April 12, 2012 Agenda
Northampton Public Legal Notice/Meeting Agenda
For Thursday April 12, 2012
THE PLANNING BOARD will conduct a joint public hearing with CENTRAL BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE COMMITTEE in City Council Chambers 212 Main Street, Northampton:
7:00 P.M. Request by Alex Ghiselin, Diane Welter, Marjorie Hess, Rudy Talabar. for Special Permit for minor expansion less than 30’ in height and Central Business Architecture Review
for an addition at 70 & 76 Masonic St, Northampton, Map ID 31D-123.
7:15 P.M. Request by Thomas Douglas for Special Permit for addition less than 30’ in height and Central Business Architecture Review for an addition at 60 Masonic St, Northampton, Map
ID 31D-122 and 31D-252.
THE PLANNING BOARD will conduct a public hearing in City Council Chambers 212 Main Street, Northampton:
7:45 P.M. Request by Oak Ridge Road LLC for subdivision amendment and special permit amendment for The Oaks to clarify permit conditions and lot references to revised lot layout and
clarify the parcels that will require onsite fire suppression. Parcels originally located on Map 36-68, off Burts Pits Rd, Florence, MA
8:00 P.M. Continuation of Beechwood Single Family Homes at Olander/Ford Crossing by Wright Builders for Site Plan Approval for 6 single family house lots on Olander Dr. and Ford Crossing
at Village Hill, Northampton, Map ID 31C-17.
Other including: expansion of Elm St Hist Dist
Subcommittee assignments/CPC
Minutes: Mar 8,12, 22
Zoning issues
Publish: Mar 29 and Apr 5, 2012
The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
April 12, 2012
City of Northampton Council Chambers, 212 Main St., Northampton, MA
Members Present: Time
Chair, Stephen Gilson
Vice Chair, Jennifer Dieringer
Francis “Frandy” Johnson
Marilyn Richards
Debin Bruce
Katharine Baker
Mark Sullivan
Andrew Weir, Associate Member
Associate Member
Staff:
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden
Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING with Central Business Architecture Committee
Sitting for CBAC:
Rick Klein, Joe Blumenthal, Aelan Tierney, Barry Steeves
7:00 P.M.
Stephen Gilson opened request by Alex Ghiselin, Diane Welter, Marjorie Hess,
Rudy Talabar. for Special Permit for minor expansion less than 30’ in height and Central
Business Architecture Review for an addition at 70 & 76 Masonic St, Northampton, Map ID
31D-123.
Stephen Gilson opened both boards’ hearings.
Alex Ghiselin introduced the owners and gave project description.
Stephen Gilson asked if the sidewalk/path would remain between State Street and Media
Education Foundation.
Ghiselin stated the path would remain.
Andrew Weir asked the purpose of the addition.
Ghiselin noted that both floors are for expansion of existing spaces.
There was no public comment.
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Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Marilyn Richards, the Planning Board
closed the public hearing.
Upon motion by Rick Klein and second by Aelan Tierney the CBAC closed its hearing.
Andrew Weir noted that the 30’ height requirement would not make sense given the
building.
Mark Sullivan concurred.
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Mark Sullivan the board voted unanimously to
approve as presented.
Upon motion by Barry Steeves and second by Rick Klein, the CBAC approved plan as
presented.
MINUTES:
Upon motion Andrew Weir and second by Marilyn Richards, the board approved all 3 sets of
minutes. (Mar 8, 12, 22)
7:15 P.M.
Stephen Gilson opened the request by Thomas Douglas for Special Permit for
addition less than 30’ in height and Central Business Architecture Review for an addition at
60 Masonic St, Northampton, Map ID 31D-122 and 31D-252.
Francis Johnson recused himself and stepped down from the hearing as an abutter. (Andrew
Weir voting)
Tom Douglas presented the application showing context of building next to Fly By Night.
Douglas noted that the tallest roof line is 32’ and lower roof is 27’ tall and noted that it was
similar in height to surrounding buildings.
Sut Jhally, owner, described easement issue indicating that it is solely for access to 70
Masonic Street. He stated that the building would create a 5’ encroachment into passage
way, and provide cover for a parking space.
There was a board/applicant discussion of roof height and elevations. There was further
discussion of easements and whether the abutter with rights to the easement was satisfied
with the agreement.
Staff read Department of Public Works comments.
asked about State Street elevation.
