Jan 23The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
Jan 23, 2014
City of Northampton Hearing Room 18, 210 Main St., Northampton, MA
Members Present:
Time
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Chair, Mark Sullivan
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Vice Chair, Jennifer Dieringer
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Francis “Frandy” Johnson
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Karla Youngblood
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Debin Bruce
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John Lutz
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Dan Felten, Associate Member
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Ann DeWitt Brooks Associate Member
Staff:
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden
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Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch
7:00 P.M. There was no public comment
7:00 PM Upon motion by Ann DeWitt Brooks and second by John Lutz, the board voted unanimously to approve minutes of 1-9-14.
7:04 PM Mark Sullivan opened Site Plan Major for construction of 2- story 6,000+ sf building, 11% parking reduction, site improvements, Special Permit more than one curb cut & take-out
restaurant, 100 Main St, Florence, Map Id 23A-68.
Gaurang Patel, project applicant, presented the project in Powerpoint. (see laserfiche database for presentation)
Terry Reyonlds, Project Engineer described site details relative to landscaping, stormwater, egress, parking.
Debin Bruce asked where snow storage is planned.
Reynolds noted it would have to be trucked offsite.
Karla Youngblood asked about site lighting
Reynolds described the lighting. The Board discussed lighting footcandles at property line.
Karla Youngblood asked about hours of operation .
Francis Johnson asked about parking along the Main Street side.
The Board discussed the planting requirement in the 10’x 20’ space at the front of the building and hours of site lighting as well as additional shielding at the eastern property line.
Staff relayed Department of Public Works comments.
Gary Warden, Florence, spoke in favor of the new plans.
Jody Nischman, partner in 92 Main Street, next door. Spoke in favor of the project, voiced concern relative to any trees that might block their ground sign. He spoke in favor of keeping
site lighting on.
Michael Gormerly, owner downstairs of 92 Main St noted that they own a large spot light on the back of the building that is on all night and voiced support for the project
Phil Sullivan, Northampton spoke in favor of the project.
Katherine Petracelli, Oak Street, Florence asked about the size of each use within the building and who the tenants would be.
Mark Sullivan noted that this is not within the purview of the Board’s decision making.
Petracelli asked about benches along the sidewalk and concern about having cut through traffic.
Robert Ross, 40 Keyes St, noted he supported the project but had concerns about reduction in parking and snow storage. He also questioned why the front of the building wasn’t designed
to the grade of the sidewalk to eliminate need for handicap ramp. He also raised concern about lighting impacts on adjacent residential neighbors.
Caleb Langer, voiced support for the project. The site is accessible on foot and bike so parking demand may be less. He voiced support for the reduction in parking.
Steve Shea, owner of the Parsons Block spoke in favor of the project but stated that light levels would affect his tenants on the second floor. He asked they be turned off after 11pm?
Jody Nicolas 28 Keyes noted that the building was close to the street on a narrow sidewalk.
Siegfried Porth, project architect, noted they had to have ADA accessibility on all sides.
Ross spoke again about grade changes and asked for shade tree in front.
Pat Goggins, Florence Business owner noted support for the project and emphasized the difficulty to add items to plan that would not create additional cost. The building construction
costs are the same no matter where you build, but rents in Florence are a third of downtown.
Mike Flynn, 983 Florence Rd, downtown business owner spoke about the integrity of applicant and that the family is an asset to Florence.
Nicolas again suggested that the building is too close to the sidewalk.
John Lutz asked about the distinction of take-out restaurant.
Patel said that he assumed it would be both eat in and take out.
Francis Johnson clarified the Board’s jurisdiction over the building.
Debin Bruce noted that this building fits with many goals of the city for new building at this location.
Francis Johnson asked for clarification on the dimensions of the sidewalk and the handicap ramp.
Steve Shea reiterated question about putting the ramp in the back instead of the front.
Karla Youngblood said she was in favor of planting plan as submitted without additional planting. There wouldn’t be a big benefit to add a small diameter tree.
John Lutz noted the parking lot not out of character with abutting properties.
Mark Sullivan stated that this was a great opportunity to have a positive impact on the center of Florence.
Ross asked Board to discuss special permit for multiple curb cuts.
Staff read requirements and described benefits.
Upon motion by Jennifer Dieringer and second by Ann DeWitt Brooks the board voted 6-1 (Francis Johnson opposed) to close the hearing.
Mark Sullivan and Jennifer Dieringer voiced support for the project.
The Board discussed conditions as earlier scoped in the public hearing.
Francis Johnson noted he was in favor of the second curb cut.
Mark Sullivan read conditions for consideration in the permit..
Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by John Lutz, the Board voted unanimously to approve the site plan with reduction in parking of 4 spaces and special permits for more than one
curb cut and take out restaurant with conditions discussed.
Staff described work on subdivision regulatory changes.
8:40 pm Upon motion by John Lutz and second by Debin Bruce the Board voted to adjourn.