Mar 8, 2012 Minutes
The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
March 8, 2012
City of Northampton Council Chambers, 210 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
7:00 P.M.
Stephen Gilson opened the hearing on Site Plan Approval Amendment to add a
new parking lot behind Bell Hall and 20% reduction in parking for Clark School at 47 Round
Hill Rd, Northampton, Map ID 31B-64.
Rick Klein, representing the applicant, asked for withdrawal without prejudice.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Mark Sullivan, the board voted unanimously
to allow withdrawal without prejudice.
Upon motion by Katharine Baker and second by Francis Johnson, the board moved to
approve minutes of February 23 , Francis Johnson second with one change (“Aland Delaney”
to Alan).
Francis Johnson gave update of CAC meeting.
Staff presented petition for discontinuance of Turkey Hill Road. The Board discussed
rationale and impact to public access without the “street” designation.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Jennifer Dieringer, the board voted
unanimously to recommend discontinuance.
Andrew Weir asked for clarification of public access.
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7:30 P.M
Stephen Gilson opened the request for special Permit for construction of ground
mounted solar array up to 200% of base parcel demand at 311 Chesterfield Rd, Leeds, Map
ID 15B-32.
Pat Melnik described the location of proposed array and noted that it would sit on a 45’x 90’
footprint. He described visual buffer in existence on site.
Richard Hahn, Hyperion Systems, spoke about the arrays they build over farm land which
enables grazing and crop growth underneath. He clarified that the top of the panels would be
about 15’ high.
Any needed power connection to the pole would be underground.
Joe Misterka 312 Chesterfield Rd spoke in favor of the project.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Marilyn Richards, the board voted
unanimously to close the hearing.
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Mark Sullivan , the board voted unanimously to
approve with conditions.
Condition:
1. If direct electrical power connection to the utility pole on the street is required, the
connection must be trenched underground.
2.A maximum of 30 KW production is approved.
8:00 PM
Stephen Gilson opened the hearing continuation of special permit application for
Zoe Life Center and Linda Manor in Leeds.
Ed Etheredge, representing the applicant, asked for clarification about the shared driveway
permit requirement.
Staff noted that shared driveways are allowed by site plan approval.
Bryan Balicki, project engineer, noted that all light poles will be changed on site to come into
compliance with current light standards at Linda Manor.
He further described all the changes from the previous plan and submitted latest plan with
direct water line connection.
The Board and applicant discussed sidewalk location.
Constantine Tsomeides, project architect, described renderings and sections/views. He
indicated that the landscape architect will be on site during planting.
Andrew Weir asked how long trees will take to get to heights shown.
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David Paine, RLA for the applicant, spoke about the plan changes describing that there are
five different varieties of evergreen and 4 + varieties of deciduous trees. He noted that
moving the building allowed for greater variety of trees.
Andrew Weir noted that the plan is much improved.
Mark Sullivan asked whether tree count had changed or just the species.
Paine clarified that the number is the same.
Ed Etheredge stated that the bus shelter is located on the project side of the Route 9, but may
be more appropriate on west side of Route 9.
Kim Bierwert 297 Haydenville Road, acknowledged improvements to the plans, but
reiterated his concerns about the overall project and objection to the project.
John Lutz 291 Haydenville Road expressed appreciation of work done by applicant.
He raised concern about interior lighting elevations of the side of building, which would be
the primary view for the abutters. He also suggested that most of the changes had improved
the site for the Route 9 abutters but not the Bierwert’s. He concluded that the project doesn’t
fit with the neighborhood shouldn’t be approved.
Mary Ann Thrane, 339 Haydenville Rd, spoke against the project, though the project is much
improved and hoped that this is not a quick decision.
Janet Grunwald, 319 Haydenville Rd spoke against project.
Kat Chapin Bishop 271 Haydenville Rd noted her appreciation of the revisions to plan, but
they remain out of scale from neighborhood.
Gene Tacy, ward councilor, questioned the size of the project. He stated his opinion that it
would affect property values.
The Board discussed the project and impacts and details of the site.
Stephen Gilson asked in general if Planning Board would be willing to move forward on
details.
The Board agreed.
Mark Sullivan asked about additional buffer for Bierwert.
Paine described the existing tree buffer and trees to be planted on a new berm.
Board discussed the number of trees and concern about gaps that might be visible once the
trees are actually located.
Board discussed the following conditions:
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1)Site irrigation may not be tied to the public water system
2)The landscape architect must be on site during planting of screen trees.
3)Prior to planting, the applicant must submit a watering and maintenance plan and
schedule for the trees for the first 2 years.
4)Applicant must install fencing as shown or as otherwise agreed upon between the
abutters and the applicants.
5)Bus shelter shall be located on site unless otherwise required by PVTA.
6)Trees in buffer must be maintained.
7)The applicant must have the trees that will be saved flagged and install a temporary
fence along areas of protection during construction.
8)15 additional evergreen trees than shown on plan to be placed in consultation between
abutters and landscape architect as needed.
9)As offered by the applicant, the amount of money that would otherwise be put into
the required sidewalk construction along the applicant’s property boundary with
Route 9 shall be combined with the applicant’s required traffic mitigation amount to
address the Leonard Street intersection.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Katharine Baker, the board voted
unanimously to close the hearing.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Mark Sullivan, the board voted to approve
expansion of Linda Manor.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Marilyn Richards the Board voted 6-1 to
approve ((Katharine Baker voting no) the special permit with site plan and with conditions
discussed.
9:40 Adjourn
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