June 28, 2012 full minutes
The Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals Zoning Board
Minutes of Meeting
June 28, 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
5:30 P.M.
David Bloomberg opened the request by Rockridge Retirement Community for a
SPECIAL PERMIT to change ground signs at 25/37 Coles Meadow Rd, Northampton, Map ID
13-73.
Tom Hawkins, sign consultant presented the project.
Sara Northrup asked about the location of the sign relative to the stop bar at the intersection of
Coles Meadow and N. King St. She suggested it might need to be moved to prevent conflicts
with sight distances.
David Bloomberg asked about lighting for both signs.
Rich Malred, Rockridge Retirement Community stated that they would like the sign on from
dawn to dusk.
Beth Vitoli, Rockridge, emphasized that they want the lights for directional purposes through the
night.
The Board discussed lights and need for timers.
Malcolm Smith asked about light levels.
David Bloomberg noted the applicant made a compelling case for having lights on the signs all
night.
There was no public comment.
Upon motion by Malcolm Smith and second by Sara Northrup, the Board voted unanimously to
close the hearing.
Upon motion by Sara Northrup and second by Malcolm Smith, the Board voted unanimously to
grant the special permit with a condition that the planter on the King St side be no closer than the
existing sign post.
th
The board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of June 14, May 10 and 24.
The Board discussed zoning changes to the section 9.3, noting that the changes adding a special
permit process for single and two family non-conformities made sense given recent caselaw.
The Board did not agree or endorse the other proposed changes relating to staff review of minor
findings.
6:20 Adjourn