Site Feasibility Study: Parcel O-32 by The Conway School

Site Feasibility Study: Parcel O-32 Prepared for the Town of Shutesbury, MA Designed by Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, and Mallory Rasky The Conway School | Spring 2019

Index Community Vision.................................1

Feasibility Summary.............................10

Feasibility Questions.............................2

Precedents..........................................11

Existing Conditions................................3

Preliminary Design Concepts 1 & 2.......12

Land Use History...................................4

Preliminary Design Concept 3...............13

Land Protection....................................5

Transition.............................................14

Zoning & Utilities..................................6

Dual Function.......................................15-16

Vegetation............................................7

Solo Library..........................................17-18

Slopes, Soils, & Drainage.......................8

References...........................................19

Wetland Hydrology................................9

The report also addresses the circumstances in which, unlike 2004 predictions, the town’s population did not grow, resulting in a smaller tax base for the Town than was anticipated. Shutesbury is a town where commercial activity is largely absent and the town relies on property taxes and state funding to meet its budget. The leveling off of the population in Shutesbury has contributed to funding difficulties and higher property taxes than in surrounding towns. Spending on improvements to Town services is often heavily debated in the community. Many residents would like greater access to more Town services that they feel would reflect the relatively high tax rates. To face these challenges, the 2017 Vision Report addresses issues in community, finances, infrastructure, land use, and housing. As quoted above, the report envisions updating and revitalizing the town center to meet some community goals and increase the tax base. Parcel O-32 is an important aspect of the town vision because of its size and proximity to the town center. The Town is not entirely sure how the property could be developed to best serve community needs. In spring of 2019, they contacted the Conway project team for a feasibility study of the parcel with particular interest in siting community buildings such as a library/community center alongside other uses, including senior housing and a solar field.

Community Feedback At a May 9, 2019 community meeting, several residents stated the need for any public buildings sited on parcel O-32 to be visible and easily accessible from Leverett Road, the main road in town. Many residents confirmed that a library with multi-purpose community space on Parcel O-32 could meet many town needs, and serve as a step towards accomplishing the vision of a more connected town. Community members are well aware that their town is mostly forested (up to 93% according to the Shutesbury OSRP), a condition that is rare in today’s fragmented landscapes, and residents look to avoid a scenario in which Parcel O-32 is developed beyond its capacity to support healthy ecosystem functions. There was interest in on-site trails for people to enjoy the beauty of the parcel and have increased opportunities for passive recreation. The conversation around specific senior

housing needs is just beginning but residents at the meeting emphasized the importance of affordable housing in allowing seniors to “age in place.”

Parcel O-32 Feasibility Study This project explores the feasibility of siting desired town uses on Parcel O-32, using ecological site analysis to make recommendations about what is possible and advisable on this land.

Prominent buildings in Shutesbury’s town center: Shutesbury Town Hall, in the heart of town

Photo: Shutesbury 2015 OSRP Community Church across town common, 1937

Town common, by the Community Church, present day

Photo: History | Shutesbury.Org

Photo: Shutesbury 2015 OSRP

The 900 square foot Shutesbury Public Library is looking to grow into a larger space

Photo: Shutesbury 2015 OSRP

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

“The Town Center has been bolstered by new pedestrian walkways. These walkways link the Post Office, historic old town hall, current Town Hall and police station, church, town common, farmers market, fire hall, highway department facility, and elementary school to one another and to the repurposed library, the new senior/community center/library, and new senior housing. The community is stronger because of these spaces.”

Approximately 1,752 residents are dispersed across the 27.2 square mile town of Shutesbury. While residents travel to nearby Amherst or elsewhere to buy groceries or conduct other business, they desire adequate spaces for community gathering within their town. The Shutesbury town center is home to several municipal buildings surrounding the town common, but these historical buildings are not meeting all current needs for spacious, inclusive, and community-oriented gathering spaces. Shutesbury has a substantial proportion of both youth and seniors, with 38.7% of the population being 55+ years old and 21.6% being 19 years and younger. Community members have emphasized the social benefits of older and younger people intermingling suggest that new community spaces would offer opportunities for these intergenerational interactions to occur (January 2015 Complete Open Space Plan).

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In 2004, the Town of Shutesbury released a new Master Plan and added a major new parcel to their holdings. Parcel O-32, the property they purchased that same year, is a narrow 21-acre property with frontage on Leverett Road, and its proximity to the town center hints at the many possible ways that the parcel could potentially serve the town. In 2010, a plan coalesced to site a new town library with large community gathering spaces on Parcel O-32. These plans were put on hold in 2012 after a town-wide dispute over library funding. In 2017, Shutesbury, originally known as Roadtown (UMass Amherst Special Collections, Background on Shutesbury), revisited the 2004 Master Plan, and provided updates in the form of a Vision Report that, responding to community feedback, imagines the future of the town center:

Community Vision

To better understand community needs, a look at demographics

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

A more connected Shutesbury

spring 2019

Community Vision

Feasibility Questions This site feasibility study explores the following questions:

Which areas of parcel O-32 are buildable? How can this parcel best support both community and ecosystem health? How can development minimize impact on the landscape by responding to ecological conditions? Rich biodiversity and forest succession along the old road through Parcel O-32

Parcel O-32 Existing Conditions

A long, narrow, wooded 21-acre property spring 2019

Front of the parcel Parcel O-32 sits just a quarter mile from the town center, and has around 500 feet of frontage on Leverett Road. The front of the property features an old stone wall and a defunct garage, indicators of the land’s past use as a private residence. With the former house razed, a large lawn remains (approximately 1.7 acres), which is maintained by the highway department, located directly across Leverett Rd. The entrance to the property is a U-shaped unpaved driveway. The western portion of the front lawn also contains a delineated wetland which may have hydrologic connections to the bordering wetlands to the west.

