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32C-230 (17) F• Zoning Board of Appeals City of Northampton Hearing No.: ZBA-2007-0013 Date: December 18, 2006 6. The Zoning ordinance clearly allows by-right the rebuilding of a non-conforming single or two-family after damage from fire/natural disaster when such are rebuilt in the exact footprint as the previously non-conforming structure.It also clearly allows by-right the reconstruction of other structures that are only partially damaged by fire and rebuilt in the exact footprint The Zoning is not as straightforward about reconstruction of single-family or two-family homes rebuilt in a slightly different footprint or other structures rebuilt in a slightly different footprint than the previous building. However,the City has consistently allowed these reconstructions to be pursued under the`Finding"standard(following the instruction under the 9.3 described above). Thus any change proposed that is outside the by-right parameters either because it is not in the exact footprint or it is not the reconstruction of a single or 2-family home would fall under the entire Finding umbrella for review. 7. Department of Public Works did not issue comments relative to site distance issues when the original finding application was made. The nature of their concerns related to sewer and water connections. CONDITIONS; 1. The location of the house is slightly different from the original submittal dated 7118106, The house will be 3'setback further from Hancock Street and 1'setback further from Williams Street. 2. The property owner will retain all healthy,mature trees on the lot that do not interfere with the construction of the proposed plan. COULD NOT DEROGATE BECAUSE: FILING DEADLINE: MAILING DATE: HEARING CONTINUED DATE: DECISION DRAFT BY: APPEAL DATE: Tue Nov 14,2006 Sat Dec 09,2006 Thu Dec 28,2006 REFERRALS IN DATE: HEARING DEADLINE DATE: HEARING CLOSE DATE: FINAL SIGNING BY: APPEAL DEADLINE: Sat Dec 02,2006 Sun Dec 24,2006 Thu Dec 14,2006 Thu Dec 28,2006 Sun Jan 07,2007 FIRST ADVERTISING DATE: HEARING DATE: VOTING DATE: DECISION DATE: Thu Nov 30,2006 Thu Dec 14,2006 Thu Dec 14,2006 Mon Dec 18,2006 SECOND ADVERTISING DATE: HEARING TIME: VOTING DEADLINE: DECISION DEADLINE: Thu Dec 07,2006 6:00 PM Fri Jan 26,2007 Sun Jan 28,2007 MEMBERS PRESENT: VOTE: Malcolm B.E.Smith votes to Deny Elizabeth Wroblicka votes to no action needed David Bloomberg votes to Deny Sara Northrup votes to Deny Bob Riddle votes to no action needed MOTION MADE BY: SECONDED BY: VOTE COUNT: DECISION: David Bloomberg Malcolm B.E.Smith 3-2 Denied MINUTES OF MEETING: Available in the Office of Planning&Development. 1,Carolyn Misch,as agent to the Zoning Board of Appeals,certify that this is a true and accurate decision made by the Zoning Board and certify that a copy of this and all plans have been filed with the Board and the City Clerk on December 18,2006 (�` certify that a copy of this decision has been mailed to the Owner and Applicant. D �� r�V a&p DEC 1 2006 CITY CLERKS OFFICE NORTHAMPTON MA 01060 NOTICE OF APPEAL An appeal from the deicsion of the Zoning Board may be made by any person aggrieved and pursuant to MGL Chapt 40A, Section 17 as amended,within(20)days 130 days for a residential Finding]after the date of the filing of this decision with the City Clerk. The date of filing is listed above. Such appeal maybe made to the Hampshire Superior Court with a certified copy of the appeal sent to the City Clerk of Northampton. January 9, 2007 I, Wendy Mazza, City Clerk of Northampton, hereby certify that the above Decision for an Appeal on the Zoning Administrators Decision from the Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals was filed in the Office of the City Clerk on December 18, 2 06, that twenty days have elapsed since such filing and that no additional appeal ha bed filed his matter. Attest: . GeoTMS®1998 Des Lauriers&Associates,Inc. City Clerk—City of Northampton [ C TTLAE Zoning Board of Appeals DEC 1 8 2006 tl City of Northampton Hearing No.: ZBA-2007-0013 r FR KS OFFICE Date: December 18, 2006 eons— A[I 1 VIA l VU APPLICATION TYPE: 161 SUBMISSION DATE: Appeal Fri Oct 20, 2006 IIIIIIIIIillll VII I IIII II II II II II I I Illilllllllll Applicant's Name: Bk: 9011 Pg:70 Page: 1 of 2 Owner's Name: NAME: Recorded: 01/16/2007 02:55 PM NAME: Arnold&Marilyn Levinson :i ALAN VERSON ADDRESS: ADDRESS: 14 Hancock St 56 Main St 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: Work Location.: SITE ZONING: 25 HANCOCK ST URC TOWN: SECTION OF BYLAW: NORTHAMPTON,MA 01060 Section 9.3 GIS# MAP: BLOCK: LOT: ACTION TAKEN: 6673 32C 230 001 Denied Reason for filing: Appeal of Zoning Administrator's decision to grant a Finding for the reconstruction of non-conforming use and structure destroyed by Fire at 25 Hancock St. HARDSHIP: FINDINGS: The full Zoning Board of Appeals denied the appeal of the original decision granted by the Zoning Administrator on September 14,2006. In its decision to deny the appeal,the Board upheld the Administrator's decision to Find that the proposed change in use and structure to a 2-family structure slated to be a 2-unit condominium was not substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood than the previously existing use of a 6-unit rooming house with 2 apartments. In so doing,the Board did modify the decision by issuing a Finding with two additional conditions not originally granted. In making its decision,the Board found. 