2009 Commonwealth CapitalFISCAL YEAR COMMONWEALTH CAPITAL APPLICATION - PDF Created On 7/15/2008
Original Application
Municipality: NORTHAMPTON Address: 210 Main Street, Rm 11, Northampton, MA 01060 Date: 7/14/2008 4:53:00 PM
Name/Title: Wayne Feiden Director of Planning Email: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov Phone: 4135871265
Municipal applicants will need to provide evidence of having met or made a binding commitment to the following criteria.Please be sure to
complete all contact information. Please let us know what actions you took on previous years' commitments
PLAN FOR & PROMOTE LIVABLE COMMUNITIES & PLAN REGIONALLY (19)Existing Commit
1 Current Master Plan OR (6)(0)
Supporting File: 214 - Master_Plan.pdf. The Current Master Plan, "Sustainable Northampton" was adopted by the Planning Board as the city's
Master Plan in January 2008.
Executive Order 418 Community Development Plan; OR (4)(0)
Current housing plan AND current DCS-approved Open Space and Recreation Plan; OR (3)(0)
Current housing plan OR current DCS-approved Open Space and Recreation Plan (2)(0)
1a Commitment to complete a Master, 418, Housing, or Open Space & Recreation Plan by Dec. 31, 2009 (0)(2)
1b Funding or regulatory actions implementing 2 specific Plan recommendations since July 1, 2006 (3)(1)
Under the topic of "Energy, Environment and Climate Protection" the plan calls to "Facilitate the development and construction of “green” [e.g.
LEED™ certified] new municipal buildings with the goal that all new significant municipal buildings include these criteria – such as the Senior
Center." This was accomplished when the city's Office of Planning and Development and the Senior Center Building Committee applied for the
new Senior Center to be LEED Certified Silver in June 2008. In addition, in April-June 2008 the Police Building Committee committed that the
new police station under design will be LEED certified silver or gold. Under the same topic, the plan calls for the creation of an Energy
Resources Commission. In June 2008, City Council created a new Energy and Sustainability Commission.
2 Water resource plan: Source Water Protection, Water Conservation, Comprehensive Wastewater, or Integrated
Water Resource Management
(3)(1)
Supporting File: 214 - Watershed Resource Protection Plan.pdf. The City of Northampton revised its Consolidated Watershed Resource
Protection Plan in September 2004. The cover page and table of contents for the plan are attached. For security reasons, an executive
summary is not attached. In brief, the plan describes the physical and hydrological characteristics of two current use reservoirs and a third
potential future reservoir. This is followed by a review of activities and potential risks to the watersheds as well as control of these activities via
regulatory and management actions. The plan includes data on water quality monitoring and recommendations for future actions and
management as well as an emergency response plan.
3 Execution of a compact or MOU, provision of funding, or regulatory change to attain a regional or
intergovernmental goal since July 1, 2006
(3)(1)
The City of Northampton entered into the Pioneer Valley Based, "Valley Vision 2" agreement on September 19, 2006 when it was signed by
Mayor Higgins. As size prohibits sending, see: http://www.pvpc.org/val_vision/html/plan_index.html for documentation. The agreement sets
forth a new regional land use plan, focused on smart growth, to assist communities in preserving land and maintaining healthy communities. As
Northampton has already accomplished many of the goals outlined in Valley Vision two regarding smart growth, their presence helps to provide
a sense of regional support to other communities to initiate their own smart growth.
4 Adoption of the Community Preservation Act (4)(2)
CPA adopted by City in 2005.
ZONE FOR & PERMIT CONCENTRATED DEVELOPMENT AND MIXED USE (26)Existing Commit
5 Zoning for mixed-use in an applicable location (4)(2)
Supporting File: 214 - zoning_map.pdf. Our mixed-use district is outlined in Northampton Zoning Section 350 Attachment I--Table of Use
Regulations. CB, GB, NB, and HB are all mixed-use business districts that allow any amount of residential above the first floor. PV is a planned
village district allowing (and requiring) mixed use. URC is a mixed-use residential district allowing extensive low-traffic commercial uses. EU is
mixed-use institutional education use and residential district. Attached is our most recent zoning map demonstrating the mixed-use districts.