Highway Department Town center

ad Leverett Ro

Back of the parcel

e r ro a d O ld t o w

At the far edge of the last lichen patch the unpaved road narrows into a footpath through a tall, dense stand of mountain laurel. It ends at a stone wall marking the southern property boundary. Historic maps indicate that, like much of Shutesbury, the land south and east of this wall was cleared for agriculture in the nineteenth century.

Footpath Parcel O-83

This portion of the parcel is the farthest away from the frontage on Leverett Road. The Town has expressed the need to construct a road to this area if any use is sited here, stating particular interest in a potential road connecting to Pelham Hill Road through the undeveloped UMASS-owned parcel O-83.

Old stone wall

The old road Parcel boundary

Unpaved road

Building

400’ Quabbin buffer

Wetlands: DEP

and delineated

100’ wetland buffer

Area of former radio tower

that runs the length of most of Parcel O-32 meets the old tower road near the center of the parcel. The images at left and right show the difficulty of traveling along the old northsouth Parcel O-32 road in the spring, due to inundation. *Old roads appear on the base map as dashed lines

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

Former ATV track

U np a v e

l Road Pelham Hil

This area of the parcel features metal detritus scattered throughout the woods, mainly old vehicle and farm equipment, the remnants of a former radio tower, and a former ATV track. An overgrown paved tower road extends west from the former radio site and the ATV track through private property to Pelham Road.

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Behind the old garage is the start of an unpaved road (pictured below) that runs the length of most of the parcel. The center portion of the parcel is mostly wooded but features large open patches of land, covered in lichen and mosses. This area of the parcel, based on both the Conway team’s observations and that of community members, experiences heavy seasonal water inundation.

Existing Conditions

Middle of the parcel

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Old garage

Next to town, a world apart

Residence

ATV track Old tower road wer road radio to

Leveret

North-south access road

Stripped

t Rd North-south access road

topsoil clearings

ATV track Old towe r road

Out of a myriad of site disturbances, a habitat arose that is entirely unique within this town and beyond: large clearings, in early succession, bearing colonies of mosses and lichens, notably red soldier lichen (Cladonia cristatella) and pink earth lichen (Dibaeis baeomyces). These species are more common to maritime environments than forested hill towns, and are described by one lichen authority as â&#x20AC;&#x153;common on bare soils or pathways, submitted to floods and dryness, of acid heaths and moorsâ&#x20AC;? (www.lichenmaritimes.org). The bare soil created by topsoil stripping, compaction by vehicles, and seasonal inundation in these areas of parcel O-32 creates favorable conditions for these unique species.

Intact forest Of all the areas on site, the forested southern portion, which has been logged in the past but has not been subject to extensive disturbance since, represents the most intact habitat on Parcel O-32. Developing in this area would cause a degree of forest fragmentation.

In spring 2019, the front portion of the site was the base of operations for the Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s broadband installation. The storage and movement of trucks, trailers, and cable equipment during a the wet spring left large compacted areas and deep tire tracks across lawn. In mid-June, much of the lawn had regrown but the dirt driveway still had deep depressions from tires and spools.

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

Haircap moss and lichen colonies are indicators of extreme nutrient depletion, and are mostly restricted to areas of the site where topsoil was stripped.

A habitat like no other

Farm equipment, old cars, and trash accumulated on site during the twentieth century. Truckloads were removed in 2004 prior to the town purchase, but there is vehicle debris scattered through the woods, where forest succession has resumed throughout the parcel.

The parcel is largely reforested in this 2018 aerial image, fourteen years after the town purchased it, with the lawn around the site of the residence still maintained. The north-south road is still visible, as is the loop created by the ATV track. The cleared patches are less visible here, but are still present and sizeable (Google Earth).

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A 2000 aerial photo shows the north-south running access road to the parcel interior that was used by former landowners. Following clearing for the radio tower most areas are reforesting except for the large lichen patches where succession is slow. The radio tower road is still in use here, and a circular ATV track has been established beside it (Google Earth).

Land Use History

A 1964 map depicts the extent of forest clearing (in white) for a radio tower. The tower was accessed through a road from Pelham Hill Rd, now partially grown over. No roads from the frontage on Leverett Road to the back portions of the parcel appear here. This map also shows the former residence (no longer standing) and garage near Leverett Rd (USGS Topographic maps).

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

The details and precise chronology of these site-scale disturbances are not well documented, but what is clear from the synthesis of local knowledge, site observations, and soil and drainage data (page 8) suggest that the soil throughout the front and middle of the parcel has been substantially altered and compacted, with many areas potentially retaining buried pavement or concrete and affected by low nutrients in the wake of soil stripping. This is most evident in the clearings where top soil was extracted and forest succession is slow, leaving large open patches in the landscape.

t Rd

ill Rd

Town officials informed the Conway project team that some former homeowners on parcel O-32, over a long period of time, worked on vehicles there and discarded farm equipment, cars, and acres worth of debris. They also maintained a road running south from the edge of the extensive lawn at the front of the parcel into its interior, and used this road for resource extraction and recreation. They harvested topsoil in large tracts and established race tracks and ATV trails.

Rd Leverett

H Pelham

As previously stated, Parcel O-32 was formerly a residence with a two-bay garage (still standing) and was home, in the mid-20th century, to a sizable radio tower. Construction and grading for that radio facility dramatically altered the topography, and drainage in the center of the site. This is discussed further on page 8.

