PB DecisionPlanning - DecisionCity of Northampton
Hearing No.:PLN-2014-0020Date: November 19, 2013
APPLICATION TYPE:SUBMISSION DATE:
PB Special Permit with Major Site Pla11/19/2013
Applicant's Name:Owner's Name:
NAME: NAME:
ATWOOD DRIVE LLCATWOOD DRIVE LLC
ADDRESS:ADDRESS:
23 ATWOOD DR23 ATWOOD DR
TOWN:STATE:ZIP CODE:TOWN:STATE:ZIP CODE:
NORTHAMPTONMA01060NORTHAMPTONMA01060
PHONE NO.:FAX NO.:
PHONE NO.:FAX NO.:
(413) 586-1211 ()
(413) 586-1211 ()
EMAIL ADDRESS: EMAIL ADDRESS:
Site Information:Surveyor's Name:
STREET NO.:COMPANY NAME:
SITE ZONING:
23 ATWOOD DR
GB
TOWN:ADDRESS:
ACTION TAKEN:
NORTHAMPT0N MA 01060
Approved With Conditions
MAP:BLOCK:LOT:MAP DATE:
SECTION OF BYLAW:
39041001
Chpt. 350-10.1: Special Permit
TOWN:STATE:ZIP CODE:
Book:Page:
4667215
PHONE NO.:FAX NO.:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
NATURE OF PROPOSED WORK:
OFFICES/HOTEL/RESTAURANT for lots 39-41 and 43.
HARDSHIP:
CONDITION OF APPROVAL:
1)All plans shall be amended to address technical details as required showing compliance with city
standards.
2) Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall submit final construction documents for
review by Department of Public Works for review of compliance with utility, crosswalk markings,
infrastructure design.
3) All site lighting shall have a flat lens- no “fish- eye” lens
4) Prior to construction of either the hotel or the restaurant building, the applicant shall return to the
Board for Site Plan Amendment showing the final building elevations for both buildings and any site
changes that might be necessary to accommodate the buildings. Plans shall also show final location
and number of bike racks that will serve each building.
5) Traffic Signal installation should occur concurrently with the construction of the four-story office
building and should be activated within 6 months of the first certificate of occupancy for that building.
6) The traffic signal shall include a pedestrian phase with push button activation at a minimum for the
north/south crossing of Atwood Drive.
7) The width of traffic lanes within Atwood Drive shall be no wider than 10’ or the minimum acceptable
width allowed by MASS DOT.
8) All water and sewer connections shall be constructed in accordance with Department of Public
Works standards including requirements for tie cards, valves, taps etc.
9) As offered by the applicant, prior to issuance of the final certificate of occupancy for the last
building, a backup generator for the sewer pump shall be installed for the existing pump station
consistent with Department of Public Works and Building code standards.
10) An ADA ramp connection between the bus stop and crosswalk shall be included. An ADA
compliant sidewalk connection from this crosswalk to sidewalk and bus stop shall be made.
11) All crosswalks across Atwood drive shall be installed in accordance with Department of Public
GeoTMS® 2013 Des Lauriers Municipal Solutions, Inc.
Planning - DecisionCity of Northampton
Hearing No.:PLN-2014-0020Date: November 19, 2013
Works standards.
12) A sit down restaurant has been approved with this permit. No drive through or fast food
restaurant is allowed without permit amendment.
FINDINGS:
The Planning Board approved the permit based upon the following plans and documents submitted with the application.
1. Hospitality North Atwood Drive by Tighe & Bond Engineers, dated Sept 2013, revised October 2013, Sheets 1-14.
2. Hampshire Hospitality Group, Clarion Property redevelopment Planting Plan by The Berkshire Design Group, Inc. Date last revised
10/16/13. Page LA-01
3. Hospitality North Floor Plans and Elevations by Gregory J. O’Connor Associates, Inc.
A1.1, A4.1 and A4.2 dated 9/9/13.
4. Traffic Impact Study, Prepared by Tighe & Bond for Atwood Partners LLC, dated September 11, 2013
5. Stormwater Report Prepared by Tighe & Bond for Atwood Partners, September 2013.
6. Response Letter to Review Comments addressed to Mr. Wayne Feiden, dated October 17, 2013 prepared by Tighe & Bond.
Upon review of the materials and public hearing, the Planning Board granted the site plan approval with special permit for the 80,000+- sf
mixed office/medical office building, hotel, sit down restaurant with 3 curb cuts onto Atwood Drive. In approving the plan, the Board
found the following criteria to be met.
(1)The requested use protects adjoining premises against seriously detrimental uses. If applicable, this shall include provision for surface
water drainage, sound and sight buffers and preservation of views, light, and air; This site is self-contained commercial district abutting I-
91 and Route 10 and will not have any detrimental impact on the abutting farmland/floodplain so long as the stormwater permit conditions
are met.
