2024-04-25 ZBA Staff Report for 238 Bridge St
Nathan Chung, Land Use Planner ▪ NChung@NorthamptonMA.gov ▪ (413) 587-1262
Staff Report
PERMIT TYPE PUBLIC HEARING
DATE
OWNER / APPLICANT EXISTING USE
ZBA Findings April 25, 2024 Owner: Hopes and Feathers
Applicant: Gabrielle Lemanski
at Sign Dynamics, LLC
Preexisting
nonconforming ground
and wall signs
PROPERTY ADDRESS/PARCEL ID/ZONE/LOT SIZE
1. Address: 238 Bridge St, Northampton, MA
2. Parcel ID: 25C-085
3. Zone: URB
4. Lot size: N/A
APPLICATION URL
Direct link: https://northamptonma.portal.opengov.com/records/771 (OpenGov permit ID LU-24-7))
Summary of Request
The applicant is the sign maker hired by Hope and Feathers, a framing business that is occupying three
units of a four-unit commercial condominium complex. The building is a preexisting nonconforming
commercial building in the Urban Residential B district. It was granted a broad use variance in 1989
under Book/Page number 03328/95. The applicant proposes to update two nonconforming signs: the
pole sign, a type of ground sign, and a wall sign that is on the top part of the building. Another occupant
business has its own wall sign, but the applicant is not seeking updates on it.
The applicant proposes to change the current 36.8 sqft ground sign structure, which has only one panel
occupying about a quarter of the structure, by adding a larger sign panel for Hopes and Feathers and a
reserve panel for the other business for future updates. The applicant also proposes to replace the
currently blank 24 sqft wall sign with a 7.2 sqft wall sign.
Signs advertising the occupying businesses are considered accessory signs. In residential districts, small
commercial wall signs 1.5 sqft or less are allowed and ground signs are not allowed. Due to these
reasons, the signs are nonconforming accessory signs subject to the requirements of Zoning Ordinance
350-7.6. To allow for the updates according to the ordinance, the ZBA must make a finding that the
proposed changes will not be substantially more detrimental than the existing nonconforming signs to
the neighborhood and that the change will not make the signs any more nonconforming than they
currently are. Proposed lightings are not under the jurisdiction of ZBA and need to follow the
requirements of Zoning Ordinance 350-12.2. Applicable Laws
1. 350-7.3 Signs permitted in any R or SC District.
2. 350-7.6 Nonconforming Accessory Signs. Compliance with Zoning
TYPE REQUIREMENTS EXISTING NON-
CONFORMITIES
PROPOSED
CONDITIONS
Wall Signs A sign with a maximum
area of 1.5 sqft for each
commercial use on the
first-floor façade when in
residential districts.
24 sqft blank sign. 10” by 105” sign (about
7.29 sqft)
Ground signs Commercial ground sign
not allowed in residential
districts.
One sign structure
shared by multiple
businesses with a total
display area of 36.8 sqft.
Same total display area
of 36.8 sqft with one
38”x100” (about 25.3
sqft) sign panel and a
reserve sign panel sized
It currently only has a
2’x4’ sign panel.
13”x100.” (About 8.6
sqft)
Notes: Other Issues and Comments by Other Departments
DPW reviewed the application and had no comments. Staff Decision Recommendation
Verify with the applicant that the proposed signs are staying within the area and height of existing signs.
While lighting is not under the purview of the ZBA, the sign must conform to the lighting requirements
in 350-12.2, including 350-12.2D(7)(e) which says sign lighting must be turned off one hour after the
close of business.
☒ Approve ☐ Approve with Conditions ☐ Deny
Staff Condition Recommendation
None, unless otherwise determined by the Board based on public hearing comments.