31B-271 (2) Planning - Decision City of Northampton
Hearing No.: PLN- 2009 -0008 Date: October 20, 2008
I certify that a copy of this decision has been mailed to the Owner and Applicant.
Notice of Appeal
An appeal from the decision of the Planning Board may be made by any person aggrieved pursuant to MGL Chapt. 40A, Section 17 as
amended within twenty (20) days after the date of the filing of the notice of the decision with the City Clerk. The date is listed above. Such
appeal may be made to the Hampshire Superior Court with a certified copy of the appeal sent to the City Clerk of the City of Northampton.
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Planning - Decision City of Northampton
Hearing No.: PLN- 2009 -0008 Date: October 20, 2008
In granting approval the Board found the following criteria in Chapter 350 -10.1 and 11.1 had been met.
(1) The requested use protects adjoining premises against seriously detrimental uses. The existing allowed Police Department use will be
relocated to the north side of the parcel on which it is currently located. As a municipal use it is consistent with the mix of allowed uses
within the CB district.
(2) The requested use will promote the convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian movement within the site and on adjacent
streets, minimize traffic impacts on the streets and roads in the area. If applicable, this shall include considering the location of driveway
openings in relation to traffic and adjacent streets, access by emergency vehicles, the arrangement of parking and loading spaces, and
provisions for persons with disabilities. The redevelopment of the site will improve pedestrian safety through reduction in curb cuts and
clearly demarcated sidewalks leading from Gothic Street to Center Street. Parking for police business will include designated handicap
facilities and bicycle racks;
(3) The requested use will promote a harmonious relationship of structures and open spaces to the natural landscape, existing buildings
and other community assets in the area. The new building will be a significant improvement in architectural detail and compatibility over
the existing police station structure. The parking deck will provide a more efficient means of vehicle storage and will allow most of the
police vehicle storage to be hidden from view unlike the current situation; and
(4) The requested use will not overload, and will mitigate adverse impacts on, the City's resources including the effect on the City's water
supply and distribution system, sanitary and storm sewage collection and treatment systems. Improvements to the stormwater drainage
system will be made for this site and immediately surrounding parcels; and
(5) The requested use meets any special regulations set forth in this chapter including section 350 appendix 2 relative to allowed lower
height of the parking deck to fit the scale of the uses along Gothic Street toward Trumbull. The structures in this block are not the
heights nor density of other buildings along Main Street, Center Street or other side streets within the CB district. Through approval, the
Board granted waivers from the lighting standards that require .5 foot - candles at the property boundary in order to allow lighting of the
pedestrian ways through the site and along the public sidewalks in place of street lighting.; and
(6) The requested use bears a positive relationship to the public convenience or welfare. The use will not unduly impair the integrity of
character of the district or adjoining zones, nor be detrimental to the health, morals, or general welfare. The use shall be in harmony with
the general purpose and intent of the ordinance; and
(7) If applicable, the requested use will promote City planning objectives to the extent possible and will not adversely affect those
objectives, as defined in City master or study plans adopted under MGL c. 41, § 81C and 81D. The redevelopment of this site downtown
meets several components of the newly adopted Sustainable Northampton plan including increasing the density of office uses for police
department by increasing the size of the building on the same lot, maintaining the police presence in the central business district, and
more efficiently utilizing parking by creating a deck to accommodate police department needs. The parking deck further reduces the
expanse of surface parking lot area within the central business district. Finally, the overall project will be LEED certified.
COULD NOT DEROGATE BECAUSE.
FILING DEADLINE: MAILING DATE: HEARING CONTINUED DATE: DECISION DRAFT BY: APPEAL DATE:
9/4/2008 9/18/2008 10/30/2008
REFERRALS IN DATE: HEARING DEADLINE DATE: HEARING CLOSE DATE: FINAL SIGNING BY: APPEAL DEADLINE:
9/11/2008 11/12/2008 10/16/2008 10/30/2008 11/9/2008
FIRST ADVERTISING DATE: HEARING DATE: VOTING DATE: DECISION DATE:
9/11/2008 9/25/2008 10/16/2008 10/20/2008
SECOND ADVERTISING DATE' HEARING TIME. VOTING DEADLINE: DECISION DEADLINE:
9/18/2008 7:30 PM 1/14/2009 1/14/2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: VOTE:
Katharine G. Baker votes to Grant
Stephen Gilson votes to Grant
Jennifer Dieringer votes to Grant
Mark Sullivan votes to Grant
Francis Johnson votes to Grant
George Kohout votes to Grant
Keith Wilson votes to Grant
MOTION MADE BY. SECONDED BY. VOTE COUNT: DECISION:
Keith Wilson Jennifer Dieringer 7 Approved with Conditions
MINUTES OF MEETING:
Available in the Office of Planning & Development.