Leveret

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Land Use History

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Protected Land and Proximity to the Quabbin Shutesbury

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Parcel O-32 The Quabbin Enfield, MA 1939

0.5

2 Miles

This map shows protected land, protected DCR land, and Town-owned land, which is unprotected (except for a protected swath south of Lake Wyola), within Shutesbury’s larger, primarily forested landscape (MassGIS).

The 200 foot Quabbin Buffer (shown as a blue line) doesn’t come into parcel O-32 but the 400-foot Quabbin buffer (shown as a blue line) does come into the southern portion of the parcel. Any building within the 400 foot buffer requires approval from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (January 2015 Complete Open Space Plan).

Land Protection and Regulations Most of the eastern side of Shutesbury is Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) owned and is part of the protected land around the Quabbin Reservoir which totals 145,000 acres and contains both the waterbody and surrounding forests (Site Summary: Quabbin Reservoir Watershed). This protected forest limits buildable areas in Shutesbury by restricting construction, excavation, and grading but helps to maintain the rural, heavily forested character of the town and preserve a wide range of valuable habitats and ecosystem services. 200 and 400-foot buffers around rivers and streams that drain into the Quabbin are also regulated, with all alterations prohibited within the 200-foot buffer (January 2015 Complete Open Space Plan). Parcel O-32 is not located within the DCR protected land and only a small portion of the parcel is within the 400-foot Quabbin buffer to the south. As one of the few centrally located, unprotected, and unbuilt townowned properties in Shutesbury, parcel O-32 has garnered interest as a potential location for siting needed town services and other uses.

Enfield, MA 1987

Image source: (Quabbin Reservoir Filled to the Brim)

The Construction of the Quabbin The construction of the Quabbin Reservoir, beginning in 1936, required the flooding of the towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott. In addition to the massive physical change in the landscape necessitated by the construction of this reservoir for the growing city of Boston, forest management around the Quabbin to protect Boston’s primary water supply continues to affect land use in Shutesbury today (Hsistory: Quabbin and Ware).

Land Protection

Protected Town-Owned DCR Owned Parcel O-32

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Enfield, MA 1927

The Quabbin Buffers

Protected land surrounding the Quabbin

Utilities

Parcel O-32: At the nexus of three districts The parcel sits at the convergence of three zoning districts, a few feet within the Roadside Residential zone to the west, the majority of the parcel within Town Center zoning, and most of the site’s southern portion within Forest Conservation (FC) zoning. The Town “encourages the mixing of uses where such mixing does not create land use conflicts,” (Section 3.4 Shutesbury Zoning and Bylaws), and stakeholders will need to determine if development within the FC (further from the town center and closer to the Quabbin), presents a land use conflict. Town center zoning aims to attract multi-use development.

Lake Wyola

Forest Conservation (FC) In addition to the large forested areas owned by DCR, and the 200ft and 400-ft buffers around waters draining into the Quabbin, the Town preserves much of its forested landscape through Forest Conservation zoning (shown in green at left), requiring construction projects on parcels that fall within this zone to conserve 80% of the parcel as open space.

100 feet from leach fields 50 feet from septic tanks 25 feet from buildings, roads, wetlands 15 feet from driveways With a slower acceptable soil percolation rate, these required distances increase The well setbacks can apply to multiple buildings. The front of parcel O-32 on Leverett Road has already passed a percolation test and, because it has historically been the site of a residence with well and septic sited for that home.

Rural/Roadside Residential (RR) Prior to the adoption of the FC zone, the town was majority zoned Rural Residential. This zone, now renamed Roadside Residential and shown on the map to the left in bands of yellow, reflects the dispersed nature of settlement along major roads through town, where homes are to be no more than 500 feet from the road centerline. This is intended to limit residential sprawl into undeveloped areas.

Solar potential

In 2018, the Town permitted a groundmounted 6.2-megawatt solar array on a 30-acre parcel down the road from the parcel O-32. The Town has recently considered Parcel O-32 for a new array, yet an analysis of sunlight available on site shows that site conditions do not support this use.

Town Center (TC) Zoning here reflects the desire on the part of the town for more clustered, multi-use development at the heart of town, where town amenities and gatherings have long been situated.

Lake Wyola Town Center

Afternoon sun

Development Requirements Across Zones

River, Stream Water Road

Zoning Districts Forest Conservation Roadside Residential Town Center Lake Wyola

Morning sun

This zone was designed to protect water quality by regulating uses within the more densely populated neighborhoods surrounding the lake. This general area is home to a state park and a summer community that “is increasingly a year-round residential village,” (Shutesbury Historical Society). Every lot must have driveway access at its road frontage, unless a common driveway is approved, with a common driveway serving no more than six units. More units may be considered within an Open Space Design, a design for clustered housing that conserves land in the process. Development within wetlands or wetland buffers is regulated by the Conservation Commission. (Town of Shutesbury Zoning Bylaw)

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Minimum well setbacks in Shutesbury

Noon sun

Greatest solar potential

This graphic shows the extent of shade created by surrounding forest throughout the day on the winter solstice.

