I recently moved to Northfield after living in Greenfield for over 30 years. My work took me to every nook and cranny in the Pioneer Valley.

Driving through Northfield, I asked myself what many ask when they drive through this town, “What would it be like to live here?” Its river, forests, farmland, architecture, and liberal leanings make it so inviting.

Last summer, I had the opportunity to move to its most historic street and live in one of those storied Victorian homes. I sat on my porch and watched the evening stream of people of all ages, pushing strollers, riding bicycles. Always a smile, a polite hello, a combination of friendliness with a respect for privacy.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I learned of a real estate development two short blocks from my home. It was the perfect foil to this little nirvana: a four-story condo/apartment complex that took up practically every square inch of the only remaining lot on the street.

The Moody Center, a co-owner of the former Northfield Mount Hermon campus, had put forward a design for a building that would fit nicely on Route 9 in Hadley: some outsized offspring of a UMass dorm and a Holiday Inn.

Many of the townspeople stood up and objected, as letters to the editor and my turns attest. They submitted over a hundred questions at a special Planning Board meeting.

To its credit, the Moody Center backed off and agreed to the formation of the Campus Committee, made of members of the Moody Center, Aquinas College, town officials, and community members. The committee’s charge is to make recommendations which reflect a consensus view of criteria for new growth. This is good news.

Northfield is ripe for development with its inexpensive land, easy access to I-91, proximity to Vermont, New Hampshire, Greenfield and points south. Its natural beauty and architecture will be an increasing draw as technology allows people to work further from cities. There will be pressures for development — from individuals, companies, and organizations that care more for profit than for the welfare of the community.

I share with many citizens in Northfield the desire for smart development that respects the scale, architecture, and natural resources of the town. Our Master Plan clearly defines that intention. In Northfield, as in neighboring towns, the beauty is fragile. Our eyes will be on the Campus Committee as a model for other towns to support planned growth.

Christopher Sikes is a resident of Northfield.