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 […]
Infill
Good Cul-De-Sacs and Bad Ones
The Sustainable Northampton Plan disfavors cul-de-sacs. Page 51 states: Avoid creating cul-de-sacs and dead ends when possible and instead create a network of streets. Dead end streets, while desirable to some residents, add significantly to the delivery of city services and increases traffic flows to other local streets… Kohl Construction’s latest condo proposal for North […]
Gazette: “Developer to submit revised North Street plans”
Today’s Gazette reports: Developer to submit revised North Street plans Despite withdrawing an application to the Conservation Commission for a townhouse development in the North Street neighborhood, developer Douglas Kohl has not abandoned the controversial project and plans on submitting revised plans in May… The new plan the Planning Board preferred calls for 23 units […]
March 26 Planning Board Agenda: Zero Lot Line Development, Traffic Mitigation Payments, Hospital Hill
Here is the March 26 Planning Board agenda. Tofino Associates/Northern Avenue Homes/Kohl Construction is on it (8:00pm) but in the face of opposition to Tofino’s North Street condo proposal from some members of the Conservation Commission, Tofino withdrew its Notice of Intent (NOI) from the Department of Environmental Protection last week. Tofino is also still […]
Video: Zero Lot Line Workshop, 3/17/09; Equity of Infill Distribution
Northampton’s Senior Land Use Planner/Permits Manager Carolyn Misch led a workshop on the proposed changes to the Zero Lot Line zoning regulations at Bridge Street School on 3/17/09. The goal of the changes is to facilitate infill by “[simplifying] Zero Lot Line Development to eliminate fences, reduce 30’ side setback to 15’, and allow lots […]
New York Times: “Electric Cars for All! (No, Really This Time)”
David Pogue’s March 19 column for The New York Times reports on Better Place, an innovative approach to electric cars. We have noted before how cars are popular due to their comfort, convenience and utility. Even if oil prices jump back over $100, urban planners should not assume that the car itself will begin to […]
Video: Planning Board Meeting of 3/12/09; Training Presentation for Planning Board Members
Here is a video of the 3/12/09 meeting of Northampton’s Planning Board. It is 1 hour and 38 minutes long. It was recorded by Lisa Maloney and is available on Vimeo. Here is the agenda of the meeting: Board Elections Sustainable Northampton Implementation (1:04:20-1:36:50 on the video. Discusses priority of various initiatives.) More training (0:00:00-0:38:20 on the […]
Video: Conservation Commission Meeting of 3/12/09; Deadlock on Kohl Condo Proposal
Here is a Google video of most of the Conservation Commission meeting of 3/12/09. Only the portion that followed the Kohl hearing was not recorded. This video is 3 hours and 59 minutes long, and was recorded by Adam Cohen. Thanks to Steve Hathaway for transcription assistance. The portion of the meeting devoted to the […]
Valley Advocate: “Bogged Down – Doug Kohl runs into trouble with plans for his subdivision off North Street in Northampton”
The Valley Advocate today published “Bogged Down – Doug Kohl runs into trouble with plans for his subdivision off North Street in Northampton”. Mike Kirby reports on the gestation of the new Wetlands Ordinance and the problems Kohl Construction is having with securing Conservation Commission approval for its proposed condo project. Some excerpts: …a cloud […]
Video: Public Forum on Planning and Sustainability, 3/11/09
Here is a complete Google video of a Public Forum on Planning and Sustainability that took place at Bridge Street School on March 11. This event was co-sponsored by the Northampton Design Forum and the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association, and included presentation of work by the Notre Dame Urban Design Studio. The video is 1 […]