NORTHAMPTON — Concluding a public hearing that spanned two separate meetings within a month, the Planning Board voted unanimously Thursday to approve a special permit for the construction of 91 affordable housing units downtown at the former Registry of Deeds site on King Street.

The board approved the project under the conditions that the applicant make improvements to the crosswalk along King Street, extending its curb, and provide asphalt and lighting certifications from the state.

“We hear a lot, when looking at other projects, about the need for affordable housing in Northampton,” Planning Board Chair Janna White said. “A lot of what gets built is not affordable housing because it’s hard to do, so it’s really wonderful to see this coming in. It’s a badly needed resource and a great location for it.”

Designers and architects working with co-developers Valley Community Development (Valley CDC) and The Community Builders (TCB) first presented plans to build two, five-story buildings on the 1.46-acre downtown property at 33 King St. at a June 11 hearing.

The 62,000-square-foot TCB building will sit at the front of the property on King Street, containing 14 one-bedroom and studio units, 18 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units alongside ground-floor commercial space.

The 52,000-square-foot Valley CDC building at the back of the property next to the Norwottuck Rail Trail will be constructed first. It will include a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with common space on the ground floor and laundry rooms on the upper floors.

Construction is expected to start in 2029 and be completed in 2030.

Amid concerns over parking, pedestrian access and design standards, the board continued the first hearing until this month, requesting that the applicant return with more information about the development’s expected impact on parking, safety and pedestrian access.

Presenting national traffic impact data collected by the Institute of Transportation engineers, Fuss and O’Neil Senior Project Manager Emily Wright explained that the proposed project was expected to generate approximately 16 new vehicle trips during peak workday hours and 21 vehicle trips during peak evening hours.

Wright noted that while the data was collected from multifamily housing developments throughout the country, affordable housing residents typically own fewer cars and drive less than market-rate tenants.

“The reason we feel those impacts will be limited is because we’re proposing 29 parking spaces on a lot that currently has about 89 parking spaces. No parking spaces are required by zoning …,” Wright said. “This project is proposed in a location that’s in the heart of downtown, so folks have easy access to bus routes and the bike path and can walk to many of their daily needs.”

The current building on the property, constructed in 1975 and vacant since 2019, would be demolished to make way for the new development, and each building would be owned separately by the two organizations.

During public comment, residents and abutters expressed a variety of opinions, with many arguing that the development will provide needed additions to the city’s affordable housing stock, and others voicing concern that the development will have a negative impact on the city’s traffic and parking.

“I feel it is irresponsible and quite ignorant for those sitting on the board to say ‘people will figure out where to park.’ There has to be a very clear plan besides just saying ‘people will figure it out,'” said King Street resident Jennifer Lotstein. “It’s a wonderful dream and vision to create a city that is carless, but I think it’s not quite there yet for New England because people still have cars and drive.”

Resident Alex Bowman, who owns a parcel at 17-25 Market St., requested that the board continue the hearing again, raising concerns that the development would hinder residents’ access to the rail trail through the entryway near Merrick Lane.

Others, such as Rust Avenue resident Benjamin Spencer, expressed support for the project, stating that it will, in his opinion, bring much-needed vitality, housing and economic development into the city.

“I think this is a very welcome development right in the urban core of our town. Ninety-one affordable housing units — one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom — people living in the center of our town,” Spencer said. “That’s vitality, that’s people working at our businesses, going to our businesses, supporting our community, so I really applaud what must have been a concerted effort to get us to this place. The buildings themselves, I think, are going to really lend some attractive qualities to our downtown.”