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212 Main Street • Municipal Building
Northampton, Mass. 01060
COMP„J,.AINT SHEET
How received: Telephone(
C
Personal
` Letter ( X)
�,,•„ � B t 11� 0 �tlJ .
r
Complaint No.
Date: /
Time: /�I-WA.M• P.M.
Telephone No. 584 -5561
Complainant's Name: Raymond W. LaBarge - :;CoUncil.or -Ward
Complainant's Address: 24 Wat
Complaint received by:
2 12 iW
VIOLATIONS OF: Northbmpton, Mass. L) - ,C •-:j
K Chapter 44 Zoning Ordinances, City of Northampton
❑ Chapter 802 As Ammended Mass. State Building Code
❑ Sanitary Code, Art.2
Complaint reported against:
g
Name:
Eugene Tac . Tel. - 584-7114
Address: 158 N. Ma le St. Fl orenr-p, MA
Location of complaint:
175 Main St., Leeds MA Map # 10T Lot # 17
Signature of Compianants:
Nature of complaint:
investigation: Yes ( ) No ( ) investigated by:
Paul Duclos
Building Inspector
City of Northampton
Wallace J. Puchalski Municipal Office Building
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
Re: Zoning Complaint
q c -� 1� �V � kj
September 7, 1988
Building Inspector:
Pursuant to our conversations over the past weekend, I would like to formally
file a Zoning Complaint against the issuance of Buildings P erm it ishmen issued for the
construction of a foundation for a Construction Supply.
(158 N. Maple St., Florence, 584 -7114) for his property at 175 Main Street in Leeds
(Parcel 17, Map 10D of the Northampton Zoning/Assessor's Maps).
I believe that the issuat'ice of this Building Permit is in violation of Section
9.3(b.) and in - violation.of the Uecision of the Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals
made on August 12, 1987, to which Mie.i1acy. has filed an Appeal.
Your response to this complaint at your earliest possible convenience would be
greatly appreciated.
Respectfully)
ymond W. LaB rge
City Councilor -Ward 7
MEN _ .
Mt l iar air
DrPAB�TL' GLrBOanDQG•' IIVSPBCTIDIVS'-
MX WAim 81 Mmm:kxd 3m1dmg
rTa;
m a n - 01060
Wv
TACX PERMIT #553
1757 MAIN ST_, LEEDS.
100 = 17
ISSUEI 8/29/88 ZONED SI
PAGE'S -12 (Zoning Ordinance) Consuruction Supply Establishment °A"
PAGE 1581 (Zoning. Charter) CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY ESTABLIS MENT "A"
DEFINITIONS (ZONING. ORDINANCE) CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY' ESTABLIS MENT P6,_ 2.3
(ZONING CHARTER) " " "'PG. 15:4
.ODIENSIONAL &: OENSITY_
PAGE T—T (ZONING.ORDINANCF) ANY PERMITTED USE FRONT DEPTH
RAGE 1589 (ZONING' CHARTER) =Y MINIMUM
• -� - _ - REIZtlIRID_ 20,000 - 120' 140'
;PRESENT 70,000
SETBACXS REQUIRED ` 29 FRS tSt SIDE 20•' REAF
PRESEKr 150 30' 30'
-
. BUFFER AS REQUIRM
PAGE 6_6 ZONING ORDINANCE_
PAGE 1590 SEC_ 6.a ZONING. CHARTER-
BOTOW LINE IS: THAT THERE ARE ASKINe M NOTHING NOT ALLOWED: BY RIM r HIM 1 i i t l r r
Wr WAS - SPLIT (AS PER- SUGGESTS 7 BY" S_ WEILI
AND ZONING' BOARD OF APPEALS CONCURREI -IF LOT WAS DIVIDED. ALL REQUESTS MOULD. BE APPLICABLE
DID EMXTHING. POSSIBLE TO APPEASIE MEgMS WISHES_ P-LMNING: BOM
= ZONIN& BOARG' OF APPEAU
- - --
CITY COUNCIL. (ALL INFAVOR. EXCEF
RAYMM LABARfi'c)
_; STILL DENIM LL-111f l Mr.
5 i Q i,_ir S.
r . ' +ice < - �� :: "- _ .. °��ixc °_��: : �? ° .•::C.�; • ` i.'� � _ .. -
i23. The Defendants will not admit paragraph
i s Defendants lstate that if a 60 x 60 foot buildin
all dimensional requi rements un
j
122. The Defendants admit paragraph 22.
i
23.
were
r the
Ved„ : bv� right, and if
ormingi uses or us authoriz by. special permit or
•,,�
�d 1
" vr�,�,,,m,,,,, Defendants furt er sta a `fFiair
the sketch attached to the February 20 1.987• application for a
'' building Permit indicates that the building would conform to
the setback requirements of the Zoning ordinance. However,
that sketch is clearly not drawn to scale.
More .detailed plans would' be required to state that the building would be conforming in all respects.
24. The ;Defendants will not admit paragraph 24. The
Defendants state that the construction of.a building whether it
was to house the pre- existing non - conforming use or the proposed new use would be an expansion.of said pre - existing
non- conforming use. The addition of a new use on the site
would also: be such an expansion. • That expansion would require
a finding ;in accordance with Section 9.3(8) of the Zoning
Ordinance.,
1 1
�.
i
b
The Defe ants
By
Kat lee . , n G. F to
Law Departmen
City Hall
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA. 01060
(413) 586 -6950
`fir _-MW
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS
'Y •
CITY HALL
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
586.6950
Patrick T. Gleason, Esq.
City Solicitor
Kathleen G. Failon, Esq.
Assistant City Solicitor
September 12, 1988
Paul Duclos, Building Inspector
Municipal Building
Northampton, MA. 01060
Re: Tacy permit
Dear Mr., Duclos:
The situation as to the Tacy property hinges on- the concept of a.
pre - existing non - conforming use-
The. property is zoned SI _ Mr.- Tacy operates a construction. yard.
on that site, a use which currently requires• a_ special permit iir
that zone.. (A "construction: yard" is defined. as. the open storage
of raw materials_ and construction. equipment. This use is listed
as paragraph 13 under wholesale, Transportation, - and Industrial
Uses in Section 5.2 of the Zoning Ordinance -) Under the Zoning
Ordinance, this use currently requires. a special permit in the SI
zone.
However, Mr. Tacy's use was in.place prior to the imposition of
the special permit requirement. Therefore, the construction yard
is a pre - existing non - conforming use As a pre- existing, non-
conforming use, it is subject to special requirements and
procedures as set forth in Section 6 of Chapter 40A of the
Massachusetts General Laws and Section 9 of the Northampton
Zoning Ordinance.
The essential. principle to remember. in dealing with a non-
conforming use is that any change, alteration,. or extension of
that non- conforming use requires the permission_ of the Zoning
Board of Appeals. The Board must make a "finding" that the
`fti ../
change, alteration, or extension of the non - conforming use is not
"substantially more detrimental" to the neighborhood than is the
original use. The following activities, among others, have bee
defined as a change, alteration, or extension of' a non - conforming
use by case law: (1) a increase in the intensity of the use; (2)
the construction of a building or an addition to an existing
building housing a non - conforming use; (3) the addition of other
uses even if those uses are allowed by right.
Mr. Tacy applied in 1984 for a finding to allow him to construct
a building on the property and to add as an additional use a
construction supply establishment, an allowed use in the SI zone.
That finding was granted by the ZBA. However, Mr. Tacy failed to
apply for a building permit within eighteen months of the
decision. Since a special permit or finding lapses in eighteen
months if not exercised within eighteen months, the Building
inspector denied the permit when Mr.. Tacy finally did apply
nearly two years after the grant of the finding.
Mr. Tacy then applied to the ZBA for a finding identical to that
granted in 1984. During the process, he decided to request a
larger building than that described in the 1984 finding. He was
allowed to withdraw his application and submit a. revised one
showing the larger building on March 4, 1987.. On May 6, 1987,
after a. public hearing, the ZBA denied the application for a
finding. Mr. Tacy appealed that decision to the courts where it
is. awaiting trial at this time.
Essentially the issue here is that, since the use on the Tacy
property is a pre - existing non - conforming use, Mr_ Tacy cannot
expand /alter that use by adding an additional, use, even if that
use is allowed in the zoning district, or by constructing a
building on the site without the granting of a finding by the
ZBA. Since the ZBA has denied that finding, Mr. Tacy cannot be
issued a building permit unless the. ZBA' s decision is overturned
by the Superior Court.
Subsequently, Mr. Tacy submitted a Form A plan to the Planning
Board showing the division of the property into two separate
lots. Since both portions of the divided lot had sufficient
frontage, the Planning Board was required by law to approve the
Form A plan. That approval does not, in any way, certify that
the lots created are suitable for building. Approval only
certifies that the required frontage exists.
It had been discussed at one time that Mr. Tacy might solve his
problem by dividing the property, moving the construction yard.
onto one portion and using the second portion for the allowed
use. However, moving the construction yard onto a smaller lot
would, again, require a finding by the ZBA since it would
change /alter the non- conforming use by intensifying it on that.
smaller lot. As of this time, no application for a finding for
that purpose has been made.
../
Since the construction yard use is still. present on both portions
of the divided property, the situation has not: been altered.. A
finding by the ZHA is a prerequisite to the issuance of any
building permit.. No building permit should. be issued for the
property as: a whole or either of the portions shown on the Form A
plan-
Very truly yours,
� �
Kathleen G.. EJal
I-
I
lftp 13 962 MA••ACNU•CTTC OCAL a•T ATC MOgTQ'VAVS00(21N'720 Ay H�
01
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that we, EUGENE A. TACY, JAMES J. TACY,
RICHARD J. TACY, HAROLD G. TACY, and HELEN N. TACY,
alloF Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts,
for consideration paid, grants to GEORGE D. TOBIN and MARGARET W. TOBIN,
2211 •
Northampton (Hampshire County) Massachuse ?J,Kimball Street, Florence,
with mortgngt rmnnnntn to secure the payment of
TWENTY THOUSAND AND NO1100 ($20,000.00)------
payable on demand, ------
- -- Dollars
with TEN ( - -- per cent interest, per annum
xis )OXXX with TEN (10%) - annual percentage rate
payab ( exmxDCemisatbyx-uxsoxUNjKqua r ter ly, ,
as provided in our one note of even date,
thclandin the Village of Leeds, in Northampton, M &Ssachusetts situated
on the Easterly side of Main Street, bounded and described as follows:
[Description and encurnbmnces, if an))
Beginning at an iron pin on the Easterly side of said Main Street in
said Leeds, at the Southwesterly corner of land of McCarthy, as shown
on Plan recorded in Hampshire Registry of Deeds, Plan Book 17, Page 68,
thence Easterly one hundred (100) feet, more or less, along land of
said McCarthy to a corner; thence Northerly along land of the said
McCarthy ninety (90) feet. more or less, to a corner; thence Easterly
one hundred thirty -five (135) feet, more or less, to land now or
formerly of the New York New Haven 6 Hartford Railroad Company; thence
Southerly along land now or formerly of said New York, New Haven 6
Hartford Railroad Company to the Mill River; thence continuing in a
Southerly dir -ction across said Mill River to the Northerly boundary of
Lot #19; thence Westerly along the Northerly boundary of said Lot N19
to Main Street; thence across said highway following the bank of the
river to Lot #20 as shown on said plan; thence Southwesterly along the
Westerly side of Lot t20 to a point located ten (10) feet distant
downstream below the dam; thence Westerly across the said Mill River
a distance of ten (10) feet below said dam to land now or formerly of
Henry Brushway; thence Northerly along land now of formerly of Henry
Brushway to an iron pin situated about ten (10) feet South of an old
iron bridge; thence across said Mill River parallel to the old iron
bridge and thence across said Main Street to an iron pin on the Easterly
side of Main Street; thence Northerly along said Main Street to the
point of beginning.
Excepting, however, from the above described tract, the highway shown
on said plan and designated thereon as Main Street.
Together with any and all water privileges and water rights appurtenant
to and connected with the above described premises which may have been
used or enjoyed now or formerly of the Grantor and together with
any and all right, title and interest in an to the dams within the
boundaries of the described premises.
Subject to all existing water rights.
Excepting, the portion of the above described premises conveyed by
George G. and Margaret W. Tobin to William E. McCarthy by deed dated
June 2, 1976 and recorded in Book 1890, Page 135 of the Hampshire
County Registry of Deeds, containing 4,372 square feet, more or less.
For our title see a deed from George G. Tobin and Margaret W. Tobin
to us recorded just prior hereto in the Hampshire County Registry of
Deeds.
(• — Joint Tmanb — T."M in Cammoa)
-MOO"
cpa 79- 33e
Ibis wMVV is upon the astu" condition,
for any preach of .which the awSsSft &MI have the statutory power of uIc
IknS6n
Wife of UW WAOSSS".
