Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra in July appointed Katelyn Deppen director of Central Services, succeeding Patrick McCarthy who retired July 11.

The appointment will be considered by the City Council’s Committee on City Services, which I chair, at 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 4, in the City Council chambers, 212 Main St.

Here is the Zoom link for remote participation (passcode 158576):

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88662623753

The Committee on City Services is expected to send a recommendation on Deppen’s appointment to the full City Council for a vote on Aug. 21.

Deppen has worked for the city since August 2022 when she was hired as facilities project manager for Central Services. She has been superintendent of engineering for the city’s Department of Public Works since January.

A graduate of the University of Vermont with a bachelor of science degree in environmental science, Deppen previously managed professional and collegiate sports facilities, where she gained experience in capital planning and overseeing infrastructure.

Central Services manages grounds, maintenance, heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical, security, custodial, renovations, and construction operations for city and school buildings, as well as maintenance and operation of municipal parking lots and garages and the parking meter system.

Hazard mitigation plan

The city is updating its 2020 hazard mitigation plan and invites public comment at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency define hazard mitigation as action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural disasters such as flooding, high winds, hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes. Mitigation efforts help to minimize loss of life and damage to buildings and infrastructure when natural disasters occur.

During Tuesday’s meeting, community members are encouraged to describe their experiences with natural hazards in Northampton.

The city’s Office of Planning and Sustainability is working with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission on updating the hazard mitigation plan that was adopted by the City Council in August 2020. It is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4264/Northampton-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-2020-2025?bidId=

Hearing on parking changes

The Planning Board and City Council’s Committee on Legislative Matters will hold a public hearing on proposed zoning changes affecting requirements for off-street motor vehicle and bicycle parking at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 11, in the City Council chambers, 212 Main St.

Here is the Zoom link for remote participation (passcode 453644):

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83438719977

The ordinance sponsored by at-large Councilor Marissa Elkins and Alex Jarrett of Ward 5 would reduce minimum off-street motor vehicle parking requirements in residential, office industrial and water supply protection zoning districts. Additional parking for bicycles would be required in some cases.

The ordinance states that “requiring motor vehicle parking that is not needed is a subsidy of car ownership, at the expense of transit and other modes, which is at odds with our climate goals, while bicycle parking requires little space, promotes non-motor vehicle travel and furthers our climate goals.”

The Planning Board and Committee on Legislative Matters will each make a recommendation whether to adopt the parking changes, which would then go to the full City Council for a possible vote on Aug. 21.

The proposed ordinance is available here:

https://northamptonma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/25499?fileID=205234

Sale of 33 King Street

Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra announced Thursday that the city has a provisional agreement to sell the vacant property at 33 King St. for a mixed-use development including 92 residential units and 2,500 square feet of commercial space.

A partnership of The Community Builders Inc. and Valley Community Development, which are both based in Northampton, submitted a bid of $900,000 to buy the 1.46-acre parcel that formerly was owned by the state and used for the Hampshire County Hall of Records. Profits from the sale will be split with the state.

The existing vacant, two-story building, which is about 50 years old, would be demolished and replaced with two five-story buildings. There also would be parking and a permanent easement for the public to pass through the property on foot or via non-motorized vehicles to the rail trail at the east side of the site.

The commercial space would be along the King Street frontage. The project would provide affordable housing to people with incomes at or below 30 percent to 120 percent of the area median income.

The Planning Board and Central Business Architecture Committee are expected later this year to review the proposed redevelopment.

The City Council in December approved a new Request for Proposals removing a minimum bid requirement after no bids were received last year. The city originally had sought a $2.5 million minimum bid.

Stan