NEW AND ENHANCED STANDARDS OF THE CURRENT PARKING PLAN BYLAW Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Objectives Intended to provide commercial design standards that enhance the value of each property and promote the overall quality of non-residential areas To replace the current Section 16 Parking Plan regulations within the zoning bylaws

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Background Site Plan Review widely adopted in surrounding communities: New Bedford, Fall River, Westport, Freetown, Swansea & Seekonk Multi-year effort that involved research of surrounding communities, numerous Planning Board meetings, input from reviewers (department heads, members of the public, engineers/architects), Town Counsel Review, and a public hearing

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Triggers Triggers for review in current bylaw: New structures Change in use Substantial alteration Change in pedestrian/vehicular pattern Enlargement of parking facility

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Triggers Triggers for review in proposed bylaw: Increase in seating capacity A site that had contained a use discontinued for 2 or more years A site that will contain at least 1,250 square feet of pavement in a commercial district or at least 2,500 square feet of pavement in a residential district

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Revised Parking Standards for Large Retail Retail sales and service above 10,000 sq ft Minimum – 1 parking space per 500 sq ft Maximum – 1 parking space per 250 sq ft Typical 50,000 sq ft big box store – parking spaces Prevents ‘sea of asphalt’ as amount of parking capped at parking maximum Sea of Asphalt

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Parking space reduction Reduction of required parking spaces via special permit if:  Parking spaces could be built on-site but can be demonstrated that full number not needed  Mix of uses results in parking demand at different times  Reduction in spaces will minimize storm water runoff  Reduction in spaces will provide additional green space as a buffer to nearby homes

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Gravel/Shell Parking Allowance for small gravel/shell parking facilities (less than 20 spaces)

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw New Standards Sidewalks Cross-walks Walk-thru zones Outdoor Seating

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Revised Bicycle Standards Bicycle connections throughout parking facilities

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Drive-thru standards Stacking standards for different uses – banks, restaurants, pharmacies By-pass lane required

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Traffic Impacts Traffic studies required for dangerous intersections or increased traffic volume Mitigation Plan required

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw New Landscaping Standards Landscaping proposed must provide shade over parking spaces  - Minimize Heat Island Effect  - Lower temperatures within vehicles Diversity requirements – limit vegetation loss due to disease

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw New Drainage Techniques Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater management  Rain gardens, grassed swales

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw New Lighting Standards Lighting level minimums and maximums Glare prevention Pole height limitation (25’)

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Advisory Architectural Design Guide Depicts preferred design principles  Traditional New England Standards (Colonial, Victorian, etc)  Architectural Elements (dormers, cupolas, etc) and details (canopies and awnings)  Human scale facades and certain materials (brick, clapboard, shingles, stone)  Gable, gambrel and hipped roofs

Proposed Site Plan Review Bylaw Summary Replace the current Section 16 Parking Plan regulations New and improved standards for promoting overall quality of non-residential properties Multi-year effort, thoroughly vetted, widely adopted in region