The document discusses how subdivision standards and design can promote public health by making communities more bicycle and pedestrian friendly through features like narrower streets, sidewalks, and clustered development that encourages walkability. It also addresses how planning departments and boards of health can collaborate using approaches like low impact development and innovative stormwater management to provide guidance on issues like groundwater quality, septic systems, and preventing diseases and health conditions related to lack of activity.

1. Building Health in Subdivision Review
, January 29, 2008
Wayne Feiden, AICP
Northampton Director of Planning and Development

2. Subdivision
Standards
• Cookbook approach
• ANYthing within right-of-way
• Board of Health as partner

3. Bicycle and Pedestrians

4. Bicycle and
Pedestrians
• Making HEALTHY communities
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Friendly
• Alternative to driving everywhere

5. Cluster and
Conservation
Design
• Walkability
• Smart Growth
• Incentives for active recreation

6. Traffic Safety
and Traffic
Calming
• On-street parking
• Narrow streets
• Horizontal and vertical deflections
• Sidewalks and off-road paths
• Shared space

7. Project Review
• Too late if not in regulations
• BOH has 45 days
• It’s not just septic systems

8. LIDs,
Stormwater, and
Innovative
Approaches
• Low Impact Development (LID)
• Rain Gardens
• Integrative Stormwater
Managment

9. LIDs, Stormwater, and
Innovative Approaches
• Low Impact Development (LID)
• How/where can BOH Offer
Guidance?

10. Planning and Health
• Total Nitrogen in groundwater
– Septic system vs.
– Larger lawn, longer driveway, etc
• Blue baby disease vs. heart attacks?
• What is public health?

11. Planning and Health
• Total Nitrogen in groundwater
– Septic system vs.
– Larger lawn, longer driveway, etc
• Blue baby disease vs. heart attacks?
• What is public health?