Here is a YouTube video of the complete 9/8/11 meeting of Northampton’s Planning Board. The City Council’s Ordinance Committee was also on hand for the portion of the meeting that discussed changing zoning regulations along King Street. Click for a summary of the proposed changes and the details of the changes. This video is 3 hours 8 minutes long […]
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New King Street Zoning Ordinances Headed for City Council
The effort to revitalize King Street proceeds. The City Council and its committees are expected to consider the following ordinance changes shortly.King Street Zoning Changes Highway Business District Design Standards Entranceway Business District See also:Zoning Revisions Committee Releases Final ReportMain & King Streets Design Charrette: Final ReportVideos: King Street Zoning Workshop and Planning Board, December […]
As Young Adults Mature, Cities Struggle to Retain Them
Joel Kotkin analyzes the migrations of America’s young adults in a recent post on New Geography.com. Some excerpts: [Wendell] Cox looked at where 25- to 34-year-olds were living in 2000 and compared this to where they were living by 2010, now aged 35 to 44. The results were surprising: In the past 10 years, this cohort’s […]
Video and Literature from Ward 3 Candidate Debate
Here is a YouTube video of the complete Ward 3 Candidate Forum held last night at Bridge Street School. The forum was sponsored by the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association. This video is 1 hour 4 minutes long and was recorded by Adam Cohen.The special election for city councilor will take place on August 2. Voters should […]
Videos: Proposed Zoning Map Changes; Zoning Revisions Final Presentation
Here are two YouTube videos from the 7/14/11 meeting of Northampton’s Planning Board. Both videos were recorded by Adam Cohen. The first video is 29 minutes long and shows Planning Director Wayne Feiden suggesting zoning map changes. These changes include extending the Central Business District down parts of Conz and Hawley Streets. The intent is […]
Zoning Revisions Committee Releases Final Report
Here is the final report of Northampton’s Zoning Revisions Committee. The ZRC was charged with recommending changes to the city’s zoning code to better conform it to the Sustainable Northampton Plan. This report will now be considered by the Planning Board. Zoning Revisions Committee Final Report – July 7, 2011 Here is a complete […]
Main & King Streets Design Charrette: Final Report
Here is the final report from March’s Main & King Streets Design Charrette as released today by Nelson\Nygaard, the transportation consultants, and Northampton’s Office of Planning and Development.Northampton Main King Charrette v61511 Master Plans Main King Charrette v61511 Tabloid Size See also:Videos and Slides: Main and King Street Transportation Charrette, Final Presentation and Q&A (3/17/11)Many […]
Clarifying Our Position on Smart Growth
A recent article in Northampton Media, referring to NSNA member Adam Cohen, suggests that NSNA is flatly opposed to Smart Growth: Cohen, known for videotaping of public meetings, has used his blog posts and email blasts to oppose so-called “smart growth” as a land-use planning tool. Our actual position is more nuanced. By definition, most […]
New Geography: “Where Do The Children Play?”
Dense urban environments hold special challenges for families with children. New Geography reports (5/18/11): A key issue for children in compact parts of the compact city is lack of opportunity for outdoor activity. Heavily trafficked streets are not good for bike riding, or even walking alone. Auckland’s centre is devoid of segregated cycleways or play […]
“UMass geologists: New England may be facing higher risk of flooding as groundwater levels rise”
Yesterday’s Springfield Republican reports on work by geologists at the University of Massachusetts: The study was authored by David F. Boutt, a hydrogeologist and assistant professor, and Kaitlyn M. Weider, a graduate student in geology… “More precipitation is falling as rain and less as snow with average annual precipitation displaying a gradual increase of 5 […]