1. Section 9.3 indicates that if one subsection does not apply then applicants shall proceed to subsequent sections. 2.Based on this instruction,the Building Commissioner and staff determined that due to the nature of the fire and the order by the Commissioner to demolish the remaining structure prior to obtaining a permit from the ZBA, the appropriate subsection under 9.3 was the general Finding Standard of 9.3(1H). Thus all non-conforming aspects of the property would be viewed under the Finding standard. 3. The previous condition is listed as containing 8-units on the assessor's card and has a state building code classification of a "rooming house". Although by zoning ordinance definition,a Rooming House is one that contains four or more units, the Assessor's do not classify properties in accordance with zoning definitions. The assessors consistently do not give mixed classifications of residential properties. A rooming or lodging house is defined in the zoning ordinance has having lodging units with shared kitchen facilities. By contrast Dwelling units are self contained living units as defined in section 2 of the zoning ordinance. Regardless of the differences between the Zoning Ordinance definitions and the Assessor's records,a Finding under 9.3(1H)would be the appropriate mechanism to alter a full rooming house to some other non-conforming structure/use. 4. The detached garage is allowed by right for any residential structure and is NOT part of the Finding except that it was viewed as a mitigating structure in that it provides more privacy to the abutting properties and screens vehicles from view. The zoning ordinance dimensional standards requires a 4'setback on the rear and side and 15'from the front lot line for detached accessory structures. 5. There are two different classifications for two-family structures which only relates to the URB zoning district where a special permit is required for a two-family that does not have a single entrance or shared party wall. The reference to grandfathering was instituted to address the"Single-lot exemption"provision in state statute(and also in§9.4)where a lot that has never been developed nor been in common ownership with an abutting parcel has an automatic allowance to be developed for either a single family home or a two-family home. This relatively new distinction for two family homes Northampton Zoning addresses problems with the single lot exemption. The table of use section states that in URC, "any other 2-family not subject to grandfathering,"is by-right. This project came before the board as a result of a pre-existing condition,not a grandfathered lot and the Finding would"cure'this issue. GeoTMS®1998 Des Lauriers&Associates,Inc. MAUINAL REFERENCE REQUESTED EIK Ua2 1 PG J File#MP-2007-0012 APPLICANT/CONTACT PERSON Wright Builders ADDRESS/PHONE 48 Bates St (413)586-8287 TROPE THIS SECTION FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY: PERMIT APPLICATION CHECKLIST ENCLOSED REQUIRED DATE ZONING FORM F tLLED OUT Building Permit Filled out Fee Paid Tyneof Construction: ZPA-2 FAMILY W/DET GARAGE New Construction Non Structural interior renovations Addition to Existing Accessory Structure Building Plans Included: Owner/Statement or License 3 sets of Plans/Plot Plan THE FOLLOWING ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN ON THIS APPLICATION BASED ON INFQRMATION PRESENTED: L-' Approved Additional permits required(see below) PLANNING BOARD PERMIT REQUIRED UNDER: § Intermediate Project : Site Plan AND/OR Special Permit with Site Plan Major Project: Site Plan AND/OR Special Permit with Site Plan ZONING BOARD PERMIT REQUIRED UNDER: § Finding / Special Permit Variance* s Received&Recorded at Registry of Deeds Proof Enclosed Other Permits Required: Curb Cut from DPW Water Availability Sewer Availability Septic Approval Board of Health Well Water Potability Board of Health Permit from Conservation Commission Permit from CB Architecture Committee Permit from Elm Street Commissio l i Signature of Building Official Date Note: Issuance of a Zoning permit does not relieve a applicant's burden to comply with all zoning requirements and obtain all required permits from Board of Health,Conservation Commission,Department of public works and other applicable permit granting authorities. *Variances are granted only to those applicants who meet the strict standards of MGL 40A. Contact the Office of Planning&Development for more information.