Rftt �.--Iwd and ad of .. .....
....................... .
7-
- - ---------------- - ----- ------------------ ----- - ........ . .
--------- ............ .. ... . . ........ . .
. . . . . . . ............................. . .. ... . ..............
i
samoftwwtt of Ma""*Was
HAMPSHIRE, AL June 1, 1982
Th- P-wnAHY APPM the Abwft 038 "d EUGENE A. TACY,
and wJawwkdgcd the foregoing warumeft to be h i a f deed. e or
w ms
Patrick J. Mel mhk M.-y k—)WOMIftbam"M
w..Lnim @.pim November 5, 1982
Jung I 1911 at I O'clock and 48 min PM, RecId, Ext'd 8 Exam'd.
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LAW
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
r..-1
September 16, 1988 Telephone 413 - 584 -6750
Kathleen Fallon, Esq.
City Solicitor of the
City of Northampton
City Hall
Main Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
Chairman of the Zoning
Board of Appeals of the
City of Northampton
City Hall
Main Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
Paul Duclos
Building Inspector of the
City of Northampton
City Hall
Main Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
Dear Sirs:
Please be advised that I represent Eugene Tacy, the
applicant for a permit to construct a Building Supply
Establishment on his property on Main Street, Leeds,
Massachusetts. As you know, Eugene Tacy previously applied for
a permit for a mixed use of the entire three acre Main Street,
Leeds, property for use as a Construction Supply Establishment
and as a storage facility for his contractor's equipment. This
permit was denied for the entire property previously by the
Zoning Board of Appeals and whether or not the Zoning Board of
Appeals properly denied that permit is the subject of a current
pending Superior Court Civil Action.
After reviewing the Zoning Ordinance further, and without
y5l; T &- WED
Mayor David B. Musante
2 01988
City Hall
SEP
Main Street
OFFICE OF PLANNING
Northampton, Ma 01060
AND DEVELOPMENT
Kathleen Fallon, Esq.
City Solicitor of the
City of Northampton
City Hall
Main Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
Chairman of the Zoning
Board of Appeals of the
City of Northampton
City Hall
Main Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
Paul Duclos
Building Inspector of the
City of Northampton
City Hall
Main Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
Dear Sirs:
Please be advised that I represent Eugene Tacy, the
applicant for a permit to construct a Building Supply
Establishment on his property on Main Street, Leeds,
Massachusetts. As you know, Eugene Tacy previously applied for
a permit for a mixed use of the entire three acre Main Street,
Leeds, property for use as a Construction Supply Establishment
and as a storage facility for his contractor's equipment. This
permit was denied for the entire property previously by the
Zoning Board of Appeals and whether or not the Zoning Board of
Appeals properly denied that permit is the subject of a current
pending Superior Court Civil Action.
After reviewing the Zoning Ordinance further, and without
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LAW
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
-2-
Telephone 413.584 -6750
waiving any claims that Eugene Tacy has as to whether or not he
was entitled to the permit for a mixed use of the entire
property as previously applied for, Eugene Tacy discussed the
possibility of dividing up the parcel of land that he owns in
Leeds, with the previous Building Inspector of the City of
Northampton and obtaining a Building Permit for the portion of
this land that was not used as a Contractor's Yard. The
previous Building Inspector, William Nimohay, agreed to issue to
Eugene Tacy a Building Permit for a Construction Supply
Establishment provided that he subdivided his parcel of land
into two legal building lots and abandoned the use of one of the
building lots for use as a storage facility for contractor's
equipment.
Eugene Tacy took action to have the land surveyed and
subdivided into two separate parcels of land. In fact, the
title to the two parcels of land has been changed and Eugene
Tacy no longer has any title to the parcel of land on which
contractors equipment is being stored. The parcel of land that
he does have title to is completely clear and free from all
contractor's equipment or supplies and is a valid separate legal
building lot in a Special Industrial Zone under current zoning.
It complies with all frontage, set back and other requirements
of the applicable Zoning Ordinance and is no longer connected in
any sense to the use being made of the separate piece of land
upon which contractor's equipment is being stored. The other
lot is also a proper lot under current City Ordinances and
complies with all frontage set back and other requirements.
Mr. William Nimohay agreed to issue to Mr. Tacy a Building
Permit for the construction of a Construction Supply
Establishment as soon as he removed all of the items of
equipment from the lot that Mr. Tacy owned. Mr. Tacy, at great
expense, complied with Mr. Nimohay's request and had all
vehicles, equipment and other materials removed off the site.
Acting in good faith, Mr. Tacy went to the current Building
Inspector of the City of Northampton and applied for a Building
Permit for his Construction Supply Establishment. That permit
was properly issued by the Building Inspector of the City of
Northampton.
To the best of my'understanding, although I have not
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LAW
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
-3-
Telephone 413.584 -6750
participated in any direct way, nor have I seen all of the
letters or other documents that have been circulating among the
City Boards, it is my understanding that one or more elected
officials of the City of Northampton complained to the Building
Inspector that his issuance of the permit to Mr. Tacy was
improper. I presume that the complaint that was made by that
City Official was a complaint for enforcement of Zoning
Regulations pursuant to the provisions of M.G.L. C. 40(a) §7. I
believe up to that point proper procedures were followed and
anyone being aggrieved by the Building Inspector's enforcement
action could thereafter appeal any enforcement decision or
granting of any permits to the Zoning Board of Appeals pursuant
to the provisions of M.G.L. C. 40(a)§8.
I was deeply disturbed and distraught to read in The Daily
Hampshire Gazette and the Springfield Union that apparently a
Committee of City Officials, consisting of a representative from
the Mayor's Office, Zoning Board of Appeals, City Solicitor's
Office and Building Inspector's Office met sometime on or about
September 14, 1988 to decide the fate of Eugene Tacy's building.
I could not believe the report in The Daily Hampshire Gazette so
I reviewed the most current copy I have of the Zoning Ordinance
of the City of Northampton, Article 10. It still appears under
Article 10 that the Zoning Enforcement Officer of the City of
Northampton is the Building Inspector only. Further, under
Section 10.3 the status of previously approved permits is to be
determined by the Zoning Act. I, therefore, concluded that
there must have been a change in the provisions of M.G.L. C.
40(a) to allow decisions on permit applications to be made by
Committee without the use of the Public Hearing process in front
of the Zoning Board of Appeals. To my surprise, M.G.L. C. 40(a)
7 and 8 have not changed and still provide that enforcement
action is to be taken by the Zoning Enforcement Officer for the
City and that any complaint with respect to any actions taken by
the Zoning Enforcement Officer is to be taken by appeal process
to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Only after Public Hearing in
front of the Zoning Board of Appeals are decisions to be made.
There is no provision under our current Zoning Ordinance in the
City nor under Massachusetts General Laws that allows decisions
to be made by a Committee of individuals even if that Committee
consists of Officials of the City. I can not believe that any
member of the Zoning Board of Appeals would participate in a
decision making process and make an offer of compromise on a
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LAW
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
-4-
..0V
Telephone 413.584 -6750
case that it may hear before the proper Public Hearing process
is held. Therefore, I must conclude that the reports in The
Daily Hampshire Gazette and The Springfield Union are in error.
Eugene Tacy at all stages has followed the proper permit
process, including Appeals to the Zoning Board of Appeals and to
the Court as dictated by Massachusetts General Laws and I trust
that the Officials of the City of Northampton will in good faith
follow the same procedures that Mr. Tacy is required to adhere
to as well.
As to the merits of Eugene Tacy's application for a
Building Permit I would suggest that he has complied in all
respects with the current Zoning Ordinance with the City of
Northampton. The lot that he intends to build on is completely
severed by Plan and by deed from the ownership of the land
abutting it. It has no pre- existing nonconforming uses or any
uses at all existing on it at the current time nor is there any
use planned for that parcel of land except the use requested
under the current permit request. It confounds me how anyone
could suggest that the use to which Eugene Tacy makes of his
land on which he wishes to place a building must be controlled
by the use to which the abutting parcel of land is made. If the
City wishes to eliminate Mr. Tacy's right to build a
Construction Supply Establishment on this separate lot it must
do so either through the procedure of changing the Zoning
Ordinance of the City of Northampton or taking of Mr. Tacy's
land by Eminent Domain. A refusal to allow Mr. Tacy to utilize
this lot for a lawful purpose that is allowed under the Zoning
amounts, in fact, to a taking by Eminent Domain. Dictating to
Mr. Tacy that he is not entitled to use that lot for any lawful
purpose whatsoever except for a prior non - conforming use is a
taking. Mr. Tacy has invested over $70,000.00 in the
foundation, planning and building, which has already been
purchased, to be placed upon this lot in reliance upon the
Zoning Ordinance of the City of Northampton, the Building Permit
that was issued and the representations that were made to him by
the previous Building Inspector of the City of Northampton.
See, for cases in support of Mr. Tacy, Fellsway Realty v. The
Building Commissioner Med 332 Mass. 471 (1955 ), Rend v.
The Buildina Commissioner of Melrose, 315 Mass. 391 (1944) and
`.r - ./
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LAW
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
-5-
Telephone 413.584 -6750
especially, Castelli v. The Board of Selectmen of the Town of
Seekon 15 Mass. App. 711 (1983 ).
In conclusion, I would suggest to you that Eugene Tacy
will utilize the separate building lot he has for a Construction
Supply Establishment distinct and apart from the other parcel of
land abutting it for now and in the future and will sign any
agreement or representation of that fact as required by any
proper City Official. The only caveat to this is that if he
prevails in his current pending Civil case now pending in the
Hampshire County Superior Court, he may, as an alternative,
choose to elect to accept the decision of the Superior Court.
V er M elnik
PJM /jn
cc. Eugene Tacy
32 Lake Street
Florence, Ma 01060
I�
N... „Ndoo,
Application Number:
Filed Fee Pd. Rec'd. ZBA Map (s) Parcel (
BY AIDE TO THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
1. Nameof Applicant Raymond W. LaBarge, City Councilor —Ward 7
Address 24 Water Street, Leeds, MA 01053
2. Owner of Property Eucgene Tacy
Address 158 North Maple Street, Florence, MA 01060
3. Applicant is: DOwner; ED Contract Purchaser; 0Lessee; OTenant in Possession.
X complainant
4. Application is made for:
'l VARIANCE from the provisions of Section page of the Zoning Ordinance of the
City of Northampton.
E SPECIAL PERMIT under the provisions of Section page of the Zoning Ordinance
of the City of Northampton.
LNOTHER: Appeal of Building Inspector's issuance of a Building Permi
and Decision
5. Location of Property 175 Main St. , Leeds being situated on
the easterly side of Main (Leeds) Street; and shown on the Assessors' Maps,
Sheet No. 10D , Parcel(s} 7
6. Zone SI
7. Description of proposed work and/or use; Appeal of Building Inspector's Decis
of 9/22/88 on a Zoning Violation Complaint filed on 9/7/88 relative to the
issuance of Building Permit #553 issued tor the construction of a oun ation
8. (a) Sketch plan attached; D Yes M No
(b) Site plan: DAttched X) Not Required
MMS MUM
._ -. _ e••- .-
GUM
10. Abutters (see instructions; list on reverse side of form).
12. 1 hereby certify that information contained herein is true to the best of my knowledge. Z)
f�'!e Date September 23, 1988
---- Signature
INSPECTOR
Paul J. Duclos
1s
P-09
(rill of edax*,v1Tvt= .
�Iaasac(tmetta
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS
212 Main Street - Municipal Building
Northampton, Maas. 01060
September 22, 1988
Mr. Raymond W. LaBarge
24 Water Street
Leeds, Mass. 01053
Dear Mr. LaBarge:
`, r 3 W8
DEt'7. 11F Bt1iLD1NG INSPECT1��iS
Pertaining to your complaint filed in our office on September 7, 1988,
made against Eugene Tacy, 158 North Maple St., Florence, on the property he.
owns at 175 Main:Street, Leeds.
My feeling is that your complaint is unfounded under.Regulations; Section
9.3b is inappropriate to the building permit that was issued. This is allowed
by right to the owners under current - regulations of the Zoning Ordinance for
the City of Northampton.
ere y,
Paul Duclos
Buil ing Commissioner
PJD /lb
pc: Mayor
Mr. Tacy
City Solicitor
Larry Smith
ti , o ,
Paul Duclos
Building Inspector
City of Northampton'
Wallace J. Puchalski Municipal Office Building
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
MWA
September 7, 1988
Re: Zoning Complain
Building Inspector:
'E
OUT OF 8LW-DiNG INS ?EC +10, !
PI1 #MA. D10�i3
Pursuant to our conversations over the past weekend, I would like to formally
file a Zoning Complaint against the issuance of Building Permit #553 issued for the
construction of a foundation for a Construction Supply. Establisbment_to. Eugene Tacy
(158 N. Maple St., Florence, 584 -7114) for his property at 175 Main Street in Leeds
.(Parcel 17,. Map 10D of the Northampton Zoning/Assessor's Maps).
