Northampton Zoning Board OKs continuance for North Farms Road variance to Nov. 13

The Northampton Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to continue a variance hearing for property at 0 North Farms Road in Florence to Nov. 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., and accepted the applicant's waiver extending the board's statutory decision deadline to Nov. 21, 2025.

The board took the procedural vote during a special remote meeting after staff said the applicant intends to submit modified plans and asked for more time. "The applicant has waived that requirement," a staff member, Nathan (staff), said, referring to the board's typical 90-day decision deadline under "master general law chapter 48 section 9." "October 8 is the 90 day deadline to make a decision for the board," Nathan added.

Why it matters: the continuance preserves time for the applicant to revise materials and ensures the board will not be required to rule on the application within the original statutory window. The board also noted that Maureen has recused herself from the matter and that the continued hearing will be heard by the three available members or their associates.

Details: The item concerns an application (record LU-25-16) by applicant counsel Thomas Reedy to add a fourth parcel to a shared driveway at 0 North Farms Road (Map ID 002-003). Board leadership said prior hearings on the matter had been continued without deliberation. One board member moved to "approve all of those requests and the date for the hearing to be November 13," and Aaron (board member) seconded the motion. The board then conducted a roll-call vote required for the remote session; David (board member), Elizabeth (board member), Sherry (board member) and Aaron each voted yes. The motion passed unanimously among those voting.

Procedure and next steps: Staff committed to filing the extension agreement with the city clerk as required by law. Nathan told the board no other applications had been filed in time for an October meeting, so the Nov. 13 date stands as the only scheduled hearing in the near term unless new filings arrive in time under the 30-day guideline for scheduling.

The board adjourned following the vote. The continuance means the merits of the variance will be considered at the continued Nov. 13 hearing; no substantive deliberation or decision on the variance occurred during the July session.