City Compliance Certificate 10-21-2020Certificate of Compliance with Planning Board Section 350-20
Smart Growth (40R) Approval
140 Olander Drive, Northampton, MA
WHEREAS, on February 7, 2018, the Planning Board voted to issue a Smart Growth (40R)
Approval for the project to be constructed by North Commons at Village Hill LLC (the “Project”), in
accordance with Section 350-20 of the Northampton Code of Ordinances (the “Code of Ordinances”), and
said approval (the “Planning Board Approval”) is recorded at Book 13728, Page 301 in the Hampshire
Registry of Deeds; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board Approval was issued based upon the information and plans
submitted in accordance with the 40R application (the “Approved Submissions”); and
WHEREAS, Davis Square Architects, Inc. and The Berkshire Design Group, Inc. have certified
that (1) the plans and specifications attached to the Architect’s Certificate (the “Plans and Specifications”)
comply with all applicable laws, and (2) the Project, if constructed in accordance with the Plans and
Specifications, will likewise company with all applicable laws of every nature and description relating to
the construction and intended use thereof; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board approved the 40R application based on findings (but not
conditions), that the requirements within Section 350-20.18 had been met, including evaluation of uses,
density, design, and accessibility and affordability, and such findings noted that approximately 60% of the
units will be affordable, and that the remaining 40% of units would be targeted to workforce housing,
meeting 120% of AMI; and
WHEREAS, the final affordability restrictions require that 39 units (73% of the units in the
Project) are affordable to those at 60% AMI or less and 14 units (26% of the units in the Project) are
affordable to those at 120% of AMI or less, and MassHousing has restricted the 14 workforce units at
90% AMI or less;
NOW, THEREFORE, we find that:
1. The Plans and Specifications are consistent and in furtherance of the Approved Submissions, and
if built in accordance with the Plans and Specifications, the Project will be consistent with the
Smart Growth (40R) standards set forth in the Code of Ordinances and with the Planning Board
findings and conditions and will comply with all applicable dimensional requirements of the
Code of Ordinances (including those pertaining to parking); and
2. The affordability restrictions are consistent with the Smart Growth (40R) standards set forth in
the Code of Ordinances and with the Planning Board Approval.
____________________________________________________ Date: 10/21/20
Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning and Sustainability,
Planning Board Agent