Sep 13, 2012
The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
Sept 13, 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
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 request by Jain Lattes & Douglas Thayer for Special Permit
for substantial improvement in the Watershed Protection District for 45 Sprint St, Florence,
Map Id 22B-58.
Roger Cooney, Wright Builders presented the application for the addition to the house.
There were no public comments.
The Board discussed zoning requirements for Watershed Protection District.
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Ann DeWitt Brooks, the board voted
unanimously to close the hearing.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Jen Dieringer the Board voted unanimously
to approve the special permit as presented.
Board asked for status on zoning changes related to the Watershed Districts.
Staff described history of prior attempt to change the zoning and possibility of bringing it
back.
7:15 P.M.
Mark Sullivan opened the request by New Harmony Properties, LLC for Site Plan
Approval to construct a 16,000+ sf, two-story mixed commercial building and associated site
development at Village Hill Rd, Northampton, Map Id 38A-107.
1
Jonathan Wright, representing New Harmony Properties, provided a summary of project
history and persons involved and the concept.
Jeff Squire, consultant from The Berkshire Design Group, Inc., presented the details of the
site plan.
Wright described relocation of sewer service along Prince St and also explained why the
property is configured as presented- based upon lot sale by MassDevelopment
Squire noted need to transplant street trees in front of parking lot to landscaped areas .
Showed revised planting plans with deciduous plantings 6’ tall along Olander Dr.
Debin Bruce asked about parking lot screening from Route 66. The applicant noted that none
was planned.
John Lutz asked about the 1 year warranty on the trees.
Jen Dieringer asked if Fazzi is the only tenant signed?
Wright said that was correct but that there were options for restaurant and other retail space
possible, with option open for three years.
Representative Demetrios Panteleakis from Opal Real Estate described his interest in
marketing the site for a restaurant.
Chuck Roberts, Kuhn Riddle Architects, described difficulty in designing with four fronts.
He described entrances and planned use places.
Debin Bruce asked about snow storage.
Squire, of Berkshire Design Group, stated the goal would be to keep snow off the
landscaping and removal from the site may be necessary.
Mark Sullivan asked about bike racks?
Squire described locations on both sides of site.5 bikes in each location 10 total
Staff read DPW comments and discussed issues with the applicant.
Ken Albrit 27 Olander Drive (lot 1). Raised a concern about elimination of older trees on lot
19 when it is developed. He submitted a sketch of an alternative layout of the parking lot.
(laserfiche)
Wright described the reasons why the lot boundaries were drawn as shown and the time to
negotiate new boundaries would kill the project.
2
Nora Albrit 27 Olander Drive noted that she did not want to see the project fail, but
suggested the changes proposed were modest.
Staff noted difficulty in tree preservation with the massive development.
Nick Warren, 79 Olander Drive offered other ideas about relocating the parking.
Dieringer asked for further clarification of why the area on Lot 19 had to stay with that lot.
Squire responded. And noted that the Norway spruces are packed in and not healthy because
of this.
Arlene Avakian, 33 Olander, raised concern about maintenance of landscaping.
Wright noted that Opal has a maintenance company that manages sites very well and would
take care of landscaping.
Jen Dieringer asked to hear from MassDeveloment about changing the lot boundaries.
Beth Murphy, MassDevelopment, noted that the second subsurface infiltration area will be
on this site for Lot 19 and cannot be relocated.
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Jennifer Dieringer the board voted to close the
public hearing.
Staff read Department of Public Works comments and Board discussed (available on
laserfiche).
Board discussed conditions and options for additional planting.
Board spoke positively about the project.
Upon motion by Jennifer Dieringer and second by Francis Johnson the Board voted
unanimously to approve the permit with conditions below –
CONDITIONS:
Approval grants modification of location of underground utilities based on best practice and
approval by DPW.
1. Prior to issuance of a building permit revised plans shall be submitted that include modifications
as required by conditions herein
a.Final Plans shall be stamped by qualified design professional (PE, architect)
b.verify that turning radii are met for the ladder truck and at least a WB-40.
c.A cleanout in the sewer service is required.
d.Sewer line along Prince ST shall be relocated back from the sidewalk so as not to
conflict with walk.
e.All downspouts connected to the storm drain shall be accurately shown on all plans
3
f.Correct references as necessary to all drain line materials to be consistent.
g.Light pole standards should be 16’ unless it is shown through photometric analysis an
18’ high pole is necessary at the crosswalk on Olander.
