11-001 Soldier On DOT 2014-06-18Deval L. Patrick, Governor
Richard A. Davey. Secretary & CEO
Building
City of Northampton
212 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
/1-00 1
June 18,2014
Re: Request for Consent to Issuance of Building Permit
p[QPertyJ:,Q~~te4~t 421J"lQrthM~i!l Str~tjn Nor!hamptQnJL~eds).,. __ .'. ~
Massachusetts
File Reference # 14A-14
Dear Mr. Hasbrouck:
I am writing with respect to your request for my consent to the issuance of a
building pennit for construction of a residential development at 421 North Main Street in
Northampton, Massachusetts. The total parcel area is approximately 11.3 acres. The
parcel includes part of properties fonnerly of the Penn Central Transportation Company.
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 54A, provides that no city or
town in the Commonwealth shall issue a permit to build a structure of any kind on land
"fonnerly used as a railroad right-of-way or any property appurtenant thereto formerly
used by any railroad company in the Commonwealth," without the written consent ofthe
Secretary ofthe Massachusetts Department of Transportation ("MassDOT"). Pursuant to
the intent of this statute, I have the responsibility to preserve former railroad property in
the Commonwealth for present or future transportation-related use where appropriate.
After reviewing information on file at our office, canvassing interested agencies
and conducting a public hearing on June 23,2014, it has been determined that
consfructionon the property Wll1noTadversely imp· act any potential transportation use.
Accordingly, I give my consent to the issuance of-a building permit for the above-
referenced construction as detailed by the application materials.
Please note that, the proposed residential development would be situated in close proximity
to the Northampton Bike Path (which is part of the Bay State Greenway MassCentral
Corridor) and to transit services on North Main Street. Every effort should be made by the
proponent to plan, design and build the project in accordance with MassDOT's GreenDOT
and Healthy Transportation Policies, which call for increased use of bicycling, walking and
transit. Such measures would include, for example, secure indoor bicycle parking,
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prominent wayfinding signs to/from the Path, and transit, bicycling and walking information
in the building lobby.
This consent is granted by means of two original letters, one to the City of
Northampton Building Commissioner and the other to the applicant.
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