37-022 (3) MAY-18-1999 16 57 MARGO JONES ARCHITECTS 413 773 5552 P.02
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Regardless of their classification regarding sprinklers, I am curious as to whether a fire separation is
required between this and the assembly (you had said it might be required). I was calling this an
"unseparated Mixed Use"with the most restrictive height and area falling under a-3 (53: 4,200 sf, I story).
Please let me know your determination.
Since ly,
Laura Fitch,A.I.A.
Margo Jones,Architects
cc: Ted Parker, Doug Kohl Construction, Mary Kraus, consulting architect, John Ryan, development
consultant
TOTAL P.02
MAY-18-1999 16 56 MARGO JONES, ARCHITECTS 413 773 5552 P.01
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MARGO JONES l�}1
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Architects 1 9
18 May 1999
Poat-ir Fax Note 7671 . t ;155
Anthony Patilo,Building Inspector Co/Dept.
City Hall Phone S Phone i
212 Main St. IfillititaWEMI Fax n
Northampton,MA 01060
RE: Pathways Cohousing Commonhouse
Dear Mr. Patilo:
A few items have changed since my letter to you on 08 March regarding the Pathways Cohousing
Commonhouse. Of interest to you would be the following conversation I had with Deborah Ryan, the
director of the Access Board.
In the midst of preparing an appeal to the Access Board regarding the details of the lift installation, 1 had a
question regarding the application,and spoke to Ms. Ryan. When I explained the nature of the community:
24 houses for sale (not rent), consisting of single family and duplexes only, and commonhouse, she said
that only the parts of the commonhouse that are open to the public need to be accessible.. I asked for
specific clarification regarding the possibility of basement laundry and recreation room space. She said
these spaces did not need to be accessible if they were"for residents only".
I then asked the community how they would like me to proceed:with or without a lift. They wished to keep
the lift in the design, as they are very interested in future accessibility should any of their members or
family need it. But, at this point their budget is very limited, and in fact their laundry is "for residents
only". Therefore,they would like to install the laundry in the basement now,and wait on the lift.
I would like to proceed with the community's plans, and believe that Ms. Ryan's interpretation is
reasonable. Please let me know if you disagree with this.
In addition:
1) The community will not be designing the kid's playroom as a daycare center at this point. I cannot
speak to what they may choose to do in the future, but if the use changes, they will notify your
office.
And, here is a question left unresolved from my last letter. I think you returned my call at some point
several weeks ago,but we never actually connected. Perhaps you have already had a chance to review it.
2) Regarding the Guest Rooms: 1 think you told me that you would cheek with the state regarding
their use classification. My interpretation is that R-1 and R-2 just don't describe the nature of their
use, and require sprinklers. The guestrooms are not for rent as a hotel, motel, or boarding house.
Primarily they will be for visiting family members. I think of this use as the same as guestrooms
within a single family dwelling, and because there are only 2 such rooms, they do not' warrant
classification as hotel,motel or dorms.
308 MAIN STREET, 3RD FLOOR
GREENFIELD, MA 01301
413-773-5551 (ax'413-773-5551