Jun 29, 2011 Minutes
MCENTRALBUSINESSARCHITECTURECOMMITTEE
INUTES OF
J29,2011
UNE
CCC212MS,N
ITY OUNCIL HAMBERS AIN T ORTHAMPTON
Chair, Bruce Kriviskey
Joe Blumenthal
Rick Klein
Barry Steeves
Aelan Tierney
Bob Walker
Staff:
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden
Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch
7:00 P.M.
Bruce Kriviskey opened the hearing on a Request by Kuhn Riddle Architects for
review of roof-top deck to 261-263 Main St, Northampton, Map ID 31d-116.
Rachel Chase, Kuhn Riddle Architects described the project representing the owner. She
showed the new windows proposed on the front façade as well as the changes to the plan for the
roof top deck to be pushed to the rear of the roof instead of at the front as initially proposed in
the application.
She presented photoshop drawings and elevations from the rear streets and public parking lot.
Bob Walker asked about the height of the top of the pergola.
Chase noted that it would be 10’ high at the rear, slanting up northward.
Walker asked about the mock up of the 2x4 board.
Joe Blumenthal noted that it is unlikely you could see it setback in the new location.
Bob Walker asked about the steel windows and the size of the muntins.
Chase noted that they were not double hung but awning windows.
Kriviskey asked about the thickness of the sash and if they would be 3”.
Chase said they had planned on a 2 1/8” sash.
Kriviskey stated that the sash and muntin should match in dimension and it wasn’t clear on the
graphic. The original would have been a double hung sash.
Kristen Kelly, owner, asked about window concerns and the board discussed jurisdiction and
how window replacement was interpreted by the Building Commissioner.
Teresa Paron, Masonic Street, asked about the proposed use of the deck.
Staff noted that it is part of a residential unit and therefore is considered an allowed accessory.
Kristen Kelly showed the sample of the window proposed for installation.
Chase noted that they would be true divided lights and returning to the arched window at the top.
Committee noted that this was an appropriate replacement.
Chase clarified that the center muntin would be over 2”.
Kriviskey noted that this isn’t an historic district and does not have to be historically accurate
and that these windows present a significant improvement over the existing windows.
Simon Maveglis, 233 Main Street stated a concern about whether the windows would make the
façade stand out too much because of the change.
There was further discussion about the size of the muntins and the appropriateness of the size.
Walker suggested that the size was not correct.
Rick Klein asked about whether there would be a screen.
Chase stated that there would be a screen for the “hopper” portion of the window.
Joe Blumenthal noted the big improvement overall with the changes to the building.
Barry Steeves and Rick Klein agreed.
Upon motion by Blumenthal and second by Rick Klein, the Committee voted unanimously to
close the hearing.
Walker noted that he thought the muntin size was wrong.
Rick noted agreement but stated that overall the project was a huge improvement to a Main
Street building.
Upon motion by Joe Blumenthal and second by Rick Klein, the committee voted 3-2 to approve
the project (Kriviskey noted there wasn’t enough detail to approve and Walker abstained)
Committee discussed requirements for sections as part of submission and possibly discussing
further evaluation from public spaces and not just streets.
8:30 P.M. adjouned