1 WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014 October 20, 2014 WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER Townscape and Streetscape Improvements Prepared for The Town of Westminster Prepared by The Cecil Group Summary of Findings and Recommendations Funding for this project has been provided by the Downtown Initiative, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
57
Embed
WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER Townscape and Streetscape Improvements · WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014 1 October 20, 2014 WESTMINSTER TOWN
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
1WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
October 20, 2014
WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER Townscape and Streetscape Improvements
Prepared for The Town of Westminster
Prepared by The Cecil Group
Summary of Findings and Recommendations
Funding for this project has been provided by the Downtown Initiative, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
2WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Topics
Design Charrette Results Town Center Streetscape Design Guidelines and Zoning Underground Utilities Roadway Ownership Next Steps Question and Answers
3WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Streetscape Improvement Area
Nich
ols
Stre
et
Baco
n St
reet
Love
ll St
reet
Stat
e Ro
ad W
est
Chur
ch S
tree
t
Sout
h St
reet
Mai
n St
reet
Leon
min
ster
Stre
etAc
adem
y Hi
ll Ro
ad
Adam
s St
reet
Eato
n St
reet
Mai
n St
reet
4WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Results
Design Charrette Results
Sidewalks Streetscape
Signage Zoning
5WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Proposed Vignettes : South Street Intersection
Design Charrette Results
6WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Proposed Vignettes : South Street Intersection
Design Charrette Results
7WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Proposed Vignettes : Vincent’s Plaza
Design Charrette Results
8WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Proposed Vignettes : Vincent’s Plaza
Design Charrette Results
9WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Proposed Vignettes : Federal Credit Union Plaza
Design Charrette Results
10WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Proposed Vignettes : Federal Credit Union Plaza
Design Charrette Results
11WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Proposed Vignettes : Federal Credit Union Plaza
Design Charrette Results
12WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Principles of Design
Streetscape Improvements
Continuity and connectivity Complement to the context Sociable environment Interest and variety Quality and care Accessibility Safety and security Seasonality Diurnality
13WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Complete Streets
Streetscape Improvements
14WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Comfortable Pedestrian Environment
Streetscape Improvements
15WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Comfortable Pedestrian Environment
Streetscape Improvements
16WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Comfortable Pedestrian Environment
Streetscape Improvements
17WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Traffic Calming
Streetscape Improvements
18WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Traffic Calming
Streetscape Improvements
19WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Traffic Calming
Streetscape Improvements
20WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Placemaking
Streetscape Improvements
21WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Placemaking
Streetscape Improvements
22WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Sociable Environments
Streetscape Improvements
23WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Sociable Environments
Streetscape Improvements
24WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Sustainable / Green
Streetscape Improvements
25WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements in Design : Sustainable / Green
Streetscape Improvements
26WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Existing Conditions
Streetscape Improvements
27WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements: Landscape
Streetscape Improvements
28WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements: Lighting / Signage
Streetscape Improvements
29WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements: Amenities
Streetscape Improvements
30WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Elements: Crosswalks
Streetscape Improvements
31WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Section Alternatives: Equal Redistribution
Streetscape Improvements
32WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Section Alternatives: Recreational
Streetscape Improvements
33WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Section Alternatives: Sustainable
Streetscape Improvements
34WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Preliminary Elements: Alternatives
Streetscape Improvements
What to take away from these preliminary alternatives?
Existing conditions allow for ~16’ of flexible streetscape space
35WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Access Management: Diagramming
Streetscape Improvements
36WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Access Management: Existing Conditions
Streetscape Improvements
37WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Access Management: Proposed Conditions
Streetscape Improvements
Curb Cut Reduction (5 to 3) Increased Parking Efficiency (55 to 73)
38WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Parking Management: Diagramming
Streetscape Improvements
39WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Parking Management: Existing
Streetscape Improvements
40WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Parking Management: Proposed
Streetscape Improvements
41WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Road Realignment: Diagramming
Streetscape Improvements
42WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Road Realignment: Existing Conditions
Streetscape Improvements
43WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Road Realignment: Proposed
Streetscape Improvements
44WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Landscape Buffers: Diagramming
Streetscape Improvements
45WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
* Does not include the cost of underground utilities
46WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group August 2014
Funding Sources
Streetscape Improvements
MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Program Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Chapter 90 Roadway Improvement Funds Special State allocations Federal transportation enhancement programs Special Federal allocations Town bonding and expenditures
47WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group October 2014
Design review by Planning Board under Site Plan Review Criteria for Approval within Zoning Bylaw for Site Plan Review Site Plan Rules and Regulations (2005): Section III: Design Guidelines
Criteria for review rely on general language Harmony with, adequate for, integrate into
Design Guidelines also rely on general language; few specific dimensional standards Example: Sidewalks are encouraged not Sidewalks shall have a minimum width of
4 feet
Existing Design Guidelines in Westminster
Design Guidelines and Zoning
48WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group October 2014
Grant funding or loan criteria Zoning by-laws and ordinances Special permit criteria Site plan review criteria Historic district criteria Redevelopment district criteria (urban renewal) Chapter 40R design standards Private sector guidelines and standards (large development) Informational and inspirational guidelines
Types of Design Guidelines and Standards
Design Guidelines and Zoning
49WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group October 2014
Purposes Definitions Applicability and Applications Standards: Architectural Elements Standards: Site Elements Standards: Special Criteria and Performance Standards [e.g. sustainable
design, public art, transportation, lighting, preservation] Design Review Process Criteria for Decisions
Outline for Design Guidelines
Design Guidelines and Zoning
50WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group October 2014
Architecture Signs Streets Infrastructure Parking Lighting/Building and Site Natural Features Landscape Sustainable Design/Site
Elements to Consider
Design Guidelines and Zoning
51WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group October 2014
Design Guidelines are advisory for all projects within specific districts Additional criteria required for Site Plan Review Town staff prepares preliminary review of conformance prior to
application and reports to Planning Board of Zoning Board of Appeals with recommendations after application submitted Three projects completed since 2011 Process has been successful for Site Plan Review Applicants have used guidelines to understand review criteria
Process has not be successful for projects not eligible for Site Plan Review Applicants able to ignore design guidelines when applying for building permit
Case Study: Concord
Design Guidelines and Zoning
52WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group October 2014
Design Review Advisory Board Reviews all new construction and signage, additions and alterations within certain
districts
Recommendations made to Planning Board or other body DRB review before submission and/or after application Uses applicable “design guidelines” No reference to a specific set of guidelines
Design Bulletin and Design Manual for Building Improvement On Town’s website Neither document is a regulatory standard
Town planning to further integrate guidelines into sign bylaw May move to design standards in the future
Case Study: Dedham
Design Guidelines and Zoning
53WESTMINSTER TOWN CENTER STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS The Cecil Group October 2014
Add specific dimensional standards to zoning regulations Create written Design Guidelines that are advisory Identify trigger event Site Plan Review Any development in a specific area