Regarding the proposed Target supply chain facility on North Road (Route 202) and Falcon Drive, Westfield.
I am Connie Adams, owner of Yellow Stonehouse Farm located at 354 Root Road in Westfield. I oppose the Target facility and hope to persuade my fellow citizens and members of the Planning Board to vote against this project. The Planning Board acts as if they should always issue special permits when requested. Might I suggest that special permits should be special — which means rare and infrequent. Special permits should not be issued when more than 70 residents assemble at a Planning Board meeting in opposition because it will adversely affect the neighborhood — a key standard (Section 1-50.6, No. 2) for rejecting a special permit.
Environmental impact
1. Part of the facility sits atop the aquifer (already polluted by PFAS), so the project is subject to the Water Resource Protection Act’s authority to “protect, preserve and maintain the public water supply and lands that contribute to it; to conserve the natural water resources within the city; and to prevent the pollution of the public water supply of the city.” It is the duty of the Planning Board to protect the residents from this type of development.
2. Westfield will lose 45 acres of woodland, and all its flora and fauna — which clean our air, pollinate our plants, moderate temperatures, filter rainwater and replenish the aquifer. We need to protect woodlands, not cut them down.
Quality of life impact
3. Hundreds more trucks, operating 18 hours a day, will seriously impact Westfield. It will back up Southampton Road and the Interstate 90 interchange, plus increase traffic from Holyoke over the mountain. Increased traffic will cause other trucks to seek alternative routes and force truck traffic onto side streets like Root Road, County Line Road and even East Mountain Road. The noise, exhaust, accident risk and gridlock will impact everyone living near the proposed facility driveways onto North Road, plus all the neighborhoods within a five-mile radius — exacerbating already excessive truck traffic.
Unfair burden on North Side residents and environmental justice communities
4. Residents oppose more development on the North Side — especially projects which increase truck traffic. We’ve asked for moratoriums, pleaded with the mayor, City Council, Planning and Zoning to stop promoting Westfield as a haven for logistical business, yet we are ignored.
5. The primary benefit to the city is property tax revenue, but often these expectations do not pan out. Tax revenue is not guaranteed — especially with the current economy impacting retailers such as Target. Why else are so many logistical businesses sitting empty. The city should promote shuttered locations for development rather than clear cut woodlands.
Now is the time for Westfield residents come together. Let the Planning Board, City Council and mayor know Westfield rejects more trucks. Attend the Planning Board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers. The more people who show up, the more the Planning Board will be motivated to listen.
Connie Adams
Westfield
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