Working with Your Conservation Commission Wayne Feiden FAICP

Working with Your Conservation Commission Wayne Feiden, FAICP Director of Planning and Development

Environment /Planet Sustainability “the needs of the present without compromising… future generations” Equity/ People Economy/ Prosperity/Profit UN Bruntland Commission and Triple Bottom Line

Total Environmental Footprint

Wetlands & Total Environment Footprint

Strategic Open Space

Sustainable Northampton

Goal 1: Encourage Infill and Preserve Greenspace • Ask for creative designs and cluster development that allow higher density and infill in the downtown and village centers • Add parks, greenspace, and appropriate agriculture on city-owned land or larger infill development projects • Preserve large undeveloped tracts, vistas, and farmland in rural areas • Maximize density on small lots • Preserve and encourage agricultural uses in designated areas

Goal 2: Protect Valuable and Sensitive Ecological Resources • Prioritize and preserve quality wetlands by encouraging development in densely populated areas and in clusters • Protect and conserve water supplies • Ensure no net loss of total wetlands • Preserve existing forests, floodplains, wetlands, and agricultural soils of high ecological value • Minimize the loss of tree canopy • Protect rare and endangered plants and animals and important wildlife corridors

Goal 3: Minimize Impacts of Infrastructure on Environmental Resources • Reduce soil erosion and control sediment • Encourage and enforce low impact development • Reduce the use of sand, salts, or other de-icing chemicals in environmentally sensitive areas • Ensure land alterations do not adversely impact surface waters • Reuse brownfield sites • Reduce use of toxic substances • Encourage non-motorized travel and transit options

Goal 4: Expand Open Space and Recreation • Preserve and expand City holdings of open space, wild lands, and open land in densely developed areas • Preserve the environment and cultural and natural resources through land easements and regulation changes • Identify ‘greenway’ and ‘blueway’ connections to improve access to open spaces for all individuals • Ensure safe, high quality, recreational waters are available to all residents • Ensure all neighborhoods and areas have equal access to improvements

Open Space Residential Development

Water Quality and Access

Quality Conservation and Habitat Areas Brookwood Marsh Rainbow Beach/floodplain Fitzgerald Lake

Clean Environment

Rail Trails

Clean Water

Limited Developments Lowest cost: • Open space • Affordable & Community Housing • Public facilities and needs

Limited Development Fitzgerald Lake

Farmland • APRs • CRs • Zoning • Wetlands • Ag. Com.

Joint Staffing Pros of Joint Staffing • Boards working together • More flexibility Challenges of Joint Staffing • Cross training