Oxbow Soccer Planning Board Minutes 2007-07-26The Northampton Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
July 26,2007
, , , City Council Chambers 212 Main 8t Northampton MA
Members Present: Time
Il! Chair, Francis "Frandy" Johnson 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Il! Vice Chair, George Kohout 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Il! Keith Wilson 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Il! Kenneth Jodrie 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Il! Jennifer Dieringer 7 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Il! Stephen Gilson 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Il! Paul Voss, Associate Member 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Il! George Russell, Associate Member 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Planning Director, Wayne Feiden 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Senior Planner, Carolyn Misch 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
7:00 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the continuation of a request by Pat and Shelley Haggerty-Rahn for
Site Plan Approval for reduction in Parking at 149 Elm Street.
Staff presented the request to withdraw.
Upon motion by Ken Jodrie and second by Keith Wilson, the board voted unanimously to allow withdrawal
without prejudice.
7:00 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the request by John Ewing for Site Plan Approval to construct a
common driveway at 297 Old Wilson Rd, Florence, Map ID 44-116.
Roger Walezek, representing applicant, gave overall description of the project.
Staff Read DPW comments including the criteria that the distance of 300' maximum separation for
turnouts had not been met.
The Board discussed site plan approval criteria and traffic mitigation criteria.
The applicant offered $2,000 per lot prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy for each lot to conform to
11.6.
Upon motion by George Russell and second by Paul Voss voted unanimously to close the hearing.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Paul Voss, the Board voted unanimously to approve with
conditions discussed.
7:20 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the continuation of a request by Dave Ratner for Site Plan
Amendment at 971 Bridge Road.
Dave described fencing and showed picture of fencing and idea of installing loading zone sign that would
be mobile in the middle of the drive aisle and could be moved to allow trucks.
The Board discussed safety issues around blocking the view of the crosswalk coming from Hampshire
Heights and conformance with the lighting standards.
Upon motion by Ken Jodrie and second by Keith Wilson, the Board voted unanimously to close the
hearing.
Upon motion by Paul Voss and second Ken Jodrie, the Board voted unanimously to approve the
7:50 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the continuation of a request by Northampton Soccer Club for special
permit at the Oxbow on Island Road.
Staff described data gathered by DPW on Island Road. The Board discussed traffic volumes.
Keith Wilson described data and volumes.
Jonathan Wright, representing Northampton Soccer Club, argued that Island Road has not been
historically a quiet road. He argued that there are no other violations with the Marina and asked for a 5
year permit.
Jennifer Dieringer asked about carpooling from the Packaging Corp. (PCA) site.
Kevin Krumholtz of Northampton Soccer Club stated that PCA wants a waiver of liability from City before
it allows parking on its property. He also stated that the someone (the city) would need to brush-hog a
walking path to the soccer field for this to work.
Francis Johnson asked about the break-down of NCC vs. Western united game and practice schedule.
Wright stated that NCC had 14 teams and Western had 18 teams. Traffic counts showed Saturday
figures were NCC and Sunday figures were Western United.
Jennifer Dieringer asked about reducing the use by Western United.
NCC stated that Oxbow loves to see kids play there. He further stated that Duda, the owner, informed
them that all teams must stay. If one goes, all go, including high school and college crew.
Paul Voss asked if this was a threat?
Owen Lococco, Northampton High School coach emphasized that Western united has been at Oxbow
since 1990s.
Paul Voss asked what fee was being paid for the use of the fields?
Kevin Krumholtz, NCC stated $20,000.
Tim Murphy, President of Western United stated several thousand more for their club.
Jennifer Dieringer asked about disincentive for single occupant vehicle.
Karen Simon, 91 Island Rd, commented that she heard there was a $50,000 payment for use of the
fields. She stated further that the residents have nowhere else to go.
Attorney Fitz-Gibbon, representing the neighborhood, stated that a 5-year permit was too long and that 1-
year permit should be granted only.
Jennifer Remillard, 178 Island Road stated that a Conservation Commission permit should have been
granted for regrading and seeding.