As this narrow parcel is surrounded by a forest largely dominated by white pines, the tallest trees in this mixed forest, it is too shaded to support a productive solar array. Solar gain is extremely limited during the winter solstice. For solar installations to be productive, they must receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, even during the darkest winter months. The only area of the parcel with solar potential is in the northeast corner; a building sited close to the road in this location could have solar panels on its roof. (pilkingtonsunanglecalculatormanual.Pdf)

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

Forest Conservation(FC)

Town Center (TC)

Town water and sewer services are not available in Shutesbury and new construction must site wells and septic systems carefully, particularly in wetland-adjacent areas. While Shutesbury’s soils are typically sandy, which aids in suitability for siting septic systems, soil permeability between and near wetlands is less suitable due to higher water levels in the soil. Additionally, more individual units sited will require more space and more infrastructure if they do not share septic systems. (Board of Health | shutesbury.org)

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Roadside Residential (RR)

Well water and septic systems

Zoning & Utilities

Parcel O-32

Shutesbury’s settlement patterns have been greatly influenced by the open space conserved through DCR’s management plan for the Quabbin Reservoir. Shutesbury’s forested land, which makes up 93 percent of the town, helps protect the quality of air and water, while providing extensive habitat for species that prefer forest interior. These natural resources could come under threat if development increases dramatically. The population increase of 270 percent between 1970 and 2000 (Shutesbury Master Plan, 2004) caused concern, and the Town responded by crafting a zoning plan that limits Shutesbury’s buildable acreage substantially. The following zones were designed to protect the town’s quality of life and ecological integrity, while allowing for continued, targeted development.

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Zoning

Vegetation

Forest Lichen patches Former ATV track: successional pine and bare earth

The southern portion of the parcel is part of a BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape (CNL) bordering designated Interior Forest. Critical Natural Landscapes are areas with the capacity to support key ecological processes. Their habitats are varied, providing resilience in the face of large-scale disturbances, and they support species diversity. Interior Forests are portions of the landscape that are relatively unfragmented by human development and thus able to support species that require interior territory and large landscape blocks (shutesbury.pdf).

Section A-Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

The forest at the back of the parcel is much drier, which indicates that it may be easier to build there than in wetter areas of the parcel, providing there is an access road constructed, likely through parcel O-83 via an easement or outright purchase of that parcel. It is important to note that extensive forest clearing of CNL would be necessary to build in this area. White pine is still prominent in the canopy in the south of parcel O-32 along with red maple and white oak. Hemlock, beech, witch hazel, and chestnut are present in the understory. Colonies of cinnamon fern proliferate for much of the year and lowbush blueberry, clubmosses, and partridgeberry provide ground cover.

Toward the southern portion of parcel O-32, the old dirt road that runs most of the length of the property narrows. Here, at the end of the last large lichen patch, mountain laurel, a dominant shrub found throughout the wooded areas of the parcel, towers above the lower growing sheep laurel along the sides of the path. The understory is quite varied, with chokeberry, rhodora, and trailing arbutus growing trailside.

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The central portion of the parcel is densely forested, with abrupt clearings populated by lichens and mosses (an unusual suite of early successional pioneers thriving where few species could). Scattered pine saplings grow here, inhibited by harsh soil conditions and seasonally heavy water inundation. Cranberries and highbush blueberries, both wetland species, grow in pockets along the old road and in patches of the lichen clearings, indicating potential wetlands (see page 9). These large open patches are highly atypical for the region and there is local interest in learning more about this novel plant community. This interest along with the potential presence of wetlands could limit buildability of this area.

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Vegetation

The front of Parcel O-32 is primarily lawn, which meets the forest edge on all sides except where it meets the neighbor's lawn to the east. There are several clusters of mature spruces, native and non-native. Being that the lawn is already a large open space, approximately 1.9 acres, that is also the only portion of the parcel with road frontage, it may be well suited for siting one or more buildings. This is the area that community members have expressed as the desired location for a new library/ community center.

Parcel O-83

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Parcel O-32 is home to a successional mixed-deciduous-coniferous forest dominated by white pine, a typical forest composition in Shutesbury (January 2015 Complete Open Space Plan.Pdf). About seventeen of the approximately twentyone acres of the parcel are forested, with some very distinct and abrupt clearings dominated by lichen and mosses which are unusual and fascinating in the forested landscape.

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Front lawn

Drainage

Soils

two watersheds, standing water

fine sandy loams series

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Old Radio Facility Site

Parcel O-83

Muck & Mucky Peat soils 0

Most of Parcel O-32 is relatively flat with the exception of a hummocky area to the north containing steep slopes. The south of the parcel very gently slopes southward. Grading for the former radio tower facility in the center of the parcel is still evident and has left a large area of 0-2% slopes, which are poorly draining, contributing to the seasonal inundation in this central portion. With the exception of this area and the hummocky area to the north of it, which also seasonally holds water, the slopes on parcel O-32 are amenable to siting buildings and trails that are accessible (Massachusetts Document Repository-MassGIS).

250

500

1,000 Feet

Most of the soil on-site is fine sandy loam series, which are typically moderately well draining. However, due to topsoil removal (and forest clearing that preceded it), compaction from the old roads, ATV track, and grading for the radio tower facility, the soil characteristics through much of the parcel have been altered, likely contributing to seasonal inundation and standing water. The muck and mucky peat soil types to the west and east of Parcel O-32 are characteristic of wetland conditions. The bordering muck soil to the west that cuts through Parcel O-83 may present obstacles to creating an access road from Pelham Hill Road because of its wet characteristics, which would incur higher costs in construction. If this soil type is found to be a wetland, building a road through it would require permitting and possible wetland replacement on site. It is recommended that this area be delineated before a road to the back of Parcel O-32 is further considered (Massachusetts Document Repository-MassGIS).

DEP Mapped Wetland

Major Watersheds: Parcel O-32 is located along the ridge of the Chicopee and Connecticut River Watersheds. Being that the parcel is located on a ridge, water should be draining off-site, down to the lower elevations to the east and west and into nearby wetlands. However, the 0-2% slopes, soil compaction, and hummocky area impede water movement (Massachusetts Document Repository-MassGIS).