5a If mixed-use zoning is a DHCD approved 40R District or for Transit Oriented Development (TOD)(2)(1)
Northampton has a DHCD approved 40 R District
5b Building permit issued for a mixed-use development since July 1, 2006 (2)(0)
Supporting File: 214 - Building_Permits_Mixed_Use.pdf. We issued a building permit on July 8, 2008 for an interior demolition of 19 Center CT;
installation of photovoltaic panels on a roof at 57 King ST on May 16, 2008; roof repair at 20 Hampton AVE on April 14, 2008; and a renovation
of a second floor apartment at 25 Pleasant ST on January 22, 2008, all of which were used on mixed-use development parcels. (See attached
Building Permit report)
6 Zoning for accessory dwelling units (ADU)(3)(1)
Northampton's zoning allows ADUs by right, up to 900 square feet, in a single family home. The zoning allows detached accessory units by
special permit. See Sections 350-6.7, 350-10.1, 350-10.10 and Attachment 1--Table of Use Regulations, of Northampton's Zoning.
6a Occupancy permit issued for at least one accessory dwelling unit since July 1, 2006 (2)(0)
We issued an ADU occupancy permit on August 3, 2007 for 243 Park Hill Road.
7 Zoning allowing by-right multi-family dwellings (not age restricted)(3)(1)
Northampton Zoning Section 350 Attachment I--Table of Use Regulations, allows multi-family homes by right in our Urban Residential C Zoning
District.
7a If zoning allows by-right multi-family dwellings of 4 or more units (not age restricted)(3)(1)
Northampton Zoning Section 350 Attachment I--Table of Use Regulations, allows multi-family homes of 4 or more units by right in our Urban
Residential C Zoning District, provided they do not exceed 3 stories OR are townhouse style.
8 Zoning for clustered development / Open Space Residential Development (OSRD)(3)(1)
Zoning allows cluster residential and open space residential development in nearly all residential areas with a minimum of 50% open space
(more for steep slopes and sites with wetlands). Additionally, clustering is allowed in some commercial and mixed-use areas. See 350
Attachment I--Table of Use Regulations.
8a If cluster is mandated, by-right, or includes a density bonus (2)(1)
Cluster residential development includes a bonus density for affordable housing. See zoning: § 350-10.5. Open space residential development.
FISCAL YEAR COMMONWEALTH CAPITAL APPLICATION - PDF Created On 7/15/2008
Original Application
Municipality: NORTHAMPTON Address: 210 Main Street, Rm 11, Northampton, MA 01060 Date: 7/14/2008 4:53:00 PM
Name/Title: Wayne Feiden Director of Planning Email: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov Phone: 4135871265
Municipal applicants will need to provide evidence of having met or made a binding commitment to the following criteria.Please be sure to
complete all contact information. Please let us know what actions you took on previous years' commitments
8b A cluster development has been permitted since July 1, 2006 (2)(0)
Supporting File: 214 - 360KingStreet_OrienRidge.pdf. Orien Ridge Condominiums is a 90 unit, green cluster (potentially LEED Certified)
development that the City of Northampton approved under an Open Space Cluster Special Permit (Zoning 350-10.5 Open Space), which was
approved February 21, 2007. The units will be clustered on 8 acres of a 44.3-acre site, which abuts major conservation lands and a former
quarry that is being developed for a grocery co-op. 33% of the units are affordable under our Residential Incentive Overlay (URB densities). 26
acres will be donated to the City of Northampton's Conservation Commission and protected as open space, as outlined under Article 97 and
relevant amendments of the State Constitution. Please see attached map overview of 360 King Street.
