Section 1 Tighe&Bond
SECTION 1
SPECIAL PERMIT APPLICATION
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CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
APPLICATION FOR A
PLANNING BOARD - SPECIAL PERMIT & SITE PLAN APPROVAL PERMIT 05/2002
A SEPARATE APPLICATION MUST BE FILED FOR EACH PERMIT REQUESTED
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE ALL INFORMATION
PERMIT INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Check off the Type of permit:
Information can be obtained from the Zoning Permit Review Form, the Building
Department and/or the Office of Planning & Development (OPD).
Intermediate Projects:
- New construction or additions of between 2,000 and 4,999 square feet of gross floor area
(excluding single family homes and agricultural uses).
- Projects which require 6 - 9 additional parking spaces.
- Projects which require a Special Permit or Site Plan Approval, do not qualify as a Major
Project, and are not a sign.
- Projects which require Site Plan Approval, and do not require a Special Permit.
- Planned Village Projects which require Site Plan Approval and are not a Major Project.
Major Projects:
- New construction or additions of 5,000 square feet or more of gross floor area.
- Commercial Parking lots and parking garages
- Except for the CBD, establishments selling foods prepared on the premises where
consumption is primarily off the premises and retail establishments selling principally
convenience goods.
- Automobile service stations
- Projects which require 10 or more additional parking spaces.
- Rural Residential Incentive and Planned Business Park projects.
2. Fill in the specific section and page of the Zoning Ordinance, that shows why the Special Permit
is required. This information can be obtained from the Zoning Permit Review Form, the Building
Department or from OPD.
3. List the complete name, address and phone number of the applicant.
4. Fill in the parcel’s Zoning Map & Parcel ID, the zoning district(s), including any overlay districts
and the street address, which information can be obtained from the Zoning Permit Review Form,
the Building Department or Planning Department. Fill in the book and page that the property is
recorded in at the Registry of Deeds.
5. Check off the status of the applicant.
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6. List the complete name, address and phone number of the property owner or state: “Same as
above” if the owner is the applicant.
7. Give a detailed description of the proposed work/project. Use additional sheets, if required.
Check-off if a Sketch Plan or Site/Plot Plan and a list of requested waivers has been included with
the application.
Planning Board reserves the right to postpone or continue any hearing if the Board determines that
adequate detail has not been submitted with the application (i.e. location of buildings, signs,
parking spaces, etc).
Planning Board also reserves the right to decline consideration of any new information submitted
for the first time at the public hearing and which was not available for public consideration, prior
to the hearing.
8. Answer the questions on how the proposed work/project meets the approval criteria. Use
additional sheets, if required.
9. Sign and date the application and complete the following pages as per instructions.
STREAMLINING THE PERMIT PROCESS:
It is highly recommended that the applicant review the completed application with the Senior
Planner, prior to making the required number of copies and filing the application. Doing this will
help identify any additional information which should be included, and could prevent the public
hearing from being continued for lack of information. An appointment can be scheduled by
calling the Office of Planning & Development at : (413) 587-1266.
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS:
All Applications Must Be Collated And Stapled In 16 Complete Packages. (original and 15 copies)
The following information must be included in the submittal for Site Plan Approval, a Special Permit,
and/or a Site Plan Special Permit:
* The completed application and 15 collated copies of all information (including the
Zoning Permit Review Form with Building Inspector’s endorsement & Application -
“Z-Form” and any additional information the applicant wishes to submit) attached to
EACH copy of the application.
If there are blueprints, the application must include 7 full sets of blueprints, the
remaining 9 copies may be reduced copies of the original prints. Please attach a
FOLDED copy of the blueprints to EACH copy of the application.
* If the property abuts or is within 300 feet of the City boundary, you must
get abutters list from the neighboring Town's Assessor.
* The Filing Fee: $150.00 for Intermediate Projects or $300.00 for Major Projects.
Note: For fee purposes a flag lot is now included as a Major Project.
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FILING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Take the original and 15 copies of the application, to the City Clerk's Office. The Clerk
will keep the original and date stamp one complete copy of the application.
