NORTHAMPTON, Massachusetts – Capital Video Corp., a Rhode Island-based company owned by Kenny Guarino, that plans to open a store that sells sexually explicit materials on King Street, officially filed its plans Monday with the Planning Department.
The material submitted by Capital contains no changes in the plans the company has previously disclosed. Many of the specifics deal with the remodeling of the interior of the former Kia dealership building at 135 King St. Questions on the form dealing with issues such as changes in traffic patterns and stormwater control were checked off as not applicable.
Capital, which owns a number of stores throughout New England, including one in Springfield, had originally proposed an operation that including private booths where customers could view sexually explicit materials. The company has stores with such facilities in Maine and some other locations. Capital dropped that aspect of the plan, however, after neighboring residents heatedly objected to the booths, maintaining that they would create health hazards and encourage sexual activity on or near the premises.
Particulars of the plan include:
Complete remodeling of the building’s interior, including new partitions and bathrooms in the retail area.
Upgrading of the fire alarm system.
An agreement to create signage according to local codes.
When Capital first applied for a building permit, Building Commissioner Anthony L. Patillo advised the company that it would need to create more parking spaces. The plan submitted Monday calculates that, by code, the store must have 21 parking spaces, an increase of nine over the previous use. The calculations, which are based on part on square footage, assume that Capital will remove the second floor of the building.
Although the Planning Board does not have the authority to regulate the use of the building, it can ask Capital for more information on topics such as traffic before granting site plan approval. The matter has not yet been scheduled for a board hearing.
Adam Cohen and Jendi Reiter, who live on North Street near the former Kia dealership at 135 King St. where Capital Video wants to operate, formed a group called NoPornNorthampton. They are demanding zoning changes that would restrict adult-themed businesses in Northampton.
One of the group’s main concerns was the original plans for viewing booths. Those booths have since been dropped from Capital’s plans.