[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6092854,"mediaKeyId","2851961-6a65884e635fca978a50b63a3aad635d","parentId",2851961,"title","Northampton Planning Board elects Janet White chair and Chris Tate vice chair","audioSeconds",44,"startMs",3052000,"endMs",3096000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2851961-6a65884e635fca978a50b63a3aad635d&start=3052&end=3096","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2851961-6a65884e635fca978a50b63a3aad635d/thumbnail_3052000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6092854/Massachusetts/Northampton-Planning-Board-elects-Janet-White-chair-and-Chris-Tate-vice-chair","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092854-d618b72253380454cd5cec155c601dd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929675&Signature=Z~~doWJKCSOVAqpPyvFOSAient2~BYelFQ2Tt~595cZ9wMdGDb0obgQHQ8MEtKv27laZiUWvpudK8MTQ6ONvODae2BIokKNgdJGeTGePBbte5RUD6kxp3lzetfV9nmZuDN0CCqMRvaM9Ma9GTu5nfHUtTVmDD6SW9E1-As0j-knMEbTFMrCfo-tgvVnprL7KcwjACTGyG42GgZT-Brj5uZgCdpbNraGi9PGbB8h8VLSHqArd~XQAAoR~yZfwCb7lya5fkhMg~dHsnKjCMDsaGz2f7zXu~Ia1w8aAEZQt~6T7nPSUBP~HOcK432cz7edjGzFdHhEKyGrZQJ6-eyOqUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-04-02T19:19:01.303Z","article","The Northampton Planning Board held internal elections at its March 27 meeting and selected Janet White as chair and Chris Tate as vice chair.

Janet White was nominated from the floor and the nomination was seconded; White accepted the nomination. A roll-call vote was taken; Rich Baker, Chris Tate, Stacy and George voted in favor; the transcript records White recording an abstention during the roll call but the board announced the outcome as accepted. The board then nominated and confirmed Chris Tate as vice chair; that vote was recorded as unanimous among members participating in the roll call.

Board members noted there are no term limits in the appointing ordinance and thanked outgoing chair George for his service. The board also discussed assignments and representation on other municipal committees (CPC, housing partnership) that members serve on, and signaled they would return later to assign liaison roles.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northampton Planning Board | March 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 27 meeting the Northampton Planning Board nominated and voted to appoint Janet White as chair and Chris Tate as vice chair; roll-call votes were taken.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6092860,"Planning staff seeks public input on First Church Plaza redesign as part of Main Street work",144,2806000,2950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2851961-6a65884e635fca978a50b63a3aad635d&start=2806&end=2950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2851961-6a65884e635fca978a50b63a3aad635d/thumbnail_2806000.jpg","/articles/6092860/Massachusetts/Planning-staff-seeks-public-input-on-First-Church-Plaza-redesign-as-part-of-Main-Street-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092860-f3b5f16114b6793e91b536f1babf1bdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929675&Signature=CkuNjm6IwmTvF28-ooDCv3H0IcaKRIEOBfYwtqAfYoeQajHS2jVHTH-mHpNcu70aZD33gGLVwQFj61JjlyfACnSH46hV-HzrXs~EwfTzpkunivy4RyaSnfJNA-c~mYQkw1IrciDQuCkrVXPoqt8W2KOqivSUeZRA6BzWMlndstf2e3KLmEMdal7RJSX381CP2Qlhl~3PbcCm302B-aryfsX3yA3e8grayI4tAXEvH531q9xBZGr9CFVMnBQJL~bdNmBzzsfnbku91yE9O411MTYSNEaI40H9csB5SbpVByc4IgkPNYnf0fWT0AYr0llOhjaWNpEbnvC5NkJwom7Y5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff told the Northampton Planning Board on March 27 that a concept plan has been developed to reconfigure First Church Plaza — the public park in front of First Church — as part of the larger Main Street streetscape project and invited the public to review the concept on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

Staff said the plaza is a public park that the church helps maintain under a recorded agreement at the registry; the project team has coordinated with church leadership, including the pastor, to ensure the plaza design accommodates church activities. The planning department noted the plaza redesign is a “non-participating” element in the Main Street contract, meaning MassDOT will not fund the plaza improvements; any work there would need separate funding such as park grants or Community Preservation Act (CPC) funds, though the work could be constructed at the same time as the Main Street contractor’s schedule.