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

Fine Sandy Loam Series

tt R d

il l R d Pe lh a m H

hummocks

il l Ro a d Pe lh a m H

L eve re

Slopes, Soils & Drainage

fairly flat, slight hummocks

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Slopes

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Slopes, Soils, & Drainage

Wetland Hydrology

POTENTIAL WETLANDS

• standing water

MassDEP designated wetland

These maps shows the wetland boundary marked by wetland specialist Ward Smith in December 2018 (left) and wetland specialist Ken Dauchey in 2010 (right). Only the front portion of the parcel was assessed in both assessments. Smith’s report indicates a high water table on-site and differs slightly from Dauchey’s results, showing the wetland larger than in the 2010 delineation.

The delineated wetland, a wet meadow, has a hydrological connection to the DEP mapped wooded wetland to the west.

Parcel O-32 has a delineated wetland at its front, near Leverett Road. This means that much of the front portion of the parcel is within the 100 foot protective wetland buffer, which has both legal and ecological significance. This may present difficulty for developing in this area.

The old road is inundated with at least six inches of standing water

Ecosystem services are not the only benefit of wetlands. There is a high potential for recreation via trails and boardwalks that carefully navigate through these beautiful and unique habitats. Constructing boardwalks in and around wetlands can bring people close to these areas without doing extensive damage to them. For parcel O-32, this begs the question: can development on the parcel avoid degrading wetland health while allowing community members to still enjoy and make use of wetlands and wet areas? To the south, a small portion of the parcel is also subject to the Watershed Protection Act as it falls within the 400-foot Quabbin Reservoir buffer. Although development is allowed in this buffer, . any development that compromises the health of the Quabbin is not allowed, including dense development and storage or disposal of toxic materials.

Water-stained leaves with pooling DEP mapped wetlands Wetlands Protection Act Buffer Watershed Protection Act Buffer

Portions of the front and middle parcel may be subject to additional wetland restrictions if these areas are identified as wetlands.

Much of the old road is covered in cranberries, a wetland indicator species

spring 2019

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

• hydric soils

• wetland plants

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Field Indicators of Wetlands:

Wetland Hydrology

Wetlands provide several benefits including flood control, wildlife habitat that contributes greatly to biodiversity in the larger environment, treating and infiltrating stormwater runoff, and filtering surface water. They are also highly productive at carbon capture and storage, a function increasingly important in the face of global climate change. Ensuring the health and ecological integrity of wetlands is crucial for these functions to continue.

During the Conway student team’s first site visit, it was noted that much of the parcel beyond the delineated front was also wet, with the presence of some wetland plant species. The team then returned with wetland ecologist Bill Lattrell (who was not present to do an official delineation but to advise the student team) and he described Parcel O-32 as a “tapestry of wetlands.” He stated that, barring an official delineation, there are most likely wetlands present on-site that have not been delineated. The Conway team mapped potential wetlands by looking at specific indicators including the presence of wetland plants, hydric soils, standing water, and water-stained leaves. If three out of four indicators were present, these locations were mapped using GPS and then transferred to GIS where a 100-buffer was applied. The buffer (in yellow on the map) indicates potential restrictions to development and emphasizes the uncertainty of buildability on-site. It is strongly recommended that the entire parcel is delineated. If all areas mapped below as potential wetlands are indeed regulated wetlands, this would mean further constraints to development in the north and central portions of parcel O-32. A delineation would further shed light on whether these potential wetlands are connected or isolated, which is significant because an isolated wetland needs to have an area of at least 1,000 feet to qualify as protected.

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Shutesbury contains many Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection designated wetlands that are subject to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, federal Clean Water Act, and Shutesbury Town bylaws. Thus, developing in wetlands and wetland buffers requires navigating local, state, and federal laws. All of these laws are in place to protect wetlands, as they are an important natural resource. The Wetlands Protection Act states that “no person shall remove, fill, dredge or alter (a wetland)” (Protecting Wetlands in Massachusetts). Any development in Shutesbury, including roads and buildings, proposed within 100-foot wetland “buffer zones” will require a permit from the Shutesbury Conservation Commission (Wetlands Protection Bylaw Shutesbury.Org).

Constraints and Other Considerations

Critical Natural Landscape and Interior Forest BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape overlaps the southern third of the parcel. This land abuts Interior Forest as well. While relatively plentiful in Shutesbury, in the larger landscape these types of forests are increasingly damaged, fragmented, or lost entirely to human development. In a changing global climate, especially, these areas are important for a myriad of habitat and ecosystem services. Building in this location would result in a degree of forest fragmentation in Shutesburyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heavily forested landscape.

Zoning and Utilities Municipal water and sewer services are not available in Shutesbury. New construction must site wells and septic systems, being particularly careful in wetland-adjacent areas, while following the spatial requirements for well and septic systems. Designs assume that the site has available well water and can support a septic system of required size. The Town will need to determine if the site can accommodate a septic system and provide drinking water, and further look into these requirements going forward. Parcel O-83

The site sits at the convergence of three zoning districts, much of the parcel falls in the town center zone with a portion in forest conservation and a small amount in roadside residential in the southern third of the parcel. The forest conservation zoning is intended to protect intact forest and so any potential plans for building in that portion of the property, especially since it also contains Critical Natural Landscape and partially overlaps the Quabbin buffer, should be as minimally impactful as possible, without extensive forest clearing. The town center zoning is intended to promote multi-use development; the northern portion of the property located within this zone according to town zoning, is ideal for siting a library/community center and/or multiple uses such as a library/community center and senior housing.

Access and Circulation For both a library/community center and for senior housing, accessibility is important. The library should be visible from the road and both the library and the senior housing should have parking close by and a road that accommodates emergency vehicle access. Both should be as close as possible to the town center to allow for greater circulation to the library and for senior community access to Town services. The community has also expressed interest in a trail through the parcel that would be less seasonally inundated than the existing road, and allow for better access throughout parcel O-32 for accessible passive recreation.

