Weston Town Center Planning Committee Request for Funds for Concept & Feasibility Study

Town Center Planning Committee N-Grid repair request prompted BOS to create Committee in Summer 2014 Consists of representatives from Town Government and Weston Residents Charged with developing and presenting Vision and Plan for Town Center Required to take into account multiple facets of Town life Utility infrastructure (above & below ground) Aesthetics Historical nature of Town Center Traffic Patterns and Constraints Pedestrian Requirements General Safety Parking Town Center Planning Committee

Town Center Project Limits Town Center Planning Committee TCPC Study Area (Red Border) Pilot Area (Blue Dashed Border)

Committee Objectives & Goals Our Primary Objectives: Our Intended Goals: Historically Correct & Welcoming Town Spaces sensitive to Existing Street Scale Utility Infrastructure Aligned with Modern Standards and Expectations Increased Public Safety Improved Economic Viability of Local Businesses Town Center a Destination for our Citizens Town Center Planning Committee Utility & Infrastructure Traffic, Parking & Safety Historical Character & Streetscape

Town Center Current State Distinctive Features & Benefits: Nationally Recognized Historic District with Unique Historic Buildings Commercial Center of Town Interested and Involved Local Business Owners and Tenants Opportunities for Improvement: Complex Weave of Utility Poles and Lines Insufficient Septic & Storm Water Considerations Private Building Ownership with Easement Constraints Cross-walk Placement & Pedestrian Safety Concerns Non-Local Traffic Congestion at Peak Times Limited Parking Availability Poor Placement of Nighttime Street Lighting Town Center Planning Committee

Town Center Current State Town Center Planning Committee

Main Street, Nantucket, MA Vision for Town Improvements

Town Center Planning Committee Main Street, Nantucket, MA Vision for Town Improvements

Town Center Planning Committee Methodist Church, Nantucket, MA Vision for Town Improvements

Town Center Planning Committee Methodist Church, Nantucket, MA Vision for Town Improvements

Town Center Planning Committee Methodist Church, Nantucket, MA Vision for Town Improvements

Town Center Planning Committee Old Town, Marblehead, MA

Town Center Planning Committee Medford Town Center, Medford, MA

Town Center Planning Committee Center Street, Wellesley, MA

Town Center Planning Committee Market Square, Newburyport, MA

Town Center Planning Committee Main Street, Concord, MA

Town Center Planning Committee Main Street, Concord, MA

Town Center Planning Committee Main Street, Concord, MA

Vision for Town Improvements Town Center Planning Committee Streetscape Subcommittee Design Idea Vignette

Vision for Town Improvements Town Center Planning Committee Utility Subcommittee Design Idea Plan

Town Center Planning Committee Traffic Subcommittee Design Idea Vignette Vision for Town Improvements

Pilot Study Small-Scale Feasibility Study: Conducted for section of Town between Town Green/Church/School Streets to the Fire Station Largely Town-owned properties with limited easement issues Fewer Utility Poles impacted Used funds from existing Planning Board budget Study conducted by Nitsch Engineering Town Center Planning Committee

Pilot Study Area Town Center Planning Committee

Pilot Results Pilot Project Study Results: Suggested to the TCPC that a Pilot wouldn’t give the full vision for the Town Determined to be inaccurate guide for magnitude of costs for Total Town Project given complications of true Town Center work Decided that inclusive concept and feasibility study for full- town center limits with options and costs required Town Center Planning Committee

Concept & Feasibility Study What is a Concept & Feasibility Study? 1.Rationally discover resources required, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and estimated costs of the Proposed Project within context of Project Goals & Objectives 2.Develop multiple (three) concept plans with graphic renderings and specific cost estimates around these options Town Center Planning Committee

Current Warrant Article Funding Request: For Feasibility and Concept Portion of the Project Only Estimated at $150,000 to complete these preliminary Phases $105,000 from General Funds $45,000 from CPA Funds as it relates to Historic Rehabilitation/Restoration Town Center Planning Committee

Key Stakeholder Support Town Center Planning Committee Met with Weston committees for Prelim Project buy-in Board of Selectmen Finance Committee Historical Commission Community Preservation Committee (funds allocated)

Next Steps Town Center Planning Committee Short-Term: Review Bids & Proposals from short-list of Urban Planning & Design Firms and make selection Crystallize Vision with Broader Weston Community Engage business groups, owners and occupants Solicit broader Town citizens input Longer-Term: Review Concept & Feasibility Study Options (will be open to Residents for comment or Public Hearing) Identify consensus points and cost implications Make Recommendation at Town Meeting on how to proceed (vote required)

Questions? Town Center Planning Committee