2 Burts Pit email 2019-11-1911/19/2019 City of Northampton Mail - Fwd: Permit at 2 Burts Pit
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=ec5f19a57e&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f%3A1650571473597198417%7Cmsg-f%3A16505714735971…1/1
Louis Hasbrouck <lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov>
Fwd: Permit at 2 Burts Pit
1 message
Kevin Ross <kross@northamptonma.gov>Mon, Nov 18, 2019 at 3:06 PM
To: Louis Hasbrouck <lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Libby Woodfin <libbywoodfin@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 18, 2019 at 12:14 PM
Subject: Permit at 2 Burts Pit
To: Kevin Ross <kross@northamptonma.gov>
Dear Kevin,
I have been in contact with Carolyn Misch today regarding the zoning board of appeals process. As I explained the history of our project we realized that
one of the issues that has caused this problem is that the ordinance regarding accessory structures changed in February of 2019. Since we first pulled the
permit and began construction on our studio about two years ago, we were working with the old ordinance, which didn't restrict the shower. We did all of
the planning with the architect/contractor and poured the concrete with the shower drain going by that ordinance and permit.
This is why the restriction that you emailed me last week came as such a surprise. Carolyn suggested that, based on the fact that we first opened the
permit and began construction under the old ordinance, that I go back to the building department for permission to include the shower.
From our perspective, we have stated that we will sign the restrictive covenant and that we have no plans to use the studio as a dwelling. We understand
your suspicions, but once we make that promise and sign that paper we are making a promise, right? The shower doesn't indicate that the building is a
dwelling and the restrictive covenant means that we can't change our minds and use it as a dwelling later down the road.
Here is the context about why the bathroom is important to us:
Our house only has one bathroom in it and is limited in space for a second. When we got estimates for the second bathroom they ran around
$30-$40,000 for a very small bathroom on the second floor. If we wanted a normal size shower (as opposed to a very small corner style stand-up
shower) we would have to dormer the roof and do extensive construction to upstairs bedrooms, which would increase that cost at least double. So
we decided to rebuild the studio and basically have our second bathroom be out there. It's cheaper to build the studio then put the bathroom in the
house, plus we get the benefit of office space, studio space, storage, etc.
There was a shed out there when we bought the house that had a bathroom in it. The previous owners used it as a pool cabana (the pool has
since been filled in). There was already a sewer line running under the lawn and into the basement of the house, connecting with the the sewer for
the house. There was also a water line, electricity, the whole deal. We knew that all of the utilities would be easy to hook up.
Our house also doesn't have any office space or an attic for dry storage so putting the second bathroom out there allows us to also add space for
those purposes.
Based on my conversation with Carolyn and with you, it kind of feels like our project is in a little bit of a gray area. I would be happy to get letters from our
neighbors or anything else I can do, in addition to the restrictive covenant, to show you our intent that we just want this space to be extra space to meet
the needs that our house is currently not meeting for bathroom, office/studio, and storage.
Thanks for considering,
Libby Woodfin
--
Kevin Ross
Local Building Inspector
212 Main Street 587-1240
Northampton,MA 01060 Fax 587-1272
kross@northamptonma.gov