Overcoming Provincialism: How to Plan Regionally without Sacrificing Local Identity

1. Overcoming Provincialism
Howard Stein Hudson
Keri Pyke, P.E., PTOE | Principal of Planning and Public Involvement
Kristina Johnson | Manager of Transportation Planning
Fitzgerald and Halliday
Susan VanBenschoten, P.E. | President and CEO
Mary Miltimore | Senior Community Planner and Designer
The Cecil Group
Emily Keys Innes, LEED AP ND | Urban Planner
Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments
L. Jean Davies, AICP | Principal Planner and Program Manager
HOW TO PLAN REGIONALLY WITHOUT SACRIFICING LOCAL IDENTY

2. Session Format and Agenda
 Introductions
• Session purpose
• Overview of project case studies
 Interactive charrette
• Planning scenario
• Report back
 Our solutions: Back to the case studies
• Stoughton Town Square
• Boston Post Road: Connecticut shoreline
 Discussion and additional ideas

7. Town of Stoughton

8. Town of Stoughton
Urban Renewal
Boundaries
Transportation
Study Area

9. Stoughton Square: Regional Context

10. South
Coast Rail

11. Stoughton Downtown Redevelopment Plan
 Client is the Stoughton
Redevelopment Authority
 Purpose is to enable the
SRA to undertake actions
that will create incentives
for the private market
to invest in Downtown
Stoughton
 Implementation step from
the recently completed
Stoughton Master Plan

12. Stoughton Downtown: Current Conditions
 Major Crossroads:
Routes 27, 138, and 139
 Possible expansion of
South Coast Rail: link Boston
to New Bedford and Fall River
 Large portion of land in
downtown devoted to
commuter parking
 Current configuration
of roads, rail, and parking
makes larger-scale new
development difficult

13. Comparing Communities

14. Comparing Communities

15. Building Blocks

16. Building Blocks

17. Effect of Regional Transportation on
Downtown Development Patterns

18. Effect of Regional Transportation on
Downtown Development Patterns

19. Effect of Regional Transportation on
Downtown Development Patterns

20. Stoughton Square Traffic Improvements
 Develop short-term, mid-,
and long-term alternatives
 Multimodal accommodation
 Integration with future
South Coast Rail Expansion
 Using transportation design
process as placemaking

21.  Minimize congestion
and maximize safety
 Improve pedestrian
and cyclist access to
activity centers
 Enhance streetscape
and parking
 Local capacity to address
transportation and
circulation needs
Stoughton Square Traffic Improvements
Connecting Transportation and Land Use Planning…
Stoughton Comprehensive Plan:
Transportation Recommendations

22.  Regional needs can have
an unexpected effect on
local development patterns
 Density required for a
walkable downtown may
be difficult to achieve on
smaller, irregular parcels
Key Lessons

23.  Municipalities should work
with property
owners/developers
 Create incentives for parcel
assembly while respecting
the existing development
pattern and physical context
 One Option:
Density bonuses/design
guidelines
Key Lessons

24.  Use the transportation
design process for local plan
implementation
 Partner with regional entities
early and often
 Show economic value of
multimodal transportation
 Develop an alternative that
be “tested out”
Key Lessons

25. Boston Post Road Corridor Study

26. Regional Transportation Context & Development Patterns
CLINTON
WESTBROOK
OLD
SAYBROOK
Clinton
Harbor
High Density Beach
Communities
High Density
Beach
Communities
Marina
District
Beach Communities
Water’s
Edge
Resort

27. Boston Post Road: A Few Facts
 12 miles through 3 towns
 12,000 to 17,000 ADT midday
Saturday peak
 ADT increases about 20% on
summer weekends
 Coastal summer tourist
destination
 Retail corridor with adjacent
neighborhoods
 Mix of national and
independent retailers

28. Boston Post Road: Planning Challenge
How do we support local economic
development, sustainability, and
quality of life in shoreline tourist communities
with high seasonal fluctuation and climate change
threats?
Local & Regional Transportation Strategies
Local & Regional Land Use strategies

29. Boston Post Road: Key Considerations
 Seasonal fluctuations in:
• Population
• Traffic
• Demand for services: Retail,
Commercial, and Tourism
 Coastal communities
increasingly deal with:
• Storm threats and impacts
• Insurance and funding
burdens
• Development restrictions

30. Boston Post Road: Our Solutions
Route 1 will be known regionally as a southern New England
coastal recreation and retail destination with small-scale and
larger national retail shopping and dining opportunities
combined with cohesive Town Centers that reflect a sense of
vibrancy and a strong year-round community.

