Download to read offline
Stow Phase I Final Presentation
- 1. Stow Town CenterStudy Noam Goldstein and Jesse Regnier January 23, 2015
- 2. Initial Purpose •Prepare a comprehensive plan forthe future use of the Town Center and Ministers Pond area
- 3. Updated Purpose •Prepare a comprehensive plan forthe future use of the 323 Great Road parcel •Evaluate the five Town proposals •Make recommendations to improve each proposal
- 4. Work Plan •Multiple sitevisits •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
- 18. Town Center Forum ●Held on October 29, 2014 in the Town Hall ● Community input ● Brainstorming session
- 19. Forum Findings • Majorityof 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. Doesit 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 • UpdatedMay 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 Centerzoning •Residential •Recreation/conservation •Floodplain Overlay District • No commercially zoned properties in this area • Several non-conforming commercial uses • Gas station • Convenience store
- 24. Open Space andRecreation 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
- 31. Pedestrian Walkway Study Popularacceptance 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 Whatdoes 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 • Stowhas 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 HousingUnits 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 Conservationand 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 PondPark 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 Conservationand 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 SpaceCommittee Proposal •Overall goal to create an opportunity for an accessible Town owned civic space Last chance! Town Center Park
- 41. OSC Evaluation: Doesit 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 OSCProposal ● 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 TrustProposal • Supports the Conservation Commission’s Option #2 for recreational and water supply use only • Elaborates on the “nature play area”
- 44. SCT Evaluation: Doesit 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 SCTProposal ● 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 AffordableHousing Trust Proposal • 12-16 Affordable Housing Units • Municipal Water Supply• Conservation Space
- 47.
- 48. SMAHT Evaluation: Doesit 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 SMAHTProposal ● 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.