41-047 Wton Rd ZPA determination 2015-06-01City of Northampton
Massachusetts
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS
212 Main Street ● Municipal Building
Northampton, MA 01060
Delores Weise
53 Pinecrest Drive
Chicopee, MA 01020
41-047
June 2, 2015
Dear Ms. Weise,
You requested a determination as to whether the parcel of land on the southerly side of
Westhampton Road and identified as map 41, lot 047 is a legal building lot. It is my determination that it
is not.
It does not meet the current area requirements for a lot served by on site water and septic. The
area required for lots served by on site water and septic has been 80,000 square feet since at least
1996. At present, the lot only contains 77,453 square feet, making it nonconforming
Based on my review of the deeds and plans of the property and my knowledge of the City of
Northampton Zoning Ordinance, I have determined that the lot is also not grandfathered. At the time it
was created in 1987 it was likely a conforming lot, but became nonconforming because of a change in
the zoning ordinance in 1990 (new definition of "Lot Layout"). When the lot was reconfigured in 1994, it
was no longer the same lot as was in 1987 and lost its grandfathering.
Massachusetts G.L. 40A, §§ 8 and 15 provide for appeals. The appeal must be taken within 30
days of this decision. An appeal under § 8 is made to the permit granting authority; in Northampton, the
Zoning Board of Appeals. More information about the appeal process is available from the Office of
Planning; (413) 587-1266.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Respectfully,
Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
(413) 587-1240
lhasbrouck@city.northampton.ma.us
cc Northampton Office of Planning and Development