Video and Literature from Ward 3 Candidate Debate

Here is a YouTube video of the complete Ward 3 Candidate Forum held last night at Bridge Street School. The forum was sponsored by the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association. This video is 1 hour 4 minutes long and was recorded by Adam Cohen.The special election for city councilor will take place on August 2. Voters should […]

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Videos: Proposed Zoning Map Changes; Zoning Revisions Final Presentation

Here are two YouTube videos from the 7/14/11 meeting of Northampton’s Planning Board. Both videos were recorded by Adam Cohen. The first video is 29 minutes long and shows Planning Director Wayne Feiden suggesting zoning map changes. These changes include extending the Central Business District down parts of Conz and Hawley Streets. The intent is […]

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Zoning Revisions Committee Releases Final Report

Here is the final report of Northampton’s Zoning Revisions Committee. The ZRC was charged with recommending changes to the city’s zoning code to better conform it to the Sustainable Northampton Plan. This report will now be considered by the Planning Board. Zoning Revisions Committee Final Report – July 7, 2011   Here is a complete […]

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Main & King Streets Design Charrette: Final Report

Here is the final report from March’s Main & King Streets Design Charrette as released today by Nelson\Nygaard, the transportation consultants, and Northampton’s Office of Planning and Development.Northampton Main King Charrette v61511 Master Plans Main King Charrette v61511 Tabloid Size See also:Videos and Slides: Main and King Street Transportation Charrette, Final Presentation and Q&A (3/17/11)Many […]

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Clarifying Our Position on Smart Growth

A recent article in Northampton Media, referring to NSNA member Adam Cohen, suggests that NSNA is flatly opposed to Smart Growth: Cohen, known for videotaping of public meetings, has used his blog posts and email blasts to oppose so-called “smart growth” as a land-use planning tool. Our actual position is more nuanced. By definition, most […]

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New Geography: “Where Do The Children Play?”

Dense urban environments hold special challenges for families with children. New Geography reports (5/18/11): A key issue for children in compact parts of the compact city is lack of opportunity for outdoor activity. Heavily trafficked streets are not good for bike riding, or even walking alone. Auckland’s centre is devoid of segregated cycleways or play […]

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“UMass geologists: New England may be facing higher risk of flooding as groundwater levels rise”

Yesterday’s Springfield Republican reports on work by geologists at the University of Massachusetts: The study was authored by David F. Boutt, a hydrogeologist and assistant professor, and Kaitlyn M. Weider, a graduate student in geology… “More precipitation is falling as rain and less as snow with average annual precipitation displaying a gradual increase of 5 […]

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Video and Text: Arnie Levinson Campaign Kickoff Speech

Here is video and text from Arnie Levinson’s May 9 campaign kickoff speech published on his website. He seeks the open Ward 3 city council seat. Mr. Levinson is director of Ward 3’s Neighborhood Watch Program. Opposing him is Owen Freeman-Daniels (website), vice president of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association, who was the campaign manager […]

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Metropolis: Why are predictions on the Future of Architecture always so wrong?

We appreciate Paul Goldberger’s essay in this month’s Metropolis, “Rose-Colored Glasses”. An excerpt: What intrigues me is how little real curiosity about the present most futurists seem to possess. They miss its nuance and complexity. They seem to grasp none of the richness, not to mention the subtlety, of the way in which a vast […]

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Update: Planning Board *Approves* Seton Parish Site Plan, Restricts Oxbow Soccer

Update: On April 18, Northampton Senior Land Use Planner Carolyn Misch confirmed to us that, contrary to the result shown on the Seton Parish Site Plan video below, “the board’s decision (3-2) stands as an approval since it was a majority of the board present.” Here are two YouTube videos covering the complete 4/14/11 meeting […]

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