Loading...
FBC Final ForumFlorence Center & Downtown Zoning Amendments Adoption of Form Based Code Public Forum January 27, 2022 Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 1 Agenda What is it? How did we get here? Details- Florence Center Details- Downtown Northampton Process Questions/Comments Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 2 Why Change? Zoning is Stale Not meeting current market demands Retail/Commercial trends differ from 20 years ago Provide opportunities for new housing and dining, low cost retail Doesn’t address different blocks/characteristics Completed projects aren’t consistent with perception of vision Florence Zoning is the same as along Damon Road and other highway oriented zones Residents want zoning to reflect their village center Discontent with project outcomes- Main/Maple Florence Center should have its own zoning Downtown District treats all streets the same Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 3 Background- What Rules for design and use in one document Differentiate Blocks with Different Characteristics Address Public and Private Improvements Building location/orientation over uses Goals Diagram vision for future evolution of place Enhance pedestrian experience by framing streets with buildings Create a clear path for applicants 4 Background - How Focus Groups Fall 2018 Florence Civic Downtown Northampton Association Chamber Public Forums October 2018 Business & Property Owner Meetings Public Forums Summer 2019 Stakeholder Interviews through 2019 November & December 2020 Forums Florence: Park(ing) Day--outdoor engagement for Florence Planning: September 21, 2018 [I don't think this was officially sanctioned by the Planning Department] Florence Civic and Business Association: September 25, 2018 Florence Civic and Business Association: June 11, 2019 Public Forum, Florence: October 30, 2018 Public Forum, Florence: June 24, 2019 Planning Board: July 13, 2019 Public Forum Florence (via Zoom): November 17, 2020 Downtown: Downtown Northampton Association: September 18 2018 Chamber of Commerce: September 22, 2018 CBAC: June 4, 2019 Public Forum: October 2 2018 Public Forum Downtown (via Zoom): November 12, 2020 Planning Board: June 27, 2019 Planning Board: July 11, 2019 Both: Public Forum Florence & Downtown (via Zoom), December 10 2020 Chamber of Commerce (via Zoom), December 18, 2020 5 Florence Center – Existing Zoning Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 6 Florence Center- Proposed Zoning Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 7 Components- Based on Input Differentiate different sections of Florence Center Create Flexibility Update allowed uses consistent with commercial/housing trends Ground Floor Housing- support business opportunities Hotel Manufacturing Entertainment Create Predictability New Buildings/Major Additions: specific form & design requirements Define expectations for development Florence: Park(ing) Day--outdoor engagement for Florence Planning: September 21, 2018 [I don't think this was officially sanctioned by the Planning Department] Florence Civic and Business Association: September 25, 2018 Florence Civic and Business Association: June 11, 2019 Public Forum, Florence: October 30, 2018 Public Forum, Florence: June 24, 2019 Planning Board: July 13, 2019 Public Forum Florence (via Zoom): November 17, 2020 Downtown: Downtown Northampton Association: September 18 2018 Chamber of Commerce: September 22, 2018 CBAC: June 4, 2019 Public Forum: October 2 2018 Public Forum Downtown (via Zoom): November 12, 2020 Planning Board: June 27, 2019 Planning Board: July 11, 2019 Both: Public Forum Florence & Downtown (via Zoom), December 10 2020 Chamber of Commerce (via Zoom), December 18, 2020 Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 8 Downtown Northampton Existing Zoning Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 9 Downtown- Proposed Zoning 4 commercial Districts into 3 Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 10 CB- Core Differentiate historic Core Uses, Design remain substantially untouched Create Predictability for public realm 11 CB- Side Streets Differentiates from Core and Gateway Rezone properties to be consistent with desired uses Create Flexibility Update allowed uses to reflect economy/ housing market Ground Floor Housing Assisted Living Manufacturing Create Predictability Form and design requirements – new buildings or major additions Define expectations for development Streamline architectural design review 12 CB-Gateway District Differentiates from Side and Core Rezone properties to be consistent with desired uses Create Flexibility Update allowed uses to reflect economy / housing market Create Predictability Form and design requirements – new buildings or major additions Define expectations for public realm & street edge Streamline architectural design review 13 Public Realm Clarify and illustrate basic standards that are currently in zoning, apply them to other parts of downtown Flexibility and Predictability for buildings and public space: Sidewalks Tree planting Furnishings Uses of public space Summary Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 14 Process Public Comment- Tonight Final Code Review Package Introduced to Council- March? Public Hearings – April/May Adoption Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 15 Email comments to: cmisch@northamptonma.gov Northampton Planning and Sustainability 210 Main St. City Hall Northampton, MA 01060 www.northamptonma.gov/plan 413-587-1287 Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 16 33 King St Downtown Northampton Regulatory Tune-up Planning Board Meeting, June 27, 2019 17