Hampden Planning Board approves church lot merger, sports dome site plan

The Hampden Planning Board approved a minor subdivision amendment allowing Discover Church to merge a town-owned open space parcel with its existing property to increase parking capacity. The board also approved a major site plan for a proposed indoor sports dome and parking facility at the intersection of Colbert Road and Harold Bouchard Way. Both approvals included conditions regarding stormwater management, buffers, and legal review.

Key points

• The board approved a minor subdivision amendment for Discover Church to combine a town open space lot with its church property, subject to a 30-foot buffer and a permanent easement for the town to maintain the stormwater system.
• Public comments raised concerns about potential loss of green space and impacts on nearby storm drains, which the applicant addressed by clarifying the lot would remain undeveloped green space to offset impervious surface limits on other parcels.
• The board approved a major site plan for a River City Athletics sports complex, featuring an 80,000-square-foot dome and 60 parking spaces, after the applicant reoriented the layout to move parking away from the road.
• Staff noted that the sports dome exceeds the 50-foot height limit, requiring increased setbacks, and that a DEP site law amendment is currently in process.
• A board member requested additional vegetative buffering on the southern edge of the sports complex site, and the applicant agreed to explore adding more landscaping in that area.

Next steps

• The applicant must send the proposed deed for the church lot merger to legal review and obtain approval from the Town Council before the sale can proceed.
• The applicant for the sports complex must obtain utility connection permits, complete the post-construction stormwater ordinance requirements, and address the requested additional southern buffering.
• The Planning Board will hold a workshop next week to discuss data centers and the Board of Appeals' jurisdiction over subdivision appeals.

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