Jan 24, 2013
The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
Jan 24, 2013
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
John Lutz
Karla Youngblood, Associate Member
Ann DeWitt Brooks Associate Member
Staff:
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden
Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch
7:00 P.M.
Mark Sullivan opened the meeting with discussion of design standards
Staff gave update on details of standards and reformatting ordinances.
Janet Gross, Round Hill Road, asked for clarification of URA district boundaries and any
changes.
There was more discussion about process and timing of when ordinance would be revised
Jim Nash, Montview, noted his confusion about when public can speak.
Board clarified again.
Alex Ghiselin, 164 Riverside Drive, described Bay State Village survey and involvement in
Sustainable Northampton. He suggested that the Board should look at results of survey and
the neighborhood supported home business, mixed uses, expand buildings. He noted that
there wasn’t so much support for reduction in dimensional requirements. Bay State is not as
walkable to centers as some URA districts.
Janet Gross raised a concerned about the broad brush stroke of the proposed changes. There
will be impacts. Why is Round Hill Road still URC? She stated that there should be a
stronger tie to Sustainable Northampton.
1
Staff provided overview of Department of Public Works request for Community Preservation
Funds for Pulaski Park.
Upon motion by Jennifer Dieringer and second by Anne DeWitt Brooks the board voted 5-0
to send letter of support to CPC to be signed by Mark Sullivan (no vote counted for Francis
Johnson because of abutter status).
7:45 Adjourn Francis Johnson move and Jennifer Dieringer second.
2