June 28, 2012 minutes
The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
June 28, 2012
City of Northampton Council Chambers, 212 Main St., Northampton, MA
Members Present: Time
Chair, Mark Sullivan
Vice Chair, Jennifer Dieringer
Francis “Frandy” Johnson
Stephen Gilson
Debin Bruce
Karla Youngblood, Associate Member
Associate Member
Staff:
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden
Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch
7:00 P.M
Mark Sullivan opened request by Oxbow Professional Park, LLC for Site Plan
Amendment for landscaping and lighting at Atwood Drive, Northampton, Map Id 39-59.
Mark disclosed that he is currently working alongside Berkshire Design on another project.
Berkshire is not the primary consultant for the applicant and just came on board to this
project.
Peter Wells, representing the applicant on the site plan amendment, described landscaping
noting that there were more than 2 times the required trees for the property plus change in
plantings given the site conditions. He also added landscaping shrubs to the islands.
Mark Sullivan asked how many fewer trees?
Wells didn’t have precise number but showed where the plans have been thinned out.
Board discussed requirement for street tree calculation for Atwood Drive and Mt. Tom Rd.
Peter described lighting.
Karla Youngblood asked about the lights and whether there would be uplighting.
Peter noted that the lights would be on dusk to midnight timing and cornice would capture
lights.
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Mark Sullivan asked where the lights are located. Photoshop rendering shows 13 fixtures on
the lots.
Applicant noted that there are no pole lights at the sidewalk/building and these would be in
lieu of the poles.
The Board discussed the following conditions:
1. 13 trees shall be planted along the Atwood Drive treebelt as originally approved by the Planning
Board.
2. The original condition 5 of the permit is modified to allow the building lights as described at the
hearing and as to be shown on final plans submitted prior to installation of the lights.
3. Original condition #7 is modified to incorporate reference to building lighting and must also be
part of the final as-built lighting plans (required in condition #7) for these approved fixtures.
4. Lighting on the short sides of the building shall be spaced the same distances as on the main
facades.
5. The building lights are approved in lieu of pole lights along the sidewalks. No pole lights shall be
located around the building sidewalks.
6. As stated in the application, light shall not project beyond 4’ from the roofline.
7. Uplights shall be timed to turn off at 10 PM if buildings are unoccupied.
There was no public comment. Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Debin Bruce the
board voted to close the hearing.
Upon motion by Stephen Gilson and second by Debin Bruce the board voted unanimously to approve
with conditions discussed.
7:50 P.M.
Mark Sullivan opened the Continuation of previously unopened request by
Peoples Bank for site plan to construct a 3,000 + square foot bank and special permit for
more than one curb cut at 300 King St, Northampton, Map ID 24B-77.
Sheila Goodwin, Peoples Bank introduced the party present representing the bank.
Mark Reed, presented the project details and distributed a colored rendering of site.
Francis Johnson asked how many employees would be located on site.
Sheila Goodwin stated there would be 5 every day plus 3 on a rotating basis.
Board discussed traffic issues at the corner.
Stephen Gilson asked about signage for “King St North” on the sight.
The Board discussed permit conditions as recommended in staff report and Department of
Public Works comments.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Debin Bruce the board voted to close the
hearing.
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Upon motion by Stephen Gilson and second by Karla Youngblood the board unanimously
approved permit with conditions discussed and noted in staff report.
Board discussed quorum issue for July 12 meeting and voted to change the date to JULY 19
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Jennifer Dieringer the board voted unanimously
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to approve the minutes of 14 as submitted.
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Jennifer Dieringer, the board voted
unanimously to recommend the Agricultural Preservation Restriction for the Meadows parcel
as described by staff.
Staff presented various zoning changes for discussion and proposed formal introduction to
council including changes for cluster by merging with the Planned Unit Development
section, cleaning up the text in special permit changes and changes to the Finding section
related to recent case law. The Board did not recommend moving a provision for staff
review of Findings.
9:10
adjourn
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