EXPAND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES (21)Existing Commit
9 Zoning requiring the inclusion of affordable units (IZ)(3)(1)
Zoning section 350-10.11. Residential Incentive Development Overlay District; 350-10.5 requires land developed under this overlay to include
affordable units. Projects may select not to develop under this overlay section, similar to the thresholds in other inclusionary zoning ordinances.
As a practical matter, any significant development in this overlay will be an inclusionary housing project. For example, the Orien Ridge Project
could have been developed with four units by right, and instead is being developed with 90 units using this overlay.
9a Building permits issued for affordable units under an inclusionary bylaw/ordinance since July 1, 2006 (2)(0)
10 Increased housing stock by 50-99 % of state goal OR (3)(0)
100% or more of state goal (4)(0)
11 66 % or more of new units produced using a listed smart growth technique (4)(0)
Supporting File: 214 - SmartGrowth.xls. In FY07, we issued permits for 41 new housing units. Of these, 31 are considered smart growth, 9 of
which are cluster developments and the other 22 are multi-family units. 31 smart growth units out of 41 total units gives us 75.6%. See attached
"SmartGrowth."
12 Attainment of Housing Production certification (.5% of housing units) OR (4)(0)
Attainment of a Chapter 40B threshold (5)(0)
Northampton has attained a Chapter 40B threshold with 11.7% SHI units.
13 Production of housing units on municipal land or with municipal funding since July 1, 2006 (3)(1)
The 22 unit apartment complex at Village Hill, received building permit on March 27, 2008 includes $75,000 in City Entitlement CDBG funds for
soft costs. 75% of the units will be affordable.
MAKE EFFICIENT DECISIONS & INCREASE JOB AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES (11)Existing Commit
14 Redevelopment Strategy: (a) inventory, (b) remediation, revitalization, or reuse strategy, or (c) site planning (4)(2)
Supporting File: 214 - Round_House_PressRelease_AND_TOD_Grant.pdf. Downtown brownfield cleanup and hotel infill development. In
2007-2008, based on site assessments performed by the city, PRP undertook a $6.4 million cleanup of former Manufactured Gas Plant site to
make way for a major infill project: a $16 million, 101 hotel, off-Main Street municipal parking (335 spaces), and a public park expansion. The
hotel development (which includes the almost completed brownfield cleanup) is centrally located in our downtown-shopping district. See
attached press release and TOD grant application (cover, cover letter, summary checklist).
15 Approved 43D Priority Development Site or provision of a (a) financial, or (b) regulatory redevelopment
incentive
(4)(2)
Northampton has an approved 43D Priority Development Site, Village Hill at Northampton, that was approved on May 14, 2008.
16 Adoption of permitting best practices (3)(1)
Supporting File: 214 - Agenda.pdf. Northampton has combined public hearings of its planning and zoning boards when useful(see attached
agenda), as well as its creation of a 43D priority development site, "Village Hill at Northampton" which was approved by the IPB on May 14 of
this year (2008--see
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=ehedterminal&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Start%2c+Grow+%26+Relocate+Your+Business&L2=Licensing+%26+Permi
tting&L3=Chapter+43D+Expedited+Permitting&sid=Ehed&b=terminalcontent&f=permitting_chapter43d_PDSsite_specific_info&csid=Ehed for
details).
PROTECT LAND AND ECOSYSTEMS (21)Existing Commit
17 15-25% of town area protected [by a Chapter 184-type restriction or Article 97] OR (4)(0)
Supporting File: 214 - Acquired parcels final FY2008 through 1 22 08.xls. Using the city acreage given by MassGIS (22,848 acres), and using
our records of protected land (4,178 acres--data sheet attached), our total protected percentage of land is 18.3%. Our GIS coordinator, James
Thompson has supplied all GIS files of open space to MassGIS.
25% or more of town area protected (5)(0)
18 Land protected via a restriction or fee acquisition alone or with a land trust since July 1, 2006 (4)(0)
Supporting File: 214 - Acquired parcels final FY2008 through 1 22 08.xls. On January 12, 2007, the city purchased 120 acres to add to the
Turkey Hill Section of the Mineral Hills Conservation Area for the purpose of permanent preservation.
