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Oxbow Soccer Planning Board Minutes 2007-06-14The Northampton Planning Board Minutes of Meeting June 14, 2007 , , , City Council Chambers 220 Main 8t Northampton MA Members Present: Time III Chair, Francis "Frandy" Johnson 7p-12:35am III Vice Chair, George Kohout 7p-12:35am III Keith Wilson 7p-12:35am III Kenneth Jodrie 7p-12:35am III Jennifer Dieringer 7:10p-12:35am III Stephen Gilson 7p-12:35am III David Wilensky 7p-12:35am (left 8:25, return 10:10) III Paul Voss, Associate Member 7p-12:35am III George Russell, Associate Member 7p-12:35am 6:55 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the continuation of review of site plan for Microcal at 22 Industrial Drive East to discuss the following remaining items: Stormwater, Traffic Mitigation, 0 & M plan, Easement Infiltration chamber. Mike Liu, applicant's consultant, went over the changes made since the last hearing (May 24, 2007). He stated that the trees will be relocated to west side of lot and two would be relocated along the swale. Keith Wilson asked about traffic mitigation. Liu described the proposal to construct an extension of the sidewalk from the existing terminus on Bates to Bradford Street within the right-of-way. Keith Wilson asked about ride share program and suggested that the language should be changed to include all employees who don't bring a car to the site. Scott Ricker, an "independent access specialist" from Southwick Mass. asked whether this building was open for the public. The applicant clarified that this was a private business. There were no other public comments. The Board discussed permit conditions and comments from Department of Public Works. Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Stephen Gilson, the board voted unanimously to close the hearing. Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second George Kohout the board voted unanimously to approve the Site Plan with conditions discussed. There was a discussion about rerouting traffic circulation and screening. Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Ken Jodrie, the Board voted unanimously to continue to July 267:20 P.M. so the noncompliance issues could be addressed which included the mural and the lighting. 8:25 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the request by Western United Football Club & Northampton Soccer Club for a Special Permit for outdoor recreation soccer fields on Island Rd, Northampton, Map IDs 45-20, 58; 46-21. David Wilensky stepped down due to a conflict. Jonathan Wright presented application on behalf of the two soccer clubs. He clarified the history of the fields in use and what the proposed schedule would be. There are 52 acres of soccer fields now being maintained by the property owner (Duda). Use of fields is for 500 + families. The president of the Northampton Soccer Club described the changes involved in moving to other fields to spread out the impact. Tim Murphy, Western United football club described his program needs. The goal is to reduce the play to 2003 levels as shown in permit. Wright distributed the traffic counts and determined that there was approximately one car per player. He described their efforts to look at shuttle services and shared parking arrangements. Wright stated the soccer club had secured a permanent speed board for Island Road. Joanne Campbell 431 Rocky Hill Rd, spoke in favor of soccer club use of the fields. Barry Hirsch, 36 Massasoit St, spoke in favor of need of fields and fact that high traffic users are located elsewhere, like on Massasoit Street where the YMCA is located. Emersyn Pullan, player, spoke in favor of soccer programs. Sabra Aquadro, Forbes Ave, spoke about other high traffic areas. Schecter and that her feeling was that the Y works to deal with traffic in the neighborhood. Marilyn Richards, ward councilor, spoke against the use based on volume of cars that travel through neighborhood and the resulting impacts. Jennifer Remillard, 178 Island Rd., spoke against the volume of traffic and clarified that the additional fields on south side of Island Rd. is the problem. Peter Shirac, Sr., owns property (Easthampton resident) on Island Rd. and argued that the soccer club isn't allowed a permit. He spoke against permit. Cathy Sargent, 115 Island Road, spoke against the soccer field use and asked about practice times. John Fitz-Gibbon, representing neighbors stated that the original permit was for the 150 boat slips and now the Marina has 320 docks. He argued that Soccer is not permitted and read the approval criteria for a special permit. Dave Tischler, resident, spoke about the bad traffic. Karen Simon, resident, spoke against the project and enumerated environmental concerns and impacts of fertilizers etc used on the fields. Marion McDonald, Crescent Street whose daughter plays soccer, made statements about the difficulty in keeping fields for the kids without having an impact on the neighborhood. Jim Dostal, Ryan Road, spoke about the benefits that Duda has granted to soccer. Stated that city should reclaim road to original width. Garrit Stover reiterated need to protect environment interests. Laura Mele, 115 Island Road, showed petition signed against the project. Glen Golata, 112 Island Road, spoke against the use. George Kohout asked about how the use got to this situation. Staff described the history of permits/evaluations. Francis Johnson asked for Tony Patillo to speak. Board discussed whether the soccer uses could be separated from marina. Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Ken Jodrie the board voted unanimously to continue to 7:45 on July 26 so that more data on traffic could be collected. 10:10 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the request by Pioneer Valley Hotel Group for Site Plan Approval to construct a 106 room hotel and associated parking, restaurant and meeting space at 260 Main St, Northampton, Map I D 31 D-167. Wayne Feiden described the history and housing redevelopment. Mark Darnold presented the application and renderings. He presented photo representation of similar buildings downtown and photos of alley with less than 15' of distance. Keith Wilson asked about the dumpster and trash removal. The applicant indicated that service would be provided once per week. Phyllis Roder, resident, questioned if "poisons" coming out of the ground. John Skibiski, Hatfield Street, asked about city surplus land and argued that this would be a good location for the new police station. He generally voiced opposition to the project. Joanne Campbell, Valley CDC and co-owner of residential building on South Street that abuts locus, commented that the first floor apartments only have windows facing parking lot and the new structure would significantly impact these units. Micheal DiPasquale, Kensington Ave., stated interest in making the hotel a bit more public by allowing walk-through access to the parking lot. Spoke of advantages of the hotel. Bill Pastore, 28A New South Street, spoke against project. Peter Frothingham, 181 Main Street, Architect, spoke about the impact on the New South St., apartment building and read from his letter that was submitted for the record. Mary Casper, High Street, Florence, stated concern about scale and size of building. She asked that taller trees be used for screening the building and that minimum light standards be incorporated. Michael Kusak, Center Street, raised concern about size and scale and impact on events in the park.