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The pocket of muck soil on the southwest border of parcel O-32 would also need to be delineated if the Town ultimately decides to build on the back of the parcel, with an access road through parcel O-83. This is predicated on the feasibility of obtaining an easement on or purchasing parcel O-83. If the Town does decide to purchase parcel O-83, a feasibility study for that parcel, which already has road frontage and isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Critical Natural Landscape, might reveal opportunities to build on that parcel along Pelham Hill Road, which could reduce or eliminate the necessity to build a road into and develop the back of parcel O-32.

The various potential wetlands on the parcel will need to be delineated to determine whether they are wetlands subject to protection, which would further constrain building. Lacking an official delineation, designs assume that these areas are wetlands with a 100-foot legal buffer.

Feasibility Summary

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The delineated wetland at the front of parcel O-32 constrains the buildable area near Leverett Road, the only road frontage on parcel O-32, which is also closest to the town center. The front of the parcel is the area preferred by community members for siting a new library/community center due to its visibility and access to Leverett Road, the main road that goes through the town center. Building within the wetland buffer would likely be unavoidable in this otherwise ideal location, which will require permission from the Shutesbury Conservation Commission and careful consideration of ecological impacts.

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Village Center

spring 2019

Wetlands and Frontage

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

Feasibility Summary

Trails The Mutter’s Field Accessible Trail in Easthampton brings hikers to a prime Mount Tom viewing area at the Brickyard Brook Conservation Area. The path has a level grade made of finely crushed stone, accessible to all, and can withstand seasonal flooding. This type of trail through parcel O-32 would be a relatively low impact and accessible way to provide recreational opportunities if sited in a drier portion of the parcel than where the old road is, it could be used all year long.

The Hawley Bog boardwalk in Hawley, MA is a simpler, less intensive style of boardwalk. It would be much less expensive to construct but is not, however, ADA accessible. The town should assess potential usership of a trail through Parcel O-32 to decide the level of investment to make in constructing it. There is potential to have a trail that has an ADA accessible portion and a more informal footpath portion.

Photo: Chasing Waterfalls in New England

Photo: Lunenburg Public Library The Lunenburg Public Library in Lunenberg, MA has a large community room as well as a smaller meeting room for community members to reserve. Photo: Mallory Rasky

Photo: The Pascommuck Conservation Trust

Senior housing Shutesbury seniors have expressed that they do not want to live in a large, apartment-style building but would prefer a community of small cottages. This small, villagestyle development is in keeping with Shutesbury’s rural character while still allowing for a connected community. There are many opportunities to make these small homes more environmentally sustainable.

A senior community of energy efficient, singlestory homes in rural Bridgton, ME, called The Cottages at Willett Brook, gives local seniors the option to “age in place”.

Precedents

Small, cottage-style senior homes

Photo: Oudens-Ello Architecture The West Tisbury Free Public Library in Massachusetts displays a clear entry with a vegetative buffer to catch car runoff and to provide separation between parking and path.

Photo: Massachusetts House Plans.Com

Photo: Gallery – The Cottages At Willett Brook

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

Silvio O. Conte Nature Trail provides an accessible loop through wetlands to give the public access to fragile ecosystems while minimizing impact. The path is composed of boardwalks and crushed stone to withstand wet conditions. Boardwalks may be appropriate in wetter portions of Parcel O-32.

Libraries as community gathering spaces

Photo: NRT Database

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Siting a larger, around 6,000 square-foot library at the front of parcel O-32, on Leverett Road, could serve the community by allowing for expanded programing and for multi-use spaces. Shutesbury residents have stated a need for community gathering space, specifically, a space for seniors to gather. A larger library building could have space designated for this purpose, in addition to more library space and accessible outdoor spaces.

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Library

spring 2019

Precedents

• Six 700 sq. ft. senior cottages

• Paths from road to library

• 1 trail loop

• Seasonal woodland trails

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Sited near the main road, the library and senior housing are easily accessible, visible, and walkable from the town center. Clustering buildings near the front portion of the parcel leaves most of the site’s woodlands intact. Pedestrian and vehicular access are separated by creating a fern walk entrance for walkers, porous parking for cars, and a drop-off area to limit conflict between parking and drive-bys. The northwest wetland is restored and converted to a wet meadow which creates visual interest from the street and also improves wetland diversity. A labeled plant walk engages library visitors by providing education on local plants. Mixed uses can be challenging, both for the public and residents as trail-goers must pass by the housing area to access the hiking trails. The impact on site of septic and well systems for multiple uses is unknown and may present complications between private and public uses. With only six units at 700 square-feet, the town must discuss whether the construction of these units is worth the cost of construction and possible adverse effects to the wetlands. The library and senior housing are sited fifty feet into buffers associated with the delineated and potential wetlands, so permitting will be require.

The library is sited in an area that is already cleared and has supported a well and septic system in the past. The single structure is integrated into the landscape by limiting tree removal, incorporating additional trees, and restoring the wetland. With only one building on site, there is less ecological impact to the overall parcel compared with the dual function alternative. Porous parking helps mitigate stormwater runoff and the restored wetland improves functionality of the wetland by filtering stormwater and improves the visual appeal of the road frontage. A proposed sidewalk on Leverett Road brings residents to a footpath that meanders through a front garden past the parking area. The footpath continues to the back of the library through the parcel, connecting to a seasonal woodland trail. Senior housing is not sited on the parcel to minimize additional ecological disturbance. The design does encroach upon the wetland buffer, which will require permitting. How this will affect the western wetland remains in question.