19 Existence of an agricultural commission (3)(1)
City Council created an agricultural commission on December 15, 2005. The Mayor appointed a commission in 2006.
20 Adoption of a Right-to-Farm bylaw/ordinance (3)(1)
Supporting File: 214 - Agricultural Commission approved 12-15-2005.pdf. The Right-to-Farm ordinance (attached) created on December 15,
2005, encourages the pursuit of agriculture, promotes agriculture-based economic opportunities, and protects farmlands within the City of
Northampton by allowing agricultural uses and related activities to function with minimal conflict with abutters and City agencies.
21 Stewardship plan for a municipal forest (3)(1)
While the city's DCR-approved municipal Forest Stewardship Plan expired in 2007, there are stewardship plans that currently exist for privately
owned lands in the city. The city's Department of Public Works is pursuing a Forestry Managent Plan.
FISCAL YEAR COMMONWEALTH CAPITAL APPLICATION - PDF Created On 7/15/2008
Original Application
Municipality: NORTHAMPTON Address: 210 Main Street, Rm 11, Northampton, MA 01060 Date: 7/14/2008 4:53:00 PM
Name/Title: Wayne Feiden Director of Planning Email: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov Phone: 4135871265
Municipal applicants will need to provide evidence of having met or made a binding commitment to the following criteria.Please be sure to
complete all contact information. Please let us know what actions you took on previous years' commitments
22 Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) or other zoning for agricultural, forestry, or natural resource
conservation
(3)(1)
Section 350 Attachment I--Table of Use Regulations, 350-10.5 and 350-17 of the Northampton zoning ordinance authorized TDR from our
Farms Forests and Rivers zoning overlay (sending zone) to our Planned Village district (receiving zone).
USE NATURAL RESOURCES WISELY (8)Existing Commit
23 Adoption of a bylaw, ordinance, or regulation that encourages the use of Low Impact Development (LID) to
address stormwater
(4)(2)
Northampton's April 17,2008 amendments to their subdivision regulations, §290-44A addresses curbs to allow LID, which is enforced by the
Planning Board. Northampton's Department of Public Works enforces stormwater regulation under Chapter 281, Section 6 of the Northampton
ordinance, entitled "Stormwater Management Performance Standards." It addresses LID in regards to stormwater regulation post development,
where it requires "stormwater management systems shall be designed so that post-development peak discharge rates do not exceed
pre-development peak discharge rates." In addition projects must meet Massachusetts Stormwater Management Policy Standards. Natural
means of stormwater management are also encouraged as Ch 281 mentions that " The applicant shall consider public safety in the design of
any stormwater facilities. The banks of detention, retention, and infiltration basins shall be sloped at a gentle grade into the water as a
safeguard against personal injury, to encourage the growth of vegetation and to allow the alternate flooding and exposure of areas along the
shore. Basins shall have a 4:1 slope to a depth two feet below the control elevation. Side slopes must be stabilized and planted with vegetation
to prevent erosion and provide pollutant removal. The banks of detention and retention areas shall be designed with sinuous rather than
straight shorelines so that the length of the shoreline is maximized, thus offering more space for the growth of vegetation." Chapter 281 also
requires best management practices in regards to managing stormwater in critical habitat areas and high pollution zones. The DPW regulations
cover all projects that disturb an acre or more.
24 Implementation of the 2006 Massachusetts Water Conservation Standards (4)(2)
The City's Department of Public Works Water Division has a leak detection system for its municipal buildings as well as requires 100%
metering of its water users. In addition, the city sells directly to the public rain barrels. The city's Water Conservation outreach encourages all
new buildings to utilize cisterns. One example is the major hotel project downtown, with 101 rooms, the building will use a cistern to catch roof
drainage. You can visit our master plan at http://www.northamptonma.gov/DPW/Water.
