Zoning Revisions Committee Meeting Minutes
December 16, 2009
Present: Joel Russel, Dillon Sussman, Danielle Kahn, Jim Nash, Peter McLean, Carolyn Misch, Tom Weiner, Steve Gilson, Dennis Bidwell, Adin Maynard
Next ZRC Meeting will be 1/6 at 7 at Wayne’s Office, Room 11
Report on the meeting of the King Street Rezoning Subcommittee of the Economic Development Committee or the Northampton Chamber of Commerce. Dennis Bidwell spearheaded this report to the committee.
Dennis began by noting there were some concerns raised by a citizen that this Chamber of Commerce meeting was in violation of open meeting laws. While researching this matter Dennis was advised that had more than four ZRC members attended this meeting there was a possibility of a quorum occurring and this could have been an issue. However, only four ZRC members attended. Those ZRC Members attending this meeting were Jim Nash, Dillon Sussman, Dennis Bidwell, and Joel Russell. They were joined by OPD Staff Carolyn Misch and Wayne Feiden. The Chamber’s Economic Development Committee hosted the meeting with many members in attendance. Also in attendance were several property owners, developers, and lawyers familiar with the King Street Zoning.
Wayne provided an overview of King Street Development. The three specific examples of King Street development were discussed
• Jack Finn - A2Z adding second floor residential space
• Frank Colaccino - the former Price Chopper property,
• Berkshire Development’s attempt to develop the former Lia Honda site
There was a palpable consensus that King Street zoning needed change to improve the streets economic viability. A three-zone approach was discussed and seemed to have the support of those in attendance. However, no formal vote or endorsement was made. Some ideas recommended for exploring to improve King Street Zoning.
• Extending Central business to somewhere between North and Finn
• Consider a second zone between North/Finn and Stop & Shop
• Encourage a high traffic development zone at the north end of King, from Stop & Shop northward
• Consider eliminating the second floor height requirement along King for Highway Business
• Consider changing the limitations on parking in front of buildings for Highway Business
Dennis and those who attended reported other themes from the meeting.
• A desire for more predictable and reliable zoning, with less discretion in the Special Permit process.
• Faced with a changing economy, retailers appear to be modifying their approach to development
• Zoning that could encourage schools and health related businesses in Highway Business
• Though people saw the need to change zoning, the appearance of buildings and streetscape was still very much a concern
• There was a focus on the market and economic realities that had not been prevalent at our other discussions with citizens.
• The next meeting of the group will be Monday January 11th at 10:30 AM at the Chamber of Commerce.
Bean Farm Task Force. There is a proposal to pull together a committee to look at the Bean Farm. ZRC is being asked to recommend 2 representatives from which the BFTF will select one of the two.
Resolution: Due to the urgent need to decide quickly, the ZRC recommends that the city purchase the Bean Farm property and would be willing to consider sending representatives once the property is purchased to assist with deciding on its use.
Action: Joel will write a letter of support to purchase the Bean Farm property.
ZRC Sub-Committee Reports
Clusters-nothing to report
Energy-Met with Lisa DePiano to discuss designing garages for accessory uses. Joel mentioned to be mindful of property setbacks.
Urban Agriculture-northing to report
Housing- Met with the Housing Partnership and they were very excited that we were looking at this issues
ZRC Public Forum Discussion
Joel presented the committee a possible agenda for the February public forum.
Concerns and thoughts were shared.
• Presenting material that was not concrete.
• Our charge to get public input
• Getting input first to get to the preconceived notions
• Asking citizens to bring their concerns to the table
• Educating citizens on zoning, pre-education to deepen discussions and on-going education about our progress
• On-going education by video recording.
• Focusing the forum on density and infill
Joel who has been through this process many times spoke to the importance of bringing the discussion to the public earlier rather than later. Waiting increases the sense of things moving forward with out the public.
Resolution: ZRC Consensus was to follow Joel’s Format #1
Specifics discussed for the event were...
• Holding the event February 10th at 7 PM to 9 PM, hopefully at JFK
• W3NA will provide food as a fundraiser for their neighborhood design efforts.
• Press coverage and publicity-Jim & Peter
Rough ideas for a theme and description of the event were discussed...Rezoning for a Sustainable Future…the ZRC committee invites you to
Come talk about infill, sprawl, design, walkability, and housing. The committee agreed to attempt formalizing this via email.
At the next meeting, January 6, the details for this event will be discussed further.
