NORTHAMPTON — A small homes and cottages project is being proposed at 39 Day Ave., according to a recent permit application posted to Northampton’s website.
The proposed project, which is being spearheaded by Pioneer Development LLC, calls for a split of the large existing single-family home that sits at the location into a side-by-side duplex.
Pioneer Development is then proposing to add seven small, mostly single-family homes that are all less than 1,000 square feet, according to the permit application that details the plans.
“What we’re most excited about on this project is that we are testing what we are calling a ‘cottage’ concept, a smaller and more affordable home — [less than] 700 square feet — that has one bedroom plus a reasonably-sized open bonus space that we believe offers most of the function for smaller households that a two-bedroom home offers,” said Danielle McKahn, the managing partner for Pioneer Development.
According to the permit application for the project, four of the seven new construction homes are projected be in this cottage style that McKahn mentions while the other three homes are projected to be small, standard-sized two-bedroom homes that are a little over 900 square feet.
According to McKahn, the layout of the seven proposed new homes is similar to the less-than-1,000-square-foot townhomes that were built at 227 South St., which is where the Northampton Veterinary Clinic was previously located.
With the 39 Day Ave. project, the plan is to maintain more open space between the structures.
“With this project at 39 Day Ave., we’re expanding the outdoor space for each home,” McKahn said. “This shift is in response to the development patterns on neighboring properties, to fit into the character of the neighborhood, as well as a desire we’ve seen for residents to have great semi-private outdoor spaces.”
According to McKahn, the project falls in line with the city’s planning objectives that are described in the Sustainable Northampton Plan, which states that the city wants to use densely developed areas — including traditional neighborhoods that support downtown Northampton — to build more housing, support downtown commerce, public transit viability, walkability and neighborhood vibrancy.
The plan also states that housing should be located within walking distance along safe paths, near parks and recreation, schools and public transportation.
“This proposal hits the mark on all these fronts, being a relatively large lot on a street that’s just a block to the bike path, the Montessori School, Sheldon Field, and a Route 9 bus stop/shelter, and is also not far from the fairgrounds, Bridge Street School or downtown,” McKahn said.
According to McKahn, the construction will be energy efficient and all-electric, incorporate green materials selections, will have rooftop photovoltaics and likely a couple electric vehicle charging stations.
Pioneer Development is also proposing to build a speed table on the street in front of the development in order to reduce vehicle speeds.
The proposal would also connect Glenwood Avenue — which is a dead-end-street — to Day Avenue via a shared use driveway as a way to promote neighborhood connectivity.
“Residents of Glenwood Avenue would be welcome to walk and bike through to connect to Day Avenue on their way to the bike path, the North Street Neighborhood, or wherever,” McKahn said, of the proposed shared use driveway.
The next step for this project includes a Northampton Planning Board public hearing for site plan review. Once Pioneer Development secures approval of the site plan, they will obtain appropriate permits and begin the construction process.
The hearing has not officially been scheduled yet, as of press time.