2. Prior to issuance of a building permit (other than a foundation–only permit) the following shall be
recorded at the registry of deeds: A) Maintenance and access agreements for the shared access
and parking lot. B) Cross Access agreements allowing parties and the public to pass and park
throughout the shared lot.
3.Prior to issuance of a building permit, an executed Stormwater Operation. Maintenance, and
Inspection Agreement that is binding on all subsequent owners of land served by the private
stormwater management facility be recorded in the land records of the Registry of Deeds.
This agreement must be approved by the Northampton DPW prior to final signatures.
9:25 P.M.
Mark Sullivan opened the request by City of Northampton Office of Planning and
Development for Site Plan for construction of 40,000 +- sf of office space and 20,000 +-
boathouse and related site development for property on Damon Rd, (Lane Construction site),
Northampton, Map Id 18-12.
Wayne Feiden, for the City, described the project and noted that a stromwater permit had not
been issued so a continuation would be necessary and requested a continuation to Oct 11 at 7
PM.
He suggested that all the other issues could be addressed in this hearing with the hope that
the continuation would only focus on stormwater issues.
Wayne Feiden presented on Powerpoint and showed environmental justice area and equity
need to provide recreation to such areas (this would create a Riverrun connection to the
river). On laserfiche database.
Wayne distributed responses to DPW comments. On laserfiche database. He noted that the
project is Riverfront park and office park. The non-recreation uses would be low traffic
offices. He emphasized that no traffic mitigation is required in zoning for General Industrial
development projects and no mitigation for Municipal uses.
The Board and applicant discussed a possible permit condition such that if they can obtain
right of way for sidewalks along the roadway, the applicant will build it, but River run may
not grant it.
Paul Frigell, Tighe and Bond described the traffic study. He noted the study was done in
early June that tends to have higher traffic volumes in the city.
Mark Sullivan opened up the floor for public comment.
Tim O’Donnell resident of River Run stated that this is not a road, but a driveway for River
Run apartments. He voiced a concern about traffic safety with the added trips at Damon
Road, and a concern about attracting more unauthorized people coming onto the property.
( public use and loss of security and privacy).
4
Mark Gelotte, Hatfield resident and Hatfield Open Space Committee member described
vision and strongly desired goal to have a link from Hatfield to Northampton and Hatfield’s
work on connecting from the Hatfield end. He generally spoke in favor of the recreational
component.
Phil Blesky, Northampton Youth and Community Rowing described limited ways of getting
to Connecticut River and this would be a much needed connection. He also empathized with
people concerned with mitigating valid traffic concerns.
Mary Likens, former tenant of River Run, spoke in favor of better access to the river, but
raised questions about validity of traffic count and raised issue that there are no pedestrian
amenities for the project.
Mark Sullivan asked about walking distance with boats to the ramp.
Feiden described responses to DPW comments.
Tighe & Bond consultant addressed DPW comments on traffic.
Bruce questioned traffic counts and wondered why more mitigation isn’t addressed on a
private road.
Feiden emphasized that city has determined that for industrial uses, the city would carry
responsibility for addressing impacts for purposes of ED.
Bruce asked again if residential traffic was incorporated into study.
Frigell noted that the residential project was incorporated into existing conditions for traffic
counts.
Jennifer Dieringer asked for clarification about ownership and access to the site.
Mark Sullivan asked whether the road could be widened at Damon Road intersection.
A River Run Board member clarified that the condominium board never said they didn’t
want the road. They are concerned about new traffic.
Dennis Bidwell, Forbes Ave, founder of Northampton Rowing, noted the club has looked for
11 years for a site with access to the river and this presents an unusual opportunity.
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Debin Bruce the Board voted unanimously
to continue to Oct 11 at 7 PM.
Other Business:
Staff described street acceptance for Hillcrest. Board discussed.
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Francis Johnson, the Board voted to recommend
street acceptance.
11 pm adjourn.
5