Top Ten Questions about Lowe's "Front Build" Plan in Hadley

Dave Elvin
(with apologies to David Letterman)

There are a lot of questions that need to be answered BEFORE the rezoning vote on Jan. 17:

10. How can the perennial stream that runs through the site be relocated to flow around the proposed parking lot when regulatory agencies rarely allow year-round streams to be moved such long distances?

9. How serious is the threat to build 20 or more houses when there is no site plan on file for the houses and the developer has never built a residential development anyway?

8. How can the front build plan meet Hadley's 2:1 parking-to-building requirement when the parking lot appears to be about the same size at the proposed Lowe's store?

7. How can the proposed attached garden center be built when it apparently violates the 50-foot setback requirement?

6. How will the gas- and oil-contaminated runoff from the parking lot be handled when there are no water detention facilities shown?

5. If underground water runoff detention is going to be used, how can it be built when underground detention is prohibited in the Callahan Aquifer protection district?

4. How and where is Lowe's going to store regulated the hazardous materials, like fertilizers, paints, and solvents, that will be delivered and sold when the placement of these materials in the Callahan Aquifer protection district and near open running water is prohibited?

3. Is the developer planning to buy abutting properties so that there could be enough acreage to make the "front build" plan work—and if so, how much more land will be purchased?

2. Why has the developer raised the issue of noise and sound barriers (mitigation) for the front location—and scared people into thinking there won't be any at this site—when such measures can and will be required by state agencies and the planning board later on?

1. Why would Lowe's want to own, maintain and pay taxes on more land when their store will fit neatly onto a smaller parcel?

Bonus Question: If the front site plan really works, then why is Lowe's trying so hard to get their hands on 13 additional acres of land in Hadley?

Too many questions—not enough answers. Vote "NO" to rezoning for Lowe's.