There’s a new neighborhood group in Northampton based on North Street. For more background on what spurred this turn of events see my June 15 entry.
Here is a note from Adam Cohen.
Friends,
I wanted to let you know about a new community organization, North Street Neighborhood Association, and its blog, NorthAssoc.org . We are devoted to maintaining the quality of life in the North Street area of Northampton.
Our current priority is to preserve the size and quality of the forest between North Street and the bike trail. This forest contains wetlands and Millyard Brook. A distinctive and beautiful feature of our neighborhood, the forest cools the air, buffers sound from I-91 and King Street, smells great, absorbs water, and provides a habitat for deer and small animals of all kinds. (See more on urban forests and their benefits.)
Kohl Construction of Hadley has proposed to build 31 condo units with 66 parking spaces on 5.49 acres of this forest ( see plans). We are concerned this ‘infill’ would degrade the quality of life for existing residents and increase the parking and traffic loads on an already busy North Street and the side streets that lead from it.
It’s infill vs. urban forests. Tree regulations, the wetlands ordinance revisions, and the Sustainable Northampton plan may all get pulled into this debate.
Best,
Adam Cohen
