Northampton commission reviews Complete Streets edits, tables vote to January

The commission reviewed proposed edits to Northampton’s Complete Streets ordinance that would require the Department of Public Works to present — rather than seek approval of — design exceptions to the Transportation & Parking Commission and the Disabilities Commission, and would clarify sidewalk and roundabout language.

Directors Donna LaScalia of the Department of Public Works and Carolyn Mish of Planning and Sustainability described the draft as a “least-possible-impact” rewording intended to preserve the policy’s spirit while avoiding procedural delays on capital paving projects. Mish read the draft language that would require mill-and-overlay projects to “include complete streets elements … when geometrically and financially feasible” and to present design exceptions to both commissions for comment rather than require Transportation & Parking Commission approval.

The change responds to scheduling and funding pressures, LaScalia said. She told commissioners that she hopes to have mill-and-overlay projects bid for 2025 in March and that under the ordinance as written a negative TPC vote could halt projects: “If TPC votes no on that, everything stops,” she said, adding that projects already depend on engineering constraints, right-of-way and drainage. LaScalia explained that mill-and-overlay work typically replaces the top layer of asphalt without altering curb lines, and that converting a project to include sidewalks or curb changes can trigger expensive drainage work and private takings.

Mish and LaScalia also outlined other changes: clarifying which zoning districts expect sidewalks (business, industrial, mixed-use and urban residential, and certain corridors within one mile of the Florence Center), adding a requirement for crosswalks at intersections where sidewalks exist on both sides of the street, and asking that roundabout feasibility be evaluated during preliminary engineering. The draft would remove language requiring the Transportation & Parking Commission to approve the choice of signalization instead of a roundabout and instead ask TPC for comment on signal-vs.-roundabout selection.

Several commissioners pressed for continued emphasis on sidewalks. One commissioner said she “loves how many people cycle in Northampton” but asked that sidewalks not be overlooked; LaScalia replied that projects follow design standards, including Chapter 90 and MassDOT-like requirements, and that DPW must be able to justify decisions with engineering data. Councilor Debs urged a mechanism to record commissions’ views, suggesting a nonbinding recommendation or vote so city council can see whether commissions approve or disapprove proposed exceptions.

The directors clarified the policy’s procedural path: the ordinance must be introduced to city council, referred to council subcommittee and would require a public hearing. Given the technical details and potential budgetary consequences, the commission voted to postpone a decision. Commissioner Kathy moved to table the discussion to the commission’s January meeting so members could review the draft language further; Councilor Debs seconded and the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all present voting yes.

The commission will resume consideration in January and then decide whether to forward the proposed amendments to city council for formal action.