HADLEY — A new JP Morgan Chase Bank branch to be constructed on a section of the Hampshire Mall property closest to Route 9 and South Maple Street can proceed following approval from the Planning Board.

The board Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of the site plans for the 3,000-square-foot building, with a drive-thru, and the special permits required, including a business use in aquifer and farmland preservation bylaw.

Planned to go up at 375 Russell St., next to the Trader Joe’s store, the Chase branch would become the second in Hampshire County. Chase opened in downtown Northampton at the former Silverscape Designs in July.

The approval came following presentations earlier in the year by Josh Kline of Stonefield Engineering & Design in Boston and a mandated peer review by Tighe & Bond. The only major change recommended by Tighe & Bond was to have in-and-out traffic from the bank’s parking lot onto the mall’s perimeter road in two locations, rather than just one.

Because the bank will cover too much of the lot, and be out of compliance with town zoning, a donation of $12.272, or the average sale price of an acre of farmland over the last three years, will be made to an account that is used to support protection of agricultural properties elsewhere in town.

The developer will have to return for review of the externally illuminated signs for the bank.

Kline said a construction start sometime in 2024, coming out of winter, is likely. “I know they want to move quickly,” Kline said.

In other business, the Planning Board approved a home occupation business for Nick Simmons, who will run Hadley Mill Works at 43 East St.

Simmons notified neighbors and abutters of his plans, which is to use different kinds of wood, including maple, ash, cherry and butternut, to build dining room tables and coffee tables, floating shelves and bar tops. No milling, carpentry or any noise related to the business will be done on East Street, but rather on a property on Route 47.

“This is a hobbyist business,” Simmons said, explaining that he would have a maximum of 10 appointments each week, and no employees.

The board is permitting Spirit Halloween, returning to 335 Russell St., in space located behind Walmart, to have two signs, one over the entrance and the other on the side of the building, at 3 feet by 10 feet and 3 feet by 15 feet. Those signs will be displayed for 45 days, through Nov. 3.

Though the larger sign is not in compliance with town zoning Planning Board Clerk William Dwyer explained the reasoning to allow it. “It is temporary. It is excessive,” Dwyer said.

Another new sign will be put up by Kestrel Land Trust across from Porter Phelps Huntington Museum, at 131 River Drive, directing people to use a new trail through its Elizabeth Huntington Dyer Field & Forest. The sign will also encourage those who want to use the trail to park at the museum, rather than alongside Route 47. The trail connects to the Mount Warner Reservation that is a Trustees of Reservation property.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>