!, Carolyn Misch, as agent to the Planning Board, certify that this is a true and accurate decision made by the Planning Board and certify
that a copy of this and all plans have been filed with the Board and the City Clerk on the date shown above.
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RIG.
of il CITY CLERK
Planning - Decision City of Northampton
Hearing No.: PLN- 2009 -0008 Date: October 20, 2008
APPLICATION TYPE: SUBMISSION DATE
PB Special Permit with Major Site Pla 9/8/2008
Applicant's Name: Owner's Name:
NAME NAME:
NORTHAMPTON CITY OF NORTHAMPTON CITY OF
ADDRESS: ADDRESS:
210 MAIN STREET 210 Main Street
TOWN: STATE. ZIP CODE: TOWN: STATE. ZIP CODE:
NORTHAMPTON MA 01060 NORTHAMPTON MA 01060
PHONE NO.: FAX NO.. PHONE NO.: FAX NO.:
EMAIL ADDRESS: EMAIL ADDRESS:
•
Site Information: Surveyor's Name:
STREET NO: SITE ZONING: COMPANY NAME:
CENTER ST CB(100)/
TOWN: ACTION TAKEN. ADDRESS:
NORTHAMPTON MA 01060 Approved With Conditions
MAP: BLOCK: ' LOT: ' MAP DATE: SECTION OF BYLAW:
31B 271 001 Chpt. 350- 11: Site Plan Approval TOWN: STATE: ZIP CODE:
Book: Page.
PHONE NO.: FAX NO.:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
NATURE OF PROPOSED WORK:
Demolish existing building & parking lot; construct 3 story police dept. and 2 level parking deck (less than 30). Includes 31B -272 and
282.
HARDSHIP - .
CONDITION OF APPROVAL:
1) Prior to issuance of building permit, the applicant shall submit full construction documents for DPW
staff review of utility connections in accordance with DPW standards.
2. Final plans shall show bike racks to accommodate 6 bicycles. Additionally, two loops shall be
located within the lower parking deck, subject to DCAM approval.
3. Revised plans should be submitted showing a crosswalk striped in accordance with city policy and
using highly reflective materials such as tyregrip or other product leading from the deck to the
courthouse entrance. .
4. Parking spaces along Center Street shall remain available to the general public unless specific
occasions warrant their restrictions for specified limited periods as determined by the Parking
Commissioner.
5. If a dumpster is located on site, it shall be located on the lower parking deck.
6.A dumpster screen shall be provided for the 21 Center Street dumpsters.
7. Prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the applicant must submit a stamped plan by a
lighting engineer that shows the light levels are installed consistent with the approved plans.
FINDINGS:
The Planning Board voted to approve the site plan for the Police Department with waivers for traffic study based on the following plans
submitted with the application:
1. "Northampton Police Headquarters" Existing Conditions Sheet L -1 Prepared by Caolo & Bieniek Associates, Inc Dated 12 -07 & 10 -08.
2. "Northampton Police Headquarters" Sheets L -2 &3 Proposed Site Plan. Prepared by Caolo & Bieniek Associates, Inc Dated 12 -07 & 10-
08.
3. "Northampton Police Headquarters" Existing & Proposed Conditions Parking Sheets C -1 to C -6 Prepared by Tighe & Bond Consulting
Engineers Dated 10 -08.
4. "Exterior Renderings by Caolo & Bieniek Associates, dated 9 -11 -08
5. "Northampton Police Headquarters" Building Elevations Sheets A201, A202 by Caolo & Bieniek Associates, Inc Dated 9- 03 -08.
6. "City of Northampton Police Department Parking Garage fixture layout calculations, Prepared by Holophane lighting Michael Miceli
dated August 8, 2008 Sheet 1 of 1.
7. Lighting Detail Cut sheets.
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