DRAFT

ZRC King Street Forums: Attendee's Comments

Blue Bonnet Forum, Sept 21,2010. 14 people spoke, 25 recorded comments Jackson Street Forum, Sept 29,2010. 19 people spoke, 26 recorded comments Total people who spoke at both forums, 33. Total recorded comments, 51.

Comments were sorted by the categories listed below:

Categories Blue Jackson Total Bonnet Street

Commerce 10 8 18 Bikes/pedestrians/public transit 1 8 9 Set backs 4 3 7 Form base codelDesign standards 3 2 5 Special permits 2 1 3 Outreach/public input 2 1 3 Environment 1 1 2 Housing 2 0 2 2 stories 0 1 1 Other 0 1 1 Total 25 26 51

Below are the recorded public comments organized by categories. The notes in italics represent a summary of the comments. Discussion points are made for some categories.

Where the speaker's name is in bold print the comments are from the Blue Bonnet forum. Where the speaker's name is not in italics the comments are from the Jackson Street forum

Commerce Concern was expressed regarding attracting "big box" stores, questions about

what kind ofbusinesses are we attempting to attract? Also what efforts are being made to attract business? The premise that zoning has been a major cause of not seeing businesses come to N King Street was questioned.

On the other hand there was supportfor the Chamber's plan, in whole and in part. Concern that we are trying to control what businesses can come to N King, that the market should decide. There was also an expression of a willingness to "compromise" to benefit from the tax revenues that would come with businesses on N King Street.

Discussion point: Does the Chamber's plan represent a trade off, compromising some aspects of Northampton's character, or the Sustainability plan for development and tax revenue? If so, is it worth it?

1

Bill Dwight Does not agree with the narrative that the current zoning has delayed development on King Street. Both the Hill'n'Dale and Lia Honda sites have been hindered by non-zoning issues. He expressed frustration with getting developers in the past to meet buffer requirements. It was his experience that Developers will at times look to do the minimum of what zoning requires around buffers and will find loopholes defeat the intent of zoning. He recommended that Design and Structural Standards be incorporated into the zoning. Megan Who are we trying to attract here? Walmart? We already have a Stop & Shop and Big Y. Fine with driving to Hadley to access their stores. Commutes to work in Holyoke. Likes the way the community is and does not want to see it changed. Would like to see more flexibility to support morn & pop businesses. Mary Lou LaBarge Northampton is increasingly becoming more expensive to live in and willing to compromise and allow development on King in exchange for greater tax revenue. Barry Goldstone Thinks that the Central Business zone should go beyond Trumbull street and up to Stop & Shop. Denise McKahn What are we doing to attract the right developers? Teri Anderson Banks do not like to finance projects without national credit making it more difficult for local start ups. Sue Stubbs Businesses and customers will flock to King if it looks nice, even if the business is a national retailer. Bill Dwight Obstacles on King have been the covenants with the city like with Stop & Shop limiting grocery stores, the lease with Firestone limiting the Hill'n'Dale site. The Gem on King is the combined Kollmorgen and Hill'n'Dale property. King Street properties require different approaches for each due to the complications of each site.

Why would developers want a dense green buffer because the screening blocks the view of the store, parking, and signage? Walmart has served citizens well in a reused structure. We need to provide safe access for these same citizens.

Dave McCormick - What do we want to attract to King St.? Municipal lot where Honda lot is. Attract businesses next to bike trail (behind transformer)

James Lowenthal- pleased to see proposal to make King St. more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. 30% of popUlation doesn't drive for whatever reason. Supports idea of "EQUAL ACCESS". Wants more evidence that current zoning has prevented development. Many years before zoning with little development and so what's the cause

2

- global recession vs. zoning. Agrees with Michael about setbacks affecting pedestrian -if get rid of setback requirements and height requirements, will look like Hadley, rte. 5 in W. Springfield. As for bike access, concern about side paths (parallel to major highway like King St.) and how to minimize curb cuts. Doesn't see how to do it. .. took picture of sidepath on University Ave. in Amherst and each car in photo potential accident for biker. Need to accommodate bikers and King St. needs road diet. Example 2 lanes on Bridge St. now one each way.