2. File the remaining 15 copies of the application at the Office of Planning & Development,
and pay the filing fee.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU HAVE FILED YOUR APPLICATION?
1. Once a completed application has been filed, we will schedule a Public Hearing for the
next available agenda of the Planning Board, notify your abutters and place a legal ad in
a local paper to appear a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the hearing date.
2. The public hearing is conducted, applicant must be present, and if all information is
complete, the hearing is closed.
3. Once the hearing is closed, the Board has up to 90 days to make a decision on the permit.
(Planning Board rarely takes that long)
4. Once a decision is made, then the Board has ninety (90) days from the date that the
hearing was closed, to file the decision with the City Clerk's Office. Applicant receives a
copy of the decision.
5. After the decision has been filed with the City Clerk's Office, a twenty (20) day appeal
period begins.
6. Once the twenty (20) day appeal period passes, (without an appeal being filed) the
applicant must pick up a Certified copy of the decision from the City Clerk's Office and
record it at the Registry of Deeds. Permit is not valid until recorded at Registry of
Deeds.
7. Proof that the decision has been filed at the Registry of Deeds must be brought to the
Building Department, before a Building Permit will be issued.
The short time frame for issuing a Special Permit or Site Plan Approval, is two (2) to three
(3) months. The long time frame is four (4) to six (6) months.
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CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
PLANNING BOARD APPLICATION FOR:
Please Note: An omission of information could lead to a delay in processing your application.
1. Check type of project:
INTERMEDIATE PROJECT: _____ Site Plan AND/OR _____ Special Permit with Site Plan
Or
MAJOR PROJECT: _____ Site Plan AND/OR _____ Special Permit with Site Plan
2. Permit is requested under Zoning Ordinance: Section: _____._____ Page:____-____
3. Applicant's Name: MassDevelopment / The Community Builders
Address: 43 Buena Vist Street, Devens, MA 01432 Telephone: (978) 772-6340
4. Parcel Identification: Zoning Map # 38A Parcel # Lot 58 Zoning District: PV
Street Address: Prince Street (Route 66)
Property Recorded in the Registry of Deeds: County: Hampshire Book: 596* Page: 323*
5. Status of Applicant: Owner __X__; Contract Purchaser ______; * - Also Bk 866 p. 531 and Bk. 868 p.357
6. Property Owner: Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) - See agreement in App. G
Address: 1 Ashburton Place, 15th Floor, Boston, MA 02108 Telephone: (617) 727-4030
7. Describe Proposed Work/Project: (Use additional sheets if necessary):
See attached narrative in Section 2
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Has the following information been included in the application? Site/Plot Plan__Y__
List of requested waivers__Y___ Fee__Y___ Signed Zoning Permit Review Form & Application___Y__
8. Site Plan and Special Permit Approval Criteria. (If any permit criteria does not apply, explain why)
Use additional sheets if necessary. Assistance for completing this information is available through
the Office of Planning & Development.
