MINUTES FOR JANUARY 6, 2010 MEETING OF THE ZONING REVISION COMMITTEE

Attending: Joel Russell, Tom Weiner, Steve Gilson, Dillon Sussman, Dennis Bidwell, Peter McLean, staff representative, Carolyn Mish
Absent: Adin Maynard, Danielle Kahn

1. There were no public comments

2. Nominees to be presented to the Bean Farm Task Force
Potential nominees for the ZRC to present to City Council for appointment to the Bean Farm Task Force, Peter Flinker and Donna Lilborn were both present. Each are landscape architects and each had presented resumes to the committee prior to the meeting. Peter and Donna both introduced themselves to the committee and spoke briefly to their qualifications. Recognizing the demanding schedule of the Beans Farm Task Force, the already scheduled list of meetings and the prospect of additional meetings, both Peter and Donna said they could attend the scheduled meetings and are committed to doing their best to meet what additional demands arise.
The ZRC was asked to submit two names but only one individual will be selected to serve on the task force. It was also noted that the individuals forwarded by the ZRC are not representatives of the ZRC and have no obligation to the ZRC including attending ZRC meetings or reporting to the ZRC.
Joel proposed the committee recommend Peter and Donna. The committee was in unanimous agreement and expressed their thanks to both Donna and Peter for their willingness to be part of the Bean Farm Task Force.

3 Committee Reports
Cluster Committee: nothing new to report.

Energy Committee: Adin had prepared and circulated an outline of possible energy related zoning changes prior to the meeting.

Agriculture: no news at this time. The committee is working in their final report.

Housing: the housing committee met and identified three areas to focus on—Single Room Occupancy units (SRO’s), live/work space and multi family homes. The committee talked about how to approach these topics, including attaining public input. Before proceeding the committee is looking for—input from February’s public forum, further input form the Housing Partnership and direction from the ZRC. The direction from the ZRC would include input on the selection of the identified three areas to focus on and, more generally, conformation that the committee structure will continue long enough to allow the housing group to pursue these topics.

4 EPA publication
Joel noted that the EPA has a publication, “Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Urban and Suburban Zoning Codes." The publication addresses specifically housing and zoning issues. Joel will circulate information on how to find it.

5 Design Forum and Form-Based Zoning:
Joel noted that the Northampton Design Forum (NDF) proposed a public meeting on form-based zoning codes. Discussion followed as to weather the ZRC could offer to co-sponsor the event. To be clear that the committee is encouraging public education on the topic of form-based zoning but not proposing form-based zoning at this time as a solution to Northampton’s zoning issues, the committee agreed to endorse the proposed forum and will help to promote and advertise the event.
Dillon reported that the NDF is also considering doing a charrette focused on the Conz Street area and was looking for input for the ZRC. It was noted that this would be a timely project given the consideration of expanding the business district on King and Pleasant Streets and given the city’s plans to rebuild Conz Street in the near future.

6 Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee, King Street Group.
The next meeting of the King Street group is Monday January 11. Dennis, Dillon and Jim intend on attending.

7 Preparation for Public Forum.
Joel lead a discussion of the public forum taking the committee through the draft outline (attached). The forum is proposed for February 24th, 7-9 PM at the JFK Middle School Community Room and adjoining classrooms. The title of the forum is “Rezoning Northampton for a Sustainable Future”.
There was general agreement on the goals and outcomes as presented in the outline. The committee also agreed on the proposed agenda. Danielle, Dillon and Joel will organize and present the plenary session. At the conclusion of the plenary session the group will be divided into smaller work groups. Each ZRC committee member will be prepared to lead a work group. The entire group will come together again for the work groups to report back and for a synthesis of the evening’s program.


Regarding smaller work groups:
-The groups will be divided by neighborhoods
-visuals maybe used, possibly locate your home on a city map
-while the groups are defined by neighborhoods, there will be questions that solicit input on general issues like zoning on King Street.
-the sessions may begin with a specific discussion on issues around infill.
-Joel, Dillon and Danielle will also work on refining the outline for group leaders to work from when leading the smaller work group sessions.


Regarding publicity:
-Jim and Peter reported meeting and listing the various print, radio, TV and internet media to contact.
-Northampton Cable will be contacted regarding covering the event and address the issue of having a video record of the plenary and final group sessions that will be accessible.
-Joel and Dillon wil draft a press release.
- Personal contacts will be made where possible: Tom volunteered to contact the High School, Casa Latina and Peter Ives from the worship community. Dennis volunteered to be in touch with the Unitarian Society and the Chamber of Commerce.
-potential email links to larger groups were listed including the city counselors, houses of worship and neighborhood associations.


