We received this open letter today from a fellow resident, sharing our concerns about infill projects that consume downtown greenspace: Statement from Virginia Schulman, living at 358 South Street, Northampton, since 1983We had a lovely small wooded area on one corner of the intersection of South Street with New South and Old South streets. The owner […]
Continue reading North Street Gets Support from South Street: A Letter from Virginia Schulman
A new blog, P. Mastrangelo’s Northamptonist, comments on infill and the Kohl Construction and Hilton Garden Inn controversies: …There’s a reason people leave the great cities in Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere, feeling inspired about life. Northamptonist wants people who live in and visit Northampton to be able to replicate those same feelings.The Kohl Development […]
Daryl LaFleur urges the long view in “Northampton developments: Barrett Street Marsh in Jeopardy”, published yesterday on Northampton Redoubt. We have emphasized certain passages with bold type. Mr. Kohl is an influential real estate developer in the greater Northampton area. He purchased Thornes Marketplace for $6.4 million in 2006 according to media reports and has helped […]
Continue reading Northampton Redoubt: Urban Ecology, Planting Trees, and the Long-Term View
On the opposite coast, a large proposed infill project is generating its own share of controversy. The Seabright Neighbors Association of Santa Cruz, CA opposes a “high density” townhouse project that will abut a park: The proposed development is a Hummer! It does not respect the character of the neighborhood, violates zoning rules and packs […]
Continue reading Seabright Neighbors Association: Infill Imbroglio in Santa Cruz
NSNA members Steve Hathaway and Adam Cohen visited with Bill Dwight today on WHMP radio, a response to Dwight’s previous discussion of infill and the merits of North Street concerns on July 26. Cohen and Hathaway emphasized that NSNA is not against all infill, but that it deserves a critical look when acres of green space […]
[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
A key assumption built into infill is that walking access to amenities associated with civilization takes priority over walking access to nature. If developers are permitted to aggressively pave over green spaces downtown, more residents will be compelled to drive if they want to enjoy parks and woods. Most likely their overall time spent in ‘unbuilt’ environments […]
Continue reading Irony of Infill: You Have to Drive to Enjoy Nature