Hatfield Planning Board approves three special permits in single September session

HATFIELD -- September 1, 2021, Hatfield Planning Board approves three special permits and hears early pitch for West Street solar array. The board, chaired by Stephanie Slysz, approved a special permit and site plan review for Walter Thayer's construction storage yard at 82 King Street after a first motion without conditions failed 3-2, the board requires four votes for passage, and a second motion tying the permit to the Thayer family and their business passed unanimously; abutters Sean Haynesworth and Tom Woodside had pushed for the ownership restriction, citing concerns about visual screening and potential future expansion. The board also unanimously approved a special permit for Scapes Builders and Excavation's new commercial office and workshop at 117 West Street, and a special permit formalizing expanded self-storage and non-conforming vehicle storage at 164 West Street for purchaser Doug, represented by engineer Jeff Squire of Berkshire Design Group. In an informal discussion, Russell Burke of BSC Group presented a concept plan for a roughly 2.6-megawatt ground-mounted solar array at 112 West Street on behalf of California-based Valta Energy, but board members flagged concerns about clear-cutting approximately 12 acres of woodland, proximity to a certified vernal pool, rocky soils, and wildlife corridor impacts before any formal application is filed.