Aelan Tierney
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Douglas noted that there could not be any openings at all on that side because it was so close
to the property line and opening would not meet fire code.
Tierny noted that the plan changes are much better than original plans submitted with the
application.
Douglas clarified that the building included a real parapet not like paneling on existing
building.
Bill Arnold, representing tenants at 35 Masonic Street who cannot attend raised concerns on
their behalf about the setback and views that would be blocked.
The applicant clarified the relationship to staircase and door of the abutting structure and the
proposed new building.
Tom Douglas requested withdrawal of the permit from the Planning Board review because
permit no longer necessary as the 30’ height minimum was now met.
Upon motion Rick Klein and second by Aelan Tierney, the CBAC voted unanimously to
close their hearing and issue approval based on the submission as presented at the hearing.
7:55 CBAC adjourn
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Marilyn Richards, the board voted unanimously
to close the public hearing.
Upon motion by Katharine Baker and second by Mark Sullivan, board voted to accept
motion to withdraw because the permit was no longer necessary.
Francis Johnson returned
Stephen Gilson recused himself for the next hearing, as an abutter.
REGULAR Planning Board HEARING
7:57 P.M.
Jennifer Dieringer opened the request by Oak Ridge Road LLC for subdivision
amendment and special permit amendment for The Oaks to clarify permit conditions and lot
references to revised lot layout and clarify the parcels that will require onsite fire
suppression. Parcels originally located on Map 36-68, off Burts Pits Rd, Florence, MA
Ted Parker described reason for change.
Francis Johnson and Debin Bruce noted that this was a reasonable request.
There was no public comment.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Marilyn Richards, the board voted to close
the public hearing.
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Upon motion by Mark Sullivan and second by Katharine Baker, the board voted unanimously
to approve the request.
8:05 P.M.
Stephen Gilson opened Continuation of Beechwood Single Family Homes at
Olander/Ford Crossing by Wright Builders for Site Plan Approval for 6 single family house
lots on Olander Dr. and Ford Crossing at Village Hill, Northampton, Map ID 31C-17.
Jonathan Wright described changes.
Jeff Squire noted Department of Public Works comments and how they had addressed them.
Stephen Gilson asked Beth Murphy about changes to the sidewalk on the opposite side of
Ford Crossing.
Board discussed details of timing of path construction.
Upon motion by Katharine Baker and second by Jennifer Dieringer, the board voted to close
the hearing.
[Mark Sullivan not eligible to vote. Andrew Weir not eligible to vote.]
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Marilyn Richards, the board voted unanimously
to approve the permit with conditions discussed.
The Board also determined that approval also constitutes any site plan approval required for
Beech Tree Park as spelled out in condition #27 of the special permit issued for Village Hill.
Completion of items 1 and 2 below shall constitute compliance with any site plan
requirements as specified under the special permit condition #27 for construction /build-out
of lots for the Beech Tree Park.
1.The 8’ wide bike/ped walk from Ford Crossing to Moser Street shall be constructed prior to
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the issuance of the 5 building permit for the site. Or escrow in the amount of the cost for
construction be posted in form suitable to Office of Planning and Development.
2.Prior to completion of the 6 house lots a Conservation Restriction shall be recorded for
Beech Tree Park as defined by MGL 184-31( and further specified in the submission by
MassDevelopment with this project.)
3.Prior to issuance of a building permit for any lot, a public access sign should be posted at the
sidewalk entrance south of the site at the Olander Sidewalk and at Ford Crossing to indicate
entrance to the proposed park.
4.All sidewalk and trail links abutting this property shall have a public access easement
recorded and held by the city on terms acceptable by the city. The easement shall be recorded
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prior to issuance of the 5 building permit.
Sidewalks and bike/ped connections shall be of cement concrete.
5.
Katharine Baker noted that her departure from the Board would be the first of June.
The Board discussed committee reassignments.
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8:25
P.M. Wayne Feiden came to speak on the preliminary study report of Elm St Historic
District Commission. He distributed a handout on public hearing notice and asked for
approval to move forward in process. He noted that there are 60 days for Planning Board
review that runs out May 17.
Upon motion by Jennifer Dieringer and second by Debin Bruce the Board voted to move
forward on both recommended steps (as described in report).
Debin Bruce noted discussion at PVPC on the proposed land use legislation that would have
far reaching implications. She suggested Planning Board members look at the proposal.
8:50
adjourn.
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