Jun 13, 2013 Minutes
The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
June 13 2013
City of Northampton Council Chambers, 212 Main St., Northampton, MA
Members Present: Time
Chair, Mark Sullivan Stepped down
7:05
Vice Chair, Jennifer Dieringer
Francis “Frandy” Johnson
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 public comment.
There was no public comment
Mark Sullivan opened the hearing on the Site Plan 80’ x 140’ cover over riding ring 54
7:00 PM
Fair St, Northampton, Map ID25C-251.
Mark Sullivan noted his professional relationship with the applicant’s representative and asked if
any one had a concern.
Maria Tymoscko noted her concern about potential conflict.
Mark Sullivan stepped down and left the hearing.
Francis Johnson continued by chairing the meeting.
Jeff Squire, Berkshire Design Group and applicant’s consultant , introduced the team and gave
overview of project.
Bruce Shallcross, Executive Director of the Fair described the need to have covered training
rings in order to provide upgraded facilities that would enable the Fair to continue to compete for
shows that would otherwise go to newer more accommodating facilities.
Debin Bruce asked if the tent structure would be dismantled during the winter months.
Shallcross responded stating that they originally contemplated a removable structure but
determined that it was too costly and would create more wear and tear on the structure.
Debin Bruce asked if the tent structure was relocated from another site on the plan?
Ann DeWitt Brooks asked if the structure on the original plan would still be built or if this would
be the new location.
Debin Bruce asked if there were lights under the tent.
Shallcross stated there would be.
Attorney Michael Pill, representing several abutters, stated that reconstruction of non-
conforming structures requires a special permit not a site plan and it is not exempt via
agricultural exemption. He declared that this was an expansion of use and is a change in the
purported phasing of the project.
Attorney Edward Etheredge, representing the Fair, read sections of MGL §40A-3 and declared
that no special permit is required and agricultural uses are exempt and may not even be required
to obtain site plan approval.
Alan Blair, President of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass spoke in favor of
the project noting that the Fair has positive impacts from an economic development perspective
and should be upgraded to enable the Fair to provide benefits into the future.
Fred Zimnock, resident /abutter asked for specific details about the stormwater calculations and
changes to the site.
Jeff Squired reviewed the curve numbers used in calculating changes to impervious cover and
clarified that as a gravel base, existing conditions would have a 98% impervious cover
calculation vs. a shelter space being 100% impervious. To offset the slight increase an area
abutting the ring would be converted from gravel to grass which would modify impervious cover
from 98% to 61%.
Debin Bruce asked for explanation of how the conversion from gravel to grass takes place.
Squire described the removal and replacement process.
Maria Tymoscko, 28 Pomeroy Terrace asked for the Board to continue the hearing until the
judge presiding over previous appeals on the site has made a determination.
She described the number of neighborhood residents who have joined the suit with concerns over
expansion.
Claudia Lefko, Valley Street pleaded with the Board to consider continuation as the
neighborhood feels a loss of control over the changes to the Fair.
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Owen Freeman-Daniels, Ward Councilor stated support for this change noting that the bigger
changes envisioned for the Fair in the future phases still need work.
Maria Tymoscko, 28 Pomeroy Terrace stated that this project was pitched as a temporary
structure but the description at the hearing was for a permanent structure.
Staff gave recommendation and read Department of Public Works recommendations.
Debin Bruce asked about the court case and relevance to Planning Board decision.
Upon motion by Jennifer Dieringer and second by Ann DeWitt Brooks the board voted
unanimously to close the hearing
Upon motion by Jennifer Dieringer and second by Ann DeWitt Brooks the board voted
unanimously to approve the site plan.
The Board discussed street acceptance requests: Maple Ave, Bratton Ct, Franklin Ct, Ahwaga
Ave, Kary St, Hebert St, Greeley Ave, Clark St.
Mark Sullivan returned
Francis Johnson stated that all the streets should be public.
Debin Bruce asked about status of Hebert.
Ann DeWitt Brooks asked about whether the width should determine whether or not it was a
public street.
Francis Johnson asked of the Board wanted to take the streets in one vote?
Upon motion by John Lutz and second by Debin Bruce the board voted 5-1(Ann DeWitt Brooks)
to recommend that all the streets be accepted as public ways.
Upon motion by Ann DeWitt Brooks and second by Debin Bruce, the Board voted unanimously
to accept the minutes-5-9, 5-13, 5-23
Discussion of possibility of Increase heights in GB to 60’ and ground floor residential. Upon
motion of Debin Bruce and second by Jennifer Dieringer, the board voted unanimously to
sponsor the ordinance change to heights in GB.
8:10 Adjourn
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