PROMOTE CLEAN ENERGY (9)Existing Commit
25 Implementation of energy efficiency measures (3)(1)
Supporting File: 214 - Senior_Center_LEED.pdf. In June of 2008, the City's Senior Center was opened, utilizing geothermal heat and other
energy-efficiency measures. In June 2008, the city submitted its final application for LEED Certified-Silver certification.
26 Production or purchase of renewable energy (3)(1)
The DPW burns bio-diesel B20 in all of its diesel-fueled vehicles, starting on September 11, 2006. In FY '07 the DPW used 8400 gallons, that
were bought locally from F.L. Roberts & Co., Inc. In FY '08, the DPW used 35,000 gallons for all diesel-fueled vehicles in the city, also bought
locally from F.L. Roberts & Co., Inc. Our Methane Turbine recaptures methane gas from our municipal landfill and generates up to 800kw.
27 Clean energy regulations and incentives (3)(1)
In June 2008, the City's Planning Board, waived $8000 in traffic mitigation fees for the Taco Bell building project on King Street provided that
their building be LEED Certified with a focus on energy conservation.
PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION CHOICE (9)Existing Commit
28 Regulations requiring or actions to facilitate bicycling and walking since July 1, 2006 (3)(1)
In April 2008 the City of Northampton broke ground on two projects totaling $5 million dollars that would create a bike path linking the state
hospital to the downtown as well as connecting the downtown to the existing city path. In the downtown, there are fifty bike racks in town, and
approximately twenty more will be added as existing racks are maintained and upgraded.
29 Regulation requiring or completion of a context sensitive transportation project since July 1, 2006 (3)(1)
Supporting File: 214 - FordHall_PlanningBoard.pdf. The City of Northampton approved construction (which began on March 15, 2007) of Smith
College's Ford Hall. As this project took place close to the downtown area of the city, Northampton wanted to encourage alternative
transportation options, allowing Smith to install less than the required number of parking spots. In return, Smith would finance a Park and Ride
center in the city, they would fund a ZipCar program, as well as install crosswalks and sidewalks on the roads around the new facility. (See
Planning Board Decision attachment for more information)
30 Regulations requiring or implementation of innovative transportation measures since July 1, 2006 (3)(1)
Supporting File: 214 - Northampton Transportation Plan-- policies.doc. The City's Zoning Ordinance §350-11.6, section B contains measures
that help mitigate traffic impacts from development of any project over 2000 square feet (excluding single family homes). Northampton's
subdivision regulations §290-29 section H deals with paved roadway widths, and section J calls for traffic calming measures that "shall make
every effort to reasonably calm the traffic within the subdivision and on surrounding streets to ensure pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly design
and to prevent a decrease in traffic safety as a result of the additional traffic the project will generate." In addition, the City's "Municipal
Transportation Plan for the City of Northampton," (attached) approved by the City Council on April 21, 2005 calls for safety to be "a primary goal
in transportation improvements, systems, and operations." The section on traffic calming calls for examination of unsafe intersections and high
speed areas, the development and implementation of traffic calming measures, "new, reconstructed, and reclaimed streets considers
incorporating appropriate traffic calming measures, in consultation with the Board of Public Works and the Transportation and Parking
Commission." In June 2008, Mayor Higgins allocated $200,000 of 40R funds to be used for traffic calming measures. Previously, the city has
worked in creating traffic calming measures that have worked to narrow traffic through the addition of bicycle lanes and through painting over
street medians. This funding will go towards expanding these existing measures.
ADVANCE EQUITY (6)Existing Commit
31 Actions that promote fair housing since July 1, 2006 (3)(1)
Supporting File: 214 - 2006 Affordable Housing Analysis.pdf. The City of Northampton has taken extraordinary steps to promote and ensure
Affordable Housing via outreach, analysis, provisional by-laws, affirmative marketing, and consulting. The City Housing Partnership conducts
outreach and works with developers to promote affordable housing and mixed-use development. By way of analysis we have attached the
"Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing," conducted in 2006 prepared by the Mass., Fair Housing Center (formerly The Housing
Discrimination Project), written in June 2006 (before the July 1st date) but adopted July 2007 as part of our FY2007 CDBG program. And
through our CDBG we offer funds to aid in the construction and preservation of affordable housing.
