From “Is it Safe to Walk? Neighborhood Safety and Security Considerations and Their Effects on Walking”, Journal of Planning Literature, February 2006 (p. 225): The importance of walking and physical activity as determinants of good health has been well established in the medical and public health literature, but a significant number of Americans live sedentary […]
Secondary Effects: Town of Islip
Islip, NY published a detailed strategy and rationale for regulating adult businesses through zoning (PDF) in 1980. Here are some of their findings which have a bearing on Northampton’s new ordinances, especially the desire to keep downtown Northampton pedestrian-friendly: Planning relies heavily on public participation, both by federal government mandate and by professional standards. The principle […]
Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Bookends Porn Shop in Enfield
In the adult-use zoning ordinances approved by Northampton’s City Council on November 2, some of the justifications are to preserve Northampton’s pedestrian-friendly character: The City has historically valued the preservation and expansion of dense, safe, pedestrian-scale neighborhoods and development that enable residents to walk to school, services, recreation, and other activities. More specifically, such pedestrian-scale […]
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Punishment Porn: “Whether-She-Wants-It-Or-Not” (explicit)
Strictly Speaking Spanking, a magazine on sale at Bookends of Enfield, calls itself “entertainment for consenting adults”. On reading the magazine, however, one could be forgiven for becoming confused about the role of consent in the entertainment. SSS publishes a letter from Allison in California: “David, don’t you dare spank me!” I shrieked, feeling only […]
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Credulity at Mopornnorthampton
Looks like the folks at Mopornnorthampton are easily flattered. A Mr. “Ulysses Lazarus” from Neurocam is apparently trying to play both sides of the issue today… To Mopornnorthampton: Dear Sir/Madam: As a duly appointed representative of Neurocam International, I am taking the opportunity to voice the support of the entire Neurocam family for your operation. […]
Capital Video Disregards Community Concerns
In today’s Gazette (“What may follow new ordinances”), Capital Video general counsel Lesley Rich claims the company enjoys “an excellent relationship with its host communities”.If that’s the case, I wonder why Springfield residents and officials pushed back against the expansion of the Capital Video store at 486 Bridge Street. The store was established in 1990. Capital […]
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Gazette: “Zoning laws set; But porn store’s plans unchanged”
Today’s Gazette reports on the City Council’s approval of adult-use zoning on November 2. The Republican also covers the story in “Council limits adult businesses”. Among other things, the new ordinances (see details) require that businesses with more than 1,000 square feet of adult material on display must locate in Northampton’s Highway Business District and be […]
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Breaking News: City Council Gives Final Approval to Adult-Use Zoning Ordinances
We are pleased to report that Northampton’s City Council has just approved all three adult-use zoning ordinances under consideration. Each ordinance secured the required two-thirds majority of the council members. In brief, the ordinances regulate signage with adult content, require a 500-foot buffer zone between establishments with porn viewing booths and homes, and a 500-foot […]
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WMass Librarians: No Sign of Censorship Following Adult-Use Zoning
Some of our opponents have argued that significant censorship is likely to follow if adult-use zoning regulations are passed in Northampton. Librarians in Western Massachusetts say this has not been their experience.NPN’s Jendi Reiter spoke today with librarians in several Massachusetts towns that passed adult-use zoning in the mid-1990s or earlier. We asked whether such measures […]
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The Case for Secondary Effects
Some people question the reality of secondary effects of adult businesses. NoPornNorthampton would like to present a summary of some of our research into this issue. Secondary effects have been seen in towns as large as New York City and as small as Kittery, Maine. These effects have been seen in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, […]