Northampton’s Planning Board will hold a two-hour workshop to review the Sustainability Plan (PDF) on August 9 and possibly again later in the month. While public comments will not be taken at these workshops, the public is encouraged to email comments to su********************@********up.com. Here is an expanded version of comments we recently sent to Cecil […]
Continue reading Sustainable Northampton: An Open Letter to the Cecil Group
[Revised August 7, 2007]Northampton’s Planning Board and City Council Industry Committee endorsed the “Grow Smart Northampton” (PDF) plan in 2003. This plan, a precursor to recent Sustainable Northamption planning, does support infill. Specifically, the plan suggests, “Increase by 10 percent the density of housing in and within walking distance of downtown.” (p.13)At the same time, […]
Continue reading Safety Valves to Infill: The Grow Smart Northampton Plan of 2003
It has been some time since a major flood struck Northampton. That doesn’t mean the threat has gone away. On the contrary, AccuWeather believes that conditions are favorable for New England to experience a significant hurricane in the relatively near future [2006 article]: “The Northeast is staring down the barrel of a gun,” said Joe […]
Continue reading As Hurricane Threat Builds, Has Complacency Set In about Flooding?
Lew Weitzman, a member of the Alewife Study Group, provides a valuable discussion of wetlands issues and regulatory approaches in “Cambridge’s wetland protection laws – ideas for improvement” (1999). It would be a shame if excessive infill development in Northampton led to the problems experienced in Cambridge. Here are selected passages from Weitzman: Background to the […]
Continue reading Alewife Study Group: Impact of Development on Wetlands and Flooding
To help fulfill Northampton’s vision as a progressive, environmentally-aware community, we will be presenting ordinances from other Massachusetts communities relating to trees and wetlands. Here is a bylaw from Hopkinton’s Wetlands Protection Regulations (PDF) requiring a 100-foot buffer zone around intermittent (and continuous) streams. We note that just such an intermittent stream, Millyard Brook, runs through the […]
Continue reading Intermittent Streams Merit a 100-Foot Buffer Zone in Hopkinton
Clean Water Action Massachusetts is circulating the following email bulletin today:Support The Right of Citizens to Appeal DEP Wetlands Decisions Take Action Now: Send a comment to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the public record by August 13th in support of the right of citizens to appeal DEP wetlands decisions… Over 400 concerned […]
Northampton’s Conservation Commission plans to discuss Kohl Construction’s wetlands delineation on August 23, 5:30pm at City Hall. Concerned citizens are urged to attend this hearing. Kohl Construction is doing business as Northern Avenue Homes and Tofino Associates. Here are the details: Northampton Conservation CommissionAgendaDate: Thursday August 23, 2007Time: 5:30 PMPlace: City Hall Hearing Room (use back […]
Continue reading Conservation Commission to Take Up Kohl’s Wetlands Delineation on August 23
Today’s Springfield Republican reports on the North Street Neighborhood Association and its opposition to Kohl Construction’s condo plans… Prompted by a proposal to develop the only patch of woods between Bridge Street and the Industrial Park, a group of residents on and around North Street have formed a neighborhood organization…Kohl, who owns the land, has […]
Continue reading The Republican: “Residents fight plan for condos”
Today’s Gazette gives a welcome plug for shade trees in Northampton. We say, if it’s good to plant ’em, it’s even better not to take ’em down in the first place… When it’s hot and you’re on foot, it’s shade you crave. Then you appreciate trees – enough to hug them. In much of the […]
Continue reading Gazette: “Trees add to city’s appearance, well-being”
Northampton’s Historical Commission today voted to permit Kohl Construction to demolish the house at 8 View Avenue. Tristram Metcalfe cast the lone dissenting vote. The commission found that the house, which dates back to the turn of the century and perhaps earlier, lacks sufficient historical or architectural importance to merit saving.Two cameramen were present at the […]
Continue reading Historical Commission Gives Kohl Leave to Tear Down 8 View Avenue