Concept 1 & 2

Preliminary Design

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site feasibility study: parcel O-32

• 4800 sq. ft. library with 10 parking spaces

Specifications

• 4800 sq. ft. library with 7 parking spaces

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

Specifications

spring 2019

Preliminary Design Concepts 1 & 2

Axonometric view

Fifteen 800 sq. ft. homes w/ parking for each

existing muck so ils

Siting housing in the very back of Parcel O-32 New loop trail

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• 5200 sq. ft. library with 12 parking spaces • Seven 1200 and six 800 sq. ft. senior houses • Two-way dead-end road with gravel path connector wide enough for emergency vehicle access that assumes construction of inroad through UMASSowned parcel O-83.

Siting housing toward the back of Parcel O-32 This design alternative sites the library and senior housing separately on the parcel, with the senior housing nestled into the wooded southern third of the parcel, likely not within any wetland buffers, unless the area mapped as muck soil is found to be a wetland (see pg 9). This design also avoids building within the Town’s Forest Conservation zone, which overlaps partially with Critical Natural Landscape. One unknown factor in this design is whether or not Shutesbury can purchase outright or acquire an easement on parcel O-83 to construct an in-road. The delineation of the muck soil type present along that parcel’s eastern border is recommended, as this may affect feasibility of construction of the in-road.

In response to client feedback, these two alternatives explore siting a senior community in the very southern portion of parcel O-32. This would mean navigating construction in the Forest Conservation Zone (see pg 6) and disturbing portions of Critical Natural Landscape (see pg 7). This area, however, is the driest area on the parcel, and relatively flat. Both of these designs would still have a library sited at the front of the parcel. These designs also assume that constructing an access road through parcel O-83 is feasible for the Town. One consideration, if the Town is able to purchase O-83, would be to look into siting housing on O-83 itself, where there is already road frontage.

Aging in place: a town conversation begins One notable concern with this scenario is the senior housing development’s considerable distance from Leverett Road and the center of town. This distance is potentially isolating for seniors who don’t drive and for those with mobility issues, posing social concerns as well as safety concerns for housing specified for elders. A member of the Shutesbury Council on Aging, upon viewing this scenario, raised these concerns. Building closer to the front of the parcel and to the library, if feasible, would create a more social and accessible living arrangement.

for the town of shutesbury, ma

Two-lane road dead-ends with turn-arounds

Preliminary Design Concept 3

Twelve 800 sq. ft. homes w/ 2 parking spaces for each

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Two-lane road with cul-de-sac

Access road through Parcel O-83

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

Axonometric drawing of Design Concept 3

spring 2019

Preliminary Design Concept 3

Preliminary Design Concepts to Final Scenarios Which areas of Parcel O-32 are buildable? How can this parcel best support both community and ecosystem health? How can development minimize impact on the landscape by responding to ecological conditions? Preliminary exploration into potential buildability used three distinct design concepts, each siting community resources differently within the parcel. The two preliminary concepts (pg. 12) site resources at the front of the parcel in a recently disturbed area. In contrast, the concept that sites buildings at the rear of the parcel would require building a road across a potential wetland, purchase of an adjacent property, and forest clearing. These factors, compounded with community concerns about the social isolation and lack of access to town that seniors might face in this site limit the feasibility of this concept. Final scenarios (pg. 16-17) developed from the first two concepts respond to community concerns about development disturbing wetlands, soil structure, and intact forest blocks. Although these final scenarios themselves require further investigation and development, they provide an informed and focused basis for further project development on Parcel O-32.

The porous parking lot provides ten parking spaces for library visitors. Porous parking aids in the infiltration of stormwater, and the sidewalk connects visitors to the library and labeled plant walk. Senior housing is tucked away to the southwest of the library. With five cottages at 1,000 square feet each, residents are within walking distance of the library, Leverett Road, and the town center. Resident parking is divided into two lots, each with five spaces, to accommodate two spots per cottage. Clustered housing provides an intimate setting within the forest, a private backyard, and a more social front yard. Gravel paths lead to the homes, functioning principally as pedestrian routes, with the width necessary to accommodate an emergency vehicle, if necessary. Limiting vehicle movement between the resident parking area and the cottages provides safer access to the village green and encourages pedestrian safe interactive atmosphere for residents. The forest canopy serves as a pleasant division between the private spaces of the senior community and the public spaces of the library. The library is sited in a more open landscape, while the senior housing community is incorporated into the forested setting. Keeping as much area forested as possible during the construction phase will allow for greater shade and privacy around this new neighborhood.

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Even though much of the forest is kept intact in this scenario, the library and senior cottages are sited 50 feet into the 100-foot Wetlands Protection Act buffer, assuming the potential wetlands are regulated wetlands. Limiting impermeable surfaces, careful forest management, and enhancing the wetland can help to decrease e the impacts of development.

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

At 6,000 square feet, the library also functions as a community center, with outdoor recreational spaces, including a southern deck, labeled plant walk, a newly seeded wet meadow, and a seasonal trail along the existing unpaved road. The labeled plant walk educates visitors about the local wetland plants of Shutesbury and the wet meadow backdrop encloses the interpretive walk, provides aesthetic appeal from Leverett Road, and improves the functionality of the delineated wetland. With limited solar potential on site, the library utilizes the small portion of feasible solar on the south-facing portion of the library roof. An evergreen hedge provides a physical and visual barrier to the adjacent eastern neighbors, providing both parties with privacy.

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In order to minimize ecological impact and maintain as much intact forest as possible, this scenario proposes development in the front portion of the parcel, siting both a library and senior housing complex. The library is visible from the road, is accessible via a two-lane driveway and a pedestrian walk through a fern garden. To assist in the community vision of connected town center spaces, a sidewalk along Leverett Road connects parcel O-32 to the town center.

