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Organizational Meeting for Phase II September 10, 2009

Belmont Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Review. Organizational Meeting for Phase II September 10, 2009. Belmont Office of Community Development. Larry Koff & Associates Bluestone Planning Group Eaton Planning GLC Development Nelson Nygaard.

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Organizational Meeting for Phase II September 10, 2009

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  1. Belmont Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Review Organizational Meeting for Phase IISeptember 10, 2009 Belmont Office of Community Development • Larry Koff & Associates • Bluestone Planning Group • Eaton Planning • GLC Development • Nelson Nygaard

  2. What is a Comprehensive Plan and why is it important? The Plan is a coordinated vision based on community consensus with policies to guide private investment, public facilities, infrastructure, land use, and zoning.

  3. What will you get from tonight’s meeting? We will: Explain the organization and schedule of the next Phases Ask you to help us prepare for the analytical phase of the project Tell you what we need help with Give you assignments to prepare for the Joint Committee Working Meetings

  4. What will you get from tonight’s meeting? Quick overview of the Phase I Report Introduce organization and Key Questions for Phase II Group discussion instructions Report back and what happens next?

  5. Highlightsfrom Phase I • Over 500 people took the survey. Survey Responses: • Town Assets • Good school system • Good location (proximity to Boston and Cambridge) • Small town feel • Town’s Challenges • Fiscal stability and budget • Road and sidewalk repair • Maintaining Town’s infrastructure • Enhancing business climate

  6. Highlights from Phase I • Myths we heard (and debunked) • Commercial areas are not viable • Belmont is fully built out • Increasing density means more cars, school children and lower tax revenue • Six topics of concern • Transportation and Energy • Public Finance and Facilities • Greenbelt and Open Space • Historic Preservation • Housing • Village Centers/Economic development • Sustainability principles should guide our planning (As shown in next slide)

  7. A Town of Neighborhood Villages = Sustainable Community • Compact villages are a sustainable form of development • Economically Viable • Socially Sustainable Design • Environmentally Efficient

  8. Presentation Overview Quick overview of the Phase I Report Introduce organization and Key Questions for Phase II Group discussion instructions Report back and what happens next?

  9. Phase II/III Schedule Tonight we will focus on the Joint Committee Working Meetings:

  10. Joint Committee Working Meetings Here are the 6 topics covered by Working Meetings: • Now we will tap into the resources and knowledge of those committees to get their input • Members of general public are welcome to attend working meetings • The next page shows a structure with expected participation by Town Committees • The Planning board began the Comprehensive Plan process with visits to all of the Town Committees

  11. Joint Committee Working Meetings Committee Structure

  12. Presentation Overview Quick overview of the Phase I Report Introduce organization and Key Questions for Phase II Group discussion instructions Report back and what happens next?

  13. Assignment for this evening: Group Discussions • Total discussion time – 45 minutes • Introduce yourselves, fill out sign-in sheets • The discussion is meant to help PREPARE for the Working Meetings – discussion will be limited • Review supporting materials and identify additional resources and volunteers • Consider tentative days/dates for the Joint Committee Working Meeting • Consider lead contact persons

  14. Tonight’s groups: Preparation for Working Meetings Find the appropriate discussion area for one of the following: Transportation and Energy Public Facilities and Finance Open Space and Greenbelt Connections Historic Preservation Housing Commercial Development

  15. Resources for your use this evening and for “homework” Summer 2009 Newsletter Copy of Phase I Report Overview Memo Flip Charts to record discussions Topic-specific information Background materials and reports on Project’s web site

  16. Transportation and EnergyKey Questions To prepare for the joint committee working meeting, review and refine the following: What are strategies to reduce auto dependency for commuters and residents? What improvements for walking, biking, transit and parking are most important? How can we accommodate customer and commuter parking while preserving residential neighborhoods? What are the 3 most important ways to reduce energy consumption? Consider lead contact person: ________________ Identify tentative meeting day/dates: _____________ Identify follow-up assignments

  17. Public Facilities and Finance Key Questions To prepare for the joint committee working meeting, review and refine the following: • Identify issues and data to inform public about current problems in planning, prioritizing, coordinating and funding capital projects and suggest alternative reforms. • Consider how capital projects may contribute to enhanced commercial areas and neighborhood connections. • Consider lead contact person: ________________ • Identify tentative meeting day/dates: _____________ • Identify follow-up assignments

  18. Greenbelt Corridors and ConnectionsKey Questions To prepare for the joint committee working meeting, review and refine the following: • Identify and assess alternatives for: • Greenway corridor • Bike/pedestrian corridors (Western Greenway) • Transit Enhancements/Sidewalks/Vest Pocket parks • Streetscape Standards • Consider lead contact person: ________________ • Identify tentative meeting day/dates: _____________ • Identify follow-up assignments

  19. Historic PreservationKey Questions To prepare for the joint committee working meeting, review and refine the following: Identify Historic resources: Buildings, scenic roads, other resource areas Formulate criteria for selecting specific historic resources to protect; implementation tools How can Belmont’s historic village development patterns help guide future growth? How can the Historic Commission and Historical Society work more closely with Belmont’s regulatory Boards to help guide future development decisions? Consider lead contact person: ________________ Identify tentative meeting day/dates: _____________ Identify follow-up assignments

  20. HousingKey Questions To prepare for the joint committee working meeting, review and refine the following: • Assess and prioritize housing needs for different types of housing – especially those appropriate for village centers • Identify locations where additional housing might be encouraged, particularly in reference to the village centers • Identify changes needed such as revisions to the • Zoning bylaw • Inclusionary housing bylaw • Design guidelines • Provide examples of successful incentives for good design and affordable units. • Consider lead contact person: ________________ • Identify tentative meeting day/dates: _____________ • Identify follow-up assignments

  21. Commercial DevelopmentKey Questions To prepare for the joint committee working meeting, review and refine the following: • Alternative Development scenarios: • Purecoat commercial or town campus • Town Center: Destination commercial or mixed use • Corridor Villages: Destination commercial or mixed use • Pleasant Street: commercial or mixed use • Do we understand zoning bylaw parking requirements vs. actual parking demand? • Open Space improvements • Other strategies to enhance commercial centers • Pick a lead contact person: _______________ • Chose a tentative meeting date: ___________ • Identify follow-up assignments and research

  22. Presentation Overview Quick overview of the Phase I Report Introduce organization and Key Questions for Phase II Group discussion instructions Report back and what happens next?

  23. Organizing for Joint Committee Working Meetings

  24. Report Back • Transportation and Energy • Additional questions /comments • Logistical arrangements_______________ 2. Public Facilities and Finance • Additional questions /comments • Logistical arrangements_______________ • Open Space and Greenbelt Connections • Additional questions /comments • Logistical arrangements_______________ • Historic Preservation • Additional questions /comments • Logistical arrangements_______________

  25. Report Back • Housing • Additional questions /comments • Logistical arrangements_______________ • Commercial Development • Additional questions /comments • Logistical arrangements_______________

  26. After the Joint Committee Working Meetings – 3 Public Workshops

  27. Comments & Questions For more information contact: Jay Szklut Office of Community Development 19 Moore Street Belmont, MA 02478-0900 Telephone: (617) 993-2666

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