I believe that the issuance of this Building Permit is in violation of Section
9.3(b.) and in violation.:of the, !Derision of the Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals
made on August 12, 1987, to whidh .Mie:v -Tacy hag . filed an Appeal.
Your response to this complaint at your earliest possible convenience would be
greatly appreciated..
Respectfully,
nd W. 4e ��
City Councilor -Ward 7
Vt of X =t4UUT#= ,.,
jlt :asacJ�ua�tta
efrus of t4s )nsPut" of Isaimings
212 Main Street • Mun cipal Building
Northampton, Mass. 01060
How received:
Letter ( X)
com" ,;SHEET
pq
Complaint No.
Date:
Time: • / A.M. P.M.
Telephone No. 584 -5561
Complainant's Name: Raymond W. LaBarge4!Codncilor -Ward 7
Complainant's Address: 24 Wdter Street, T--� =y MA 01051
Complaint received by: d8 '� T '
212 Nijz;, i s
VIOLATIONS OF:' Northbm tan, Mass.
7 Chapter 44 Zoning Ordinances, City of Northampton
0 Chapter 802 As Ammended Mass. State-Building Code
0 Sanitary Code, Art. 2 � ,� 1 NSPECTtQi�IS
MA. 010£0
Complaint reported against:
Name: Eugene Tacy , Tel. r,84 7114
Address: 158 N. Maple St., Florence, MA
Location of complaint: 175 Main St., Leeds, MA Map # ion Lot # 17
Signature of Complanants:
Nature of complaint:
Telephone ( )
Personal( )
Investigation: Yes ( ) No ( ) investigated by:
Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals
October 17, 1988 Special Meeting
The Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals held a Special Meeting on
Monday, October 17, 1988 in Council Chambers, Wallace J.
Puchalski Municipal Building, to consider the Appeal of Raymond
LaBarge of the Building Inspector's issuance of a Foundation
Permit ( #553) to Eugene Tacy for the commencement of construction
of a Construction Supply Establishment at 175 Main Street, Leeds.
Present and voting were Chairman Robert C. Buscher, Dr. Peter
Laband, and William Brandt. The meeting was called to order at
5:12 p. m.
Ch. Buscher read the Legal Notice as published twice in the Daily
Hampshire Gazette. He also read the Application for the Appeal
as submitted by Coun. LaBarge. He cautioned the many members of
the public that "This is not a trial of Mr. Duclos," and opened
the Public Hearing by asking Coun. LaBarge to speak. He stated,
"I believe Building Permit #553 violates Section 9.3(b), and
violates the ZBA Decision of August 12, 1987, to which Mr. Tacy
has filed an Appeal." Ch. Buscher asked if anyone present wanted
to speak in favor of the appeal, and there was no response.
Atty. Patrick Melnik rose to speak on behalf of his client, Mr.
Tacy. He briefly recounted the chronology of events leading to
the present. He mentioned that when he was last before this
Board in 1987, Mr. Weil "said the Board would issue a Building
Permit if Tacy divided the lot." Ch. Buscher corrected Mr.
Melnik by saying, "Mr. Weil said he would, not the Board." Mr.
Melnik stated that Mr. Nimohay also told him to divide the lot
and he would grant a Building Permit. He said the clear sense
was that if Tacy divided the lot into two legal lots, he would
get a Building Permit for the lot not encumbered by construction
equipment. Tacy then divided the lot. Mr. Melnik said Asst.
City Solicitor Fallon wrote that if Tacy had 120' of frontage,
and proper setbacks, he could get a Building Permit. "She made
that statement before the Court on the Appeal.' Mr. Melnik said
that Mr. Tacy had a right to rely on such a statement. Ch.
Buscher asked, "When you asked for these admissions, did you
specifically ask about abandonment of the contractor's lot ?" Mr.
Melnik replied, "He divided the lot, and terminated all
construction business activity on the lot where he wants to build
his building. Lot 17A, not the adjacent lot, is in question.
The lot adjacent is not his - -he has no legal interest in it."
Ch. Buscher asked who owned the other lot, and was told, "The
Tacy Corporation." Ch. Buscher asked, "Who owns the
corporation ?" Mr. Melnik replied, "Members of the Tacy family.
Gene Tacy is not connected to the corporation. Richard is
President and Director of the corporation. Gene and Jim own Lot
17A. The other lot is owned by The Tacy Corporation, in which
Gene has an interest." Mr. Melnik then consulted the Table of
Dimensional and Density Requirements, Section 6.2 of the
Northampton Zoning Ordinance, and compared the dimensions of Lot
17A to those required by the Ordinance. He said, "As to the use
• . '1� ...r
Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals
October 17, 1988 Special Meeting
Page Two
wanted on Lot 17A, Construction Supply Establishment, Section
5.12(3) allows this by right. Mr. Tacy has gone through all the
hurdles. Mr. Duclos issued him a Building Permit, and I don't
know why this has come under such fire. Duclos was obligated to
issue this Building Permit. Mr. LaBarge raises 9.3 and he is
wrong. Forget the adjoining property - -this is a legal lot."
The Chair asked for comments from members of the public who
supported Mr. Melnik's position, and the following people spoke:
Henry Cabot, Florence: "I feel there are political and personal
reasons why this Building Permit was denied."
Tom Rockett, 7 Oakland Rd., Leeds: "In the past, there's been a
great deal of harassment by elected and appointed officials..."
At this point, Ch. Buscher vigorously took Mr. Rockett to task,
stating, "I will not let you attack this unpaid Board which
doesn't get a goddam cent for serving."
Eugene Tacy introduced himself, and said, "I believe I've
complied with everything. We stood in the Building Inspector's
office with Duclos and Tewhill in August, went over all the
paperwork, and the foundation permit was issued. I poured the
foundation, got the plans for the pre -fab building and gave them
to the Building Inspector. Four or five hours after I received
the Building Permit, the Police Dept. came to my door and revoked
everything. I find nothing in the ordinance that says I can't
build." He then read the definition of "abandonment" from the
"Definitions' section of the ordinance. Dr. Laband asked, "Did
you discontinue the construction business on both lots ?" "No,
just on one," was Mr. Tacy's reply. He then read Section 2.1 of
the Ordinance, and added, "I have done everything this book says
I must do. If the Board can tell me what I've done wrong, I'll
listen. All I'm trying to do is make a living."
James MacRostie, 131 N. Maple St., Florence, said, "I think they
were 'originally denied on a technicality. Then they found'a
technicality to allow them to do what they want. I don't see any
reason why they can't use "their property effectively.".
Mr. Brandt.asked if those people
of the Tacy's property, and the
said, "We have to protect the
the neighborhood. Mr. Melnik
abutter, and there was no disceri
who had spoken . lived within 300'
general response was "No." He
rights of the city at- large, and
asked if Mr. LaBarge was an
table reply.
Kelly Creighton said, "I support the Tacys."
Peg Tacy, 32 Lake St., Florence said, "As far as I know,
objecting abutters can't prevent something allowed as a matter of
.../
Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals
October 17, 1988 Special Meeting
Page Three
right. Am I correct ?" Ch. Buscher replied, "Yes, but is this
such an instance ?"
Marcia Humphrey, 185 Main St., Leeds said that those objecting to
the building didn't understand that when the Chair previously
called for those "in favor of the appeal" to speak, that he was
referring to those opposed to the building. She stated, "I'm an
abutter renting at 185 Main St. for four years. I don't know the
legalities, but if the construction equipment business that was
on two lots is now on one, it needs a ruling. Many neighbors
object, but some don't want to speak out. Mr. Tacy says everyone
on Main St. supports him - -not so."
Larry Smith, Senior Planner, Office of Planning and Development
stated, "The issue is essentially when a nonconforming use on a
parcel is squeezed onto half the land, is that an alteration or
change of use by intensifying the use ?" Dr. Laband asked, "If we
divide the lot and condense the usage on the other lot, we have a
new issue. How does that affect Lot 17A ?" Mr. Smith replied, "A
Form A does not make any attestation other than there is adequate
frontage on a city street. If there is adequate frontage, the
Planning Board must sign the Form A. The Planning Board, Kathy
Fallon and Ted Tewhill agreed that the Planning Board had to sign
it, but we knew there were zoning problems. He referred to and
read from Sections 6.3 and 6.4 of the Zoning Ordinance, and
presented the Board members with a copy of Miss Fallon's opinion
dated Sept. 12, 1988. He added, "They are also in violation of
the Site Plan Review Ordinance adopted July 7, 1988, Section
10.11. No one is trying to prevent them from doing what is
allowed. He's entitled to either the nonconforming use or the
new use, but not both. The "site" to me is the two lots
combined." Dr. Laband asked, "If he were to discontinue the
nonconforming use on both parcels, the Building Permit would be
legal on 17A, right ?" Mr. Smith responded in the affirmative.
Dr. Laband continued, "This is 'deja heard' - -we decided that once
already. What's new is the subdivided lot."
Mr. Melnik interrupted with, "Point of order! LaBarge's appeal
is the only issue before us." Ch. Buscher shot back. "Don't be
so disingenuous. You know damn well what's going on here. Come
on, call a spade a spade. Stop waltzing around the issue." Mr.
Melnik replied, "The only thing before the Board is this Building
Permit." Ch. Buscher's response was, "This is not a legal lot
under 6.3 and 6.4." Mr. Melnik responded, "He has divided the
lot. He has abandoned the use. You have a patent bias in this
case," and made reference to Ch. Buscher's participation in a
meeting requested by the Mayor to mediate the situation. Ch.
Buscher replied, "It's part of my job to attend a meeting at the
request of the Mayor."
Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals
October 17, 1988 Special Meeting
Page Four
Mr. Tacy continued, "When I started applying five years ago..."
and then read the definition of "Construction Supply
Establishment" from the Ordinance. "That's what I've been doing
for ten years. I have construction equipment and I maintain
materials there. If you can read that definition, and tell me
that's not what I am, I'll listen." He then went into a
description of offers he said were made by Coun. LaBarge to buy
the subject property. "He offered me $50,000 and that was
baloney. Then he offered $250,000 and that was baloney. He
tried to take it by Eminent Domain for elderly housing." Ch.
Buscher asked, "Is this relevant ?" Mr. Tacy went on, "I have
three people in Leeds who heard LaBarge say if he can't buy the
land, he'd see that I could never get to use it."
Mr. Brandt interceded, defending the Zoning Ordinance as an
instrument "that generally works. We are charged with protecting
people's rights. Sometimes things aren't black and white. We
are not trying to screw you - -we are trying to protect the city."
Mr. Tacy asked, "Would the Board agree to this? If I were to
turn over all my construction equipment to a construction supply
company, would I then be allowed to have that building as a
matter of right? If all the stuff I owned was turned over to
Tacy Construction Co., could I have my building ?"
Coun. LaBarge interjected, "I want to answer Mr. Tacy's statement
that I would try to get his land by eminent domain." At this
point, all pretense of decorum vaporized and members of the
audience began talking and shouting to one another, and Mr. Tacy
strode across the room to where Coun. LaBarge was sitting and
made a comment about how he was the person who told Coun. LaBarge
about Eminent Domain. At this point, Dr. Laband announced, "I
will not put up with these outbursts!"
Atty. Melnik then stated, "I'll call this a tagalong - -a red
herring," referring to the Site Plan Review requirement. "When
Tacy applied in August, no one asked for a site plan. After 35
days, the Site Plan review is assumed to be granted." He reads
from the ordinance.
Ch. Buscher asked Asst. City Solicitor Fallon if she had anything
to say. She replied, "If the nonconforming use is wiped off both
lots, he can build as a matter of right. There is a procedure in
place for site plan review. If he pushed the nonconforming use
onto one lot, he needs a Finding. It would be an intensification
on one lot. There are also Flood Plain considerations. If he
does abandon the nonconforming use, we will need a document
stating it will never be resumed."
r...
Northampton
October 17,
Page Five
Zoning Board of Appeals
1988 Special Meeting
Mr. Brandt stated, "Just so there's no question later, are there
any reasons to deny besides Flood Plain, intensified use and Site
Plain Reviews? Ms. Fallon replied in the negative.
Peg Tacy asked if any building over 2,000 SF required Site Plan
Review. Mr. Smith replied that single - family homes were exempt.
Henry Cabot, 81 North Main St., Florence, stated, "There's a lot
less material up there now than last year. What does Lot #1 have
to do with Lot #2? I'm confused." Ch. Buscher replied, "A lot
of zoning gets into technicalities which many people think are
stupid and counterproductive, but the whole engine functions."
Marcia Humphrey read from the "Purpose" section of the
Introduction to the Zoning ordinance, and said, "I want to speak
to the nature of the neighborhood. This is a detrimental
change." Mr. Cabot stated there a lot of apartments in the area,
and the tenants don't have any rights, just the owner. Helen
McCarthy, 185 Main St., Leeds spoke up and said, "I am the owner
of that building, and I am definitely opposed."
