The map above displays the two parcels that are suitable for a Bio-Tech industrial Park in Northampton Massachusetts. The three criteria are: the parcel must be ten acres or greater, the zoning must be industrial or commercial, and the parcel must be 100 feet or more from a wetland.

Analysis of Suitable Parcels in Northampton for a Bio-Tech Industry

After processing the city data in ArcMap, the number of suitable parcels in Northampton is two. These parcels are ten acres or greater, are 100 feet or more away from a wetland, and are coded for either industrial or commercial use.  There are not many parcels to choose from in Northampton. Out of the two parcels, the most North western parcel has a structure on its most eastern side, but then has open land to the west. If the Bio-Tech Industrial Park where to be built from the ground up, then the empty section of this parcel would be prime. The other parcel, to the South east, is already built up. This parcel has a couple structures as well as an entrance and exit. Both of these parcels are situated between Route 9, as well as another road that connects to Route 9 nearby. This road access makes either of these two lots just as suitable as the other. The lot that is half empty would also be able to have an exit on the west side of it if there were to be a park built there.

Other options that exist to site this Bio-Tech Industrial Park are accessibility of more than one entrance or exit, parking lots, and other necessary structures.  The dimensions of this building have to fit certain criteria, and these other factors listed previously have to be considered. Ten or more acres is a decent sized parcel, however the parking lot, other needed structures, and enough entrances as well as exits have to be considered when planning this project. It would also be smart to place it closer to, or among other businesses so to draw more attention, and make it known to the public. If it is hiding away on a less traveled road, then it will not be as known to the public.

This site selection analysis has many steps involved. To make this process more convenient and efficient, it would be doable to create a layer available on MassGIS, or another GIS website, that included most of these steps already put together. This layer would include parcels that are large enough for the desired project, zoned according to the specific project, and only including parcels that aren’t within 100 feet of a wetland. This layer could realistically be done for every town, with the criteria generally set. It would create a temporary job for someone, and would be a great help to towns, cities, planners, contractors, and any other involved group of people.

 Below is a flowchart with the steps that I followed throughout this spatial analysis.