PB Decision 196 CookeCITY OF NORTHAMPTON PERMIT DECISION
pg. 1
DATES PROJECT INFORMATION
Submitted 8/4/2023 Owner Name/Address City of
Northampton
MA 01060
Hearing 8/24/2023 Applicant Name/
Address (if different)
Office of
Planning &
Sustainability
MA 01060
Extension Applicant Contact Keith Benoit 413-587-1288 Kbenoit@northamptonma.gov
Hearing
Closed
8/24/2023 Site Address 196 Cooke Ave Northampton MA 01060
Decision 8/24/2023 Site Assessor Map ID 18-22 Book 24, Page 3; Doc. No: 21410; Certificate
No: 2601; Lot A , Sub. Div. Plan No. 20769B
Zoning District RR Smart Growth Overlay
Filed with
Clerk
9/5/2023 Permit Type Planning Board Site Plan
Appeal
Deadline
9/25/2023 Project Description Create 2 parcels. One 20 space parking lot for conservation area
and one for 4 affordable housing units
An appeal of this decision by the Planning Board may be made by any person within 20 days after the date of the filing of
this decision with the City Clerk, as shown. Appeals by any aggrieved party must be pursuant to MGL Chapter 40A, Section
17 as amended and may be made to the Hampshire Superior Court with a certified copy of the appeal sent to the City Clerk
of the City of Northampton.
Plan Sheets/Supporting Documents by Map ID:
196 Cooke Ave Permit Set
Stormwater Letter
Traffic Evaluation
BOARD MEMBER PRESENT FAVOR OPPOSED ABSTAIN/NO COUNT VOTE TALLY
(Favor-Opposed)
George Kohout, Chair ☐ ☐
Janna White, Vice Chair ☐ ☐
Chris Tait ☐ ☐
David Whitehill ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Sam Taylor ☐ ☐
Melissa Fowler ☐ ☐
Stacey Dakai, Assoc. ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
, Assoc ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 5-0
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON PERMIT DECISION
pg. 2
APPLICABLE
ZONING
APPROVAL CRITERIA /BOARD FINDINGS
350. 11.6 The Planning Board approved the addition of the parking lot to serve the conservation
area along with the 4 unit affordable housing parcel based upon plans submitted and
discussion during the public hearing.
The Board determined that the following criteria in 11.6 had been met.
A. The requested use protects adjoining premises against seriously detrimental uses.
Residential uses are allowed in the RR district. The parking area already exists to
serve the conservation area. This project formalizes and organizes the parking.
B. The requested use will not alter the safety of vehicular and pedestrian movement.
The project will not decrease the level of service (LOS) of City and state roads or
intersections affected by the project below the existing conditions when the project is
proposed. The arrangement of vehicular and bicycle parking creates a safer layout
than currently exists.
C. The site will function harmoniously in relation to other structures and open spaces to the
natural landscape, existing buildings and other community assets in the area as it relates
to landscaping, drainage, sight lines, building orientation, massing, egress, and
setbacks. The residential units replace a membership club structure and will be placed
near the back of the previously disturbed area.
D. The requested use will not overload, the City's resources, including the effect on the
City's water supply and distribution system, sanitary and storm water collection and
treatment systems, fire protection, streets and schools.
E. The requested use meets any special regulations set forth in this chapter- The Board
evaluated the affordable housing standards and with conditions determined these would
be met.
F. Compliance with the following technical performance standards:
(1) There is one curb cut.
(2) Pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic movement is separated, to the extent possible.
6.12
CONDITIONS
Prior to Issuance of a Building Permit
1. The applicant shall submit revised plans showing
corrections to utility connections to comply with
DPW standards for utility connections.
2. DPW for review and approval at least 15 days prior o
the issuance of any City building or construction
permits.
3. The proposed stormwater management system
operation & maintenance plan for Post-Construction
(Residential Development Property) must be revised
to add inspection and maintenance of the proposed
underdrain in the water quality swale and should be
recorded at the Registry of Deeds with the decision.
4. The property owner(s) of the residential lot must
inspect and maintain the proposed stormwater
management system to ensure that the system
continues to function according to design and in
good working condition.
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON PERMIT DECISION
pg. 3
General Conditions
5. Conduit to support 2 vehicle charging ports shall be
installed in the parking lot.
6.
7.
Requirements in 350-6-11
At least 50% of the residential units being created shall be "affordable units."
All permanent energy sources (thermal loads, hot water, and electric loads) shall be from grid-
supplied electricity or otherwise not use fossil fuels (natural gas, propane, oil). This shall not apply to
emergency generators, outdoor grilling, or mobile energy uses.
Prior to obtaining a building permit, the applicant shall obtain a) DHCD approval as Local Initiative
Program (LIP) units, so that all affordable units created under this section can be listed by DHCD on
their Subsidized Housing Inventory; or b) show evidence of commonwealth funding that requires units
to be counted on the DHCD SHI.
Minutes Available at WWW.NorthamptonMa.Gov
I, Carolyn Misch, as agent to the Planning Board certify that this is an accurate and true decision made by the Planning
Board and certify that a copy of this and all plans have been filed with the Board and the City Clerk and that a copy of
this decision has been mailed to the Owner, Applicant.