 meeting. Robert Gemma, president of MetroWest Engineering and a stormwater expert retained by concerned Northampton residents, observed that he and the public have had only a few days […]
View Avenue Proposal Goes Before Conservation Commission on September 12
The View Avenue Proposal from Sovereign Builders goes before Northampton’s Conservation Commission tomorrow at 5:45pm. We urge the public to attend online via Zoom. An independent stormwater review recently commissioned by neighbors was critical of Sovereign Builders’ plans and assumptions. Northampton Conservation Commission 5:30 PM, Thursday, September 12, 2024 On-line meeting This meeting will be […]
Video: Planning Board Approves View Avenue Proposal, July 25, 2024
Northampton Open Media provides this YouTube video of the July 25 meeting of Northampton’s Planning Board. The board approved a Site Plan and Special Permit for Sovereign Builders to construct 12 units off of View Avenue. Sovereign Builders still requires the approval of Northampton’s Conservation Commission.
Occupy the Airwaves Takes on the Proposal for View Avenue
Please enjoy this recording of the September 5 edition of Occupy the Airwaves on WXOJ – Valley Free Radio. Stephen Linsky and Emikan Sudan interviewed Adam Cohen, webmaster of NorthAssoc.org, and Kent Johnson, a local data analyst and tree advocate. The participants discussed the Sovereign Builders proposal for 12 homes off of View Avenue, and […]