Peg Tacy stated, "What Mr. Tacy wants to do is
in back so he can put some of his machinery
enhance the lot. There is not going to be a
lumber yard."
put a building up
inside. It will
hardware store or
A resident of 183 Main Street [whose name was not clearly
enunciated and is therefore not known] said, "I look at the
property every day. My concern is the lot that's the eyesore.
The building would be a good idea if the equipment were gone. I
thought there was supposed to be a buffer build."
There being no one else with
statements
to make, Mr. Brandt moved
the Public
Hearing be closed and
the matter taken under
advisement.
Dr. Laband
seconded,
and the motion passed
unanimously.
Ch. Buscher
announced
to those present that the
Decision will
be announced
at an open meeting - - not a Public
Hearing.
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p. M. Also present, in addition to
those mentioned, was R. J. Pascucci, Board Secretary.
Robert C. 'Buscher, Chairman
�.r
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LAW
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
October 19 , 1988 Telephone 413.584.6750
Robert Buscher
Chairman of the
Zoning Board of Appeals
Municipal Office Building
Main Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
Re: Eugene Tacy_ = _Appeal of Raymond LaBarge
Dear Mr. Buscher:
As a follow up to my oral objections to your deliberation
on the Tacy matter that I registered at the Public Meeting on
October 17, 1988 I am hereby formally requesting that you recuse
yourself from deliberation on the Tacy matter and that you order
a new Public Hearing to be held which you would not participate
in.
The reason for this request is not a challenge to your
personal integrity, which I and the entire community hold in
high regard, but rather the appearance of impropriety that is
created as a result of the newspaper articles that have surfaced
surrounding the controversy relating to the termination of the
Building Inspector. The Daily Hampshire Gazette and I believe
the Springfield Union have both reported that you have
participated in meetings at the Mayor's office where a
discussion and resolution of the Tacy Building Permit was agreed
upon by all parties concerned. The Daily Hampshire Gazette and
I believe the Springfield Union both reported that you met in
this non - public, non - posted meeting at which only City Officials
were present to discuss the merits of the Tacy Building Permit
Application and as a result of that meeting it was decided that
Eugene Tacy would not be entitled to a Building Permit unless he
removed his contractor's equipment from both of his lots and not
just the lot that is the subject matter of his request for a
Building Permit. It also appeared from the newspaper reports
that no persons representing Eugene Tacy were present at the
meeting when these deliberations took place and the decision was
made. As I indicated to you in a previous letter, I do not
believe that decision making process was proper and I believe
that your participating in the proper hearing procedure after
having been a party to these prior deliberations is not
correct.
M
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LAW
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
—2— Telephone 413.584 -6750
As you chaired the meeting on October 17, 1988 it was
quite obvious that your mind had already been made up and that
you consider both of the lots on Main Street that are in this
Special Industrial Zone are to be treated as one lot for Zoning
purposes even though they have been legally divided and are not
currently in common ownership. I believe that any person who is
a resident of the City of Northampton and comes before the
Zoning Board of Appeals is entitled to a fair hearing before an
impartial and unbiased body. It appeared to me at the meeting
last night that you had already made a decision as to how you
would act with respect to the Tacy Building Permit and if that
decision was reached as reported by the newspapers at a closed
meeting at the Mayor's Office that puts a cloud on the entire
process that should treat all parties fairly. At the very
least, the newspaper accounts of your meeting in the Mayor's
Office with other public officials to hear only one side of the
merits of the Tacy Application and then participating as a
Chairman in the decision making process presents an appearance
of bias that I believe undercuts and undermines the public
confidence in the integrity of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Therefore, I ask you to reconsider your decision to
participate in the decision making process with respect to the
merits of the Tacy Building Permit and I ask you to remove
yourself from deliberations in this matter. I believe that Gene
Tacy is entitled to a Hearing before an impartial, open minded,
and unbiased board and there are alternate members of the Board
who could sit and consider this matter in your absence.
j erely,
ick J. M nik
PJM /jn
cc. Mayor David Musante
cc. Kathleen Fallon
cc. Eugene Tacy
IC
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LAW
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
October 19, 1988
Robert Buscher
Chairman of the
Zoning Board of Appeals
Municipal.Office Building
Main Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
Re: Eugene Tacy - Appeal of Ray LaB arge
Dear Mr. Buscher:
Telephone 413584 -6750
As a follow up to my oral objections to your deliberation
on the Tacy matter that I registered at the Public Meeting on
October 17, 1988 I am hereby formally requesting that you recuse
yourself from deliberation on the Tacy matter and that you order
a new Public Hearing to be held which you would not participate
in.
The reason for this request is not a challenge to your
personal integrity, which I and the entire community hold in
high regard, but rather the appearance of impropriety that is
created as a result of the newspaper articles that have surfaced
surrounding the controversy relating to the termination of the
Building - Inspector. The Daily Hampshire Gazette and I believe
the Springfield Union have both reported that you have
participated in meetings at the Mayor's office where a
discussion and resolution of the Tacy Building Permit was agreed
upon by all parties concerned. The Daily Hampshire Gazette and
I believe the Springfield Union both reported that you met in
this non - public, non - posted meeting at which only City Officials
were present to discuss the merits of the Tacy Building Permit
Application and as a result of that meeting it was decided that
Eugene Tacy would not be entitled to a Building Permit unless he
removed his contractor's equipment from both of his lots and not
just the lot that is the subject matter of his request for a
Building Permit. It also appeared from the newspaper reports
that no persons representing Eugene Tacy were present at the
meeting when these deliberations took place and the decision was
made. As I indicated to you in a previous letter, I do not
believe that decision making process was proper and I believe
that your participating in the proper hearing procedure after
having been a party to these prior deliberations is not
correct.
..01,
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LANV
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
.! d
i•H '
r{
1
no=
Telephone 413- 584 -6750
� meeting chaired the you As on October 17, 1988 it was
Y g
quite obvious that your mind had already been made up and that
�;a;r,'• you consider both of the lots on Main Street that are in this
,v Special Industrial Zone are to be treated as one lot for Zoning
purposes even though they have been legally divided and are not
currently : in common ownership. I believe that any person who is
esident:of the City of Northampton and comes before the
'Z;arkir�g,;,_.aoard of Appeals is entitled to a fair hearing before an
rt�a3.Z,gnd unbiased body. It appeared to me at the meeting
that you had already made a decision as to how you
'�� "
ivulcl'act`th respect to the Tacy Building Permit and if that
t l ea ,t t , ' ti i
�ft,de,c�.s;or�' vrs :reached as reported by the newspapers at a closed
t,�r�g he Mayor's Office that puts a cloud on the entire
�gxacess `tbt ;should treat all parties fairly. At the very
th�r�ewspaper. :accounts of' your meeting in the Mayor's
other,, blic officials to hear only one side of the
,:Tacy<Application and then participating as a
�,, Chap rman qtr the ,decision making process presents an appearance
f.;,bias. that I believe undercuts and undermines the public
onfidence.-in the integrity of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
»�* Therefore, I ask you to reconsider your decision to
participate in the decision making process with respect to the
"' merits of the Tacy Building Permit and I ask you to remove
yourself from deliberations in this matter. I believe that Gene
Tacy is entitled to a Hearing before an impartial, open minded,
1-7o;'w'.
and unbiased board and there are alternate members of the Board
who could sit and consider this matter in your absence.
i! ;j
'.at
rie
PJM /jn
cc. Mayor David Musante
cc. Kathleen Fallon
cc. Eugene Tacy +
p y,
J. M lnik
.../
ii
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
HAMPSHIRE, S.S.
EUGENE A. TACY,
Petitioner
BUILDING INSPECTOR FOR
THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
NOTICE OF APPEAL
Law Office
PATRICK J. MELNIK
110 King Street
Northampton, MAO 1060
413- 584 -6750
Now comes Eugene A. Tacy of 158 North Maple Street,
Florence, Massachusetts who states that on or about August, 1988
he filed an application for a Building Permit with the City of
Northampton for the purpose of constructing a Construction
Supply Establishment on his property located on Main Street,
Leeds, Massachusetts, Assessor's Map 10D, Parcel 17A. The
property is zoned Special Industrial. The Building Per-nit for
the Construction Supply Establishment is allowed by right under
the City of Northampton Zoning Ordinances and a Building Permit
for the Construction Supply Establishment was issued by the
Building Inspector for the City of Northampton.
On or about October 7, 1988 the Building Inspector for the
City of Northampton, Edward J. Tewhill revoked Permit Number 632
issued on October 7, 1988. No reasons for revocation was given.
request for Appeal.
On behalf of Eugene A. Tacy I hereby appeal pursuant to
the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40(a),
Section 15 from the enforcement action of the Building Inspector
revoking the Building Permit. On behalf of Mr. Tacy I contend
that the Building Inspector had no right to revoke this Permit
and that the Building Permit should be reinstated. Attached to
this Notice of Appeal is a copy of the revised application for
Variance and Special Permit which I have modified to reflect the
October 20, 1988
hived at City Clerk's Office
k-w- 0
Da te /��_,�
—�
j atrick J. Melnik'Esq.
110 King Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
584 -6750
W
s
40A 14
TO
CITIES, • WN& # DI
�•
Note 14
itory and deck to a restaurant located in a',
permit applicant had not met its burden
waterfront district, where there was no evidence
in that proposed construction in
that the owner of the restaurant had complied
district would not endanger the-health
with the applicable zoning bylaw relating to
ty of the district's residents and such
parking. Howland v. Board of Appeals of Plym-
supported by evidence before trial judgs,
outh (1982) 434 N.E.2d 1286, 13 Mass.App. 520.
sufficient ground to deny' the`apecial
;; ..
Zoning board of appeals was without authority
Subaru of New England, Inc. v. Boardi
to grant application for special permit to do
peals of Canton (1979) 395 N.E.2d 880,1
construction work in watershed protection dia-
App. 483. "r•: tat • -aa.. '- :.
trict, where applicant failed to satisfy his burden
of demonstrating that his proposed use would
$ P Po
17. Variances —In general' °;��:•
not endanger health and safety of district's resi-
; . h
Alt city board of appeals lacked
dents or other land within district and failed to
ty to allow Proposed balconies on ap
satisfy qualifying criteria for permit which a
building by virtue' of zoning law_ whieb
' `•
peared in zoning bylaw. Stivaletta v. Zoning Bd
ted exceptions to front y ard:.setback
of - Ap peals of Medfield (1981) 429 N.E.2d 66, 12
meats for ground. story bays. and porcho.
Mass.App: 994. ,, . ,,, ,
may project into any front yard three
i
° No one 'has absolute right to a special permit
half feet, Superior. Court:properly.'
for certain use of land, but, rather, city's board
annul the board's decision granting the
of appeals has power to deny a permit as long'aa
from the front yard setback req '
board's decision is neither, based on legally ua -.
more stringent finding8'than were
tenable grounds and is not unreasonable, whim-
Justify the granting of the variance
sisal„ capricious or arhis acs_ S_ 3emble ph,,hm
°fie by both bowl and Su"Aw
`• '. -. :-
RMItY 1ruNt T. Board ul Apyea`s of [
.
sum �
(1980) 402 N.E.2d 1 W,.9 Masa.App. 477, certiora-
Q Y � >�.�fr
developers, nOURKI�6 T BOW11 of Al6z
i -
"�....
A denied 101 S -Ct. 566,449 U.S. 1011; 66 I, Ed.2d
Brookline .(1983) 444 NY,2d 943, 15
to
468.
112, review denied 447 ; N•E.?A 870,
1104
16. Findings, ..;
special permits
• ' �: "''" .
town
:Finding of town board of appeals that stag-
cts frost
.._Unless use significantly detra
_
�.. _.
dards for issuing a special permit for a commer.
for the dis
P trict„'loeal•discretionary
•--
cial ; parking lot in a residentially zoned .'area
were
variance, all other statutory . elements '
been satisfied, must be upheld; -the rags
"i:
met was not in excess of board's authority
under zoning bylaw and was not the result of
of substantial derogation recognizes tht+
s
whim or caprice and did not
P permit use not,
of a variance is to.glvg a landowner a lis?I
,a-
contemplated by the bylaw. Garvey v. Board of
permit to use his property in a.manner 0
Appeals of Amherst (1980) N.E.2d 880..9,
violative of the zoning ordinance and thdr" .
I'
MassApp 856.
variance in particular permits a uve .�
I . • '
Finding by board of a ppeals that it could not
be determined
ordinance prohibits. Cavan$ugli y. 1Nr
(1980) 401 N.E.2d 867,. 9 Mass.App, 396.
that construction of building in
,:, ; . 0 • • ;
flood plain district would not adversely affect
;,;
21. --. Flndingm6, variaeM
preservation of flood control characteristics and
Boyajian v. Board: of Appesi of lk
water. storage g capacity of district, was, in sub
. .
