Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Associates appeared at the Planning Board’s meeting on Aug. 18 on behalf of Howard Landscaping.
Photo credit: Westfield Community TV
WESTFIELD — On Aug. 18, the Planning Board continued a special permit, site plan and stormwater permit for Howard Landscaping, operating under ENWC, LLC, to construct a contractor’s shop at 883 Southampton Road until Sept. 15.
The 1.75-acre property, which sits in the Business A and Water Resource zones, would operate until then while the landscaping company gathers more information.
Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Associates, who presented the plan on behalf of Howard Landscaping, a local landscaping and maintenance company, said the Howards have been looking for a shop for several years, and the property is ideal for them. He referred to the business as a “mom and pop shop.”
The proposed 5,568-square-foot contractor’s shop will be a steel building with a split-face block in the front with a gabled dome, a small office, three overhead doors at the rear of the building and one on the side for access only. He said there will be minimal parking, with four spaces in front, one accessible parking space and overflow parking spaces in the rear.
Levesque said there is an endangered species polygon in the rear of the property, which the proper authorities will review. He said the plans avoid that area in the rear of the property. A large stormwater basin in the rear will accommodate outlet and overflow. Sewer, water and gas are available on Southampton Road, and they have filed with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for the curb cut, which is pending. “Summertime is tricky at MassDOT, takes a little while to get those back,” he said.
Levesque responded to written comments from City Planner Jay Vinskey regarding the limits of paving under the parking areas.
“We certainly have designed the stormwater system to accommodate bituminous paving for the entire lot. If there are areas that need to be paved to meet the requirements now, we’re certainly happy to do so,” he said, adding that currently there is gravel in the rear of the building where fleet vehicles will be parked.
Asked for a list of vehicles, Levesque said he didn’t have a list, but they would be typical of a small landscaping company.
“Commercial vehicles in the aquifer need to be parked on a solid surface. I’m not sure that gravel would comply,” said Cheryl Crowe, who served as chair pro tem at the meeting.
Levesque said it was a cost consideration for the company. “If they need to pave it, they will do that, but would prefer to do that in the future.” He said they designed the stormwater system to accommodate paving the entire lot, which is why the plans show it partially paved. “We would adhere to a condition that the entirety of the yard be paved,” he said.
In order to meet the 20-foot planted buffer requirement for the neighboring Evergreen Manor, Levesque said he proposed a 50-foot stockade fence instead of a planted buffer.
Vinskey said the board would need to waive the requirement for a planted buffer for fencing, which it has done in the past.
Another question from the board concerned a list of hazardous chemicals, which Levesque said would certainly include small quantities of oil, hydraulic fluid, gasoline and greases. He said he didn’t have the full list, though.
As for pesticides, he said he didn’t know whether the company had the licenses or permits required to use them, but he would check.
He said there would be an oil-water separator in the building and drains inside each overhead door, per code. Outside of fleet vehicles and trailers, anything else would be stored inside the building. He said the owners would have to list everything stored in the building for the Fire Department.
When asked about the hours of operation, Levesque guessed that they would be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. He said signage would be wayfinding, “nothing extravagant,” and would adhere to the city’s sign ordinance in response to another question.
Levesque asked the board if it would approve the permit with a condition that Levesque return with the requested information.
Crowe said she would like to see elevations and signage, schematics of the building, a list of equipment and how and where it is stored, assurance that any debris brought back will not be put in the yard and a list of hazardous materials. “For a little more clarity,” she said.
Vinskey said since the application was for a special permit, it’s fair game to assess the mass and scale of the building and how it fits in. “We’re also in the 35-day aquifer zone review period. In theory, the board could make a decision, and we could hold the decision until that time lapses before it’s filed. If continued to Sept. 15, that time will have lapsed,” he said, before the board voted to continue the hearing.
Levesque said he would ask the owner, Tim Howard, to come to the next meeting on Sept. 15. ”He’s a straight shooter and will answer any of the questions you have,” he said.
Also continued to Sept. 15 without discussion was the application of TV Realty & Development Inc. for a special permit, site plan, and stormwater permit to allow a 42-unit multifamily development at 0 Lockhouse Rd., zoned Residence C.