A. How will the requested use protect adjoining premises against seriously detrimental uses?
See attached narrative in Section 2
____________________________________________________________________________________
How will the project provide for:
surface water drainage: See attached narrative in Section 2
____________________________________________________________________________________
sound and sight buffers: See attached narrative in Section 2
_____________________________________________________________________________________
the preservation of views, light and air: See attached narrative in Section 2
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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B. How will the requested use promote the convenience and safety of pedestrian movement within the site and
on adjacent streets?: See attached narrative in Section 2
_____________________________________________________________________________________
How will the project minimize traffic impacts on the streets and roads in the area?___________________
See attached narrative in Section 2 and Appendix C
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Where is the location of driveway openings in relation to traffic and adjacent streets?_________________
See attached site plans - Appendix A
____________________________________________________________________________________
What features have been incorporated into the design to allow for:
access by emergency vehicles:See attached site plans - Appendix A / Master Plan - Appendix F
______________________________________________________________________________
the safe and convenient arrangement of parking and loading spaces:____________________
See attached site plans - Appendix A / Master Plan - Appendix F
provisions for persons with disabilities: See site plans - Appendix A / Master Plan - Appendix F
______________________________________________________________________________
C. How will the proposed use promote a harmonious relationship of structures and open spaces to:
the natural landscape: See attached narrative in Section 2
______________________________________________________________________________
to existing buildings: See Design Guidelines - Appendix E
______________________________________________________________________________
other community assets in the area: See attached narrative in Section 2
______________________________________________________________________________
D. What measures are being taken that show the use will not overload the City's resources, including:
water supply and distribution system: See attached narrative in Section 2
______________________________________________________________________________
sanitary sewage and storm water collection and treatment systems:______________________
See attached narrative in Section 2
fire protection, streets and schools:_________________________________________________
See attached narrative in Section 2
How will the proposed project mitigate any adverse impacts on the City's resources, as listed
above? See attached narrative in Section 2
_____________________________________________________________________________
E. List the section(s) of the Zoning Ordinance that states what special regulations are required for the
proposed project (flag lot, common drive, lot size averaging, etc.)
10.15 Planned Village District
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How does the project meet the special requirements? (Use additional sheets if necessary)
To be addressed during the development of preliminary subdivision plans
F. State how the project meets the following technical performance standards:
1. Curb cuts are minimized:_________________________________________________
To be addressed during the development of preliminary subdivision plans
Check off all that apply to the project:
_______use of a common driveway for access to more than one business
_______use of an existing side street _______use of a looped service road
2. Does the project require more than one driveway cut?
_______ NO ___Y___ YES (if yes, explain why) Planned Village, not single development
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Are pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic separated on-site?
___X__ YES _______ NO (if no, explain why)_____________________________
______________________________________________________________________
FOR PROJECTS THAT REQUIRE INTERMEDIATE SITE PLAN APPROVAL, ONLY , SIGN
APPLICATION AND END HERE. (Applicant must include waiver form on p. 8 indicating that either all
information is included or that waivers are being requested.)
9. I certify that the information contained herein is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. The
undersigned owner(s) grant Planning Board permission to enter the property to review this
application.
Date:____________ Applicant’s Signature:_________________________________________________________
Date:____________ Owner’s Signature:___________________________________________________________
(Owners signature or letter from owner authorizing applicant to sign.)
FOR PROJECTS THAT REQUIRE A SPECIAL PERMIT OR WHICH ARE A MAJOR PROJECT,
applicants MUST also complete the following:
F. Explain why the requested use will:
not unduly impair the integrity or character of the district or adjoining zones:___________________
See attached narrative in Section 2
_____________________________________________________________________________________
not be detrimental to the health, morals or general welfare:___________________________________
See attached narrative in Section 2
____________________________________________________________________________________
be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Ordinance:___________________ ______
See attached narrative in Section 2
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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G. Explain how the requested use will promote City planning objectives to the extent possible and will not
adversely effect those objectives, defined in City master study plans (Open Space and Recreation Plan;
Northampton State Hospital Rezoning Plan; and Downtown Northampton: Today, Tomorrow and the
Future).
_______________________________________________________________________________
See attached narrative in Section 2
_______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
9. I certify that the information contained herein is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. The
undersigned owner(s) grant the Planning Board permission to enter the property to review this
application.
Date:____________Applicant’s Signature:__________________________________________________________
Date:____________Owner’s Signature:____________________________________________________________
(Owners signature or letter from owner authorizing applicant to sign.)
(Applicant must include waiver form on p. 8 indicating that either all information is included or that waivers are
being requested.)
MAJOR PROJECTS MUST ALSO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING MAJOR PROJECT APPROVAL
CRITERIA:
Does the project incorporate 3 foot sumps into the storm water control system? Yes________ No___X___
(IF NO, explain why) Four foot sumps will be used for compliance with DEP Policy
____________________________________________________________________________________
Will the project discharge stormwater into the City’s storm drainage system? Yes__X___ No________
(IF NO, answer the following:)
Do the drainage calculations submitted demonstrate that the project has been designed so that there is no
increase in peak flows from pre- to post-development conditions during the: 1, 2, or 10 year Soil
Conservation Service design storm ? Yes_________ No_________
(IF NO, explain why)___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Will all the runoff from a 4/10 inch rainstorm (first flush) be detained on-site for an average of 6
hours? Yes __X_____ No _________
(IF NO, explain why)___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Is the applicant requesting a reduction in the parking requirements?
