Breaking News from Northampton Media: “Hotel Project Dead”

Northampton Media reports today: On February 10, 2010 the Pioneer Valley Hotel Group requested another extension of sixty (60) days in order to fulfill its obligations under the existing Request For Proposals (RFP) and Purchase and Sale Agreement with the City of Northampton. The City has declined to grant any further extension to this long […]

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Press Release: “Rezoning Northampton for a Sustainable Future”, February 24 Public Forum

Here is the associated press release:City of Northampton Zoning Revisions CommitteeFor immediate Release: January 21, 2010Contact: Joel Russell, Chair, Zoning Revisions Committee, joelrusl@gmail.com, 413-584-7228Danielle Kahn, Vice-Chair, Zoning Revisions Committee, djkahn2004@yahoo.com, 413-320-7208Carolyn Misch, Northampton Office of Planning and Development, cmisch@northamptonma.gov, 413-587-1287 “Rezoning Northampton for a Sustainable Future” The future of King Street, appropriate forms of infill […]

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Hampshire Life Profiles Ward 3

Today’s Hampshire Life supplement in the Gazette includes a long profile of Ward 3 and the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association. It’s upbeat and enjoyable, but curiously omits any mention of Ward 3’s current City Councilor, Angela Plassmann.Some excerpts: Good neighbors …Ward 3 is the old part of the city, a place of narrow streets, elegantly […]

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Video and Slides: Joel Russell Presents Form-Based Zoning

The Northampton Design Forum sponsored “An Introduction to Form-Based Zoning” on January 26. The A.P.E. Gallery on Main Street filled to hear Joel Russell’s presentation. Mr. Russell is a member of the Northampton Design Forum and chairs Northampton’s Zoning Revisions Committee. Here is a complete blip.tv video of the presentation, recorded by Adam Cohen. The […]

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February 24 Forum: “Rezoning Northampton for a Sustainable Future”

The Zoning Revisions Committee has issued this press release:City of Northampton Zoning Revisions CommitteeFor Immediate Release: January 21, 2010Contact: Joel Russell, Chair, Zoning Revisions Committee, joelrusl@gmail.com, 413-584-7228Danielle Kahn, Vice-Chair, Zoning Revisions Committee, djkahn2004@yahoo.com, 413-320-7208Carolyn Misch, Northampton Office of Planning and Development, cmisch@northamptonma.gov, 413-587-1287“Rezoning Northampton for a Sustainable Future”The future of King Street, appropriate forms of […]

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January 26: “An Introduction to Form-Based Zoning”, Sponsored by the Northampton Design Forum

The Northampton Design Forum invites the public to “An Introduction to Form-Based Zoning”:See also:Download Envisioning Sustainable Northampton – Final Notre Dame Studio Presentation Book Envisioning Sustainable Northampton: Notre Dame Urban Design Presentation – Video and HandoutVideo and Slides: Final Presentation of Design Northampton WeekAn old court house is contrasted with a new one:The old Post […]

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Transit: Thinking Outside the Bus

Northampton’s planning department is eager to boost density in places like Ward 3 with the hope that it will make public transit — notably buses — more viable. Problem is, buses have come to be, in general, a relatively inefficient way to move people around in America, to say nothing of their increased commuting time and reduced convenience […]

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New York Times: “As Sewers Fill, Waste Poisons Waterways”

It is common for Smart Growth proponents to claim that adding density to existing urban infrastructure is cheaper than building infrastructure in new areas. The reality, however, is more complicated. The 11/23/09 New York Times reports: As Sewers Fill, Waste Poisons Waterways In the last three years alone, more than 9,400 of the nation’s 25,000 […]

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Video: Urban Design Discussion with Planning Board, Zoning Revisions Committee, Northampton Design Forum and West Street Design Committee, 11/12/09

Here is a blip.tv video of a portion of the 11/12/09 meeting of Northampton’s Planning Board. This segment includes a “discussion about design issues with: West Street Design Committee, Northampton Design Forum, Zoning Revisions Committee.” This video was recorded by Adam Cohen and is 1 hour 33 minutes long. See also:Paradise City Forum: Smith College […]

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Mayor’s Email Update – 11.10.09

MEETING LOCATION CHANGE: After the 11/10/09 update was circulated, the Mayor’s office announced that the location of the 11/16/09 Comcast and NCTV Annual Review meeting has changed to the City Council Chambers in the Puchalski Municipal Building.Mayor Clare Higgins’ office circulated the following update on 11/10/09: Mayor’s Email Update 11.10.09 In this update: ·         Veterans’ […]

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