4. Work Plan
•Multiple site visits
•Interviews with Stow departments, commissions, and
stakeholders
•Review of Town documents, bylaws, and applicable regulations
•Analysis of Town departments and committee’s proposals for
323 Great Road
• Conservation & Recreation Commissions (2)
• Open Space Committee
• Conservation Trust
• Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
• Town Center Forum/SWOT analysis
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18. Town Center Forum
● Held on
October 29,
2014 in the
Town Hall
● Community
input
● Brainstorming
session
19. Forum Findings
• Majority of attendants pro Conservation
• Some Housing public as well
• Access to the Ministers Pond seen as an important issue
“May be one of last chances for public access to Ministers Pond”
20. Evaluation Criteria
1. Does it match the master plan?
2. Does it match the zoning?
3. Does it match the Open Space and Recreation Plan?
4. Does it match the Housing Production Plan?
5. Does it match the Pedestrian Walkway Study
6. Does it comply with environmental regulations?
7. Does it protect Stow’s character?
8. How controversial is it?
21. Master Plan
• Updated May 2010, every
five years
• Works off of many topical
plans
• Goals:
• Balance housing and
demographic diversity
while maintaining rural
small-town heritage
• Concentrate
development
• Preserve open space and
agriculture
22. Zoning
• Town Center zoning
•Residential
•Recreation/conservation
•Floodplain Overlay District
• No commercially zoned
properties in this area
• Several non-conforming
commercial uses
• Gas station
• Convenience store
23.
24. Open Space and Recreation Plan &
Environmental Concerns
What does the plan say to protect?
• Agricultural lands
• Active and passive recreation
• Significant surface and
groundwater resources
• Scenic vistas
• Historical or cultural resources
Existing Conditions
• Non-native, invasive species
• Private drinking water wells for
public uses
• Wetlands & floodplain delineated
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31. Pedestrian Walkway Study
Popular acceptance Percentage
People in favor of investing in Sidewalks 90%
People in favor of continuous sidewalk along rt. 117 86%
People willing to provide an easement 73%
Source: PWP study
Estimated costs per feet
Cost for Grand St sidewalks in the commons area $ 60.000,00 $ 62,50
Annual maintenance cost for Grand St in the commons area $ 210,00
Source: PWP study
32. Housing Production Plan
What does the plan say?
•Housing Choice:
• Variety of housing types
• Range of prices and access to
ownership and rental
opportunities
• Increase affordable housing
Stow
Housing Units 2,482
Median house value $438,600
Rental units 192
Median rent $1,452
33. Stow’s Character
• Stow has a well preserved rural character as a small New England town
• Known for the quality of its golf courses
• Apple farming has an important presence both economically and
culturally
34. • Affordable Housing Units
Stow Conservation & Recreation Commission Proposal 1
• Public Water Supply• Ministers Pond Park
Ministers
Pond
35. Option #1 Evaluation: Does it match the...
1. Master Plan?
2. Zoning?
3. Open Space and Recreation Plan?
4. Housing Production Plan?
5. Pedestrian Walkway Study
6. Environmental regulations?
7. Stow’s character?
8. How controversial is it?
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. Yes
8. Not very
36. Recommendations for Conservation and
Recreation Commission’s #1 Option Proposal
● Detail the access via the Union Church parking lot
○ Wayfinding signage, etc.
● Distinguish parking for the housing and park to eliminate possible
conflicts
● Further evaluate the perimeter trail surrounding the housing
● Possibly relocate the housing closer to the western property boundary
and move the trail to the east of the building to eliminate any conflicts
of uses
37. • Ministers Pond Park with playing field, active recreation, & trails
Stow Conservation & Recreation Commission Proposal 2
• Public Water Supply
Ministers
Pond
38. Option #2 Evaluation: Does it match the...
1. Master Plan?
2. Zoning?
3. Open Space and Recreation Plan?
4. Housing Production Plan?
5. Pedestrian Walkway Study
6. Environmental regulations?
7. Stow’s character?
8. How controversial is it?
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. No
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. Yes
8. Not very
39. Recommendations for Conservation and
Recreation Commission’s #2 Option Proposal
● Create one Ministers Park plan
● Detail the access via the Union Church parking lot
○ Wayfinding signage, etc.
● Distinguish parking for the park to eliminate possible conflicts
40. Stow Open Space Committee Proposal
•Overall goal to create an opportunity for an accessible Town owned civic space
Last
chance!
Town Center
Park
41. OSC Evaluation: Does it match the...
1. Master Plan?
2. Zoning?
3. Open Space and Recreation Plan?
4. Housing Production Plan?
5. Pedestrian Walkway Study
6. Environmental regulations?
7. Stow’s character?
8. How controversial is it?
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. No
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. Yes
8. Not very
42. Recommendations for OSC Proposal
● Create one Ministers Park plan
● Detail the access via the Union Church parking lot
○ Wayfinding signage, etc.
● Distinguish parking for the park to eliminate possible
conflicts
43. Stow Conservation Trust Proposal
• Supports the Conservation Commission’s Option #2
for recreational and water supply use only
• Elaborates on the “nature play area”
44. SCT Evaluation: Does it match the...
1. Master Plan?
2. Zoning?
3. Open Space and Recreation Plan?
4. Housing Production Plan?
5. Pedestrian Walkway Study
6. Environmental regulations?
7. Stow’s character?
8. How controversial is it?
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. No
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. Yes
8. Not very
45. Recommendations for SCT Proposal
● Create one Ministers Park plan
● Investigate access via the Crescent Street access road
● Evaluate current demands on the narrow road
● Fiscal impact analysis
46. Stow Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Proposal
• 12-16 Affordable Housing Units • Municipal Water Supply• Conservation Space
48. SMAHT Evaluation: Does it match the...
1. Master Plan?
2. Zoning?
3. Open Space and Recreation Plan?
4. Housing Production Plan?
5. Pedestrian Walkway Study
6. Environmental regulations?
7. Stow’s character?
8. How controversial is it?
1. Yes
2. Somewhat
3. Possibly
4. Yes
5. Yes
6. Possibly
7. Yes
8. Possibly
49. Recommendations for SMAHT Proposal
● Detail various options/number of housing units based on the
availability of subsidies as separate plans
● Delineate possibility of a park with the types of activities and
location of trails and entrances with the housing development
● Fiscal impact analysis
50. Conclusions
● Ministers Pond & 323 Great Road have great potential.
● The Town is in an exciting position.
● The people of Stow are excited about planning.
● The proposals can be improved for the Selectboard.
