Here are rezoning proposals (summary and details) to be considered by the Zoning Revisions Committee at its March 30 meeting (7-9pm, City Council Chambers). The proposals aim to increase density moderately while preserving the character of Northampton’s traditional neighborhoods. We urge concerned citizens to attend the meeting.The proposals below have been suggested by individual members of […]
Continue reading See Zoning Revisions Proposals for URA, URB and URC Ahead of March 30 Meeting
Here are two YouTube videos covering the complete 3/16/11 meeting of Northampton’s Zoning Revisions Committee. Segment 1 (1 hour 1 min) shows the committee drafting ordinances relating to urban agriculture, in particular the maintenance of 12 or fewer hens on residential lots. Segment 2 (1 hour 4 min) covers a variety of topics, including the future […]
Continue reading Videos: Zoning Revisions Committee, March 16, 2011; Urban Chickens, Future of ZRC
Here are two YouTube videos covering the complete final presentation (53 min) and Q&A session (41 min) from this week’s Main and King Street Transportation Charrette, featuring consultants from Nelson\Nygaard. These videos were recorded by Adam Cohen.Here are the slides from the final presentation: Main Street King Street Charrette Final Presentation Many of the ideas […]
Here are YouTube videos from the first day (3/14/11) of the Nelson\Nygaard transportation charrette focused on Main Street and King Street in Northampton. These videos were recorded by Adam Cohen. The consultants’ overarching philosophy is informed by New Urbanism and makes a priority of building mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly urban environments. It is reminiscent of proposals made during the Notre […]
Northampton’s Office of Planning and Development announces a Main and King Street Transportation Charrette. As you can see from the articles we include below the announcement, we’re concerned that increasing urban density beyond a certain point could result in unpleasant increases in total downtown Northampton traffic, even if vehicle miles per capita decrease somewhat. We have, of course, expressed other […]
Continue reading March 14-16: Main and King Street Transportation Charrette
Here is a blip.tv video of the 3/2/11 meeting of Northampton’s Zoning Revisions Committee. The committee reviewed public comments from their February 15 (video) and 16 (video) forums. This video is 1 hour 54 minutes long and is complete except for two brief gaps for camera changeover. The recording was made by Arnie Levinson. Here are […]
Continue reading Video: Zoning Revisions Committee Studies Feedback from Forums
Here’s an alternative way to look at land use in Northampton’s “infill receiving areas“. Sustainability might not mean covering good soils in these areas with buildings and pavement, but preserving them for food production. The Northampton Food Security Group and the Conway School of Landscape Design issued this report last April: Open publication – Free publishing […]
Continue reading Feed Northampton: First Steps Toward a Local Food System
Here is a complete blip.tv video of the 2/16/11 public forum, “Rezoning Northampton for a Sustainable Future”, held at Bridge Street School. The Zoning Revisions Committee (ZRC) presented proposals and alternatives for comment. This video is 1 hour 56 minutes long and was recorded by Mary Likins. Here are short YouTube highlights from the forum […]
Here is a complete blip.tv video of the 2/15/11 public forum, “Rezoning Northampton for a Sustainable Future”. The Zoning Revisions Committee (ZRC) presented proposals and alternatives for comment. This video is 1 hour 49 minutes long and was recorded by Adam Cohen. A similar forum will be held at Bridge Street School tonight at 7pm (details). Several citizens […]
Please visit the website of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and take their new survey: “We have created this survey to help understand how residents feel about their neighborhoods and what kinds of changes they would like to see. Some of the questions we ask are about things that are already allowed by current zoning; […]
Continue reading Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Survey on infill, zoning, and design