Planning board Williams StreetMarch 4, 2022
Dear Members of the Northampton Planning Board,
I am writing to let you know of my concerns about the development proposed for 107 Williams Street. At a meeting earlier this week the current owners displayed a proposal that would
tear down a single-family home and replace it with eight half size (800 sq. ft.) condominiums. The proposed footprint of the new structure and it’s associated parking would cover approximately
90% of the 11,000 square foot lot leaving virtually no green space. The current design will require removing one 100-year-old tree and several smaller trees on the property. The proposed
structure is not in keeping with the street or the neighborhood and would degrade the quality of the current neighborhood.
In addition to adding 8+ cars, the intersection on which this proposal is situated is already very congested. The additional traffic will certainly aggravate and already difficult and
somewhat dangerous intersection. The sidewalks are not full sized, and pedestrians often walk in the street. The allowable on street parking increases the narrow the street so that
cars cannot pass going in opposite directions.
The city rezoned our neighborhood to encourage infill to accommodate the increasing need for housing and tax revenue. Allowing such a structure sets a precedent in our neighborhood.
Given the current zoning laws, if this “high density” proposal goes through, what is to prevent this scenario from being repeated on every open parcel of land in our neighborhood?
As Northampton develops, it is driving out low- and moderate-income individuals and families; this condominium is an example of just that. These 800 sq.ft. units are expected to sell
for $400,000 according to the developer. He specifically said he was not building low- or moderate-income units.
I sincerely hope that you will require that this and all further infill projects reflect the character of the neighborhood with less density and more green space for the new owners to
enjoy. I am very much in favor of more housing, especially affordable units in our neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Tumelty
87 Henry Street
Northampton
cc: carolynmisch@northamptonma.gov