Centeral Business Architecture Ordinance 1/6/2011Tif:11 J:rf Narti
MASSACHUSETTS
In the Year Two Thousand and Ten
Planning Board
UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF
ORDINANCE
An Ordinance of the City of Northampton, Massachusetts, providing that the Code of Ordinances,
City of Northampton, Massachusetts, be amended by revising section 156 of said Code;
providing that C• e4rtral 14 ss •• AA: e.il4CW..tug: . e.. 1:. e -:is ed. to..incl.u.de..C.e nit al.
Business and West Street Architecture
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Northampton, in City Council assembled, as follows:
Sectiion. 1. That section of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Northampton,
Massachusetts, be amended so that such section shall read as follows:
"Section
{Revise Section 156 of the Northampton Code of Ordinances, as follows :}
1 Chapter 156 Central Business and West Street Architecture
Section. 156 -1 Purpose.
{no change to section
As Amended in City Council January 6, 2011
Section 156 -2 Map.
1 A Central Business and West Street Architecture Ordinance is hereby established within the
City of Northampton. The ordinance (this chapter) shall regulate the Central Business
:District and the West Street District bounded as shown on an attached map entitled "Central
Business and West Street Architectureal O1-4inance, City of Northampton," and made part of
this chapter. This chapter creates an architecturally controlled district as envisioned by MGL
c. 143, § 3A
In City Council, January 20, 2011
Rules suspended, passed two readings, ordained & enrolled.
Attest: o.,1 -)"..1.&.u.tio,Clerk of Council
Approved: Mary Clare Higgins, Mayor
A True Copy.
Attest 51....6 -u-k.c Clerk of Council
{
{insert new map below as shown (this is revised map as endorsed by the Ordinance
Committee}
Central Business Architectural
Section 156 -3 Central Business Architecture Committee.
{no change to section}
Section 156 -7 Central Business Architecture Appeals
{no change to section except for change of title above}
Section 156 -6 Central Business Architecture Permit process.
{no change to section except for change of title above}
Section 156 -8 Violations and penalties; noncriminal disposition
{no change to section}
Section 156 -4 Central Business Design Guidelines Manual and; rules and regulations;
materials required for submission.
{no change to section except for change of title above}
Section 156 -5 Central Business Architecture Certificate of nonapplicability; exemptions.
{no change to section except for change of title above}
Section 156 9 \A'he -n e.- 11ee-t-i ---e West Street Architecture uindards
-1-115 chapte r - tripe i }_tl prpi. tll�}ritlli ri %Hi1ri-- �; }Fihr�ti r� - �1=Ltlil i -ilia
A. The r0110Will`_ Cii' Ili s a1C x _. 1' West 1 chilecturr review:
_.,,. 7, from �\ - .,5. �t .
(1) interior work. irlcludintl features. arranuement or use of other nonc?:terior
elements.
(2) Exterior architecture features not visible from a public street. provided that they
would not be visible even in the absence of all freestanding walls and fences,
signs. accessory structures. and lalldSCapillu. and the rear ofs any buildings if the
rear facade does not abut a City street.
(3) The ordinary maintenance. repair or repla.. - 1ellt o1 UM' C \ terior architecture
feature which does not involve any chance of design or appearance
(4) Landscaping with plants, trees or shrubs.
(5) Meeting any requirements certified by a duly authorized public officer to be
necessary for public safety because of an unsafe or danuerous condition.
(6) All ground si ens. buildine si ens and a\wnines except those which could potentially
alter or damage the buildin g: facade to which they are attached.
(7) Open terraces. walks. driveways and similar structures. provided that such
structures are substantially at grade level.
(8) Handicapped access ramps designed solely for the purpose of facilitating inuress
or egress of a physically handicapped person. as defined in MGL c. 22. 1 3A.
provided that such ramps are not more than one foot above oricinal grade.
B. All regulated activities will integrate buildings and landscape design with the campus.
the West Street streetscape and neighborhood. consistent with the following principles:
(1) Locate new buildings alone West Street in a manner that is densely developed,
oriented to the street and frames the street. enhances the streetscape. and creates
an urban. pedestrian - friendly corridor at the uround floor.. connectine downtown.
the Smith /Green /West Street neighborhood. and the Villarze at Hospital Hill. For
buildings along West Street. among the buildi alternatives considered will be
massing and scale that is similar to the existinu residential scale. such as use of
stepped -up facades. bays. courtyards and other design options. and/or more urban -
style facades built near the sidewalk edge that include ground floors with active
uses.
(2) Pay particular attention to the campus /neighborhood interface: i.e.. porous facades
facing public streets as well as inner campus: balance of interior and exterior
focus /views: sensitive siting and design of back side of buildings.. dumpsters.
loading docks. mechanicals, and parking lots to support the urban corridor.
(3) Minimize new curb cuts onto public ways: i.e.. limit new service access
driveways onto West Street.
(4) Extend pedestrian- focused Smith College core campus to Ford Hall and create
pedestrian pathways linking areen spaces. buildings. streets. campus..
neiChborhood, and the parking garage, considering elements such as sidewalk
width and street trees.
Section 156 -10 West Street Architecture Process
Except as noted above, no building or structure within the West Street Architecture district
shall be constructed or altered, in any way, nor shall new off - street parking be constructed
without a permit from the Planning Board issued in accordance with this chapter, nor,
without such a permit, shall such activities be issued a building. permit.
To apply for a permit, the applicant shall complete and file the application form and file
required submittal materials with the Northampton Office of Planning and Development. To
provide consistency, even though West Street Architecture is distinct from Zoning
Ordinances, the Plannin <z Board shall use the same public notice and time line requirements
for permit applications as is required under the State Zoning Act (MGL c. 40A) for special
permits. If the Board fails to act within these time periods.. an applicant may send a written
notice requesting the permit. If the Board still fails to act, the permit shall be deemed to have
been issued twenty -one days after the Committee's receipt of said notice.