FISCAL YEAR COMMONWEALTH CAPITAL APPLICATION - PDF Created On 7/15/2008
Original Application
Municipality: NORTHAMPTON Address: 210 Main Street, Rm 11, Northampton, MA 01060 Date: 7/14/2008 4:53:00 PM
Name/Title: Wayne Feiden Director of Planning Email: wfeiden@northamptonma.gov Phone: 4135871265
Municipal applicants will need to provide evidence of having met or made a binding commitment to the following criteria.Please be sure to
complete all contact information. Please let us know what actions you took on previous years' commitments
32 Actions that promote environmental equity since July 1, 2006 (3)(1)
Supporting File: 214 - Enviro_Equity.pdf. The City of Northampton has recently undertaken two projects to address the issue of environmental
equity. In March 2008, the City signed a $130,000 commitment to improve the affordable housing units around the Roundhouse parking lot, to
mitigate the effects of the hotel construction near the Roundhouse (see copy of attached agreement). In addition, using community preservation
act funds provided on March 19, 2008 (see attached minutes), we have been able to fund a project that has recently began construction on a
property that was home to a former landfill. The land was subdivided into four lots, three of which going to Habitat for Humanity for a dollar, and
the fourth lot (which was closest to the former landfill) would be sold at market rate to provide further funding to the project. Lot 4, shown in the
attached plan is closest to the landfill, and that is the reason why it is a market-rate lot.
PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT VIA OTHER ACTIONS (10)Existing Commit
33 Existence of or commitment to additional local measures or actions 2, 4, 6, 8, OR 10 (10)(0)
This city requests 10 points for the following actions: 1. 2007--City Added New Water Supply Protection District to Protect Easthampton's Zone
II Aquifer; 2. 2007--City identified the site for its second Park and Ride lot at Veterans Administration Hospital and secured MassHighway
funding for the project; 3. Fall 2007--City rehabbed bike lockers at its Sheldon Field Park and Ride lot and marketed them for long term uses; 4.
2006--City implemented PACECAR program to encourage model driving behavior and slow down the speed of traffic behind voluntary pace
cars; 5. 2007--City printed and distributed auto rearview window sticker "Watch For Bicycles" to reduce frequency of car doors opening into
bicycles, the number one source of bicycle fatalities; 6. 2007--City piloted draft traffic calming manual to create priority list of traffic calming
measures. Manual fully implemented in 2008; 7. 2008--City placed plastic speed humps to test how quickly emergency vehicles could cross
over them to help identify what emergency routes were appropriate for speed humps; 8. May 2008--City installed online permitting for planning
board and zoning board to simplify and speed permit process and to allow the public to view permit applications; 9. 2008--City served as active
participant in ICLEI and PVPC efforts to bring AMTRAK service and eventually commuter rail to Northampton and along I-91; 10.
2007-2008--The City's Office of Planning and Development started serving as a "land trust" facilitating the purchase of land for floodplain
preservation and the eventual transfer of that land to the USA for inclusion in a new Northampton unit of the Conte fish and wildlife refuge,
protecting to date 260 acres of land in this refuge; 11. April 17, 2008--The City amended the subdivision regulations (§290-23, §290-33) to
include habitat assessments of turtles/amphibians and to require the installation of turtle/amphibian friendly tunnels and curbs as deemed
appropriate.
See explanation above (8)(0)
See explanation above (6)(0)
See explanation above (4)(0)
See explanation above (2)(0)
BONUS - 1 POINT FOR EVERY FISCAL YEAR COMMITMENT IMPLEMENTED: 0
No previous year's commitments found
TOTAL: EXISTING, COMMIT AND BONUS POINTS (MAXIMUM )
Total Requested Score: 131