53 Gothic AAB support
October 2, 2019
Architectural Access Board
1000 Washington St., Suite 710
Boston, MA 02118
Board Members,
I’ve reviewed the proposed plans for repairs and renovations to the building at 53 Gothic Street in Northampton. I am familiar with the building. It is an older residential structure
near the center of Northampton. It was converted from residential to business offices a number of years ago, likely in the 1970s. No work has been done to the building since 2013.
The building owner, Peter Whalen is proposing renovations and repairs including new roofing, solar panels, widening doorways, adding an accessible toilet and creating an accessible entrance.
Based on the relatively low value of the building, the project would require that the whole building be made accessible. The first floor will be fully accessible and include an accessible
toilet room (which wouldn’t be required by the plumbing code).
There are public space offices on the second floor. Making the whole building accessible would require a limited use elevator.
As an alternative to the elevator, Mr. Whalen is proposing a “flex” office on the accessible first floor which would be available to all building tenants.
I support this proposal because installing an elevator would be impracticable; beyond the cost of the elevator itself, it would likely eliminate two offices, including one of the accessible
offices on the first floor.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Respectfully,
Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
(413) 587-1240
lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov
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GL 40A sec. 7 paragraph 4
If real property has been improved by the erection or alteration of 1 or more structures and the structures or alterations have been in existence for a period of at least 10 years and
no notice of an action, suit or proceeding as to an alleged violation of this chapter or of an ordinance or by-law adopted under this chapter has been recorded in the registry of deeds
for the county or district in which the real estate is located or, in the case of registered land, has been filed in the registry district in which the land is located within a period
of 10 years from the date the structures were erected, then the structures shall be deemed, for zoning purposes, to be legally non-conforming structures subject to section 6 and any
local ordinance or by-law relating to non-conforming structures.
Massachusetts Residential Building Code section R102.6 Existing Structures.
The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of 780 CMR shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is specifically covered in 780 CMR or as deemed
necessary by the building official for the general safety and welfare of the public.
R102.6.1 Laws in Effect. Unless specifically provided otherwise in 780 CMR, and narrow to the provisions of 780 CMR, any existing building or structure shall meet and shall be presumed
to meet the provisions of the applicable laws, codes, rules or regulations, bylaws or ordinances in effect at the time such building or structure was constructed or altered and shall
be allowed to continue to be occupied pursuant to its use and occupancy, provided that the building or structure shall be maintained by the owner in accordance with 780 CMR.