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Oct 28, 2010 Minutes The Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of Meeting October 28, 2010 City of Northampton City Council Chambers, 220 Main St., Northampton, MA Members Present: Time  Chair, David Bloomberg  Vice Chair, Malcolm B. “Barry” Smith  Sara Northrup  Bob Riddle, Assoc. Member Left 6:45  Elizabeth Silver, Associate Member Staff:  Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch Planning Director, Wayne Feiden David Bloomberg opened the meeting with the Special Permit request by Andrew Payne & 5:30 P.M. Loretta Kane to convert a detached studio to a detached accessory dwelling @ 470 Bridge Rd, Florence, Map Id 17B-6. Loretta Kane described application for conversion of the art studio. Elizabeth Silver asked if this is the only apartment on the lot. Kane confirmed. Sara Northrup asked where the door is located. Staff asked about the door facing Bridge Road and Board discussed regulations. Upon motion by Barry Smith and second by Sara Northrup, the Board voted unanimously to approve the special permit noting that the existing door facing Bridge Road is appropriate to allow given ordinance interpretation and that the door is 103’ from the Street. 5:40 P.M. David Bloomberg opened the continuation of a Finding request by Three County Fair to demolish existing barns and replace them with 54,000 sf in three new barns, 100,000 sf for three riding rings at 54 Fair St, Northampton, Map Id 25-44; 25c-251, 254. David clarified the 3 voting members: Sara Northrup, Elizabeth Silver, Barry Smith. Brief recap by Jeff Squire, consultant for the Fair. Board asked questions about permitting path. Staff clarified. Marilyn Richards 20 Bridge Rd, Florence spoke in favor of project. Noted her recusal from Planning Board on these discussions. Lisa Fusco, 130 Cross Path Road, spoke in favor of the project. Maria Tymoczko, Pomeroy Terrace, asked letter to be read into the record (located in Office of Planning and Development and Laserfiche files). Spoke against the permit regarding stormwater runoff. She raised a concern about trap rock gravel (TRG) and the large show rings. She claimed stormwater will be dumped on her property and complained about the changes in plans. She asked for denial until order of conditions is issued by Conservation Commission. David Bloomberg asked for clarification of concerns: rings and parking lot? He asked for clarification on the amount of parking that is changing. Board discussed drainage and changes. Rick Klein, The Berkshire Design, stated that no drainage changes will change in phase 1. TRG used instead of turf to allow for greater infiltration of stormwater. The trenches are for infiltration not directing runoff offsite. David Bloomberg clarified that long range plans are not in front of the Board and the experts say drainage will not run onto Tymoczko’s property. Sara Northrup asked whether drainage plan has changed since the Order of Conditions. Squire, The Berkshire Design Group, stated that it is the same system but added TRG infiltration. Sara Northrup asked about off-site improvements and whether they are necessary at this point. Klein says that this project is a stand-alone phase and does not require off-site. Bruce Shallcross, of the Fair, stated that there are 3 existing rings that have to be relocated on site because to accommodate the new location of the three barn buildings. David Bloomberg asked about the effect of delay in phase 1 and funding. Shallcross stated that a delay in reconstructing barns might mean that the Morgan Show would not return. Michael Pill argued his point in memo distributed (on file in Office of Planning and Development & laserfiche). Etheredge countered that the ordinance does allow a Finding. Upon motion by Barry Smith and second by Sara Northrup, the Board voted unanimously to close the hearing. Discussed merits of application and clarification of staff about buildings. Sara Northrup noted that if a special permit is required then they need to get one. Improvement of stormwater is shown. Upon motion by Barry Smith and second by Sara Northrup the Board voted unanimously to approve the Finding as stated. 6:50 P.M. David Bloomberg opened Barry Smith opened the continuation of amendment of Appeal at 52 Maple Street in Florence. Noting that there were a few remaining questions about Rhododendrons and height of trees. Ed Etheredge, representing the applicant, stated that the issue in dispute is height of tree. They agree on evergreens, rhododendron. Upon motion by Sara Northrup and second by Elizabeth Silver the Board voted unanimously to close hearing. Upon motion by Barry Smith and second by Sara Northrup the Board voted unanimously to approve amendment with conditions regarding the number of trees as drawn during the previous hearing specifically that trees are 6-8’ and rhododendrons as shown on the plan approved. 7 PM Adjourn.