This fresh AP report underscores the risks of developing areas close to streams: Study: Urban streams contaminated by road saltMany urban streams have become salty enough to harm aquatic life, largely because of salt used for deicing roads in the winter, according to a new government study released Wednesday.The U.S. Geological Survey studied urban streams and groundwater […]
Infill
Video: Conservation Commission Meeting of 9/10/09; Kohl Condos Approved; Upper Roberts Meadow Reservoir
Here is a complete blip.tv video of the 9/10/09 meeting of Northampton’s Conservation Commission. This video is 2 hours 14 minutes long and was recorded by Lachlan Ziegler. The 20-unit Kohl Construction condo proposal off North Street was approved (0:00:00-1:28:32 on the video) but it appears Kohl has some work to do to ensure there’s enough […]
Video: Conservation Commission Meeting of 8/27/09; Rebutting Gerrit Stover
Northampton’s Conservation Commission essentially signed off on Kohl Construction’s 20-unit condo proposal for North Street last night, and we’ll have that video for you within a few days. The main arena now shifts to Land Court, where a lawsuit over matters of title and rights-of-way continues. In the meantime, here is a blip.tv video of part of […]
Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Board Calls for Notification of Property Owners When Zoning Changes Are Proposed
The Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Board of Directors are circulating the following announcement today: Ward 3 Neighborhood Association Board Calls for Notification of Property Owners When Zoning Changes Are ProposedThe Board of Directors of the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association will be asking city government to develop a policy of notification for property owners whose parcels […]
September 10: Conservation Commission Hearing on Kohl Condo Proposal; Staff Report
The now 20-unit Kohl Construction condo proposal goes back before Northampton’s Conservation Commission on September 10, 5:30pm in the City Hall Hearing Room, 210 Main Street, 2nd floor (enter via the back door). Concerned citizens are urged to attend. Here is the commission’s agenda followed by Land Use and Conservation Planner Bruce Young’s staff report. Northampton […]
Zoning Revisions Committee Urban Agricultural Meeting Rescheduled to September 14
The Zoning Revisions Committee announces this schedule change: Due to a scheduling SNAFU we will be re-scheduling the ZRC Urban Agricultural Meeting to Monday, September 14 at 7 PM in Hearing Room 18 at Northampton City Hall.The change has us meeting a day earlier.The preliminary election being held on the 15th made this change necessary. […]
Video: Zoning Revisions Committee Meeting of 9/2/09; Presentation on Traditional Urban Design Infill
Here is a blip.tv video of the 9/2/09 meeting of Northampton’s Zoning Revisions Committee. This video is 1 hour 43 minutes long and covers the entire meeting except for a gap of about 10 minutes around the one-hour mark due to technical difficulties. The video was recorded by Benjamin Spencer. Visit his blog at Nomp-Haho. […]
September 10: Kohl Condo Hearing Before Conservation Commission
Kohl Construction’s 20-unit condo proposal for North Street goes again before the Conservation Commission on September 10, 5:30pm in the City Hall Hearing Room, 2nd floor, 210 Main Street. The conditions and convenants are expected to be a focus of the hearing. Concerned citizens are urged to attend. Here are the details: Northampton Conservation CommissionAgenda […]
Pictures from the August 27 Conservation Commission Hearing on the Kohl Condo Proposal
Northampton’s Conservation Commission discussed a hydrological review of the Kohl Construction North Street condo proposal at an August 27 hearing. They took no vote but agreed to discuss the proposal again on September 10 at 5:30pm (City Hall Hearing Room, 210 Main Street, 2nd floor). The commissioners desired to refine language in the draft covenants and project […]
Lessons from San Diego: Why We Need Infill Design Guidelines
Densification without design guidelines invites problems. Diana DeRubertis analyzes San Diego’s experience for Planetizen: Residential Infill, 70’s-StyleIn 1979, the City of San Diego launched a plan to steer new development into the craftsman-lined neighborhoods close to downtown. The idea was sound: scatter higher density housing throughout existing “smart growth” communities. Part of the city’s General Plan […]