Regarding food and drink:
-the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association will sell refreshments, the proceeds going towards their efforts to do design planning for their neighborhood.


Regarding synthesis following the event:
-Joel will prepare a synthesis of the event and circulate it to committee members within 2 days following the forum.
-the content of the synthesis and its distributions will be on the agenda of the ZRC March 17th meeting.


8 Next meeting
At the next ZRC meeting, January 20 in Wayne’s office, the committee will discuss the press release and publicity progress along with more specific plans for the small group portion of the forum.


The meeting was adjourned shortly before 9:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Peter McLean



Attachment: Draft January 10, 2010

Suggested Outline for
Rezoning Northampton for a Sustainable Future
ZRC public forum, 7 – 9 PM, February 24, 2010
At JFK Middle School Community Room (and adjoining classrooms)
Goals
1. To inform and educate the public about Northampton’s Zoning and how the ZRC’s process works, including some or all of the following topics:
• What is zoning? Why is zoning important? What is its connection to the Sustainability Plan? (Clarify that many important issues aren’t about zoning.)
• The Northampton you know and love is mostly illegal under its current zoning!
• Disconnects between current zoning and sustainability goals
• ZRC’s charge: to bring the zoning into consistency with the Plan
• What would more sustainable zoning look like?
• Where does design fit in?
• What is form-based zoning?
• ZRC process – desire for public input and transparency; need to reconcile the goals of plan with the practicality of economics and the marketplace
• Making the zoning ordinance comprehensible
• How people can involve themselves in the unfolding ZRC process

2. To discuss and gather input on important zoning issues such as:
• What is infill? What are the ingredients of good infill?
• Where are the best infill opportunities, both small and large-scale?
• How does zoning relate to:
o Walkability and transit
o Economic Development
o Agriculture; urban, suburban, rural
o Energy use and conservation
o Design and urban form
o Reduction of carbon footprint
o Affordable Housing
o Open Space Preservation
Desired Outcomes
1. Increased public understanding of zoning, sustainability, and what the ZRC is doing
2. Public input on key issues: identifying issues and getting initial input
3. Identification of next steps for an ongoing process of outreach and meaningful public input
4. Preliminary identification of areas of agreement and areas of controversy
Proposed Agenda
1. Plenary session to present introductory content and explanation; q and a (30 minutes)
2. Breakout groups for discussion of key issues (breaking up by neighborhood – see discussion questions below) (45 minutes)
3. Reporting back to plenary; plenary group discussion (30 minutes)
4. Synthesis of breakout group reports (15 minutes)
Preparation and Follow-up Tasks (with assignments for each)
1. Logistics: supplies, audio-visual materials, maps (Carolyn; presenters)
2. Food and drink: sales by Ward 3 neighborhood association (Jim)
3. Advance publicity and event coverage: print, web, NCTV, radio, etc. (Jim, Peter, Tom, Carolyn)
4. Outreach to frequently absent constituencies: minorities, working parents, business leaders, students, farmers, land use professionals, developers, etc. (Tom + all of us)
5. Preparing workshop content and organization: presentations, handouts, facilitation of breakout groups, etc. (Dillon, Danielle, Joel)
6. Dry run of presentation on February 17 (presenters)
7. Preparing for breakout groups: facilitators, room assignments, breakout logistics (Joel, Steve?)
8. Preparing a synthesis for distribution after the event (Joel)

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Suggested Breakout Session Format and Questions (to cover in 45 minutes):

1. Introductions of small group members
2. Briefly locate your immediate neighborhood on a map and draw a circle around it; locate your house and key places in your neighborhood (schools, parks, major streets, bike paths, shopping areas, etc.)
3. What are your overall hopes and concerns for the neighborhood - for the City overall? How do these relate to sustainability and infill?
• What are the ingredients of good infill?
• Where are the best infill opportunities, both small and large?
4. What are the key zoning issues that your neighborhood faces? The City as a whole?
5. What issues are most important for the ZRC to address? Consider one or more of the following:
o Infill development (King St., Pleasant/Conz, Downtown, Florence)
o Walkability and transit
o Economic Development
o Agriculture; urban, suburban, rural
o Energy use and conservation
o Design and urban form
o Reduction of carbon footprint
o Affordable Housing
o Open Space Preservation

Materials we will need:
1. Large city map with neighborhoods shown for purposes of forming breakout groups
2. Large maps: Current zoning; Sustainability Plan Land Use Map; (others?)
3. Flip chart pads and easels
4. Forum Agendas
5. List of breakout session questions
6. List of Ground Rules for discussion
7. Summary of main points in presentation