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 for wetlands protection and stormwater management, putting the natural environment, future property owners, and abutters at risk.
Staff from the DEP visited the site in December 2024. After receiving comments from Robert Gemma, the stormwater engineer retained by the residents, the DEP requested various changes to the project to improve the management of stormwater and the maintenance of the system. On August 7, the DEP approved the project to proceed subject to conditions.
Here is a selection of recent documents relating to the project:
View Avenue Project Plan with Stormwater Management System and Drainage Areas, March 21, 2025
Berkshire Design Group submission to MA DEP on behalf of Sovereign Builders, July 11, 2025
Robert Gemma comments submitted to MA DEP on July 21, 2025
MA DEP Superseding Order of Conditions issued on August 7, 2025
The DEP’s order does not address some of the concerns raised by Mr. Gemma on July 21. These include:
The deadline to appeal the DEP’s order is August 21.