Hatfield Planning Board Sends USA Waste Permit Back to Conservation Commission

HATFIELD -- February 5, 2020, Hatfield Planning Board continues USA Waste permit hearing and advances 500-foot marijuana setback proposal. The board voted unanimously at its February 5 meeting to continue a public hearing on a special permit application from USA Waste and Recycling for its 77B West Street facility, which is seeking to increase permitted on-site trucks from 20 to 34 and containers from 120 to 150. Neighbors Luke Longstreet, who cited a background in urban forestry, and an abutter at 81 West Street alleged wetland buffer clearing, unmaintained drainage swales, and more than 30 vehicles already on site in apparent violation of the existing 20-vehicle limit. The board directed the applicant to present its revised site plan to the Conservation Commission and to add aquifer zone delineation before the hearing resumes. Separately, Chair Stephanie Slysz announced a plan to propose a 500-foot setback, measured building-edge to security-fence, for outdoor and greenhouse marijuana cultivators from pre-existing residential units, to be taken up at a noticed public hearing on March 4.