Off and on since the 1970s, I’ve been proud to say I’m from Northampton. I always loved the quaint New England college town vibe. Until the combination of COVID-19 and the rampant, thoughtless infill projects by outside developers that have started to.
No one I know in Northampton is opposed to careful development or thoughtful infill. Over the past 10 years there have been many examples of very good infill across the city.However, zoning changes that have been sold to the city as giving the average.
In Earth Matters (Gazette, Jan 7), author Tom Litwin muses about “how our lives . became so enmeshed” with cars. We have been in the seductive thrall of the self-serving stories of the auto and fossil fuel companies in the U.S. for as long as I can.
New density dogs Bay State Village neighborhood
Cate Rowen talks about the development in her neighborhood on Landy Street in Northampton. She’s no fan of the newer, more expensive homes being built on split-up lots, but says she doesn’t “want to be a NIMBY.” STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Diane Scott stands in front of her home on Landy Street and talks about the development in her neighborhood. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
39 Landy St. in Northampton. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Jackie Ballance chats with a passing neighbor as she checks her mail at her home on Warner Street in the Bay State Village section of Northampton on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. STAFF PHOTO/KEVIN GUTTING