We encourage citizens to attend this meeting on the implementation of the Sustainable Northampton Plan: Zoning Revisions Committee Meeting May 6 Agenda 1st Floor Memorial Hall (old COA space) (enter at side door facing Unitarian Society bldg) 7:00 PM 1. Public comment 2. Discussion with Chris Mason, Northampton energy officer, about green community initiatives3. Discuss […]
Month: April 2009
THURSDAY: Proposition 2 1/2 Override Public Forum
Ward 4 City Councilor David Narkewicz is circulating the following bulletin today: Proposition 2 1/2 Override Public Forum Thursday, April 30, 2009 7:00 PM JFK Middle School Community Room Please join the Mayor, City Council, School Committee and other elected officials for a public forum on the proposed Proposition 2 1/2 ballot question currently under […]
Toronto Urban Design Guidelines: Infill Townhouses
The City of Toronto has compiled design guidelines specifically for infill townhouses (PDF, 34 pages). Let’s explore these guidelines and draw contrasts with the Kohl condo proposal for North Street. We have emphasized certain passages in red. Toronto Urban Design Guidelines:Infill Townhouses January 2003 Page 4: As with any type of infill development, however, it […]
Portland Infill Design Strategies: Best Practices for Context-Sensitive Infill Design
Portland, Oregon has long experience with Smart Growth tracing back to the 1970s. While we’ve been critical of many of the ways Smart Growth has been applied there, the city has amassed a valuable body of knowledge about infill techniques that are relatively gentle on existing neighborhoods. Here are selections from “Infill Design Strategies: Best […]
Wall Street Journal: “How Group Decisions End Up Wrong-Footed”
A 4/25/09 Wall Street Journal article has insights into getting good decisions from groups. It resonates with the goals of the Best Practices Committee. How Group Decisions End Up Wrong-Footed For committees and other boards to work well, they must be made up of people with differing perspectives and experience who are unafraid to speak […]
Flyer for May 14 Hearings; Get Your Free Yard Sign
Please encourage your friends and neighbors to attend the May 14 hearings on the latest Kohl condo proposal. Download our flyer (PDF, 394 KB) and pass it around freely. The flyer includes a review of our major objections to the proposal. Request a free yard sign from in**@no********.org . We’ll let you know where to […]
April 27: Public Hearing for the Manhan Rail Trail
Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways announces: There will be a public hearing for the Manhan Rail Trail (an extension to the Norwottuck Rail Trail from Easthampton to Northampton) on Monday, April 27th, 2009 in Northampton at the Bridge Street Elementary School (2 Parsons Street) at 7:00pm. Here are selected pages from MassHighway’s announcement for […]
Knoxville Infill Housing Design Guidelines: Lessons from Experience
As the Zoning Revisions Committee gears up to implement the vision of the Sustainable Northampton Plan, there are useful lessons to be drawn from other cities that have traveled the infill path. Today, let’s look inside the Heart of Knoxville Infill Housing Design Guidelines (PDF, 2.4MB). We highlight several passages that have a particular bearing […]
Gazette: “Northampton override forum to be held next week”
Today’s Gazette reports: Residents who want to ask questions or express their opinions about a proposed $2 million Proposition 2½ override will have an opportunity to do so at a public forum next week.The April 30 special meeting will be held a week before the City Council is poised to take a second and final […]
Earth Day Photo Essay: Spring Buds in the North Street Woods
In honor of Earth Day, please enjoy these pictures of the woods between North Street and the new bike trail… See also: Topographical Map Shows How Kohl Condo Proposal Will Eat Into a Rare Stand of Mature Trees in Downtown Our Guest Article at Northampton Redoubt: “The Kohl condo proposal and the Struggle Over the […]