Status 2011-03-28Charlotte, et al
I issued a temporary certificate of occupancy for the Kollmorgen building in January. It will expire in July. The terms of the temporary certificate require compliance
with the conditions of the special permit as well as signoffs by the Conservation Commission, the Department of Public Works and the Fire Department. Site and sound barriers are part
of those conditions, as are sound and lighting levels.
In answer to your recent questions:
Is there anything you can do to appeal this?
I’m assuming that you mean the site lighting.
If you submit a formal (written) complaint concerning violation of a zoning ordinance, I will provide a written determination within 14 days. You can then appeal my decision. The appeal
period for the special permit to construct the Kollmorgen facility passed in 2009.
Question regarding the sound and site buffers
The sound and site buffers (specifically the plantings
shown on the approved site plan) have not been placed yet. Construction of the building was completed in December. I anticipate that the plantings will happen as soon as the weather
allows.
Site Plans
The site plans are available on the Planning Department’s website. The development of the former Northampton State Hospital grounds has been in the works since the
1970’s. There is a lot of information on the website so it can be difficult to find a specific document. I could send the package that includes the referenced sheets but it is ~3 mb;
will that work with your email?
Meeting minutes
My meeting with the developer and Kollmorgen was not a public meeting and I don’t take minutes. I have communicated the substance of
my meetings and phone conversations.
Keeping the non-compliant fixtures on, and time frame for replacement
The fixtures are staying on because they are required for site security. The
pole light fixtures were installed in good faith and as approved by the planning board, and the sidewall light fixtures are not presently available. As I’ve said before, the developer
and the owners are working on this problem and I am confident that it will be resolved as soon as possible.
Please know that I am working ensure that the requirements of the city’s
zoning ordinances are met.