Julie Howland -lives in Ward 4 (15 years in town and member of economic development committee) current zoning since 2002 and King St. challenges require that we address matters now. Development done smartly will provide economic opportunities - taxes to help city and those in need, jobs. Appreciates that Chamber reached out and did not do work in bubble - community outreach occurred and is happening tonight. Strongly supports recommendation.

Michael di Pasquale - when think about sustainability value much of Northampton, don't want trade-off resulting in big boxes. They will compete with downtown stores and doesn't like what do, doesn't want to lose shopping of small stores. Need to see what more development on King St. does to downtown.

Mary - Sees downtown evolving and losing more of established businesses. Worries about development on King St. and how will affect downtown so becomes place just for visitors, not a real downtown. Locksmith leaves, office supply store leaves, tobacco shop leaves and ends up attracting out-of-towners. Left with tourist attraction shops and Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. Worried about becoming just like all small towns. King St. very important since will affect all.

Kelsey Flynn - urges ZRC to consider what Ann Seton Parish has started - not beholden to zoning. Plan calls for 15000 sq. ft. development across from Subway with lots of parking. Supports diversity of businesses.

Wants more mixed use at entranceway - residential parking permits make it easier to live there. Public discussion about monopolistic owning of property?

Rich - (on economic development committee) nervous when talk about trying to control businesses that come here. Market will develop what will develop. Lots of big empty spaces on King St. and could have had more stores. Need to be open to what wants to come - not willy nilly about anything goes, but current zoning too hard to get through. Outcome needs to be predictable

Bikes/pedestrians/public transit Much support for making King more bike and pedestrian friendly and increasing public transit. A lot of interest in a multi use path incorporated in the buffer zone. Skepticism was expressed regarding the safety of a multi use path for bikers including the comment that a multi use path is in fact dangerous for bikes.

3

There was also concern that the development of N King will make King and down town Northampton less accessible to cyclists and pedestrians coming from the Damon Road area and north.

Discussion point: Does the Chamber's plan make King, north of the bike path crossing, more bikefriendly? Ifnot, what would?

Kate Richardson Lives in Laurel Park. Accessing king by bike is daunting and will often go to Florence instead. Heartened by the idea of a multiuse path, not convinced it will work for two way traffic.

Colleen Currie - people who live off King st. who use King st. who don't have cars or choose not to use cars - need more housing, but many folks there who want to use King St. and want to walk, use bikes and we're already there. We welcome sidewalks.

Greg Klein (Laurel Pk) - representing folks in Laurel Pk and folks in that section of town - What are the ways to improve bike safety and access in short term; proposes bicycle task force to work in conjunction with planning people. In other words people who ride down King St. - but it's too frightening

Robin - Laurel Pk. - feels not part of Northampton. Ifput stores with bigger footprints on King St. larger trucks will get off at exit 21 and puts more traffic on road where folks want to be biking and tractor trailers even scarier than cars for bikes. So consider what happens to traffic flow.

Colleen - what about public transportation?

Alex - letter being delivered for ZRC to consider bus access and fact that within two years there will be passenger rail service in Northampton. Seeking input for public transportation committee. 4:00 public transportation committee.

James Lowenthal- pleased to see proposal to make King St. more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. 30% of population doesn' t drive for whatever reason. Supports idea of "EQUAL ACCESS". Wants more evidence that current zoning has prevented development. Many years before zoning with little development and so what's the cause - global recession vs. zoning. Agrees with Michael about setbacks affecting pedestrian -if get rid of setback requirements and height requirements, will look like Hadley, rte. 5 in W. Springfield. As for bike access, concern about side paths (parallel to major highway like King St.) and how to minimize curb cuts. Doesn't see how to do it ... took picture of sidepath on University Ave. in Amherst and each car in photo potential accident for biker. Need to accommodate bikers and King St. needs road diet. Example 2 lanes on Bridge St. now one each way.

