Community Forum #2 Neighborhoods for all Ages March 27, 2019 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Community Forum #2 Neighborhoods for all Ages March 27, 2019 Prepared by Harriman and Tighe & Bond

Agenda  Agenda, Introductions, Process Review  Breakout: Vision for South Hadley  Presentation  Results from Community Forum #1 and Survey  Results from Age-Friendly Survey  What makes a Great Neighborhood?  Breakout: Complete Neighborhoods for All Ages  Prioritization and Report Back  Next Steps March 27, 2019 2 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Consultant Team  Harriman  Emily Innes  Jess Wilson  Tighe & Bond  Tracy Adamski March 27, 2019 3 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Master Plan Update and OSRP Process  Parallel Processes  OSRP to be completed by June 2019  Master Plan Update by end of the year March 27, 2019 4 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Master Plan Update and OSRP Process Start up Community Forums Pulling it All Together Implementation Plan and Approval June – September 2019 January 2019 February – May 2019 September – January 2020 Community Forums: Final OSRP (June) Implementation Plan and • • • February 27 Draft components of plan Discussion • • March 27 (Summer) Draft and final plan • • April 24 • May 29 • March 27, 2019 5 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Master Plan Update and OSRP Process  Update to 2010 Master Plan  Consistent with Chapter 81D  Vision and Goals  Land Use  Economic Development  Open Space and Recreation  Circulation  Natural, Cultural, and Historic  Municipal Services and Resources Facilities  Housing  Implementation Plan March 27, 2019 6 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Master Plan Update and OSRP Process  Looking at Themes that Connect 81D Elements  February 27: Balance of Preservation and Development  Today: Neighborhoods for all Ages  April 24: Theme TBD after today  May 29: Theme TBD after April March 27, 2019 7 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Breakout: Vision for South Hadley  South Hadley Now …  What are your current favorite and least favorite things about South Hadley? How could it improve?  Be specific!  … and in the Future  What do you hope South Hadley looks like in 2035? What words would you use to describe it to friends and family?  Be specific! March 27, 2019 8 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Community Forum #1  February 27, Town Hall Auditorium  Balancing Preservation and Development — Growing Smarter March 27, 2019 9 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

FORUM #1 RESULTS PRIORITY AREAS FOR PRESERVATION Priority Location Votes 1 Dry Brook Hill Area / District #2 Public Supply Well 61 2 Farmland/McCrays 24 3 J.A. Skinner State Park / Holyoke Range 16 4 Alvord Street 11 5 South Hadley Falls 9 6 Batchelor Brook Conservation Area (includes Olesiuk Farm) 9 7 South Hadley Community Garden/Town Farm Fields 8 8 Ledges Golf Club 8 9 River Road 6 10 North Main (below rotary) 6 11 Buttery Brook Park 5 12 Route 47 4 13 Orchards Golf Course 4 14 Elmer Brook 3 15 Canal Park Area 2

FORUM #1 RESULTS - PRESERVATION • Dry Brook Hill Area (61) Protect water source/aquifer – • Farmland/McCrays (24) Increase Agricultural Protection – Restrictions, encourage farm preservation • J.A. Skinner State Park / Holyoke Range (16) Continue to preserve existing – conditions • Alvord Street (11) MA Scenic Byway designation – • South Hadley Falls (9) Provide additional access along river – and increase trail connectivity • Bachelor Brook Conservation Area (includes Olesiuk Farm) (9) Protect watershed area –

Community Forum #1 Results  Priority Areas for Development  South Hadley Falls (43 votes)  Good bones, add connections to nearby areas/towns, small businesses, redevelop historic/commercial area, 40R, SGDZ  Old Big Y Plaza/Old Woodlawn Plaza (37 votes)  Mixed-use (residential and commercial), smart zone  New Big Y Plaza (21 votes)  Fill in, not large parking lot, already commercial area  MassDOT Staging Area (12 votes)  Already dense  Buttery Brook (14 votes)  Daylight brook  Mills at Rexham (11 votes)  Started-finish project  Bridge at Cove Island (9 votes)  Tourist attraction, river access March 27, 2019 12 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Community Forum #1 Results  Priority Areas for Development March 27, 2019 13 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Online Survey Results  237 respondents March 27, 2019 14 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

