Southwick Zoning Board Deliberates Wetland Construction
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Meeting Type:
Zoning Board
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Meeting Date:
04/08/2024
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Recording Published:
04/10/2024
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Duration:
36 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Hampden County
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Towns:
Southwick
- Meeting Overview:
The Southwick Zoning Board of Appeals’ latest meeting primarily focused on a contentious variance application for a property on Foster Road, which is challenged by environmental constraints due to wetlands and a river. The board members debated the propriety of allowing construction on the lot, weighing property rights against environmental protection, and ended without reaching a decision, thus prolonging the uncertainty around the development of the site.
At the heart of the meeting was the application for a 30-foot variance from the front setback requirement necessary for the development of the small lot located on Foster Road. The parcel’s environmental features, including the presence of wetlands and a river, place it under the scrutiny of the Wetlands Protection Act, necessitating careful consideration by the board.
The board’s discussion revealed a deep divide on whether to grant the variance, with some members questioning the suitability of the lot for building due to the water issues and the lot’s topography. This led to a broader debate on the potential risks of setting a precedent for allowing variances on non-conforming lots.
The debate intensified as the board compared the current application to a previously contentious application for a property on Foster Road. This comparison highlighted the challenges and controversies associated with building on environmentally sensitive sites and the board’s role in balancing the rights of property owners with the need to safeguard the community’s environmental interests.
Concerns were also raised about the possible effects of the proposed development on the water table, with some members suggesting that granting a variance could lead to undesirable changes in the neighborhood’s water dynamics. The board’s deliberations touched on the various implications of the proposed construction, considering both the immediate impact on the land and the long-term ramifications for the surrounding area.
Despite the rigorous debate, the board did not arrive at a consensus on the amount of variance to grant, if any. Suggestions ranged from granting a 20 to 25-foot variance to a more conservative approach of not granting a variance at all.
The meeting concluded without a resolution to the variance application.
Karl J Stinehart
Zoning Board Officials:
Michael F Parent, William H Lis, Dan Tobias, Paul A Gregoire, Christopher D Mastroianni, Wendy C Cordeiro (Secretary)
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Meeting Type:
Zoning Board
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Meeting Date:
04/08/2024
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Recording Published:
04/10/2024
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Duration:
36 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Hampden County
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Towns:
Southwick
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