Yes__X___ No________
If yes, what steps have been taken to reduce the need for parking, and number of trips per day?
______________________________________________________________________________
See narrative in Section 2 and Mitigation Measures in Appendix C
_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS
REQUEST FOR WAIVERS APPLICATION
This form MUST be included in your application packet. The site plan MUST contain the information
listed below. The Planning Board may waive the submission of any of the required information, if the
Applicant submits this form with a written explanation on why a waiver would be appropriate. To
request a waiver on any required information, circle the item number and fill in the reason for the
request. Use additional sheets if necessary. If you are not requesting any waivers, please note that on
this form.
A. Locus plan See matrix of requested waivers and variances in Appendix D
B. Site plan(s) at a scale of 1"=40' or greater__________________________________________________
B-1. Name and address of the owner and the developer, name of project, date and scale plans:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
B-2. Plan showing Location and boundaries of:
- the lot_________________________________________________________________________
- adjacent streets or ways___________________________________________________________
- all properties and owners within 300 feet_____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
- all zoning districts within 300 feet__________________________________________________
B-3. Existing and proposed:
− buildings________________________________________________________________________
− setbacks from property lines________________________________________________________
− -building elevations_______________________________________________________________
− all exterior entrances and exits_______________________________________________________
− (elevation plans for all exterior facades structures are encouraged)
B-4. Present & proposed use of :
- the land ______________________________________________________________________
- buildings:_____________________________________________________________________
B-5. Existing and proposed topography (for intermediate projects the permit granting authority may accept
generalized topography instead of requiring contour lines):
- at two foot contour intervals______________________________________________________
- showing wetlands, streams, surface water bodies______________________________________
- showing drainage swales and floodplains:___________________________________________
- showing unique natural land features_________________________________________
B-6. Location of:
− parking & loading areas_________________________________________________________
− public & private ways____________________________________________________________
− driveways, walkways____________________________________________________________
− access & egress points___________________________________________________________
− proposed surfacing:_____________________________________________________________
B-7. Location and description of:
- all stormwater drainage/detention facilities___________________________________________
- water quality structures___________________________________________________________
- public & private utilities/easements_________________________________________________
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- sewage disposal facilities________________________________________________________
- water supply facilities____________________________________________________________
B-8. Existing & proposed:
- landscaping, trees and plantings (size & type of plantings)_______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
- stone walls,_____________________________________________________________________
- buffers and/or fencing:___________________________________________________________
B-9. Signs - existing and proposed:____________________________________________________________
- Location______________________________________________________________________
- dimensions/height_______________________________________________________________
- color and illumination___________________________________________________________
B-10. Provisions for refuse removal, with facilities for screening of refuse when appropriate:_______________
____________________________________________________________________________________
B-11. Lighting:
- Location______________________________________________________________________
- Details________________________________________________________________________
- Photometric Plan showing no more than .5 foot candle at property line______________________
FOR MAJOR PROJECTS ONLY:
B-12. An erosion control plan and other measures taken to protect natural resources & water supplies:
To be addressed during development of preliminary subdivision plans.
____________________________________________________________________________________
C. Estimated daily and peak hour vehicles trips generated by the proposed use, traffic patterns for vehicles and
pedestrians showing adequate access to and from the site, and adequate vehicular and pedestrian circulation
within the site.________________________________________________________________________
See narrative in Section 2 and Mitigation Measures in Appendix C
____________________________________________________________________________________
Site Plans submitted for major projects shall be prepared and stamped by a:
Registered Architect, Landscape Architect, or Professional Engineer
(At least one plan must have an original stamp, remaining plans must either have an original stamp or copy of
original stamp.)