Steven - address highway business portion. Supports no required second story and flexibility of setback - some kind of change in order to spur development. Also, more

4

important than setbacks - design standards. Add voice - King St. scary for bikers - do anything to make safer

Mike Hempstead - multi-use path, take closer look at fatalities on multi-use path. Many more points of conflict with motorists turning. Much better way would be to construct road so there is adequate space for bike path - one lane car traffic each way. If sincere effort to integrate cycling, needs to be revisited.

Set Backs There were many comments supporting the buffer proposed for the Highway Business district. There were questions about the dimensions of the buffer and how far back buildings would be from the buffer. There were some who did say they would like to see the possibility of buildings up to the street in the HB area.

Discussion Point: what are the details regarding the buffer?

Unidentified Member of Public The Upper part of King is an embarrassment and avoids biking it entirely with guests. All in favor of residential development because it puts less stress on the roads and it could be good for kids. Would like to see building up to the street. Would like a developer to explain the need for parking in front of store.

Owen Freeman-Daniels Likes the idea of increasing uses by right. Likes the idea of the buffer zone. Concerned we will get larger and higher signs due to vegetative buffer. Would like to see additional public parking as part of the middle zone. Aaron Helfand It is not unreasonable to imagine dramatic change on upper King Street. He has seen these radical transformations occur in other communities. The 25 foot setback is probably desirable if abutting a parking lot, not if abutting a building, then the setback should be smaller. Expressed worry that the greenway is not conducive to pedestrians. This recommendation is short on environmental sustainability, especially around density. Density on King will lessen pressures to develop outlying areas. Fran Volkman Appreciates all the hard work that has gone into the proposal and by the committee. Likes the idea of three zones. Likes the flexibility of uses in the proposal. Wants to see design standards part of the zoning and form based codes. Believes that the input thus far represents business interests and has yet to hear various other views. Environmental and Design concerns are not part of the proposal. Not for unlimited setbacks. Go for uniqueness every time. Pay attention to the Equities.

Michael di Pasquale - if you want to encourage bikes and pedestrians, walking closer to building instead of huge parking lot is more attractive situation. Ifbig box comes, put parking on side or back. Try to hold to less parking in front.

Cindy - had shop with window that attracted folks into shop. Compares to Maryland and strip mall- no identity, nobody walks, businesses come and go. Unpleasant experience -

5

and setback is critical as shopper, pedestrian, biker. For shop owner (small business owner) big setback wouldn't appeal. Too big a division from road to shop.

Form base code/Design standards Comments were made supporting the creation of design standards and developing a form based code for King Street. Bill Dwight Does not agree with the narrative that the current zoning has delayed development on King Street. Both the Hill 'n'Dale and Lia Honda sites have been hindered by non-zoning issues. He expressed frustration with getting developers in the past to meet buffer requirements. It was his experience that Developers will at times look to do the minimum of what zoning requires around buffers and will find loopholes defeat the intent of zoning. He recommended that Design and Structural Standards be incorporated into the zoning. Adam Cohen Would like to see infill design standards incorporated in proposal. Also, more public control on large development projects, mentioning the Hilton Garden Inn as a project that lacked public input. . Fran Volkman Appreciates all the hard work that has gone into the proposal and by the committee. Likes the idea of three zones. Likes the flexibility of uses in the proposal. Wants to see design standards part of the zoning and form based codes. Believes that the input thus far represents business interests and has yet to hear various other views. Environmental and Design concerns are not part of the proposal. Not for unlimited setbacks. Go for uniqueness every time. Pay attention to the Equities.

Bob Reckman - Big support of Notre Dame Project, need for form base code, but short range problem and Chamber Committee will allow for form based code. Encourages ZRC to improve Chamber proposal and take to Planning Board, not to wait for form based code.