John Stiffler, Northampton resident stated that the soccer club has obligation to support Island Road
residents and feels that club will step up to the challenge.
Jonathan Wright stated that Cons. Comm did sign off on grading requirements.
Jim Pelligrino, 78 Turkey Hill Rd. stated support for soccer.
Councilor M. LaBarge, spoke in favor of soccer and the marina. She decried the fact that the City had
failed its youth and indicated that the City needs more fields.
Lisa Maloney, 168 North St, spoke of empathy with Island Rd. residents and spoke in favor of soccer
program.
Maggie Leonard, Rust Ave, soccer mom stated that mitigation can't be solved in a short time frame such
as a year.
Kenneth Hahn stated that the city needs fields and everyone agrees with that.
Owen Loccoco, made a statement about uses is 61 B tax classification.
Councilor Dostal stated that the city has failed its youth. Stated that the road needs to be reclaimed. He
indicted that he would personally take into his own hands to reclaim it.
Andy Cohen, 113 Market Street, suggested auto tickets for speeding and that the speed should be set at
15 mph not 25.
Keith Wilson asked about schedule changes and reduction in level of vehicles. He suggested that the
play times be separated and distributed through the city.
Keith Wilson asked about practice schedule during the weekdays.
Wright clarified that not all teams practice on one night, that it was 4-6 teams practicing per night and 8
for Western United.
Keith Wilson asked if practice could be staggered. Keith Wilson confirmed that games are no more than
2 per night during the week plus practice.
Wright clarified that there were never games on Monday or Friday and typically no practice on these days
either.
Western United clarified that there were no weekday games unless they were make ups for rain day.
Then there would be no more than 2 games on any given night.
The Board discussed the schedule.
Upon motion by Jennifer Dieringer and second by Keith Wilson, voted unanimously to close the hearing.
Board discussed issues and how to frame a decision.
Jennifer Dieringer suggested that volume be reduced by implementing what was offered by applicant,
such as shuttle or 60 free lot space.
George Russell stated that we owe it to the youth.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Jennifer Dieringer to approve unanimously a permit valid
through June 30, 2010 with conditions discussed above.
10:25 P.M. Francis Johnson opened the request by Hospital Hill LLC for Subdivision Amendment and
Special Permit Amendment for property located at Earle Street, Northampton, Map Id 38-50.
Michael Sweet, attorney representing applicant, described need to carve out lot 12Jrom
covenants.
Beth Murphy clarified the park issue and wanting to merge it with adjacent lot.
Staff read Department of Public Works comments.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Jennifer Dieringer, voted unanimously to close the hearing.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Jennifer Dieringer voted unanimously to approve
requested amendments and waivers, with condition discussed.
10:50 P.M. Francis Johnson opened request by VCA, Inc. for Site Plan Amendment for property at
Earle St, Northampton Map ID 38A-1 03(lot 12A).
Ellen Freyman, introduced development team.
Bruce Voltz described the product.
Aharon Sharff, engineer for applicant, described application.
Staff asked for clarification about future 9 parking spaces.
David Loring of Tighe & Bond clarified that extra parking spaces were included in the DPW revisions.
Discussion of cross-easements for parking.
George Kohout asked about lighting and the bollards in parking area.
The Board discussed sidewalks.
George Kohout asked about green building components.
Staff read Department of Public Works Comments.
Applicant stated that truck template requires wider neck and need 34' of width for truck and grade.
Mitch Bilotin, Audubon Rd, Leeds spoke in favor of the application.
Upon motion by George Kohout and second by Paul Voss, the Board voted unanimously to close hearing.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by George Russell the Board voted unanimously to approve
permit with conditions.
12 A.M. Staff discussed subdivision conditions of state hospital-Phase II north campus.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Stephen Gilson, voted unanimously to close hearing.
Upon motion by Keith Wilson and second by Ken Jodrie, the board voted 5-0 (Paul Voss and George
Russell not eligible) to approve with conditions.
Adjourned 12:30 a.m.