June 23, 2011 minutes
The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
June 23, 2011
City of Northampton Council Chambers, 220 Main St., Northampton, MA
Members Present: Time
Chair, Stephen Gilson
Vice Chair, Jennifer Dieringer
Francis “Frandy” Johnson
Marilyn Richards
Katharine Baker
Mark Sullivan Mark
Debin Bruce, Associate Member
Andrew Weir, Associate Member
Staff:
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden
Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch
7:00 PM
Stephen Gilson opened the meeting with discussion about summer schedule for
meetings.
July 14 and Aug 11 dates were selected.
7:15 P.M.
Stephen Gilson opened the joint public hearing with
CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE
ON ELECTIONS, RULES, ORDINANCES, ORDERS & CLAIMS on two zoning ordinance amendment
proposals.
David Narkewicz and David Murphy sat as Ordinance Committee.
1.Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the Planned Village district including:
a.Reduction in Frontage requirements for lots from 60’ to 0’ with approved master plan
b.Allowance for flexible standard for shared driveways
c.Modify parking to require no more than 2 spaces per residential unit
Staff presented the proposed changes to the district.
Richard Henderson of MassDevelopment spoke in favor of the changes for the Planned Village
district.
Teri Anderson, head of community and economic development voiced support for the changes.
David Narkewicz noted the ordinance committee would take the items up at their July 11
regularly scheduled meeting.
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Upon motion by Francis Johnson and second by Marilyn Richards, the Planning Board voted
unanimously to close the hearing.
Upon motion by David Murphy and second by David Narkewicz, the Ordinance Committee
voted to close its hearing.
Upon motion by Andrew Weir and second by Katharine Baker, the Planning Board voted
unanimously to recommend changes to City Council.
Staff presented proposed changes for the Central Business District.
2.Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the Central Business zoning district including:
a.Elimination of Parking requirements
b.Reduction in rear yard setbacks that abut other parcels in the CB from 15’ to 0’ to
match side and front setbacks
c.Increase maximum height from 55’ to 65’
d.Expansion of allowed uses
e.Amend some uses allowed by special permit to by-right
f.Require special permit for more than one curb cut
g.Reformatting tables by merging use tables and dimension tables
Teri Anderson, Community and Economic Development Director spoke in favor of the changes.
Suzanne Beck, Executive Director of the Chamber spoke in favor of the changes.
Bob Reckman, Fruit Street, spoke in favor of the changes.
Upon motion by Marilyn Richards and second by Mark Sullivan the Board voted unanimously to
close the hearing.
Upon motion by David Murphy and second by David Narkewicz, the Ordinance Committee
voted to close the hearing.
Upon motion by Katharine Baker and second by Mark Sullivan, the Board voted unanimously to
recommend the changes as proposed except for deletion of duplication relative to standard for
creation of more than six parking spaces.
8:00 P.M. Stephen Gilson opened the continuation on request for Site Plan Amendment at 52
Maple St, Map ID 23A-40.
Staff gave overview of changes from the previous hearing.
Loretta Gougeon, 9 West Center Street noted that the changes appear to be consistent with the
ZBA decision.
Mark Bird, 19 W. Center Street asked when the plantings would be installed.
Ed Etheredge, representing the property owner (Seawink) noted that after the appeal ended with
no appeals planting would be installed as soon as weather permits.
Fred Wellman, West Center Street noted that the building cannot be permitted until the planting
is completed.
Gougeon asked about the extension of the original Planning Board decision from 2006.
Michael Pill, representing the neighbors argued that there was not automatic extension allowed.
Upon motion by Mark Sullivan and second by Marilyn Richards, the Board voted unanimously
to close the hearing.
Upon motion by Debin Bruce and second by Marilyn Richards, the Board voted to approve the
amended landscape plan. (Andrew Weir and Katharine Baker not eligible to vote)
8:20 P.M. the Board adjourned.
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