31. 1. Local Roadway Design
2. Regional Incident Management
3. Pedestrian Improvements & Wayfinding Plan
4. Bicyclist Improvements & Bike Education Program
5. Coastal Bus Service & Transit Improvements
6. Key Intersection Modifications
7. Access Management Plan & Curb Cut Modifications
8. Connectivity/ Network Enhancements
01 TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES

32. Ideal cross section:
 Multimodal
 Safety first
 Customizable
1.1 Local Solution Guiding Principle

33. Clinton: Village setting with limited right of way
1.1 Local Solution: Customized Cross Section

34. Envisioning Our Solution

35. Westbrook: Recreational Setting with tourist focus
1.1 Local Solution: Customized Cross Section

36. Envisioning Our Solution

37. Old Saybrook: Higher density commercial setting
1.1 Local Solution: Customized Cross Section

38. 1.1 Local Solution: Old Saybrook Road Diet

39.  Increases efficiency
by rebalancing
traffic load
 Enhances access to
businesses
 Reduces vehicular
lanes and ped
crossing distance
 Calms traffic and
accommodates all
modes safely
1.1 Local Solution: Old Saybrook Gateway

40. Recommended
Concept
Envisioning Our Solution
No-Build

41. 8 interchanges within 12 miles
1.2 Regional Solution: Incident Mgmt. Plan

42. 1.2 Regional Solution: Incident Mgmt. Plan
Design for Desired Function
Route 1’s highest priorities: safety, placemaking, & livability
vs

43.  It’s a policy decision!
 What’s the purpose of
each facility?
 Regional incident
management can:
• Manage routes
• Minimize diversions
• Better define role of
local authorities
1.2 Regional Solution: Incident Mgmt. Plan

44. 02 LAND USE STRATEGIES
1. Support Local Development in Dynamic Environments
2. Develop Regional Economic Development Strategy
3. Resiliency Enhancements
4. Enhance Town Centers & Discourage Sprawl
5. Encourage Transit-Friendly Development
6. Village Parking Enhancements
7. Regulatory and Zoning Modifications
8. Town Center Marketing Campaign
9. Design Guidelines & Façade Improvement Program
10.Support Active & Healthy Design Initiatives

45. Demand
responsive
2.1 Local Solution: Pop-Up Retail Permitting

46. Temporary
Installation = FEMA
Development friendly
2.1 Local Solution: Pop-Up Retail Permitting

47. Low-risk, low-cost investment
2.1 Local Solution: Pop-Up Retail Permitting

48. Economic
benefits:
 More options = More
customers
 Increase peak season
sales = stay in
business year round
 Lease & permit fees =
$ for towns &property
owners
2.1 Local Solution: Pop-Up Retail Permitting

49. 2.2 Regional Solution: Economic Growth
 Regional Economic Development Plan for
the Lower Connecticut River Valley Region
 Ongoing (June– December 2015)
 Purpose: Capitalize on existing distinctive
assets and develop a regional vision for
future growth

50. 2.2 Regional Solution: Economic Growth
 Regional Economic Development Plan
• Engaging the Community
• Thinking about the hard questions…and then figuring
out what to do about them!

51. • Regional branding and identity
• Collaboration between towns
2.2 Regional Solution: Economic Growth
 “There should be an emphasis on
the marriage of nature and culture,
and a strategy to produce more of
these assets moving forward”

52. Lessons Learned
Different economic visions
Similar transportation priorities
Local economies are connected regionally
• Mutually supportive land uses can compliment local vision
• Small improvements in one place can be felt elsewhere
Regional collaboration helps address local problems

53. Overcoming Provincialism
Howard Stein Hudson
Keri Pyke, P.E., PTOE | Principal of Planning and Public Involvement
Kristina Johnson | Manager of Transportation Planning
Fitzgerald and Halliday
Susan VanBenschoten, P.E. | President and CEO
Mary Miltimore | Senior Community Planner and Designer
The Cecil Group
Emily Keys Innes, LEEDGreen Associate | Urban Planner
Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments
L. Jean Davies, AICP | Principal Planner and Program Manager
HOW TO PLAN REGIONALLY WITHOUT SACRIFICING LOCAL IDENTITY