ASHFIELD — In the last decade, Ashfield has seen a proposal for a large-scale wind turbine facility and for a major gas pipeline to run through farmland. Now the town is considering a “Large Scale Industrial and Commercial Facilities Bylaw” that would set performance standards on environmental and land-use impacts for such large-scale structures proposed for town.
The Planning Board is holding a public hearing on this Saturday starting at 10 a.m. in the Town Hall.
“This is a Selectboard initiative,” explained Selectman Ron Coler. The issue came about as a result of a citizens’ petition in 2014, calling on town leaders to adopt rules, bylaws or take other actions necessary to address large-scale projects.
“This just protects the assets of the town and holds developers to a high due-diligence process,” said Coler.
One reason for scheduling the meeting on a Saturday morning, he said, is to meet public hearing deadlines in time to put the bylaw proposal on the annual town meeting warrant, if residents want to do so.
Large-scale industrial and commercial facilities (LSICFs) are structures that would alter at least 50 acres of land or create 10 or more acres of impervious surfaces. It does not apply to telecommunication projects, local road or municipal projects, or agricultural-use plans or forest-cutting plans.
The plan would require proponents to:
prepare community and environmental impact assessments;
allow the town to hire professional consultants at the applicant’s expense;
require baseline testing and monitoring of water, noise and air;
and require financial surety to cover any damage to public property, including roads.
If approved at town meeting, it would add a new section to the town’s zoning bylaws Use Regulations.
More information is available at the town’s website:
https://ashfield.org/