Dual Function

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site feasibility study: parcel O-32

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Dual Function: Senior Housing & Library

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seeded wet meadow

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proposed sidewalk library

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porous parking with vegetated swale

evergreen hedge

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

parking

for the town of shutesbury, ma

porous

Dual Function

green

plant walk site feasibility study: parcel O-32

senior housing

village

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The porous paving minimizes impervious surface and allows stormwater runoff to infiltrate on-site. The old driveway provides a blueprint for the new parking area. The library building itself is integrated into the landscape with paths and options for outdoor seating. It takes advantage of the one area on the parcel that is suited for solar panels by siting solar panels on the roof, facing south. This scenario requires the least amount of intervention and disturbance on the parcel by siting one multi-use public building. This part of the parcel has already supported a single building and the soils at the front portion have been tested and are suitable for septic systems.

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A 6,000 square foot library is sited at the front of the parcel, visible from the road with defined pedestrian and vehicle entrances. The existing stone wall is extended across the road frontage to frame entrances to the property. The western opening of the stone wall guides visitors over a boardwalk, through a restored wetland, seeded with a wet meadow mix, before arriving at the portico of the library. Wetland restoration involves reducing mowing and taking efforts to restore the degraded wetlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical, chemical, or biological characteristics and the restored wetland on site improves its visual appeal from the road and improves wetland functionality on site, filtering water. Vehicles enter a two-lane driveway, with easy access in and out of the library parking area, which has two ADA accessible spaces. A garden separates pedestrians and vehicles by providing an enjoyable stroll for the walker, after traveling down the proposed Leverett Road sidewalk.

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

Key Features

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

spring 2019

Solo Library

spring 2019

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Solo Library

proposed sidewalk

Lili Elena, Amanda Hawes, Mallory Rasky

play area

library

for the town of shutesbury, ma

site feasibility study: parcel O-32

boardwalk through wetland

References 1. 180814 Zoning Bylaw_rev_0.Pdf. http://www.shutesbury.org/sites/default/files/180814%20Zoning%20 Bylaw_rev_0.pdf. Accessed 20 June 2019. 2. Board of Health | Shutesbury.Org. https://www.shutesbury.org/health. Accessed 20 June 2019. 3. January 2015 COMPLETE OPEN SPACE PLAN 2.Pdf. http://www.shutesbury.org/sites/default/files/offices_ committees/open_space_cmte/plan/ FinalDraftCompleteOpenSpacePlan.pdf. Accessed 13 June 2019. 4. Fort River Birding and Nature Trail - NRT Database. http://www.nrtdatabase.org/trailDetail. php?recordID=3943. Accessed 20 June 2019. 5. Gallery – The Cottages At Willett Brook. https://bridgtonliving.com/photo-albums/. Accessed 20 June 2019. 6. Google Earth. https://www.google.com/earth/. Accessed 20 June 2019. 7. History | Shutesbury.Org. https://www.shutesbury.org/history. Accessed 20 June 2019. 8. History: Quabbin and Ware. http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/hist5.htm. Accessed 10 June 2019. 9. Lunenburg Public Library | 1023 Massachusetts Avenue, Lunenburg, MA 01462. https://www. lunenburglibrary.org/. Accessed 20 June 2019. 10. Massachusetts Document Repository. https://docs.digital.mass.gov/dataset/massgis-data-layers. Accessed 20 June 2019. 11. Massachusetts House Plans - Houseplans.Com. https://www.houseplans.com/collection/massachusettshouse-plans. Accessed 20 June 2019. 12. Mutter’s Field Accessible Trail - The Pascommuck Conservation Trust. http://www.pctland.org/mutter-fieldaccessible-trail-project/. Accessed 20 June 2019. 13. Mutter’s Field Fully Accessible Trail, Easthampton MA – Chasing Waterfalls in New England. https:// chasingwaterfallsinnewengland.wordpress.com. Accessed 20 June 2019. 14. Pilkingtonsunanglecalculatormanual.Pdf. https://www.pilkington.com/resources/ pilkingtonsunanglecalculatormanual.pdf. Accessed 20 June 2019. 15. “Protecting Wetlands in Massachusetts.” Mass.Gov, https://www.mass.gov/guides/protecting-wetlands-inmassachusetts. Accessed 20 June 2019. 16. Quabbin Reservoir Filled to the Brim. https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/quabbin-reservoirfilled-to-the-brim.html#&gid=1&pid=1. Accessed 10 June 2019. 17. Shutesbury Zoning Map | Shutesbury.Org. https://www.shutesbury.org/node/1490. Accessed 20 June 2019.

Leaves of an American chestnut sapling. One of several found on parcel O-32

18. Shutesbury.Pdf. http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/dfg/biomap/pdf/town_core/Shutesbury.pdf. Accessed 20 June 2019. 19. Shutesbury-Vision-Report-Low-Res.Pdf. http://www.shutesbury.org/sites/default/files/Shutesbury-VisionReport-low-res.pdf. Accessed 20 June 2019. 20. Site Summary: Quabbin Reservoir Watershed. https://www.massaudubon.org/our-conservation-work/ wildlife-research-conservation/statewide-bird-monitoring/ massachusetts-important-bird-areas-iba/iba-sites/quabbin-reservoir-watershed. Accessed 10 June 2019. 21. TNM Download. https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/ basic/?basemap=b1&category=histtopo,ustopo&title=Map%20View. Accessed 20 June 2019 22. West Tisbury Free Public Library — Oudens Ello Architecture. https://www.oudens-ello.com/project/westtisbury-free-public-library. Accessed 20 June 2019. 23. Wetlands Protection Bylaw | Shutesbury.Org. https://www.shutesbury.org/information/wetlandsprotection-bylaw. Accessed 20 June 2019.