ONLINE SURVEY RESULTS - OSRP • Natural resources & open spaces are highly valued • Opportunity areas – Improvements to walking & biking – Sidewalks – Bike lanes – Publicity and access (including parking) to existing facilities

FUNDING PRIORITIES - OSRP

Survey Results Three Most Important Assets  Location 72.8%  Natural features/Open Space 65.7%  Friends/Family/Neighbors 48.3%  Schools 46.48% March 27, 2019 17 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Survey Results Three Biggest Challenges to Quality of Life  Convenience of Walking and Biking Around Town (48.8%)  Not enough options for retail/restaurants (47.4%)  Lack of Economic Strength (46.5%) Top Three Changes to Transportation System  Improve pedestrian safety (sidewalks, crosswalks, signals) (69.5%)  Improve condition of roadways (69%)  Expand bicycle access and safety (bike lanes, trails) (47.9%) March 27, 2019 18 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Survey Results Top Three Housing Needs  Affordable Housing (44.1%)  Mixed-use residential developments (32.4%)  Options for seniors, including assisted living/independent living facilities (25.3%) Top Three Sustainability Issues  Promoting diversity in the types of businesses and housing to sustain growth and change (50.2%)  Sustaining the Town’s long-term finances (49.3%)  Explore opportunities to reduce solid waste and increase recycling (49.3%)  Updating our public facilities (buildings, vehicles fleets) to reduce our energy consumption (38.9%) March 27, 2019 19 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Survey Results What special events, programs, or efforts have you attended in the last year?  River Roll and Stroll  Concerts on the Common  FallsFest  July 4 th fireworks  Memorial Day parade  Programs at the libraries  Farmers’ Market  Town board and commission meetings March 27, 2019 20 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Survey Results What special events, programs, or efforts would you like to see in South Hadley?  Bigger farmers’ market  More community-wide events  More arts, theater, concerts  More athletic events (e.g., mountain biking, road races)  Outdoor recreation, education, activities March 27, 2019 21 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Survey Results What is the one most important thing that needs to be resolved in the short-term (0-5 years)?  School improvements  Sidewalk improvements  Roadway condition improvements  Affordable housing  Climate change planning  Former Big Y plaza redevelopment  Reduce property taxes, increase businesses March 27, 2019 22 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Survey Results What is the one most important thing you think the Master Plan should address in the next 10 years?  Sidewalk/crosswalk improvements  Reduce property taxes, increase businesses  Affordable housing  Protect open space/natural resources  Climate change planning March 27, 2019 23 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Livable Communities Survey  Sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission  Includes Chicopee, Holyoke, and South Hadley  Regional approach to age-friendly and dementia-friendly communities March 27, 2019 24 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Livable Communities Survey Preliminary Results for South Hadley only How long have you lived in this community? 45 years or more 27.27% Less than five years 20.78% 5 years but less than 15 years 20.78% March 27, 2019 25 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

Livable Communities Survey Preliminary Results for South Hadley only Questions about needs as people age including:  Modifications to their homes  Availability of  services  public transit and other transportation options  Community resources for activity, education, entertainment March 27, 2019 26 Harriman  Tighe & Bond  RKG Associates

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES SURVEY Over 80% are How would you rate physically active on a your community as a regular basis place for people to live as they age? 95% Agree that is extremely or very • Excellent 14% important to remain • Very Good 29% active as long as • Good 37% possible

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES SURVEY • Opportunities: – Safe parks within walking distance – Benches – Sidewalks – Bike lanes – Publicity of available programs

WHAT MAKE A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD? • Pocket parks • Playgrounds • Sidewalks • Tree belts • Trails • Bike paths/lanes