(1978) 374 N.E.2d 123T,[' -volume] 1
stance equivalent to a determination that special
App. 282.
..Jr.
1 . :',its c .o,._i ..IStR.i7` S„ut t*,4.•!, ,
r ..
i.:....
15. Appeals to per granting suthorittie;,.time; pQayof s
rocedu
ilk
- "'
. • Any appeal under section ei ht a pe rmit gra
g is na s hall
thirty days from the date of the order or on h bein g Pp�ed , The pei
:
shall file a notice of appeal s -"
PPe specifying the grounds thereof, with +'the city: or town:,;
and a copy of said notice, including the date and
time of filing certified by the to wt {
shall be filed forthwith by the petitioner with
the officer or board whose order or dt "
•' ::t ,; .,. „__ .
is being a p granting authori apecifying'
g PPealed and to the permit g in the notice g
for such appeal. Such officer or board shall forthwith transmit
.to the board of appr
zoning administrator all' docum a
P pars constituting the 'recoil of the e
4
h the
which ap
... peal is taken. � 1 •" ,
• . .._
.,
r. A ny'appeal to a board of appeals from the
order or decision of Bonin adminig
if any,'appointed in accordance with section thirteen
g
shall be taken.within thirty d�
the date.of such order or decision or within thirty days from the.d$tQ which therm
application or petition in question shall have been .deemed denied accordance wid
6 -
- section thirteen, as the case may be, .by having
_in,
the. petitioner- file.a. notice of 1?'
r.Ytown clerk specifying the grounds thereof with the city ol�andva.:co pys of said
42
i
W
DECISION OF
NORTHAMPTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
At a meeting held on November 2, 1988, the Zoning Board of
Appeals of the City of Northampton voted to sustain the
Appeal of Raymond LaBarge of the issuance by the Building
Inspector of Foundation Permit #553 to Eugene Tacy for the
commencement of construction of a Construction Supply
Establishment at 175 Main Street, Leeds. Present and voting
were Chairman Robert D. Buscher, Dr. Peter Laband, and
William Brandt.
The findings were as follows:
The property is zoned Special Industrial. Prior to the
division of what was Parcel 7 of Sheet 10D of the
Northampton Assessor's Maps, the entire parcel was used as a
construction yard. A construction yard use in an SI Zone
requires a Special Permit. Since the construction yard use
of the site predates the Special Permit requirement, it is a
pre- existing, nonconforming use, and as such, is regulated
by Chapter 40A, Section 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws,
and Section 9 of the Northampton Zoning Ordinance. Chapter
40A states that a pre- existing, nonconforming use may be
changed, altered, or expanded only after a Finding by the
Zoning Board of Appeals that the change, alteration, or
expansion is not substantially more detrimental to the
neighborhood than the current use. [Section 9.3(b),
Northampton Zoning Ordinance].
Applicant proposes to build a 60' x 60' building on the
property, and to use that building to house a construction
supply establishment, an allowed use in a Special Industrial
Zone. Applicant's original application for zoning relief in
1984, and the 1987 application, indicated that the building
would be used both for the nonconforming use (repairing and
storing equipment), and the proposed new use. The
application for which a permit was granted in 1988 indicated
that the building would be used only for the construction
supply establishment. If the nonconforming use is still
present on'the lot, the addition of either a building or a
new use, even if that use is allowed, is an expansion of
that nonconforming use and requires a Finding by the Zoning
Board of Appeals that the proposed use is not substantially
more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing use.
../'
DECISION OF THE NORTHAMPTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS IN THE
MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF RAYMOND LABARGE OF THE ISSUANCE OF A
BUILDING PERMIT TO EUGENE TACY. PAGE TWO.
The Planning Board did in fact approve an "Approval not
required under the subdivision control law" for the divided
site. The only zoning issue resolved by the approval of
such a plan is that each lot, as created in said plan, has
sufficient frontage for that zoning district. It does not
give any guarantee that the lots will qualify as building
lots. Section 6.4 of the Northampton Zoning Ordinance
states that "No lot ... may be divided so as not to conform
with a provision of this ordinance. No group of lots in a
common ownership may be separated or the ownership of one or
more lots changed so as not to be in conformance with a
provision of this ordinance." The pre- existing,
nonconforming use has been shifted to a fractional portion
of the original lot, thereby intensifying that use, which is
an alteration which requires a Finding by the Zoning Board
of Appeals. Until the issue of the intensification of the
nonconforming use on one lot is resolved, neither of the two
lots shown on the "ANR" Plan conform to the Zoning
Ordinance.
The Building Inspector's issuance of the Foundation Permit
( #553) was erroneous.
Robert C. uscher, Chairman
C
Dr. Peter Laband
William Brand
`.. "No
TACY PROPERTY
The following is a chronological history of the zoning
issues which have appeared during the Tacys' attempt to construct
a building on their lot on Main Street in Leeds. A legal
explanation of the issues follows the history.
In 1984, Tacy is operating a contractor's yard (open storage of
raw materials used in construction) on the site. That use at
that time requires a special permit in the SI district. The use,
however, by Tacu and his predecessors, predates the permit
requirement so it is considered a pre- existing non - conforming
use.
1. September 21, 1984
Tacy files his first application for zoning relief to the ZBA.
It is a request for a finding under Section 9.3(B) of the Zoning
Ordinance to permit expansion of his non - conforming use by (1)
constructing a 40 X 44 foot, one story building and (2) by adding
a new use, that of construction supply establishment.
2. November 28, 1984
The ZBA votes to grant a "special permit" to Tacy to construct
the building and allow the new use. It appears the ZBA may have
granted improper relief since the application to the board asked
for a "finding" and the board cannot grant relief which has not
been requested. The point is moot, however, since Tacy did
exercise the permit within eighteen (18) months as required and
so the permit expired by operation of law.
3. January 20, 1987
Tacy applies to the ZBA for the same relief requested in the
September 21, 1984 application.
4. February 18, 1987
The ZBA holds a public hearing on the January application. It is
discovered that Tacy is actually requesting a 60 X 60 foot
building rather than the 40 X 44 foot one previously requested.
The ZBA allows Tacy to withdraw the application.
5. March 4, 1987
Tacy files a new application asking for a finding for the
addition of the construction supply establishment use and the
construction of a 60 X 60 foot building.
M
../'
6. April 15, 1987
Tacy files an application for a building permit for the 60 X 60
building with the Building Inspector.
7. May 6, 1987
The ZBA denies the March 4, 1987, request for a finding.
8. May 22, 1987
Tacy files an appeal of the ZBA denial of the request for a
finding in Superior Court.
9. June 12, 1987
Tacy files an appeal to the ZBA from the Building Inspector's
refusal to issue a building permit on the April 15, 1987
application.
10. August 12, 1987
The ZBA votes to uphold the Building Inspector's refusal to issue
a building permit on the April 15, 1987 application.
11. August 19, 1987
Tacy submits a ANR application to the Planning Board. The ANR
plan divides the Leeds site into two parcels. Since both parcels
have the required frontage for the zone, the plan is approved.
12. October 6, 1987
Tacy amends his Superior Court complaint to include the August
12, 1987 decision of the ZBA.
13. August 29, 1988
Tacy files an application for a building permit with the Building
Inspector. It requests a permit for construction of a 60 X 60
building for use as a construction supply establishment on the
easterly lot shown on the ANR plan. The foundation permit is
issued the same day.
14. September 7, 1988
Councillor LaBarge files a complaint with the Building Inspector
alleging that the issuance of the foundation permit on August 29,
1988, was improper.
15. September 22, 1988
The Building Inspector replies to Mr. LaBarge's complaint stating
that the permit was correctly issued.
16. September 23, 1988
Mr. LaBarge files an appeal to the ZBA on his complaint to the
Building Inspector.
17. October 3, 1988
The Building Inspector issues a building permit for the Tacy site
even though he acknowledges he has been told that, at the very
least, the construction requires site plan approval by the
,`,
Planning Board.
../'
18. October 17, 1988
The ZBA holds a public hearing on Mr. LaBarge's complaint.
ZONING ISSUES
A. THE ORIGINAL NON - CONFORMING USE.
The Tacy property is zoned Special Industrial. Currently, a
construction yard use in an SI zone requires a special permit.
Since the construction yard use of the site predates the special
permit requirement, it is, therefore, a pre- existing non-
conforming use.
Non - conforming uses are primarily regulated by Chapter 40A,
Section 6, of the Massachusetts General Laws and Section 9 of the
Northampton Zoning Ordinance. Chapter 40A states that a non-
conforming use may be changed, altered, or expanded only after a
finding by the Zoning Board of Appeals that the change,
alteration, or expansion is not substantially more detrimental to
the neighborhood than the current use. This state statute is
echoed in Section 9.3(b) of the Northampton Zoning Ordinance.
B. THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION.
Mr. Tacy proposed to add (1) a 60 X 60 foot building to his
property, and (2) to use that building to house a construction
supply establishment, an allowed use in an SI zone. Mr. Tacy's
original application for zoning relief in 1984 and the 1987
application indicated that the building would be used both for
the non - conforming use (to repair and to store equipment) and
the new proposed use. The application for which a permit was
granted in 1988 indicated the building would be only for the
construction supply establishment.
If the non - conforming use is still present on the lot, the
addition of either a building or a new use, even if that use is
allowed, is an expansion of that non - conforming use requiring a
finding by the ZBA.
C. THE DIVISION OF THE LOT.
The Planning Board did approve an "approval not required under
the subdivision control law" for the Tacy site. The only zoning
issue resolved by the approval of such a plan is that each lot as
created in said plan has sufficient frontage for that zoning
district. It does not give any guarantee that the lots will
qualify as building lots.
Mr. Tacy has stated that he has moved the non - conforming
construction yard use to the westerly lot shown on the ANR plan
and that it is no longer present on the easterly lot on which the
building is being constructed. If this is the case, there are
'*.. .../
still two problems outstanding.
First, if the construction yard use has been moved onto a
smaller lot, that is an alteration of the non - conforming use by
intensifying it. This would require a finding by the ZBA.
Second, Section 6.4 of the Zoning Ordinance states that no lot
may be divided if such division causes the lot not to conform
with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. Therefore, until
the issue of the intensification of the non - conforming use on one
lot is resolved, neither of the two lots shown on the ANR plan
conform to the Zoning Ordinance.
There remains the subsidiary issue of confirming that the non-
conforming use has, indeed, been moved from the easterly lot. It
would seem some sort of written document from Mr. Tacy to that
effect should be required.
`*we ..v'
Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals
November 2, 1988 Meeting
The Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals met at 7:00 p. m. on
Wednesday, November 2, 1988 in Council Chambers, Wallace J.
Puchalski Municipal Building, to announce a Decision on the
Appeal of Raymond LaBarge of the Building Inspector's issuance of
a Foundation Permit ( #553) to Eugene Tacy for the commencement of
construction of a Construction Supply Establishment at 175 Main
Street, Leeds. Present and voting were Chairman Robert C.
Buscher, Dr. Peter Laband, and William Brandt. Dr. Laband moved
the minutes of the October 17, 1988 Meeting be accepted without
reading. Mr. Brandt seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Ch. Buscher summarized the chronology, substance and facts of the
case. He said that Atty. Melnik's position is that the building
in question is allowed by right once Tacy moved the construction
equipment to the other lot, and "One ought to be able to use
one's lot for what is allowed under the Zoning Ordinance." Ch.
Buscher went on, "At first blush that's a very appealing
proposition, but Mr. Tacy stumbled over an obscure and technical
provision of the ordinance by intensifying the use on one parcel,
and violated Section 6.4 which states, 'No lot ... may be divided
so as not to conform with a provision of this ordinance. No
group of lots in a common ownership may be separated or the
ownership of one or more lots changed so as not to be in
conformance with a provision of this ordinance.' What Mr.-Tacy
did was subdivide an existing lot that had a pre- existing
nonconforming use on it, and shifted that use to a fractional
portion of that lot. The division of the lot is not in
compliance with the Zoning ordinance, even though he has a
perfect right to divide the lot." Ch. Buscher went on to
describe what he saw as Mr. Tacy's three alternatives: 1) He can
seek a Finding for the fractional part of the lot where he
conducts his previous business more intensively, 2) abandon the
pre- existing nonconforming use entirely and then use either or
both lots for what's allowed, or 3) continue with the pre-
existing nonconforming use and abandon the erection of the
building. "This is obscure and frustrating to Mr. Tacy, but I
would vote to uphold Mr. LaBarge's appeal."
Mr. Brandt stated, "I too will vote in favor of allowing the
appeal of Mr. LaBarge. Moving the pre- existing, nonconforming
use to a smaller lot intensifies the use, therefore he needs a
Finding. The construction supply business is allowed by right,
but the equipment business is not. Mr. Tacy does not run his
business in a vacuum. I will support the Building Permit the day
he abandons the equipment use."
