Clarke Infirmary from 2006 Planning Board minutesThe Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
November 9, 2006
, , , Council Chambers 212 Main Street Northampton MA
Members Present: Time
0 Chair, Francis "Frandy" Johnson
0 Vice Chair, George Kohout
0 Keith Wilson
0 Kenneth Jodrie
0 Jennifer Dieringer
0 Fran Volkmann
0 David Wilensky 7:25
0 Paul Voss, Associate Member
0 George Russell, Associate Member
7:05 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the hearing of a Request by C. Douglas Hinckley for Site Plan
Approval to convert a building to four residential units, create a common driveway and allow side lot
access to a third lot at 48 Round Hill Rd, Northampton, Map ID 31 B-63.
Ed Etheredge, representing Clarke School introduced project and landscape architect.
Jay Vinski, landscape consultant for the Clarke School, described the plan.
The Board discussed curb cut widths of the driveways.
Staff described zero lot-line requirements and dumpster.
Paul Voss asked about pedestrian access to Round Hill.
Fran Volkmann asked about the extensive new driveway.
Keith Wilson gave perspective of use relative to neighborhood and location of public sidewalks.
Sara Krohn, 19 Langworthy raised concerns about a dumpster, plants and lighting.
An unidentified woman, describing herself as homeless, made comments about asphalt.
The Board discussed drainage and lighting.
Paul Voss stated that he was unwilling to support the plan because there was no pedestrian access
separated from the driveway.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by George Russell, the board voted unanimously to close the
hearing.
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The Board discussed proposed conditions and issue of eliminating the fence.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by George Russell, the board voted(7-1 Paul Voss) to approve
with conditions and waiver for the fence.
7:50 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the request by Zilla Vorhees for Site Plan Approval to expand a
driveway curb cut beyond 15' at 75 Barrett St, Northampton, Map ID 24B-5.
Joseph LaMore, resident explained that the driveway was expanded without permits based on information
from their paving contractor.
The Board discussed whether to require curbing to be installed to close the opening along the street to a
maximum of 15'.
Joan Buche, 159 Jackson St, noticed that this is next to Hamden Garden Driveway and raised this
concern.
Board discussed entry and a controlled entry creating a safer driveway.
Upon motion by George Russell and second by Keith Wilson the board voted unanimously to close the
hearing.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Ken Jodrie the board voted 7-1 (abstention by Fran
Volkmann) to deny site plan approval and require that a bituminous curb in accordance with Department
of Public Works standards be installed to close the opening to 15'.
8:25 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the continuation of hearing on the expansion of PVC West parking lot
on Industrial Drive.
Mark Tanner described the new information.
Michael Trechy, director of Northampton Career Center described the number of people anticipated to be
served. Specifically, they tend to see 64 individuals per week or 12 people per day.
David Wilensky asked how many staff were on site.
Trechy stated that there would be 17 staff on site on any given day.
Paul Voss asked for an overview of open area shown on the floor plans.
George Kohout asked how customers arrive/access the building.
Trechy stated that they did customer surveys to find and determine that few arrive by walking and bus,
but the majority come by car and drop off.
Paul Voss asked about office uses and whether they are related to training.
Trechy stated they work with employers and job seekers.
The Board discussed how to classify the use and whether this was an educational use based on
presentation and calendar submitted.
Greg Galanek, representing the abutter Craig Bradford, distributed materials to substantiate educational
use. He raised concerns about pedestrian safety and parking trespass.
Tanner argued that the classroom is accessory to the main office use.
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