Stanley Park Executive Director Robert McKean presented a request for determination of applicability (RDA) to the Conservation Commission at a public meeting Tuesday night to set conditions for the demolition of a single-family structure at 377 Granville Road. The house is on the corner of Gillette Road, next to the Horton Bridge over Little River. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – The Conservation Commission set conditions for the demolition of an unoccupied house on the southeast corner of Stanley Park.
Park officials presented a request for determination of applicability (RDA) to the commission at a public meeting last night, to set conditions for the demolition of a single-family structure at 377 Granville Road. The house is on the corner of Gillette Road, next to the Horton Bridge over Little River.
The Conservation Commission determined that the work is in the board’s jurisdiction under state law because it is within the 200-foot-riverside protection boundary and because there are protected wetlands just to the rear of the structure.
Stanley Park Executive Director Robert McKean said the tenants of the house recently moved, providing the opportunity to remove the structure and expand the lawn area.
“We don’t want to stay in the rental business,” McKean said. “The family moved out and the cost is too much to renovate. And we don’t want to pay the taxes.”
The commission members questioned the impact of the demolition project and discussed measures to prevent environmental impact. The project will also be involved in removing a stockade fence, asphalt driveway and two-car garage.
“Is this across the street (Gillette road) from the one you demolished last year or two years ago?” Chairman David Doe question the applicants.
The first house removed from the park property was converted into a parking area, which generated several questions about the future use of the property slated for demolition by Truck Crane Services, Inc. of Westfield.
Member Henry Bannish asked if the present parking area will be expanded. McKean said the park does not “plan to add any parking.”
McKean said that the park does not want to create another entry road or access at that location.
Commissioner James Murphy asked if the topography of the land will be substantially changed because of concern that sheet flow of rainwater would become an environmental impact on the river or nearby wetlands.
Paul Liptak of Truck Crane Services said the topography will remain as it is, with a slight slope of the lawn “dipping down” to Gillette Road.
Conservation Coordinator Karen Leigh said the project will enhance the environment near the resources area of the wetlands.
“They’re going from an impervious surface to grass, so this is an improvement,” Leigh said.
Commissioner Thomas Sharp said that he frequently walks the trails in the park.
“I’ve always found the park managers and volunteers to be excellent stewards of the land,” Sharp said.
The conditions include installation of erosion controls, a silt fence, to protect the nearby wetland resource areas at the rear property.
