Here is our ad as it appears opposite the editorial page in today’s Daily Hampshire Gazette (download a high-resolution PDF, 265 KB). This ad focuses on slab-on-grade foundations, a construction technique Kohl Construction wants to use for its proposed condos off North Street. In this article we reproduce the text of the ad and provide […]
Author: NorthAssocAdmin
Planning Board Debates Kohl Condo Density – Quotes from the March 26 Hearing
At a March 26 hearing (video), some Planning Board members voiced density-related concerns about the latest 23-unit condo proposal from Kohl Construction (21 units shown here, 2 proposed for the end of Northern Avenue not shown). Download the high-resolution PDF (1.1 MB). Here are selected quotes, with thanks to Lisa Maloney for transcription assistance: Video […]
Our Guest Article at Northampton Redoubt: “The Kohl condo proposal and the Struggle Over the Meaning of Infill”
The Valley Advocate’s Northampton Redoubt blog today publishes a guest article from NSNA member Adam Cohen, “The Kohl condo proposal and the Struggle Over the Meaning of Infill”. This article reviews the current state of the condo proposal and outlines many of our key objections. A difficulty that is becoming increasingly apparent is how unresolved […]
Planners’ Assumptions about Future Household Size and Car Usage May Prove Wrong
Northampton’s Planning Department observes that average household size in the city has fallen from 2.86 in 1980 to 2.14 in 2007. They believe this trend will continue: Average household size (people per dwelling unit) will continue to decline. This will be driven by decreases in average family size, the number of children and number of […]
Video: Zoning Revisions Committee Meeting of 4/1/09; Wayne Feiden Gives Zoning Tutorial
Here is a complete Google video of the 4/1/09 meeting of Northampton’s Zoning Revisions Committee. This video is 2 hours and 3 minutes long and was recorded by Lachlan Ziegler. It is also available on Vimeo. Here is the meeting agenda: Human Resources Conference Room, 2nd Floor Memorial Hall (enter at side door facing Unitarian […]
Video: Presentation of Final Recommendations of the Best Practices Committee to City Council, 3/5/09
Here is a Google video of the first hour and 18 minutes from the Northampton City Council meeting of 3/5/09. This video was recorded by Lachlan Ziegler, and is also available on Vimeo. It includes the public comment period, an FY2010 budget presentation, the presentation of a certificate to Deputy Fire Chief Chris Norris, and […]
Michael Bardsley Declares Candidacy for Mayor: Opposes School Closings
The Valley Advocate reported yesterday that At-Large City Councilor Michael Bardsley has officially declared his intention to run for mayor. If elected, he said he plans to follow up on work done with the Ad-Hoc Best Practices Committee he had been a part of during the last year and conduct a thorough review of how […]
Video: Planning Board Meeting of 3/26/09; Board Declines to Endorse Zero Lot Line Changes; New Kohl Condo Proposal Discussed
Here is a complete Vimeo video of the 3/26/09 meeting of Northampton’s Planning Board. This video is 3 hours and 25 minutes long, and was recorded by Lachlan Ziegler. There’s a gap of a few seconds at 2:20 for camera changeover. Here is the meeting agenda: THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE COMMITTEE […]
Ward 3 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study Needs Neighbors’ Signatures
The Ward 3 Neighborhood Association is making the following call for signatures: The Traffic Calming Committee of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association is almost ready to submit our application packet to the city’s Parking and Transportation Commission to have them do a traffic calming study in the neighborhood bordered by Bridge St., Pleasant St. and […]
Tree Loss and Slab-on-Grade Foundations: A Poor Fit with the Sustainable Northampton Plan
Kohl Construction claims its North Street condo proposal deserves deference as “infill”, but its proposal is in fact at odds with many recommendations of the Sustainable Northampton Plan. In our last article, we discussed how Kohl’s latest concept now includes two cul-de-sacs. These are disfavored by the Sustainable Northampton Plan and in this case for […]