Dr. Laband said that he also agreed as to the intensification
issue, and the division of the lot being "against 6.4." He felt
that Assistant City Solicitor Fallon's four page summary and
opinion should be made part of the Decision, and finally, "I
M
Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals
November 2, 1988 Meeting
Page Two
agree the Building Inspector's action was erroneous."
Mr. Brandt moved to uphold the Appeal of Mr. LaBarge, Dr. Laband
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Also present, in addition to those mentioned, was R. J. Pascucci,
Board Secretary,
Robert C. Buscher, Chairman
Rec'd in City Clerk's Office - November 22, 1988
T
PATRICK J. MELNIK
ATTORNEY AT LAW
110 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
November 22 7900
City of I?orthampton
City Clerk
City Hall
212 Main Street
Northampton, Mass. 01060
NOTICE OF APPEAL
OF DECISION OF THE ZONING BOARD OF AP
Dear Sirs:
Telephone 413- 584 -6750
Please be advised I represent Eugene Tacy and James J. Tacy
owners of property located on Main Street in Leeds, Hampshire
County, Massachusetts.
They have filed an appeal of the decision of the Zoning
Board of Appeals for the City of Northampton which decision was
filed on November 15, 1988. A complaint has been filed in the
Hampshire County Superior Court, and a copy of the complaint
filed in Hampshire County Superior Court is attached to this
Notice of Appeal. A copy of the decision of the Zoning Board of
Appeals to which the complaint refers to is attached to the
complaint which was filed in the Hampshire County Superior
Court, and is also appended to this Notice of Appeal.
This Notice of Appeal is
provisions of M.G.L. Chapter
PJM /dfk
Enc.
filed with you pursuant to the
40A, Section 17.
S nc rely,
trick J. Melnik
CO AMONWEALTH OF'7fASSACHUSETTS
HAMPSHIRE, SS.
EUGENE A. TACY, AND JAMES J. TACY,
V.
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON,
, Plaintiff (s)
, Defendant (s)
To the above -named Defendant
V4UVC111UCt L7j,
at 2 :10 p.m.
Superior Court Department of the
Trial Court of the Commonwealth
Civil Action
�• :: 1
SUMMONS
You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon Patrick J. Melnik Esq. ,
plaintiff s' attorney, whose address is 110 King Street, Northampton, Massachusetts ,
an answer to the complaint which is herewith served upon you, within 20 days after service of
this summons upon you, exclusive of the day of service. If you fail to do so, judgment by
default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. You are also
required to file your answer to the complaint in the office of the Clerk of this court at
Northampton, either before service upon plaintiffs' attorney or within a reasonable time
thereafter.
Unless otherwise provided by Rule 13(a), your answer must state as a counterclaim any claim
which you may have against the plaintiffs' which arises out of the transaction or occurrence that
is the subject matter of the plaintiff s' claim or you will thereafter be barred from making such
claim in any other action.
Witness, THOMAS R. MORSE, JR., Esquire at Northampton, the eighteenth
day of November , in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred
and eighty— eight.
CLERK- MAGISTRATE
NOTES:
1. This summons is issued pursuant to Rule 4 of the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure.
2. When more than one defendant is involved, the names of all defendants should appear in the caption.
If a separate summons is used for each defendant. each should be addressed to the particular defendant.
3. Circle type of action involved. Tort — Motor Vehicle Tort — Contract — Equitable relief.
�� Ce '
r
F
r
NIM/
.0/
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
HAMPSHIRE, S.S.
DEPARTMENT OF THE
TRIAL COURT
SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION
CIVIL ACTION NO.
g -3.S )
Law Office
PATRICK J. MEL NIK
110 King Street
Northampton,MA 01061
413- 584 -6750
EUGENE A. TACY and
JAMES J. TACY,
Plaintiffs
Jointly seeking
one Recovery
v.
COMPLAI.1 T
BUILDING INSPECTOR FOR
THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
EDWARD J. TEWHILL ,
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
'CTIlIG THROUGH ITS
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
AND ITS MEMBERS, NAMELY
DR. PETER LABAND OF
40 NORFOLK AVENUE,
NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
WILLIAIM BRANDT OF 314 SOUTH
STREET, NORTHAMPTON,
MASSACHUSETTS
ROBERT C. BUSCHER,
54 HILLSIDE ROAD,
NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
AND THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
Defendants
COUNT I
APPEAL OF THE ZOIvING_BOARD QF.._APPEALS
OF THE _CITY OF NORTHAMPTON-, . MASSaCHUS_ETTS
UNDER THE ..
POVISI011S OF
M sSACHUSETTS_GENERAL LAWS, CHAPTER_40.(A)_ , __ SECTIOIT_1
1. The Plaintiff Eugene A. Tacy and James J. Tacy are
residents of the City of Northampton and are the owners of
property located on Main Street; Leeds, Hampshire County,
:Massachusetts, which property is the subject of this
Complaint.
2. The -City of Northampton acting through its Zoning Board of
Appeals and its members, namely Dr. Peter Laband of 40
Norfolk Avenue, Northampton, William Brandt, 314 South
Street, Northampton and Robert C. Buscher of 54 Hillside
Road, Northampton and the Building Inspector for the City
of 1•iorthampton, Edward J. Tewhill, are the Defendants
herein. The City cf Northampton is the Defendant in this
Count and each and every Count in this Complaint.
3.
The Plaintiffs, Eugene A. Tacy and James J. Tacy, tcaether
with other members o� their family, were the owners of a
certain tract or parcel of land which they acquired on
June 1, 1982 from George D. Tobin. The Plaintiffs and
other members of their family applied for a Special Permit
and a Use Permit to allow the use of the entire premises
for the open storage of raw materials and as a
Construction Supply Establishment at various times
beginning in September of 1984 and continuing until June
of 1987. The premises are in a Special Industrial Zone in
the City of Northampton and the use of the premises as a
Construction Supply Establishment, the use which is sought
by the Plaintiffs herein, is a use allowed by right in
that Zoning District.
4.
The Building Inspector of the City of Northampton has
denied the use of the premises as a Construction Supply
Establishment as lona as the premises are used in
connection with the operation of the business of Tacy
Excavating Construction Company, Inc. as a Contractor's
Yard.
5.
The Plaintiffs in this action and their predecessors have
previously used the premises as a Contractor's Yard for
the open storage of raw materials and construction
equipment which is a use allowed by Special Permit in this
District. The Plaintiffs have contended through the
Building Inspector and the Board of Appeals for the City
of Northampton that they either have a pre - existing
non - conforming use of the premises for the open storage of
raw materials and construction equipment or that they were
granted a Special Permit for this use as a result of an
application for a Special Permit filed on September 21,
1984.
6.
The merits of the contentions of the Plaintiffs with
respect to the operation of the premises as a Contractor's
Yard and the merits of whether or not the Plaintiffs in
this action are entitled to a permit for the use of the
premises as a Construction Supply Establishment or. the
entire premises is the subject of a previous Civil Action
filed in this Court, Hampshire County Superior Court,
Civil Action No. 87 -138. The Plaintiffs have also
contended in Hampshire County Superior Court, Civil Action
No. 87 -138 that they are entitled to the use of the
premises as a Construction Supply Establishment only for
the entire premises even if they are not entitled to use
Law Office
the entire premises jointly as a Construction Supply
PATRICKJ.MELNIK
Establishment and as a Contractor's Yard. The Plaintiffs
110 King Street
had previously applied for the use of the entire parcel
for a Construction Supply Establishment. This was denied
vorchampton,MA01060
by the Zoning Board of appeals and that denial is also an
issue that is the subject of Superior Court, Civil Action
413- 584 -6750
No. 87 -138.
'kmal-
! Subsequent to filing the previous Civil r -ctiOn in tnip
_Matter P,'hlch deals with the use of the premises L ?lr
entirety for use as either a Construction Supp1'_"
Establishment only or together with their pre - existing
non - conforming use or use allowed by Special Permit as a
Contractor's Yard, the Plaintiffs herein subsequently
divided their land into two separate lots under City
Zoning.
Law Office
PATRICK J. MELNIK
110 King Street
Northampton, NIA 0106(
413 - 584 -6750
The premises originally consisted of a tract of lard of
more than two acres. The Plaintiffs, by a Plan prepared
by Almer Huntley Jr. & Associates, Inc. dated July 22,
1987 which is recorded in Hampshire County Registry of
Deeds in Plan Book 148, Page 88, divided the large tract
of land into two separate parcels. The Plan was presented
to the Plannina Board for the City of ldorthampton and was
approved as a plan not requiring subdivision approval and
was recorded in the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds.
Both parcels of land shown on the aforesaid Plan of Land
are in the Special Industrial Zone. Both parcels of land
have more than minimum lot size, width, fronrage and i n
all respects co-ply with the dimensional requirements of
the Zoning ordinance of the City of Ilortharpton.
9. The land that is the subject .ratter of this dispute is
land that is located as the most Wortherly lot sho Dn
the Plan recorded in the Hampshire County Reaistr1,* of
Deeds in Plan noon: 145, Page 88. This parcel of lard is
owned by James J. Tacy and Eugene rk. Tacy individually as
described in a deed dated September 10, 1983 recorded in
Hampshire County Registry of Deeds in Book 3261, Paae 243.
The other parcel of land, which is the more Southerly
parcel of land abuttina the Hill River, is paned by Tacy
Excavating and Construction Ccmpany, Inc. as shown on a
deed recorded in Hampshire County ReaistrY Of Leeds in
Book 3261, Paae 242.
10. The Plaintiffs in this action have entirely ai:andonad the
us- of the Northerly lot `or all uses pursuant to the
request by the Building Inspector for the City of
Northampton.
li. The previous Building Inspector for the City of
1lortha:^pton, William 11imohay, advised the Plaintiffs
herein that if they completely removed all of their
construction related equipment.and materials from the site
on which they wish to construct the Construction Supply
Establishment, that he would, in fact, issue a Buildina
Permit for the Construction Supply Establishment on the
separate legal building lot.
'2 Based upon that representation and in reliance thereon the
Plaintiffs herein removed all trucks, equipment, supplies
and materials from the site that is the subject matter of
Law Office
PATRICKI MELNIK
110 King Street
WrAampWW MA 01060
411 5844750
,`,
—4—
../
this dispute, excepting only those materials that were
actually going to be used in the physical construction of
the building to be constructed on the premises.
13. Subsequently, in August of 1988 the Plaintiffs in this
action filed an Application for a 3uilding Permit for a
Construction Supply Establishment on the divided parcel of
land that was now free of all supplies and equipment and
which had been abandoned by the Plaintiffs for use as a
Contractor's Yard for purposes of obtaining a Building
Permit as a Construction Supply Establishment.
14. Use of the premises as a Ccnstruction Supply Establishment
is a use allowed by right under City Zoning and the lot
upon which the Construction Supply Establishment was
sought to be constructed complied in all respects with the
dimensional requirements of the City of Northampton.
15. Based upon the application of the Plaintiffs in this
action for the Building Permit, the then Building
Inspector for the City of Northampton, Paul Duclos, issued
a Foundation Permit for the Construction Supply
Establishment, which Foundation Permit was Building Permit
Number 553.
15. Based upon the issuance of the Foundation Permit the
Plaintiffs in this action proceeded to pour a foundation
for the Construction Supply Establishment on the premises.
Subsequent to the pouring of the foundation a City
Counsellor for the City of Northampton, namely Raymond W.
LaBarge, filed a Complaint with the Building Inspector on
September 7, 1988 requesting that the Building Inspector
revoke the Foundation Permit. A copy of the Complaint
filed by City Councillor, Raymond W. LaBarge, is attached
to this Complaint and marked Exhibit "A ".
17. Prior to the scheduling of a :fearing before the Zoning
Board of Appeals on the validity of the issuance of the
Foundation Permit. the Building Inspector of the City of
Northampton, Paul J. Ducics, met with the Mayor for the
City of Northampton and Robert C. Buscher, Chairman of the
Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of Northampton, to
discuss the Plaintiff's Permit Application. As a result
of that meeting the hayor of the City of Northampton and
the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals instructed the
Building Inspector for the City of Northampton to revoke
the Foundation Permit that had been issued to the
Plaintiffs. In a letter dated September 15, 1988 the
Building Inspector for the City of Northampton revoked the
Building Permit that had been previously been issued. A
copy of the revocation of the Building Permit is attached
to this Complaint and is marked Exhibit "B ".
,kmal- -"/
-
Law Office
PATRICK J. MELNII
110 King Street
Yorthampton,MA 0106
413- 584 -6750
L3. lie ver the less, on SePr --ber 16, 1988 the Building inspect
or the City of PTortha -npton reinstatea the Building Pe r m it
that had been issued to the Plaintiffs in this action_.