Steven - address highway business portion. Supports no required second story and flexibility of setback - some kind of change in order to spur development. Also, more important than setbacks - design standards. Add voice - King St. scary for bikers - do anything to make safer

Special permits There was support for reducing the need for special permits, typically noted in conjunction with deterring developers by making the permit process too cumbersome. This was also talked about in connection with a greater range of uses for King Street properties. Maureen Carney Wants to see the relaxing special permitting for manufacturing, medical and residential. Feels that residential could be attractive being so close to services. Concerned about the accessibility of residents of Hampshire Heights and River Run.

6

Fran Volkman Appreciates all the hard work that has gone into the proposal and by the committee. Likes the idea of three zones. Likes the flexibility of uses in the proposal. Wants to see design standards part of the zoning and form based codes. Believes that the input thus far represents business interests and has yet to hear various other views. Environmental and Design concerns are not part of the proposal. Not for unlimited setbacks. Go for uniqueness every time. Pay attention to the Equities.

Colleen - supports more variety of uses without special permits ...

Tom Andrews -lives on North King. How much do special permit requirements really restrict development. Banks all along King St. Big Y expanded and bank disappeared to let Big Y do so.

Outreach/Public input Comments raised the question, has there been enough effort to solicit input from

local residents? Discussion point: has the outreach been reasonably balanced between residential

and business parties? What more should be done, if anything? Fran Volkman Appreciates all the hard work that has gone into the proposal and by the committee. Likes the idea of three zones. Likes the flexibility of uses in the proposal. Wants to see design standards part of the zoning and form based codes. Believes that the input thus far represents business interests and has yet to hear various other views. Environmental and Design concerns are not part ofthe proposal. Not for unlimited setbacks. Go for uniqueness every time. Pay attention to the Equities. Adam Cohen Would like to see infill design standards incorporated in proposal. Also, more public control on large development projects, mentioning the Hilton Garden Inn as a project that lacked public input.

How much outreach to Hampshire Heights since are major stakeholders - many are deeply affected by such proposals.

Environment See comments.

Teri Anderson Teri AndersonSees the proposal as environmentally sustainable because it increases greenspace along the corridor and encourages pedestrian and bike access. Does not see Downtown extending down King in the near future. Is of the view that may residents of upper King Street do not wish to shop at the stores downtown.

Paul Voss - plan step in right direction and conversation worth having. Worried that we're building infrastructure that will be with us for next 30-40 years and facing energy crisis. Needs to be piece of conversation - how much energy needed with proposals. Need to watch out for couple of points in plan - setbacks key if its all about cars, but

7

raises issues of energy use. Other energy piece - 2 story vs. one story more energy use than more rectangular buildings - big, flat buildings are "energy pigs". If have big setbacks folks won't use bike path at night - need to think about what will happen during different times of day.

Housing Comments were made in support of housing on N King. Deb Jacobs Would like to see Affordable Housing on King Unidentified Member of Public The Upper part of King is an embarrassment and avoids biking it entirely with guests. All in favor of residential development because it puts less stress on the roads and it could be good for kids. Would like to see building up to the street. Would like a developer to explain the need for parking in front of store.

2 Stories

Paul Voss - plan step in right direction and conversation worth having. Worried that we're building infrastructure that will be with us for next 30-40 years and facing energy crisis. Needs to be piece of conversation - how much energy needed with proposals. Need to watch out for couple of points in plan - setbacks key if its all about cars, but raises issues of energy use. Other energy piece - 2 story vs. one story more energy use than more rectangular buildings - big, flat buildings are "energy pigs". If have big setbacks folks won't use bike path at night - need to think about what will happen during different times of day.

Additional comments The zoning/planning process needs to be concerned with the state and need for

development of Northampton's infrastructure.

Gerry Budgar - infrastructure in rough shape throughout city, especially downtown and that's where proposals for development. Need to think about zoning and development with regard to infrastructure changes and wants to see ZRC think about what city has for infrastructure when consider zoning changes. Need to think about it - could be hidden horror. All city officials agree this is problem and needs to be looked at.

8