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Essex Village Initiative

Essex Village Initiative. Long Term Planning Committee October 2009. LTPC Charge. Formed Spring 2007 Charged by BOS to articulate long-term vision (25 years) and strategy, embracing the Town's history and culture Members: citizens, business persons, Town board and department representatives

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Essex Village Initiative

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  1. Essex Village Initiative Long Term Planning Committee October 2009

  2. LTPCCharge • Formed Spring 2007 • Charged by BOS to articulate long-term vision (25 years) and strategy, embracing the Town's history and culture • Members: citizens, business persons, Town board and department representatives • Exchange of ideas with Town Boards, Chamber of Commerce • Survey residents’ ideas and concerns • Recommendations of distinct projects

  3. “Village Initiative” • Committee’s need to focus its effort • CDP review • ID’d 6-8 critical issues • 2008 citizens survey agreed • LTPC and citizens’ concerns about “down town” • Presto! All the critical issues meet in the “Village”

  4. Town’s Critical Issues • Planning • Economic development • Mixed housing stock • Open space; resource protection; “working natural landscapes” • Transportation • Public health and safety • Town infrastructure

  5. Village’s Critical Issues

  6. LTPC’s Vision "The Village is the geographic, economic, and social core of the Town of Essex. It should balance thoughtful residential and business development with preservation of cultural, natural, historic, and recreational resources and be an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike."

  7. Village Project Work • Enhancing Village Character • Transportation and Parking • Access to River and Recreation • Zoning and Permitting • Municipal Infrastructure • Project descriptions • Implementation • Funding opportunities

  8. Enhancing Village Character • Coordinated Design Plan • Historic Reproduction Street Lighting • Landscaping & benches • Plaques & signage • Improvements to Village Buildings • Design theme and preservation of historic features • Encouragement to consider

  9. Enhancing Village Character • Freight House and Antique Hand Tub • Historic railroad freight house, relocated to Village site • Essex Veteran Fireman’s Association’s “Essex #2” – preserve, display and use • Potential site shown in depiction here

  10. Transportation and Parking • Route 133 Reconstruction Project • Improved roadway, sidewalks along Causeway, resulting benefits in safety, aesthetics, and bicycling and walking • Maximize value w/companion projects • Parking Study • Limited street parking + private parking with varying peak times • Opportunity for sharing agreements • Inventory; then investigate: sharing, adding if necessary

  11. Transportation and Parking • Investigate Southern Avenue Property Re-use • Parking for southern end of Village • Pocket park • Amenities for visitors

  12. Access to Essex River and Recreation • Transient Dock and Boardwalk • Design and construct to improve access, encourage visitors • Street level boardwalk • Floating dock below • Seeking Seaport Bond bill funding to study

  13. Access to Essex River and Recreation • Town Landing • Improve multi-use & owner function and visual appeal • Master Plan and cooperative effort • Town-owned pocket park, benches, and deck • “Ship’s ribs” display

  14. Access to Essex River and Recreation • Community Path • Re-use rail bed parallel to Main Street • Multiple phases • Ultimate goal to connect Town Hall to Southern Avenue • Wonderful community asset for hiking, skiing, birding

  15. Access to Essex River and Recreation • Tennis Courts and Ball Fields

  16. Access to Essex River and Recreation • Paglia Property and Spar Pond • Pocket park w/landscaping and benches • Historic interpretation of Spar Pond • Woodman’s Beach Pocket Park • Granite benches from seawall • Landscape, reconstitute beach

  17. Zoning and Permitting • Business Overlay District • Careful review and development • Remove burdensome barriers to allow for better use of existing properties • Consider demolition delay bylaw for more careful consideration of historic structures

  18. Municipal Infrastructure • Town Hall Restoration • Unique building, a National Historic Landmark • No clear road map for its future • Municipal and Public Safety Building • Work of Building Committee underway • LTPC goal: maximize people’s use of the Village area for conduct of public business

  19. The Way Forward • BOS Review • Prioritize • Implementation  funding and organizations to do the work! • LTPC • Short term: grant proposal(s), w/Town Planner • Next 12 months: re-examine the Big Picture and focus on the next : “chapter” • LTPC will exceed original 3-year term: LOTS TO DO • Outreach to other Boards & Committees • Replenish our membership

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