July 19, 2012
The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
July 19, 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
Ann DeWitt Brooks Associate Member
Staff:
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden
Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch
7:00 P.M
Mark Sullivan opened request by Eric Forish for Site Plan Approval for the
construction of a 9,000 + square foot Lia Kia automobile dealership at 263 King St,
Northampton Map Id 24B-67.
Eric Forish presented the application to the Board through the PowerPoint presentation of the
plans.
Stephen Gilson raised concerns about the tree planting and removal of one of the oak tree.
Keep 3” Oak that is shown as being removed.
Jennifer Dieringer asked for clarification of traffic mitigation.
Staff clarified that applicant has agreed to the 92,800 amount.
Forish noted that the traffic mitigation letter submitted should not have been included.
Mark Sullivan asked where snow storage is located. Board discussed need for condition
about the front buffer.
Stephen Gilson asked about lighting plan.
Board discussed timers on the lights and only building security lights allowed after the close
of business.
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The Board discussed tree care at Toyota and noted to staff that enforcement for the dead trees
should be taken.
The Board discussed the following conditions including those recommended by Department
of Public Works.
1. Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the applicant must submit traffic mitigation to the city of
Northampton that shall be applied for use in the King Street corridor for bicycle/pedestrian improvements
including safety improvements at intersections. For any portion of the sidewalk on private property, the
applicant shall grant an easement acceptable to the city recorded at the registry of deeds for the public to
pass and repass.
2. Prior to construction, the applicant shall contract with a certified arborist who shall adequately mark trees
for protection and Office of Planning and Development staff sign off shall occur to confirm tree protection.
The 3” oak slated for removal shall remain. The arborist shall determine whether the parking space next to
the driveway entrance (3” oak) will be effected by parking space and assess relocation of tree and oversee
its relocating.
3. Prior to issuance of building permit a revised lighting plan with photometric contours submitted showing 0
footcandles at property boundary.
4. Prior to final certificate of occupancy an as-built of the lighting installed should be submitted (stamped by
an engineer) showing compliance with the lighting approved herein, including 0fc at the property
boundary.
a. All lights other than security building lights shall be turned off at the close of business.
b. Snow storage not allowed in the front buffer.
Department of Public Works Conditions:
5. The Applicant shall provide a single 6-inch water service from a tapping sleeve and valve off the
King Street main. A 6-inch valve shall also be provided at the property line in the grass area just
behind the proposed sidewalk.
6. The proposed 2-inch domestic service shall branch outside the building and valves for both the
domestic and fire lines shall be provided outside the building. A DCVA (double check valve
assembly) backflow preventer for fire line shall be provided inside the building.
7. The proposed red maple in the tree belt conflicts with the proposed water line location.
8. To the extent possible, the water and sewer line shall be located outside the drip line of any
proposed trees.
9. The existing sewer stub only extends several feet beyond the manhole on King Street and does
not extend into the property as shown on the plans. The applicant shall restore the sidewalk
and/or roadway/curb to DPW standards if disturbance occurs within the right of way to make this
proposed connection. The proposed sewer manhole on the property shall serve as the required
clean out and shall be located as close to the property line as practicable. This may require
relocation of the proposed bench concrete pad.
10. The proposed pylon sign shall have a minimum offset of 5 feet from the sewer line.
11. The concrete sidewalk shall be 6 inches thick at the driveway crossing per the Department of
Public Works standard.
12. Tactile warning strips shall be provided at the ADA ramps crossing the driveway and shall be
added to the ADA Wheelchair Ramp detail.
13. The gravel base material for sidewalks shall be processed gravel (M1.03.1, 2-inch max stone
size).
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14. A detail or note shall be added indicating that the sidewalk shall be 6 inches thick at the driveway
crossing. (A change in thickness at driveways is implied in the Concrete Walk Joint Details note.)
15. Provide a trench detail for sewer pipe. Sewer pipe within the right of way shall be embedded with
3/4-inch crushed stone (M2.0 1.4) with a minimum of 6-inch bedding and 6-inch cover over the
pipe.
16. The sewer manhole detail should be accurately labeled as such and not as a storm manhole.
17. An Amendment to the Stormwater Mangement Permit has been issued with conditions that must
be met prior to issuance of a Building Permit for the project.
Upon motion by Stephen Gilson and second by Karla Youngblood, the board voted
unanimously to approve with conditions.
Staff introduced letter by Ed Etheredge on behalf of the Lathrop community for a zoning
petition for the parcel abutting Lathrop on Bridge Rd. The Board determined they did not
want to sponsor zoning change, but would support it if there were a development agreement
regarding access through the existing driveway access.
The Board finished discussion about the URB and URA zoning changes and discussed public
outreach process. They discussed schedule for the Aug 9 meeting
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Jennifer Dieringer, the board approved the
minutes of June 28.
9:15 Adjourn.
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