Fairgrounds project gains preliminary approval

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - The Three-County Fairgrounds redevelopment project took a small step forward Thursday night as the Conservation Commission unanimously approved a notice of intent to begin preliminary deconstruction on the site.

The fairgrounds are off Route 9 between Fair Street and Old Ferry Road, in the city's Meadows section.

After deliberating for more than three hours, commission members carefully changed language included in the 52 conditions attached to their approval to guarantee that the commission will have another chance to weight in before the project moves to its second stage.

"We want to make sure we get another bite at the apple," said commission member Kevin Lake, adding, "We want to be sure that we are comfortable enough with these plans and to be sure that it has to come back to us."

One condition in particular, regarding the progression of the project following the initial demolition of existing horse barns on the property, was rewritten several times before commission members were comfortable giving their seal of approval.

The condition required that before any other work can take place, other than horse barn demolition, construction of new barns and related drainage improvement, commission members must approve an order of conditions submitted by the developers.

Prior to their decision, commission members heard from a handful of fairground abutters, including Maria Tymoczko, who said she worried for surrounding wildlife and that runoff from a nearby parking lot would end up in her backyard.

"I think this could be a great project for Ward 3 and I also think it could be a disaster for all properties south of the fairgrounds," Tymoczko said. "It could end up impairing the fertility and arability of the surrounding land."

Representatives from Northampton's Berkshire Design Group, who are planning the $40 million redevelopment project, were on hand and asserted that when completed, the finished stormwater management system at the site would store more water and would function better than the current detention basins. The 51-acre redevelopment site lies within the 100-year flood plain.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.