Staff also said the existing steel kiosk will be removed; the city has discussed relocating the kiosk and bench to a trailhead or other trail-adjacent location so the kiosk can continue to serve trail and community uses. The planning staff invited residents to a brief Sunday viewing session for the concept plan before designers finalize details.","Planning staff announced a concept plan and public viewing for a proposed redesign of the public plaza at First Church Plaza, part of the larger Main Street project; plaza improvements would be funded separately from MassDOT work.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6092865,"Planning Board continues 3 Elm Street mixed-use hearing to April 24 as DPW stormwater review continues",414,2381000,2795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2851961-6a65884e635fca978a50b63a3aad635d&start=2381&end=2795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2851961-6a65884e635fca978a50b63a3aad635d/thumbnail_2381000.jpg","/articles/6092865/Massachusetts/Planning-Board-continues-3-Elm-Street-mixed-use-hearing-to-April-24-as-DPW-stormwater-review-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092865-36ea4b95ba9e3efc1652b441504e962a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929675&Signature=lpALFR9vDs6oMl4i5LPRoY2BjVhMERqxqEgphI9Y~uce~gOTJkpA-RJcRkJRLNnDzmVJONK6ME~-0GSaxAytzw-cvHeaPrOui-CZwEOGr3foRetBGO0qXEGSzAuCVS7hZE8urkxSxDrlDsjKvle1e4H7T0ENUBZkp-7cy2iCrWkBY90227NMqofhbRj60YvkQlvkcWqjzGRY3ZBb8J~zLNaS2zwCJBDF77EvTQJAQA1c4zZTIMu2SnEplPzYQcnR58LIlHr9cTQcp5FJ17DoC-5DJmwrcczEMn2LYocsKwsedVULAVgbrrvD3Ab29NktkQqJ6pPelsqhUlcrrqEPnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton Planning Board on March 27 continued the public hearing for a site plan and special permit application by Berkshire Design Group on behalf of Sunwood Builders LLC for a proposed five-story mixed-use building at 3 Elm Street. The board set the next hearing date for April 24 at 7 p.m. to allow the Department of Public Works (DPW) to complete stormwater review of revised materials.

Staff reported that DPW stormwater analysis remains outstanding and that the planning board cannot close the hearing until the city issues the required DPW stormwater permit for the project. Updated plans were submitted to the city shortly before the March 27 meeting; staff said there was insufficient time to review those materials before the hearing.

Board members discussed scheduling and quorum concerns for future hearings. Several members noted conflicts with April meeting dates; the board settled on April 24 to provide DPW additional time for review and to secure a quorum for the special-permit decision.

The board announced there would be no public comment taken at the March 27 session because the item was continued; public comment will be invited at the continued hearing. A motion to continue the hearing to April 24 at 7 p.m. was made and seconded; the board voted unanimously to continue.

