The Ward 3 Neighborhood Association is making the following call for signatures: The Traffic Calming Committee of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association is almost ready to submit our application packet to the city’s Parking and Transportation Commission to have them do a traffic calming study in the neighborhood bordered by Bridge St., Pleasant St. and […]
Continue reading Ward 3 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study Needs Neighbors’ Signatures
Kohl Construction claims its North Street condo proposal deserves deference as “infill”, but its proposal is in fact at odds with many recommendations of the Sustainable Northampton Plan. In our last article, we discussed how Kohl’s latest concept now includes two cul-de-sacs. These are disfavored by the Sustainable Northampton Plan and in this case for […]
The Sustainable Northampton Plan disfavors cul-de-sacs. Page 51 states: Avoid creating cul-de-sacs and dead ends when possible and instead create a network of streets. Dead end streets, while desirable to some residents, add significantly to the delivery of city services and increases traffic flows to other local streets… Kohl Construction’s latest condo proposal for North […]
Today’s Gazette reports: Developer to submit revised North Street plans Despite withdrawing an application to the Conservation Commission for a townhouse development in the North Street neighborhood, developer Douglas Kohl has not abandoned the controversial project and plans on submitting revised plans in May… The new plan the Planning Board preferred calls for 23 units […]
Continue reading Gazette: “Developer to submit revised North Street plans”
Here is a Google video of the first hour and 12 minutes of the Conservation Commission meeting of 3/26/09. This video was recorded by Adam Cohen. The agenda items covered in the video include: Video time 0:02:25-1:10:03Continuation of a Notice of Intent filed by Smith College for the relocation of a tennis court, creation of […]
Here is the March 26 Planning Board agenda. Tofino Associates/Northern Avenue Homes/Kohl Construction is on it (8:00pm) but in the face of opposition to Tofino’s North Street condo proposal from some members of the Conservation Commission, Tofino withdrew its Notice of Intent (NOI) from the Department of Environmental Protection last week. Tofino is also still […]
We are glad to see that Northampton Community Television (NCTV) has begun to make video recordings of City Council and School Committee meetings available online on a regular basis. The City Council recordings date from February 5 (plus one from November 17). The School Committee recordings date from January 8. A feature we hope to […]
Northampton’s Senior Land Use Planner/Permits Manager Carolyn Misch led a workshop on the proposed changes to the Zero Lot Line zoning regulations at Bridge Street School on 3/17/09. The goal of the changes is to facilitate infill by “[simplifying] Zero Lot Line Development to eliminate fences, reduce 30’ side setback to 15’, and allow lots […]
Continue reading Video: Zero Lot Line Workshop, 3/17/09; Equity of Infill Distribution
Here is a complete Google video of a FY2010 budget briefing given by Mayor Clare Higgins to residents of Ward 3 on 3/16/09. The briefing took place in the Bridge Street School cafeteria. The video is 1 hour and 51 minutes long and was recorded by Adam Cohen. It is also available on Vimeo. Supporting […]
Continue reading Video: Mayor Gives FY2010 Budget Briefing to Ward 3 on 3/16/09
David Pogue’s March 19 column for The New York Times reports on Better Place, an innovative approach to electric cars. We have noted before how cars are popular due to their comfort, convenience and utility. Even if oil prices jump back over $100, urban planners should not assume that the car itself will begin to […]
Continue reading New York Times: “Electric Cars for All! (No, Really This Time)”