July 15, 2013 Minutes
MCENTRALBUSINESSARCHITECTURECOMMITTEE
INUTES OF
J15,2013
ULY
CCC210MS,N
ITY OUNCIL HAMBERS AIN T ORTHAMPTON
Chair, Aelan Tierney
Vice Chair, Joe Blumenthal
Bruce Kriviskey
Rick Klein
Barry Steeves
Bob Walker
Staff:
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden
Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch
7:00 PM No Public Comment
Tristram Metcalfe for alterations to fire
Aelan Tierney opened the public hearing with the request for
escape, rooftop solar and other changes, 184 Main St, Northampton Map ID 31D-161.
Metcalfe presented the proposal and distributed a revised plan dated July 10 showing
modifications to the rear fire escape. He clarified that there would be no ladder and no fire
shutters because they have opted to install sprinklers over the windows instead.
Metcalfe described the intent to place a solar farm and vegetable garden on the roof. The PV
panels need to be elevated somewhat off the roof for cooling and away from the snow loads.
Rick Klein asked if they had had designed greater carrying loads within the building to offset the
roof load of the solar panels.
Metcalfe confirmed that they had made it strong enough to carry live loads on the roof as well.
He noted it was a 10 KW design.
Klein asked if the property boundary was accurately surveyed to confirm they could build the
fire escape and elevator shaft within the property and without blocking the alley.
Tris noted that they had confirmed the boundaries and were within them. He also confirmed they had a
PV engineer design the roof top trellis.
Bob Walker clarified that there were three aspects of the application that needed approval: Fire Escape,
Elevator, roof top mechanicals-trellis for PV. He noted that he had no issues with the fire
escape but felt the other two components did not meet the criteria as shown to comply
with the design guidelines.
Joe Blumenthal asked why the elevator was shown if there was no immediate plan to construct it.
Mead stated she would put that in ideally within a year or more.
Aelan Tierney asked if the fire escape stairs would work with the elevator shaft as drawn?
She suggested that the elevator shaft should have the same decorative band continued from the main
building around the new element. She also noted that the concept for installation of roof top solar was
positive but the way it was designed overpowers the rest of the building and therefore is inconsistent with
the design guidelines. A less visible structure might be approvable.
Bruce Kriviskey concurred.
Rick Klein stated he was unsure that the roof could support the soils necessary to create a viable rooftop
garden.
Bob Walker reiterated that the rooftop structure projected too far above the roof plane.
Tierney asked about window replacements.
Metcalf described windows that would be replaced in kind with what is existing.
There was a discussion fo the exterior banding not shown on the plans.
Metcalfe confirmed that there would be no change to the exterior façade.
Upon motion by Joe Blumenthal and second by Bob Walker the Committee voted unanimously to close
the hearing and issue a permit with conditions: the surface of the structure would not change, there would
be no elevator and no pergola /solar structure.
Board discussed next meeting date.
Upon motion by Joe Blumenthal and second by Bruce Kriviskey the board voted unanimously to approve
the minutes of 5-22-13
7:50 Adjourn.
.