(2) The requested use will promote the convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian movement within the site and on adjacent
streets, minimize traffic impacts on the streets and roads in the area. If applicable, this shall include considering the location of driveway
openings in relation to traffic and adjacent streets, access by emergency vehicles, the arrangement of parking and loading spaces, and
provisions for persons with disabilities; An internal network of sidewalks connects buildings to one another. The buildings abut Atwood
Drive to the extent possible.
The requested use will promote the convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian movement within the site and on adjacent streets,
cycle tracks and bike paths, minimize traffic impacts on the streets and roads in the area. If applicable, this shall include considering the
location of driveway openings in relation to traffic and adjacent streets, cross-access easements to abutting parcels, access by public
safety vehicles, the arrangement of parking and loading spaces, connections to existing transit or likely future transit routes, and
provisions for persons with disabilities; and:
(b) The project, including any concurrent road improvements, will not decrease the level of service (LOS) of all area City and state roads
or intersections affected by the project below the existing conditions when the project is proposed and shall consider the incremental
nature of development and cumulative impacts on the LOS. The applicant is proposing to install a signal at the intersection of Route 5
and Atwood drive to address the projected drop in Level of Service
The new signalized intersection will include a pedestrian phase.
(3) The requested use will promote a harmonious relationship of structures and open spaces to the natural landscape, existing buildings
and other community assets in the area; This site represents a build-out of an underutilized public way that will maximize the function at
this site. and
(4) The requested use will not overload, and will mitigate adverse impacts on, the City's resources including the effect on the City's water
supply and distribution system, sanitary and storm sewage collection and treatment systems, fire protection, streets and schools; and
(5) The requested use meets any special regulations set forth in this chapter; There is no additional off-site traffic mitigation required
typically for the GB district.
The Planning Board may only issue a second curb cut if the applicant can show that there is something unique about the property that
would otherwise render flow to and from the property unsafe and unmanageable. If the Board finds that more than one curb cut is
necessary for traffic safety purposes, then additional off-site traffic mitigation may be required by the Planning Board to address
pedestrian safety within the abutting street network. The Board approved the additional curb cuts given the size of the parcel and the
number of buildings located on the parcel. and
(6) The requested use bears a positive relationship to the public convenience or welfare. The use will not unduly impair the integrity of
character of the district or adjoining zones, nor be detrimental to the health, morals, or general welfare. The use shall be in harmony with
the general purpose and intent of the ordinance; and
(7) If applicable, the requested use will promote City planning objectives to the extent possible and will not adversely affect those
objectives, as defined in City master or study plans adopted under MGL c. 41, § 81C and 81D. Reusing existing developed parcels,
maximizing the site, building multiple stories with mixed uses on existing infrastructure, creating new economic
development/employment opportunities are all consistent with Sustainable Northampton plan. Buildings are built to the street with
parking to the side and rear to maintain a more pedestrian scale along Atwood Drive.
COULD NOT DEROGATE BECAUSE:
GeoTMS® 2013 Des Lauriers Municipal Solutions, Inc.
Planning - DecisionCity of Northampton
Hearing No.:PLN-2014-0020Date: November 19, 2013
FILING DEADLINE:MAILING DATE:HEARING CONTINUED DATE:DECISION DRAFT BY:APPEAL DATE:
10/24/201311/7/201311/28/2013
REFERRALS IN DATE:HEARING DEADLINE DATE:HEARING CLOSE DATE:FINAL SIGNING BY:APPEAL DEADLINE:
10/31/20131/23/201411/14/201311/28/201312/9/2013
FIRST ADVERTISING DATE:HEARING DATE:VOTING DATE:DECISION DATE:
11/14/201311/14/201311/19/2013
SECOND ADVERTISING DATE:HEARING TIME:VOTING DEADLINE:DECISION DEADLINE:
7:00 PM2/12/20142/12/2014
MEMBERS PRESENT:VOTE:
John Lutzvotes toGrant
Karla Youngbloodvotes toGrant
Debin Brucevotes toGrant
Ann DeWitt Brooksvotes toGrant
Jennifer Dieringervotes toGrant
Mark Sullivanvotes toGrant
Francis Johnsonvotes toGrant
MOTION MADE BY:SECONDED BY:VOTE COUNT:DECISION:
Debin BruceJohn Lutz7Approved with Conditions
MINUTES OF MEETING:
Available in the Office of Planning & Development.
I, Carolyn Misch, as agent to the Planning Board, certify that this is a true and accurate decision made by the Planning Board and certify
that a copy of this and all plans have been filed with the Board and the City Clerk on the date shown above.
I certify that a copy of this decision has been mailed to the Owner and Applicant.
___________________________________
Notice of Appeal
An appeal from the decision of the Planning Board may be made by any person aggrieved pursuant to MGL Chapt. 40A, Section 17 as
amended within twenty (20) days after the date of the filing of the notice of the decision with the City Clerk. The date is listed above. Such
appeal may be made to the Hampshire Superior Court with a certified copy of the appeal sent to the City Clerk of the City of Northampton.
GeoTMS® 2013 Des Lauriers Municipal Solutions, Inc.