Hudson residents gathered to learn more about the civil aspects of the Intel redevelopment. (Photo/Caroline Gordon)
HUDSON – Residents had an opportunity to learn about a developer’s plans for stormwater management and other civil aspects at the Intel site redevelopment during a recent Planning Board meeting on Wednesday.
This past summer, Intel said that it planned to sell its 149-acre parcel at 75 Reed Road to Portman Industrial. Portman, in turn, plans to demolish the existing buildings and construct a 1,284,640-square-foot distribution warehouse.
However, some residents voiced concerns, including Diane Bemis, who is the vice president of the Quail Run board of governors.
“I’m going to say first and foremost, we do not want this monstrosity in our backyard. We do not want to be exposed to the demolition, blasting and site prep for this project in general. We do not want to be exposed to any of the off-peak work hours of this project, during both demolition and construction,” she said.
What was discussed for Intel redevelopment
This Planning Board meeting specifically addressed the civil aspects of the site, which include sewer and water, site grading, erosion control and other public utilities.
Principal of Land Design Collaborative Michael Scott, who is leading the Intel redevelopment peer review team for town, said the team has examined stormwater management and landscaping for the project.
Scott said the peer reviewers are spending the most time studying the project’s stormwater management.
“Overall, the plans are generally in conformance with what you need from a content and design standard criteria. Dimensionally, and in terms of grade, width, parking, landscaping, lighting and the methods they are using for stormwater analysis and design are all appropriate,” Scott said.
According to Scott, the stormwater system relies on existing stormwater facilities as well as new underground facilities. As part of the developer’s plans for the site, two of the large systems underneath the main part of the parking lot have been shifted to the east toward Marlborough Street.
This week Scott said he examined one of the two primary stormwater outlet points, noting that it looks “well stabilized” with riprap, which helps secure against erosion.
However, he did not look at the other outlet point due to the overgrowth of bushes that blocks it.
“We didn’t identify any concerns [with stormwater drainage] at that point,” he said.
He said the peer review team has not studied the utilities for sewer, water and power because the town has departments, such as the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Hudson Light and Power, to study these aspects of the site.
“Both [the DPW and Hudson Light and Power] are satisfied that this project demands less than what was previously allocated to this site,” Scott said.
Residents voice concerns
Resident Johan Daniel voiced concerns about the stormwater management of the site.
“Westridge requests the auxiliary parking lot, proposed beyond the north end of the loop road, be graded to the northeast. In the proposed drawing the lot brings to the northwest, towards the property line with Westridge. This additional stormwater will exacerbate existing drainage problems from the Intel site into Westridge,” he said.
“It just seems ridiculous that you are proposing this enormous site in between a childcare center and two retirement communities,” Director of Hudson Children’s Center Robin Shapiro said. “We are not opposed to a commercial property being sold by Intel, but we are opposed to this monstrosity that is going to not only disrupt Hudson Children’s Center, Quail Run [and] westridge, [but] it’s going to disrupt the whole town of Hudson.”
According to Planning Board Chair Robert D’Amelio, the next public hearing for the proposed Intel redevelopment will concern traffic. The hearing will be held on Nov. 15.
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