NORTH ADAMS â North Adams residents raised few concerns about a proposed zoning change that has stirred controversy in other municipalities. At a preliminary public hearing Wednesday night, locals had the chance to weigh in on whether the city should adopt âSmart Growthâ zones that would encourage dense residential and mixed-use development in the cityâs downtown. Quote More than a dozen members of the public attended the hearing hosted by the city's Community Development Committee, and several questioned how the zoning overlay might impact existing or future development. Zachary Feury, project coordinator at the cityâs Office of Community Development, said the hearing, held over Zoom, was the first step in a long process that will involve the City Council and the commonwealth of Massachusetts.