June 14, 2012 Minutes
The Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals Zoning Board
Minutes of Meeting
June 14, 2012
City of Northampton Hearing Room 18 210 Main St., Northampton, MA
Members Present: Time
Chair, David Bloomberg
Vice Chair, Malcolm B. “Barry” Smith
Sara Northrup
Bob Riddle, Assoc. Member
Elizabeth Silver, Associate Member
Staff:
Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden
4:00 P.M.
Malcolm Smith opened the hearing on a request by Thomas Douglas Architects, Inc.
for Review of expansion of a Transitional Residential Structure at 126 King St, Northampton,
Map ID 31B-14.
David Premo, abutter on north side, introduced himself.
Thomas Douglas submitted revised plans to the Smith showing surveyed boundary and
elimination of the previously proposed driveway.
Premo, 128 King Street provided a history of the parking at the site and noted that there
historically was on-street parking in front of the properties until King Street was reconstructed
many years ago.
Douglas indicated that they could continue to use the existing driveway portion that remained on
his client’s property as it was wide enough to allow passage.
There was further discussion about the nature of the project, expansion of the units and
allowances under Central Business.
Jonathan Gotche, 12 Bright Street raised concerns about the appearance of the property and the
number of people who would be parking. He voiced disappointment with the trees that were
taken down and argued that paving the rear lot would create greater impacts relative to
stormwater.
Michelle Sun, applicant, noted that their goal was to improve an eyesore on the street. Their plan
was to replace the fence and clean the property.
Shelley Parker, 12 Bright Street voiced concern over loss of green space and increase in the
number of residential units and increase in parking demand relative to the impact on Bright
Street.
Jonathan Gotche asked about maintenance of the units.
Malcolm Smith noted the city policy to encourage infill in this part of the city particularly as it
was recently rezoned to CB and that the ground floor was being renovated for the flexibility to
convert to commercial uses.
David McCutcheon, with Premo, asked if the handicap ramp was required.
Douglas said it was.
Smith closed the hearing and issued the finding.
4:35 P.M. Adjourn.