Subsequently, on October 17, 1988 the Zoning Board of
Appeals heard the Complaint filed by Counsellor LaBarge
d ation Permit for the
concerning s understhanPro�isionsFofilassachusetts General
Plaintiff
Laws, Chapter 40A.
the Zoning
19. At that Hearing, Robert C. Buscher, C the closed
Board of Appeals, who had previ s sat
meeting between the P of the City of N
ch ie th
himself and the Building Inspector, at w time Tacy t it,
Building Inspector ' %as ordered to revoke the r :.
sat as the Chairman of the Zoning Board of appeal= on the ot n B Permit that
determination of whether or niiffswasproper.
had been issued t
20. At the Hearing the Plaintiffs objected to Robert Buscher
sitting as the Chairman of the Zoning Board of �Ppeals or
hearing any testimony concerning the validity of the
permit inasmuch as he had previously sat and rendered an
opinion at an unnosted non- public meeting betweenctie to
Mayor and the Building Inspector.* .g A r; ta n o n 19,
his consideration on this matter as filed
1988 with the Chairnan of the Zoning
BoardMplaintV and n
copy of that letter �_ attached to t.h._ s C`.,,
marked Exhibit " C " -
21, Subsequently, at a meeting held on iTOve-ber 2, 1988 the
Zoning Board of nppeais voted unamiouslY to uphold the
Appeal filed by Raymond W. LaBarge requesting the Building
Inspector to revoke the Foundation Permit that had been
issued to the Plain ti�L
the decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals is
2 A COPY Of
nd marked Exhibit
to this Complaint a D
23. The Plaintiffs in this action allege that the dec�8s of
the Zonina Board of Appeals dared ITovemb2r 1�, teals and
exceeds the authority of the Zoning Board of App" that th
is erroneous. The Plaintiffs, thereforeSLlpc2annullcdc
decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals u
and that the action of the Building Inspector in issuing a
Building Permit for the Plaintiffs be upheld.
II
24
COUNT
- -
THE DISOUALIF.IC;.TI.OIT_OF__T' -fiE
CH3IRI- IANOF_THE ?MT11M BOARD OF APPE_'.LS
The Plaintiffs restate each and every paragraph of this
Complaint as if originally restated herein.
N%,W, 1.00,
-6-
2S. The Plaintiffs stars that the Chairman cf *_ = I -Ain' Bo' -rd
of Appeals sat at a closed unpublished neeri n_, at a
decision concerning the propriety of the issuance cf the
Building Permit was decided and the Chairman and th e
Zoning Board of Appeals instructed the Building Inspector
ri
to revoke the permit. This meeting was held p or to the
public hearing on this matter.
26. The Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals who sat ar the
public hearing had previously made up his mind as to his
decision as to the propriety of the issuance :�f the
building permit and participated in the public meaning of
the Zoning Board of Appeals on October 17, 19SS , a
biased predisposition. His bias and his opi ^,on Frith
respect to the validity of the issuance of the Buildina
Pernnit was apparent in both his rulings and conduct during
the public hearing.
27. The Plaintiffs in this action allege that decision cf
the Zoning Board of Appeals was actually influenced i:y the
Chairman of the Zonina Board of Appeals who vosed in favor
of the Appeal filed by Councillor LaBarge and -hat rh=
decision of the remaining members of the Zoning Board of
Appeals was influenced by the actions of the Chairman.
28. The Plaintiffs allege that they did not receive a fair and
impartial hearing * an open minded and i::iparri 1
deliberating body at the time that the decision � -ras made
with respect to the propriety of the issuance of the
Building Permit for their Construction Supply
Establishment.
29. Therefore, the Plaintiffs allege that the decision of the
Zonina Board of Appeals was improperly made, and that they
did not receive a fair and adequate hearing before an
impartial deliberating body and that they are entitlad at"
a minimum to a new hearing on the propriety of the
issuance of :he Building Permit to them, The Plaintiffs
also allege that they have lost money as a result cf this
conduct for whi they should be reimbursed.
COUIT7 __III.
DAiSAGES FOR EMINENT _DOIL?iI�,a
Law Office
PATRICK J. MELNIK
110 King Street
lorthampton, MA 01060
413- 584 -6750
30. The Plaintiffs restate each and every Paragraph of this
cc- plaint as if originally restated herein.
31. The Plaintiffs state that they have abandoned the use of
their property for all uses and are seeking a use for the
parcel of land that is the subject matter of this dispute
f use as a Construction supply Establishment which is a
use allowed by right under City Zoning.
„%RW .010,
Law Office
PATRICK J. NIELNI1
110 King Street
vortharapton,MA 010E
413- 584 -675
that the B it n . a Lnspector for
33.
The Plaintiffs state u �- - -
- or
City of Tlorthampton, and the scnin :� Board o_ =.p ears
the City of llorthanpton are rerusina ro allow the A
to use their property =cr a use t:,aL is
them as of right.
33. The Plaintiffs, therefore. state L_'at if the City cf `
Nor thampton wi not allow th Plainti t0 11se Lh a— —
property for any lawful use -•rhich is allowed by right
under City Zoning that they haa'e e ffectively taken t':e
property from the Plaintiffs and the Plaintiffs are,
therefore, entitled to compensation from the City of
Northampton for the full and =air market value of the
property.
3g. The Plaintiffs state Lhat they 'nave met all of the b he rules
conditions and requirements 1-posed upon them 1
and regulations of the City of ;lorthampton the Zoning
Ordinances of the City of 11orrhampton and have met all or
the reauests of the acting 3uilding Inspector ofdthorCaty
of llorthampton to allow their property t be
f of
lawfully allowed use under- City Zoning. -
the City of Northampton to allow them to use their
property for this lawful use entitles there to just
compensation.
35. The Plaintiffs demand a TRIAL BY JURY or. this Count of
their Complaint.
COUNT IV
35, The Plaintiffs alleges each and every statement of his
Complaint as if originally restated herein.
37, The Plaintiffs further allege that the officers, e= ^plong
and city officials of Lhe City of Northampton are acting
Plaintiffs to sell to
in a concerted effort to force the below its fair
the City of 14orthar:pLOn Lheir property
market value for housing for the elderly.
3U, Subsequent to their initial application to allow t h e use
of their premises as a Construction Supply Council of the
that was filed in 1984. Members of the City
City of Northanpton and the Planning Board of t Counctl for
Northampton filed an application with the City ou take it
the City of liortha:ipton to razone this property to
out of Special Industrial Use. The attempt of these
individuals to have the property rezoned and taken out of
Special Industrial Use was defeated.
0
39 During this period or time the Housing authority ofron
City of Northampton attempted to take the property
-the Plaintiffs by use of the power of E. -inent Domai fn to
turn the property into use as Elderly Housing-
—o
ap-
The Plaintiffs in this action rere approached by
Councillor LaBarge and requested by Councillor aBarg° to
sell this property to the Cit,: of ??orthampton for Elderly
Housina. The Plaintiffs in this action refused to sell
the property to the City of Northampton for Elderly
Housing.
41-
The Plaintiffs state that the actions of the Councillor
LaBarge in appealing the issuance of their Building Permit
and attempting to prevent t�.e Plaintiffs fro_, using their
property for a lawful use under City Zoning is an attempt
to diminish the value of the property or force the
Plaintiffs into such serious adverse economic
circumstances that they would be forced to sell the
property to the City of Nort'_:ampton for Elderly Housing.
42-
The Plaintiffs state that the attempt by the Housina
Authority of the City of Northam to take their
property by Eminen_ Domain was defeated inasmuch as th=
Housina Authority detern.ineci that it could not take this
property by Eminent Domain for housing purposes. The
attempt by the City of .dorthampton to obtain the property
by purchase has failed because the Plaintiffs do not
intend to sell the property to the City of Northampton for
Elderly Housina.
43.
Therefore the Plaintiffs allege that the actions of the
City of Northampton to prevent them from using the
premises for a lawful use is a concerted action taken with
the deliberate purpose of forcing the diminution of the
value of their property and forcing t Plainti to sell
their property below fair market value. The Plaintiffs
allege that the acts and practices of the City of
'Northampton in this regard are unfair and deceptive and
that these actions have deprived the Plaintiffs of the
lawful use of their property which are rights guaranteed
by the Massachusetts and United States Constitutions. The
Plaintiffs allege that as a result of the acts and
practices of the officials of the City of Northampton the
Plaintiffs in this action have actually been damaged.
^4-
The Plaintiffs all -ae that they have been unable to use
their property for any lawful purpose for a period cf t4- ^e
bulldina a
and that they have made expenditures by Tway of
foundation and purchasing a building for construction of
the premises which trey are unable to construct. through
Law office
the acts and practices of the officials of the City or
PATRICK J. MELNIK
N c r t h a np t o n.
110 King Street
The Plaintiffs allege that they are entitled to damages
iorthampton, MA 0 10 60
from the City of I- orthampton for the loss cf property that
they have suffrCred as a result Of the actions of th_e City
413 - 584 -6750
of ?,orthampton
-9-
1./
46. The Plaintiffs all�-as that they are sntitl-�d to
compensation from the City of Northampton fcr the f'�li and
fair market value of the diminution or the .glue of their
property as a result of the unlawful acts and ic:-s o f
the officials of the City of Northampton.
47. The Plaintiffs demand a TRIAL BY JURY on this Count of
their Complaint.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiffs demand the following:
1, That the decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals
dated Movember 15. 1933 be annulled and th at the
Building Permit for the construction of t'-a
Construction. Supply Establishment be all-
2. In the alternative the Plaintiffs demand that t:e
case be remanded to the Zoning Board of :,PpGals fer a
full and fair and before an impartial sitting of
:embers of the Zoning Board of Appeals who have not
previously rendered a decision on the nerits c' their
Petit prior to Public Hearing.
3. That damaaes be assessed against the Defendants in
this action for such sum as will be necessary to
compensate the Plaintiffs for all of the loss of
profits, dim of the value of their property,
loss of use of their property, loss of sir rental
value of their property, and such other damages as
the Plaintiffs have suffered as a result of the
unfair and unlawful acts and practices of the
Defendants in this case.
4. Attorney's fees and costs.
S. The Plaintiffs demand such other relief as :nay be
appropriate.
6. The Plaintiffs demand a TRIAL BY JURY on Counts I»
and of this Complaint.
:November 18. 1988
A l
. trick J. i n ielik Esq.
0 Kina S ti - r
ilortham -pion, t -Ia 01060
584 -6750
i
t
i
I
8
EUGENE A. TACY,
Petitioner
.O4
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
HAMPSHIRE, S.S.
BUILDING INSPECTOR FOR
THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
NOTI OF APPEAL
Lw
'RICK J. MELNIK
10 King Street
impton,MA 01060
418- 584 -6750
Now comes Eugene A. Tacy of 158 North Maple Street,
Florence, Massachusetts who states that on or about August, 1988
he filed an application for a Building Permit with the City of
Northampton for the purpose of constructing a Construction
Supply Establishment on his property located on Main Street,
Leeds, Massachusetts, Assessor's Map 10D, Parcel 17A. The
property is zoned Special Industrial. The Building Permit for
the Construction Supply Establishment is allowed by right under
the City of Northampton Zoning Ordinances and a Building Permit
for the Construction Supply Establishment was issued by the
Building Inspector for the City of Northampton.
On or about October 7, 1988 the Building Inspector for the
City of Northampton, Edward J. Tewhill revoked Permit Number 632
issued on October 7, 1988. No reasons for revocation was given.
On behalf of Eugene A. Tacy I hereby appeal pursuant to
the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40(a),
Section 15 from the enforcement action of the Building Inspector
revoking the Building Permit. On behalf of Mr. Tacy I contend
that the Building Inspector had no right to revoke this Permit
and that the Building Permit should be reinstated. Attached to
this Notice of Appeal is a copy of the revised application for
Variance and Special Permit which I have modified to reflect the
request for Appeal.
October 20, 1988
eived at City Clerk's Office
AS 7 � 013THAMPTON, S. 1
, t�
Dat pC-w
Time
p atrilckJ. Melnik Esq.
110 King Street
Northampton, Ma 01060
584 -6750
got Write In T Application Number: ? X
rieE'd. Filed Fee Pd. Rec'd. ZBA Maps) Parcels)
g pa Date Amt. Dale By Dale v�
APPL( T A O THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
1 ;' Name
Address ticanIt Eugene A. Tac
158 Nort Ma le Street Florence Massachusetts
•,;;,
'' Eugene A. Tac and James J. Tacy
Owner of Property � y
Address x 58 North Maple Street, Florence, Massachusetts
J
3, Applicant is: &Owner; ❑Contract Purchaser; DLessee; 0Tenant in Possession.
4. - Application Is made for:
_ CJ VARIANCE from the provisions of Section_page._.____of the Zoning Ordinance of the
City of Northampton.
❑SPECIAL PERMIT under the provisions of Sect ion-page _. -o f the Zoning Ordinance
of the City of Northampton.
