Zoning Matters is a group of citizens from across Northampton who care deeply about our city. We have come together because zoning will shape our built environment for as long as we live here. It influences our downtown and village centers, our houses and apartments, our neighborhoods, our open space, and our community gardens. Zoning regulates population density, parking, and the demands on city services and infrastructure. Thoughtful planning and effective community engagement can result in positive city growth. Done poorly, zoning can change the character of treasured neighborhoods forever.
We want to improve the public understanding of zoning and deepen the level of discussion. We encourage and support a more cooperative and dynamic relationship among citizens, our elected officials, and our planning professionals. Zoning is a critical legacy issue. It is about our quality of life. It is about the kind of city we will pass on to the next generation.