31A-039_Schiller and Blanchard 2012_2011_2009 projects
December 22, 2010
Heidi A. Schiller and Fletcher Blanchard
197 Elm Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Email letter (NO hard copy to follow)
RE: Request for a Certificate of Non-Applicability at 197 Elm Street, Map ID 31A-039
Dear Ms. Schiller and Mr. Blanchard:
Thank you for your informal request for a Certificate of Non-Applicability to replace some additional
windows on your house. I regret to inform you that we have to deny this request.
We can only issue a Certificate of Non-Applicability when a project is exempt or otherwise eligible:
1.The project does NOT meet one of the statutory exemptions to allow us to do this.
2.The Design Standards Handbook does explain how windows should be replaced, but this is NOT a
locally determined exemption. (The Commission could add it as such, but they have not to date.)
3.When the Commission finds that the window will not alter the historic character of the building.
The last time this came up for other windows in your house, the Commission was only willing to
make this determination with a Certificate of Appropriateness.
4.Your past permits do NOT cover these additional windows.
You have three options to move forward:
1. You may formally apply for a permit from the full Commission. That application is online
(www.NorthamptonMA.gov/opd, and click on the permit application tab on the left side. They will
review and issue the appropriate Certificate with whatever conditions they deem valid.
2.You may wait until late February when we expect that City Council will expand our authority to issue
Certificates of Non-Applicability to hopefully include your project. Although I can’t prejudge an
application, IF the Ordinance that the Elm Street Historic Commission submitted to City Council was
approved, based on that ordinance, the design guidelines, and your current application, I would be
able to immediately issue a Certificate of Non-Applicability. You would need to resubmit your
request at that time, but there would be no fee.
Thanks for being the poster child for why we need the ability to approve projects like this with a
Certificate of Non-Applicability.
Sincerely,
Wayne Feiden, FAICP
Director of Planning and Development
Planning - DecisionCity of Northampton
Hearing No.:PLN-2010-0005Date: September 9, 2009
APPLICATION TYPE:SUBMISSION DATE:
Elm Street Historic District Permit7/27/2009
Applicant's Name:Owner's Name:
NAME: NAME:
BLANCHARD FLETCHER A III & HEIDI A SCBLANCHARD FLETCHER A III & HEIDI A SCHI
ADDRESS:ADDRESS:
197 ELM ST197 ELM ST
TOWN:STATE:ZIP CODE:TOWN:STATE:ZIP CODE:
NORTHAMPTONMA01060NORTHAMPTONMA01060
PHONE NO.:FAX NO.:
PHONE NO.:FAX NO.:
EMAIL ADDRESS: EMAIL ADDRESS:
Site Information:Surveyor's Name:
STREET NO.:COMPANY NAME:
SITE ZONING:
197 ELM ST
URB(100)/
TOWN:ADDRESS:
ACTION TAKEN:
NORTHAMPT0N MA 01060
MAP:BLOCK:LOT:MAP DATE:
SECTION OF BYLAW:
31A039001
TOWN:STATE:ZIP CODE:
Book:Page:
5037176
PHONE NO.:FAX NO.:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
NATURE OF PROPOSED WORK:
Replace front door & sidelights
HARDSHIP:
CONDITION OF APPROVAL:
1)Approved the application for a new front door and sidelights, with three conditions:
1.No highlights on the door and use a six panel wood door; and
2.Door and windows fit within the footprint of the existing door and windows; and
3.The windows have permanently mounted integral mullions
FINDINGS:
COULD NOT DEROGATE BECAUSE:
FILING DEADLINE:MAILING DATE:HEARING CONTINUED DATE:DECISION DRAFT BY:APPEAL DATE:
7/18/20098/25/20099/15/2009
REFERRALS IN DATE:HEARING DEADLINE DATE:HEARING CLOSE DATE:FINAL SIGNING BY:APPEAL DEADLINE:
8/18/20099/10/20099/1/200910/1/20099/29/2009
FIRST ADVERTISING DATE:HEARING DATE:VOTING DATE:DECISION DATE:
8/18/20099/1/20099/1/20099/9/2009
SECOND ADVERTISING DATE:HEARING TIME:VOTING DEADLINE:DECISION DEADLINE:
8/18/20095:35 PM10/1/20099/25/2009
MEMBERS PRESENT:VOTE:
Martha Lyonvotes toGrant
Edythe Ambrozvotes toGrant
Bruce Kriviskeyvotes toGrant
Pauline Fogelvotes toGrant
MOTION MADE BY:SECONDED BY:VOTE COUNT:DECISION:
Bruce KriviskeyMartha Lyon4Approved with Conditions
MINUTES OF MEETING:
Minutes are available at OPD. Appeals must be filed with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission within 20 days of the recording of this
permit with the City Clerk.
GeoTMS® 2009 Des Lauriers Municipal Solutions, Inc.