Staff advised applicants to submit final revisions to DPW and to coordinate outstanding plan adjustments; DPW must complete stormwater review before the board can close the hearing.","The board continued the site plan and special permit hearing for a proposed five-story, 71-unit mixed-use building at 3 Elm Street to April 24 to allow DPW stormwater review and time for revised applicant submissions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6092868,"Planning Board approves two-family home at 1005 Park Hill Road with tree-protection and DPW conditions",2253,102000,2355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2851961-6a65884e635fca978a50b63a3aad635d&start=102&end=2355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2851961-6a65884e635fca978a50b63a3aad635d/thumbnail_102000.jpg","/articles/6092868/Massachusetts/Planning-Board-approves-two-family-home-at-1005-Park-Hill-Road-with-tree-protection-and-DPW-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092868-4c7ac1ef4a967fedf68fb33682038060/orig.mp4?Expires=1770929675&Signature=NlL~u7crgBk-KB3jchYOUiFJPUGe3KknsJnHge~wF58H0JJ-8JnX4JuH6lXcGBRn~Ca9pibLigD2vuWEvslgrrk~MXwercALvKan6Q79g9au0CLTWoDWKJQDhwh9JMPVEJ6eQJx5I3Byb4ok0IMcyY6qvFaKtjO70yiLyKsAz0rhl~YHd~E52CD794OP06s~JVAJdn5WHG9CRCJe~MpjyTPPl0SMAigYiAMlLP412fC5Pn3LYKYHU55i7kh0ZP0TArj9jia8CZkEVGo~Qo-Yev-4UoqYgZxpuuBw6us6zSONDFZwfP~g9gE8WwdiOBOaJbDMtSxADMjCgp8NpveJ~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton Planning Board on March 27 approved a site plan and special permit for a two-family dwelling at 1005 Park Hill Road in the Florence neighborhood, with conditions requiring Department of Public Works (DPW) review of revised plans, proof of the public shade-tree hearing, and tree-protection measures on private property.

The application, listed in the meeting notice as filed by Jonathan Goddard, was presented by John Goddard, a landscape architect with Southampton Consulting Group, who described a two-unit building set into a slope with one-story garage level and three-bedroom units above. Goddard said each unit would have one garage space and one exterior parking space — two spaces per unit — and that the plan locates most runoff to a rain garden while keeping total impervious area under 10 percent of the parcel.

Board members and staff discussed site constraints including steep slopes, large existing oak trees along the frontage, and that the property lies within the city’s Water Supply Protection District. John Goddard said the disturbance envelope is “a little over half an acre” (about 26,000 square feet) and that the design uses an alternative septic (presby-style) system to reduce footprint. He noted the proposal maps 18 significant trees, four classified as public shade trees, and that about 11 trees on the parcel would be impacted under the current plan.

Carolyn (city staff) and board members flagged DPW comments requiring removal of grading from the public right-of-way, stormwater/driveway slope checks, and coordination on public shade-tree removals. Carolyn explained that removal or mitigation of public shade trees is handled through a separate public hearing process overseen by the city’s tree warden and urban forestry commission and that any required mitigation in the right-of-way is distinct from private-property tree mitigation under zoning.

As conditions of approval the board required: submission of DPW‑compliant revised plans to DPW prior to site work, proof that the applicant has completed the public shade-tree hearing process, installation and verification of tree protection on private property per the applicant’s arborist (with arborist certification), and tree replacement or payment into the city tree fund totaling 16 inches of replacement-caliper trees or as determined at final calculation at certificate of occupancy. The board also approved administrative flexibility for minor driveway/hammerhead modifications provided the final impervious area does not increase from the plan before the board.

Chris Tate moved to approve the special permit and site plan; Janet White seconded. The board voted in favor; the chair announced the approval as unanimous.

The board closed the public hearing on the application before voting; no members of the public spoke at the meeting on this item. Staff and the applicant will coordinate final plan revisions with DPW, the urban forestry commission/tree warden public hearing, and the city arborist inspections prior to any site work or building permit issuance.

The applicant, project team and staff were directed to provide the revised DPW drawings and supporting arborist documentation, and staff indicated tree-caliper accounting will be completed at final inspection.","The Northampton Planning Board approved a site plan and special permit for a two-family home at 1005 Park Hill Road, Florence, with conditions addressing public shade trees, DPW plan revisions, and tree mitigation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northampton Planning Board elects Janet White chair and Chris Tate vice chair

Planning staff seeks public input on First Church Plaza redesign as part of Main Street work

Planning Board continues 3 Elm Street mixed-use hearing to April 24 as DPW stormwater review continues

Planning Board approves two-family home at 1005 Park Hill Road with tree-protection and DPW conditions