39A 506 PLeasant St-ZBA SIGN special permit-2014
Zoning Board of Appeals - DecisionCity of Northampton
Hearing No.:ZBA-2015-0004Date: November 21, 2014
APPLICATION TYPE:SUBMISSION DATE:
Special Permit7/24/2014
Applicant's Name:Owner's Name:
NAME: NAME:
CONSULTING AND DESIGN LLCO'CONNELL OIL ASSOCIATES INC
ADDRESS:ADDRESS:
P O BOX 258545 MERRILL RD
TOWN:STATE:ZIP CODE:TOWN:STATE:ZIP CODE:
LEEMA01238-0258PITTSFIELDMA01201
PHONE NO.:FAX NO.:
PHONE NO.:FAX NO.:
(800) 464-4894 ()
(413) 243-4083
EMAIL ADDRESS: EMAIL ADDRESS:
Site Information:Surveyor's Name:
STREET NO.:COMPANY NAME:
SITE ZONING:
506 PLEASANT ST
GB(100)/
TOWN:ADDRESS:
ACTION TAKEN:
NORTHAMPT0N MA 01060
Approved w/ Conditions
MAP:BLOCK:LOT:MAP DATE:
SECTION OF BYLAW:
39A032001
Chpt. 350- 7.2: General Sign Regulation
TOWN:STATE:ZIP CODE:
Book:Page:
5017282
PHONE NO.:FAX NO.:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
NATURE OF PROPOSED WORK:
UPGRADE GROUND SIGN - CONVENIENCE PLUS
HARDSHIP:
CONDITION OF APPROVAL:
1)The sign shall not exceed 15' tall
2). The sign may be a maximum of 80 square feet.
3). The LED price panel shall contain an automatic dimmer to dim at night.
FINDINGS:
The Zoning Board reviewd the plans submitted at the hearing for the reduced sign request for 20' tall down from the 23+' tall sign
originally requested. The Board approved a special permit for taller sign than the allowed 10' tall sign in this district based on the
following standards in 350-7.2M:
(1) Signs are located only where they are otherwise permitted in the district;
(2) The Board of Appeals determined that the location of the building and the nature of the use being made of the building is such that a
larger size would not detract from the character of the neighborhood and should be permitted in the public interest.
The Board noted that the use of the gas station (auto oriented) and the location at the edge of the gateway would warrant a taller sign.
However, given the location of the station's canopy which is very close to the road and contains signage, it was not necessary to exceed
the sign limits by a mulitple of two. This area is a gateway in transition where the City and State have and will be investing millions of
dollars in new infrastructure that will slow traffic and make the area more pedestrian oriented which would elminate the need for taller
signs (typically desired for high speed traffic long distances from the site). Further, the Board acknowledged that even in the most
highway-oriented zoning district in the City that the tallest sign allowed is 15'.
(3)The Board of Appeals specified that a taller sign was warranted but no taller than the standard in the highway business district of 15'.
This also matches the special permit granted to the use across the street.
COULD NOT DEROGATE BECAUSE:
FILING DEADLINE:MAILING DATE:HEARING CONTINUED DATE:DECISION DRAFT BY:APPEAL DATE:
8/12/20149/6/201411/13/201411/20/2014
REFERRALS IN DATE:HEARING DEADLINE DATE:HEARING CLOSE DATE:FINAL SIGNING BY:APPEAL DEADLINE:
8/30/20149/27/201411/13/201411/27/201412/11/2014
FIRST ADVERTISING DATE:HEARING DATE:VOTING DATE:DECISION DATE:
8/28/20149/11/201411/13/201411/21/2014
SECOND ADVERTISING DATE:HEARING TIME:VOTING DEADLINE:DECISION DEADLINE:
9/4/20145:30 PM2/11/20151/14/2015
GeoTMS® 2014 Des Lauriers Municipal Solutions, Inc.
Zoning Board of Appeals - DecisionCity of Northampton
Hearing No.:ZBA-2015-0004Date: November 21, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT:VOTE:
Elizabeth Silvervotes to
Malcolm B.E. Smithvotes toGrant
David Bloombergvotes toGrant
Sara Northrupvotes toGrant
Bob Riddlevotes to
MOTION MADE BY:SECONDED BY:VOTE COUNT:DECISION:
Sara NorthrupMalcolm B.E. Smith3Granted w/ Conditions
MINUTES OF MEETING:
Available in the Office of Planning & Sustainability website at: www.NorthamptonMa.gov
I, Carolyn Misch, as agent to the Zoning Board of Appeals, certify that this is a true and accurate decision made by the Zoning Board and
certify that a copy of this and all plans have been filed with the Board and the City Clerk on the date above.
I certify that a copy of this decision has been mailed to the Owner and Applicant.
___________________________________
NOTICE OF APPEAL
An appeal from the decision of the Zoning Board may be made by any person aggrieved and pursuant to MGL Chapt 40A, Section 17 as
amended, within (20) days [30 days for a residential Finding] after the date of the filing of this decision with the City Clerk. The date of
filing is listed above. Such appeal may be made to the Hampshire Superior Court with a certified copy of the appeal sent to the City Clerk
of Northampton.
GeoTMS® 2014 Des Lauriers Municipal Solutions, Inc.