Feb 28, 2013 Minutes (2)
The Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals Zoning Board
Minutes of Meeting
February 28, 2013
City of Northampton Council Chambers, 212 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 PM.
Sara Northrup acting as Chair opened the hearing on Saxton Sign Group Special Permit for a 35’
tall ground sign for Ford Dealership at 968 Bridge Rd, Northampton, Map ID 18D-027.
Jack Serrat, President of Ford Northampton, described interest in relocating the sign from the site
on Damon Road to their new site on King Street. The old sign that was dismantled is 35’ tall.
Malcolm Smith asked if the post could be lowered.
Owner of Saxton Sign Group noted that the height was necessary so trucks and cars could drive
under the bottom of the sign.
Sara Northrup read the standards in the zoning by which the Board could make a decision. She
asked if the sign would be lit.
Scott Serrat, owner, confirmed there would be internal lights. He also suggested that there was
ample buffer between the building and the abutting residential neighborhood to screen the sign.
Serrat confirmed that the square footage would be 102.
Staff noted that because it was greater than 100 sf, a separate special permit was necessary for
that in addition to the fact that this would count as a second on site ground sign.
Steve Susco, 754 Bridge Rd spoke against the special permit for the height and requested that the
lights in the sign be turned off at reasonable hours.
Staff noted the number of emails and phone calls requesting denial of the permit for 35’ tall sign.
Jack Serrat said that they need 21’ at least to allow cars to clear.
Bob Riddle stated that he didn’t see how the additional height was warranted under the
ordinance.
The Board discussed the lighting .
Serrat noted that a timer turning the sign off somewhere between 9 and 10 was manageable.
Upon motion by Malcolm Smith and second by Bob Riddle, the board voted unanimously to
close the hearing.
Bob Riddle reiterated that the new sign should conform to the standards.
Elizabeth Silver raised concern about changing the existing sign and that there are billboards
taller than the sign. She questioned whether a tall sign would detract from the character of the
neighborhood. Could there be some compromise? The city should be welcoming business.
Malcolm Smith noted that a compromise would be appropriate and suggested 21’.
There was further discussion of the sign height and 102 square foot size.
Sara Northrup added concern about lighting.
Upon motion by Malcolm Smith and second by Bob Riddle, the Board voted unanimously to
approve the special permit for more than one sign and for the 102 square feet with condition that
the height not exceed 15’ and that the sign lighting be on no earlier than 8 a.m. and off no later
than 9 p.m.
6:30 The board voted unanimously to adjourn.