MTHER: 1 - or Lne Veci5�211 21 L 1C 1X, 4AA.LL& - --
Permit Number 632 for a Construction Supply Establishment.
5. Location of Property Main Street, Leeds, Massachusetts being situated on
the Fast side of Main _ Street; and shown on the Assessors' Maps,
Sheet No. 10D , Parcel (s)
6. Zone Special Industrial
construct a to cons
7. Description of proposed work and/or use; Applicant proposes -
Construction Supply Establishment that is a 60' x 60' building pursuant to the,
Construction sup Establishment is an allowecl use Dy right n
this district. The lot is a conform n of to zon n n a mens ona
and density requirements of the zoning wiLlb a dh ered Co.
8; ,(e) „Sketch plan attached; O Yes O No,
Site plan; CYAttched DNot Required
9.` ` Set forth reasons upon which application is based: This is
. the Building Inspector to revoke the permit. A copy o he Notice of revocation
is attached to this Appeal. C onstruction Supply Establishment is an allowed use by
10. Abutters (see instructions; list on reverse side of form), '
12.' 1 hereby certify that information contained herein is true to a est of my knowledge.
Date October 18, 1988 A pplicant's Signatur
NW10
of Neehantpf"
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING ZNSp
(OR 212 Main Street 0 Municipal BUij&
Northampton, Mass. 01060
7q
EVOCATION OF PERMIT ` � " l 7 '9�
NOTICE OF R
Oro 1;
NOTICE TO STOP WORK
-_
101. OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS
M—P"PTOR MA. 01060-
Octal ei 1988 N
TO; Eugene Tacy
Building. Inspecto"ar
am notifying you that I am revoking the building Permit numbered
f 6�2 issued to you on October 7, 1988, for a building to be erected
at 175' Main Street Ma. shown an Asse4aor's Map 10D as
Parcel 17A.
All work on said building is to cease immediately. No further
activity on the site in connection with the erection of this build-
ing is to take place.
Very truly yours
W40 r
t. Edward J. Tewhill
Acting Building'Inspertor
N"..•
...
CITY of NORTHAMPTON OFFICE of PLANNING and DEVELOPMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Kathleen Fallon
FROM: Bob Pascucci
SUBJECT: Eugene A. Tacy's Appeal
DATE: December 22, 1988
FILE:
As you are aware, Atty. Melnik, on October 21, filed with the City Clerk
an appeal on behalf of Eugene Tacy of the Building Inspector's revocation
of Building Permit #632, which would have allowed construction of a 60' x
60' building at 175 Main Street, Leeds.
As I'm sure you recall, back in September, Councilor LaBarge appealed the
Building Inspector's issuance of Building (Foundation) Permit #553 which
would have allowed construction of a 60' x 60' building at 175 Main Street,
Leeds.
The permit numbers are different, but the building's the same, the parcel
is the same, and all the reasons listed in the Zoning Board's Decision
that the Building Inspector's issuance of Permit #553 was erroneous are
the very same reasons that uphold the proposition that revocation of
Permit #632 by the Building Inspector was proper.
Isn't this res adjudicata at the Zoning Board level? This issue has
already been decided. Nothing is different except the Permit numbers, and
the point of view of the Appellant.
0�-
*e.. ..0'
U
Al
tWrtte1 Thds - e - Sp`Aas Application Number: l
B:I:' - Chedk1d Filed FPP Pd_ Recd_ 7RA Man(s) Parcel(s)
BY; Dale By ;�;
pie
Dace
P
Cate
r
Oats
TO THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
1. Name of Applicant Raymond -- W. LaBarge, City Councilor -Ward 7
Address 24 Water Street, Leeds, MA 01053 •
2. Owner of Property Eugene Tacv
Address 158 North Maple Street, Florence, MA 01060
3. Applicant is: QOwner; El Contract Purchaser; OLessee; 0Tenant in Possession. .
X complainant
4. Application is made for:
._.' VARIANCE from the provisions of Section page of the Zoning Ordinance of the
City of Northampton.
: SPECIAL PERMIT under the provisions of Section page of the Zoning Ordinance
of the City of Northampton.
l2X0 THER: Appeal of Building Inspector's issuance of a Building Permi
and Decision
5. Location of Propert y 175 Main St., Leeds ' "" -' being situated on
the easterly side of Main (Leeds) StreeYnd shown on the Assessors' Maps,
Sheet No. lOD , Parcel(s)
6. Zone SI
7. Description of proposed work and /or use; Appeal of Building Inspector's Decis
of 9/22/88 on a Zoning Violation Complaint filed on 9/7/88 relative to the
issuance of Building Permit #553 issued lor tlie. construction of a foun ation
for a Construction Supply Establishment to Eugene Tacv As 9/22/88 wor
was still progressing on the site.
8-(a) Sketch plan attached; OYes M No
(b) Site plan: OAttched X1 Not Required
9. Set forth reasons upon which application is based: T beli +ha+- i-hA i aanarte -0 of thi c
Hiii 1 Ai ng pPrmi t i c i n yi al ati nn of SPC- inn 9 1 (h) and i n yi nl ai•1 nn of h
nPr-icinn of the 7nninQ Board of Appeals made nn AL�st 12. 1 87. n whi
-- - - ' - - -
10. Abutters (see instructions; list on reverse side of form).
12. 1 hereby certify that information contained herein is true to the best of my knowledge.
Date September 23, 1988 ---- Signature
rite in e Application Number:
Th�
1
1 �Fed `; Filed Fee Pd. Rec'd. ZBA Map(s)
Parcel (s)
a gy Dare.: Dau Aml. Oar• Q BY Mid 0/ f 7rT
Ur
APPLICA , 6Y, MADE TO THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS:
J
• •: "• ; '` �, 4 �tt;a ►nftoN. �a. oi�° Euge A Ta
Name - of' pp cant , Eug _�
Address 158 North Maple Street Florence Massachusetts
Owner of Property Eugene A Tacy and James J. Tacy
Address Nor Maple Street Florence Massachusetts
+.
3. • Applicant is: MOwner; 0Contract Purchaser; 01-essee; 0Tenant In Possession.
4: Application Is made for:
O VARIANCE from the provisions of Sect lonpage_- --- -of the Zoning Ordinance of the
City of Northampton.
C SPECIAL PERMIT under the provisions of Sect lon__page D f the Zoning Ordinance
of the City of Northampton.
CXOTHER: Appeal or the liec2.5.LQn VL r_iic Ix uL.�,, �.w,n........
Permit Number 632 for a Construction Supply Establishment. .
5. Location of Property Main Street Leeds Massachmetts being situated on
the Fast side of Main Street; and shown on the Assessors' Maps,
Sheet No. 10D , Parcel (s)
6. Zone S2ecial Industrial
7.. ` Description of proposed work and /or use; Applicant proposes to construct a
Construction Supply Establishment that is a 60' x 60' building pursuant to the
Construction Supply Esta is an alloweu use Dy rlgnL lIl
this district. The lot is a conrorming lot to zoning in a imensiona
and density requirements o the zoning wi e a ere to.
1 8 } 1 �(a) .- Sketch plan attached; OYes O No. _
Site plan; QAttched 0 Not Required --
' This is an AnraP�l of t'hP ci % bh "`f
Set forth reasons upon which application Is based:
Building Inspector to revoke the permit. A copy o he Noti of revocation
is attached to this Appeal Construction Supply Establishment is an allowed use by
right in this district The lot is a conforming lot to zoning in all dimensiona
10. . Abutters (see instructions; list on reverse side of form). _
12._ 1 hereby certify that Information contained herein is true to a est of my knowledge.
October 18 1988 tur
Date A pplicant's Slgna
i
*4._ ...OI
DECISION OF
NORTHAMPTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
At a meeting held on November 2, 1988, the Zoning Board of
Appeals of the City of Northampton voted to sustain the
Appeal of Raymond LaBarge of the issuance by the Building
Inspector of Foundation Permit #553 to Eugene Tacy for the
commencement of construction of a Construction Supply
Establishment at 175 Main Street, Leeds. Present and voting
were Chairman Robert D. Buscher, Dr. Peter Laband, and
William Brandt.
The findings were as follows:
The property is zoned Special Industrial. Prior to the
division of what was Parcel 7 of Sheet 10D of the
Northampton Assessor's Maps, the entire parcel was used as a
construction yard. A construction yard use in an SI Zone
- 'requires a Special Permit. Since the construction yard use
of the site predates the Special Permit requirement, it is a
pre- existing, nonconforming use, and as such, is regulated
by Chapter 40A, Section 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws,
and Section 9 of the Northampton Zoning Ordinance. Chapter
40A states that a pre- existing, nonconforming use may be
changed, altered, or expanded only after a Finding .by the
Zoning Board of Appeals that the change, alteration, or
expansion is not substantially more detrimental to the
neighborhood than the current use. [Section 9.3(b),
,Northampton Zoning Ordinance].
Applicant proposes to build a 60' x 60' building on the -
property, and to use that building to house a construction
supply establishment, an allowed use in a Special Industrial
Zone. Applicant's original application for zoning relief in
1984, and the 1987 application, indicated that the building
would be used both for the nonconforming use (repairing and
storing equipment), and the proposed new use. The
application for which a permit was granted in 1988 indicated
that the building would be used only for the construction
supply establishment. If the nonconforming use is still
.present on'the lot, the addition of either a building or a
_new use, even if that use is allowed, is an expansion of
that nonconforming use and requires a Finding by •the Zoning
Board of Appeals that the proposed use is not substantially
more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing use.
'e... -
Ir ,,
DECISION OF THE NORTHAMPTON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS IN THE
MATTER OF THE APPEAL OF RAYMOND LABARGE OF THE ISSUANCE OF A
BUILDING PERMIT TO EUGENE TACY. .PAGE TWO.
The Planning Board did in fact approve an "Approval not
required under the subdivision control law" for the divided
site. The only zoning issue resolved by the approval of
such a plan is that each lot, as created in said plan, has
sufficient frontage for that zoning district. It does not
give any guarantee that the lots will qualify as building
lots. Section 6.4 of the Northampton Zoning Ordinance
states that "No lot ... may be divided so as not to conform
with a provision of this ordinance. No group of lots in a
common ownership may be separated or the ownership of one or
more lots changed so as not to be in conformance with a
provision of this ordinance." The pre- existing,
nonconforming use has been shifted to a fractional portion
of the original lot, thereby intensifying that use, which is
an alteration which requires a Finding by the Zoning Board
of Appeals. Until the issue of the intensification of the
nonconforming use on one lot is resolved, neither of the two
lots shown on the "ANR" Plan conform to the Zoning
Ordinance.
The Building Inspector's issuance of the Foundation Permit
( #553) was erroneous.
Robert C. 8uscher, Chairman
C
Dr- Peter Laband
William Brand
City of Northampton
1 - .
MEMORANDUM
Office of the Legal Department
TO: Bob Pascucci
FROM: Kathleen Fallon
SUBJECT: Tacy Appeal
DATE: December 23, 1988
FILE:
I believe you are correct in stating that the issue to be
presented to the Zoning Board of Appeals in this matter is,
basicallly, the same presented in Councillor LaBarge's appeal.
At least it is based on the same facts. It would appear to me
that, if the ZBA has already ruled that the permit was improperly
issued, it would have to rule that the revocation was
appropriate.
I think Attorney Melnik is just preserving every right that the
Tacys' may have. Unless he completes the administrative appeal
process, the court probably would not hear any suit on the issue.
bQ
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Hampshire, ss. Superior Court
Civil Action — No. 89 -309
? t c
BUILDING INSPECTOR OF THE CITY ] 'D
OF NORTHAMPTON,
Plaintiff ] ® 6
l FF I cE
VS. �DEVFiop'NN11VG
TACY CONSTRUCTION CO., INC., et al ] NT
Defendants ]
SUMMARY JUDGMENT
This action came on to be heard before the Court, Murphy, J.
presiding, upon motion of the defendant Tacy Construction Co., Inc.
a /k /a Tacy Excavating Co., Inc. for summary judgment and to dismiss,
and pursuant to Mass. R. Civ. P. 56, the parties having been heard,
and the court having considered the pleadings, briefs, affidavits
and opposition briefs filed, finds that there is no genuine issue
as to material fact and that the plaintiff, Building Inspector of
the City of Northampton is entitled to a judgment as a matter of
law;
Therefore, it is ORDERED and ADJUDGED as follows:
1. Judgment is hereby entered for the plaintiff, Building
IW tp the City of Northampton and the constructive grant of
a�al Per
C, Construction Co., Inc. is hereby annulled;
; cl k � within thirty days send attested c
CLERK AG P
thereof to the Building Inspector, Zoning Board of Appeals and the
.
M
Clerk of the City of Northampton.
Dated at Northampton, Massachusetts this First day of
December, 1989.
for Court
C erk /Magi tfate
FORM OF JUDGMENT APPROVED: