Smith Signs ZPA 2012-07-13Karla Youngblood
Smith College Facilities Management
126 West Street
Northampton, MA 01060
July 13, 2012
Re: Smith Campus Signage
Dear Ms. Youngblood,
Carolyn Misch and I reviewed the applications for new signage on the Smith Campus yesterday. The signs will require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals per section 350-7.2
(M) of the city’s sign ordinance:
M. The Board of Appeals may issue a special permit allowing more than the number of signs herein permitted and/or for signs of a larger size or height than herein permitted, provided
that:
(1) Signs are located only where they are otherwise permitted in the district; and
(2) The Board of Appeals determines that the architecture of the building, the location of the building or the land or nature of the use being made of the building or land is such that
additional signs or signs of a larger size would not detract from the character of the neighborhood and should be permitted in the public interest. Additional ground signs shall only
be approved if there are exceptional circumstances to warrant their approval and if all efforts are undertaken to keep additional ground signs as small and low as possible.
(3) The Board of Appeals specifies in the permit the exact sign permitted, the size and location of the sign or signs, and, if applicable, imposes other restrictions. Any change in said
signs requires a new or revised special permit unless the special permit specifies what types of changes are allowed.
Please contact Ms. Misch in the planning department for more information about the special permit process. If you have any questions, you can contact me at the building department. The
telephone number is 587-1240 and our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except that we close at 12:00 noon on Wednesday.
Sincerely,
Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
lhasbrouck@city.northampton.ma.us
cc Carolyn Misch