New Britain Borough Main Street BUCKS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MAY 12, 2016
Introduction Town Hall meeting 3 years ago - 100 residents attended Conditions in 2013: Borough’s Community and Business Committee formed Knoell factory closed for several years – future unknown DVC working on becoming DVU Route 202 Parkway had opened Some businesses struggling At the same time…
Borough Assets Recognized - Potential Great neighborhoods Lots of open space, parks Historic buildings Good sense of community A college Great location
What we heard from Businesses … More pedestrian access to businesses, more foot traffic Activities and events on the main street Help in retaining and attracting businesses Train service is important On-street parking needed Cooperation from the borough
And what we heard from Residents… What residents said was important: Strong local businesses More sidewalks and trails Improved “streetscape” and appearance on Butler Avenue Respect neighborhoods
Three Themes emerged that became the basis for funding and planning. Streetscape Business Support College - Borough • Work with DVU • Create Butler • Work with Avenue Corridor • Plan for and businesses as Main Street zone for • Understand compatible and • Update land use business needs supportive regulations to • Attract activities reflect compatible • Build on "college • Begin to businesses town" theme implement - • Encourage shop early action • Outreach to local projects students • Understand • Focus on market walkability conditions
Steering Committee Borough Planning Commission Michael Stanislaw – Chairman Karl Dieterichs – Vice Chairman Robert Binkley – Council Liaison Rick Eggleston Loren Frasco David Holewinski Richard Moxey Michael Parke
Steering Committee Borough Community and Business Committee Jeffrey Gilmore, Chair Marie Esher Coia, Resident Robert Belchic, Resident Debbie Byrne, Byrne Sewing Jackie D’Agostino, Resident Dave Fermier Sr., Bucks-Mont Party Center David Holewinski, Mayor Lorraine Moxey, Resident Richard Moxey, Resident Steven Gieseler, Gieseler Insurance Agency Inc. Steven Gilmore, Gilmore & Associates David Joss, Federal Realty Lynn Bush, Bucks County Planning Commission Robyne Kelemen Bill Vandegrift
New Britain Main Street Study Transportation and Community Development Initiative grant from DVRPC Study of Butler Avenue corridor from Bristol Road to New Britain Road Foster the University-Borough relationship Create Butler Avenue as a “Main Street” Coordinate with the local business community Develop a revitalization plan
Study Area
Common Themes Butler Avenue is our Main Street Identity needed Gateway designations Signage Walkability is important Sidewalks and trails Crosswalks Mixed use development is desirable along Butler Avenue New development must not adversely impact neighborhoods Protect historic resources Connections between the university and community are important
Butler Avenue Vision Statement Corridor will reach its full economic and functional potential Well-balanced land use composition Development and redevelopment is sensitive to the existing neighborhoods and historic resources Local character is enhanced by new development A synergy between the commercial area and the University has been realized Transportation network is safe and efficient Connections to regional trail network are present The corridor has an identity and a sense of place
Existing Conditions
Land Use Category Acres Percentage Commercial 76.8 30.0 Single-Family Residential 59.8 23.4 Government and Institutional 56.8 22.2 Park, Recreation, and Protected 20.6 8.1 Open Space Rural Residential 13.7 5.4 Multifamily Residential 9.3 3.6 Manufacturing 8.6 3.3 Transportation and Utilities 5.3 2.1 Vacant 4.7 1.9 Total 255.6 100
Market Analysis (Drive Times - 5, 10, 15-Minutes)
Population Borough population projected to grow 6.4 percent through 2040 to 3,355 persons 5-Minute Drive Time (from center of Borough) 2020 population = 11,095 10-Minute Drive Time (from center of borough) 2020 population = 77,447 15-Minute Drive Time 2020 population = 175,574
Market Analysis 2015-2020 Demographic Summary of the 0-10 Minute Drive Time 2015 2020 Population 172,755 175,574 Households 27,987 28,540 Household Income $98,211 $110,754 Age 43.2 44.8
Market Analysis Food and Drink Industry Potential Opportunities Full-Service Restaurants – $4.9 million Limited Service Eating Places – $6.4 million Special Food Services – $838,000 Drinking Places – Alcoholic Beverages – $1.0 million
Market Analysis Retail Trade Potential Opportunities Furniture and Home Furnishing Stores – $2.3 million Clothing and Accessory Stores – $9.6 million Sporting Goods, Hobby and Musical Instrument Stores – $838,000 Florists – $301,000 Office Supplies, Stationery, & Gift Stores – $1.3 million Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers – $1.4 million
The Plan
How will the vision for the corridor be achieved? Physical Improvements Streetscape Improvements Access Management Redevelopment of Underutilized Properties Policy Actions Mixed Use Overlay Ordinance Design Guidelines Other Zoning and Subdivision Amendments Marketing and Branding Campaign
Streetscape Benefits Establish a safe boundary for pedestrians Promotes walkability and improves the overall visual curb appeal Connects destinations Complement revitalization efforts and help creates a sense of identity and place Enhances property values
Desirable Streetscape Elements
Access Management Existing Condition
Proposed Condition
Mixed Use Overlay Promote redevelopment of underutilized land Infill development Former industrial sites Encourage mixed use development Commercial/Business and Residential Contribute to the Main Street character of Butler Avenue
Mixed Use Overlay
Area and Dimensional Requirements Mixed Use required on sites greater than 1.0 acre Less than 1.0 acre may provide a single use Maximum Building Height: 45 feet or 3 stories Maximum setbacks from Butler Avenue (25 feet) Residential density Single-family detached: 3 dwelling units per acre Townhouse: 5 dwelling units per acre Multi-family: 16 dwelling units per acre
Design Requirements Minimum nonresidential use requirements 1,000 square feet of nonresidential use for every 10 residential units First floor along Butler Avenue must be a nonresidential use Public space is required (visible and accessible from Butler Avenue) Plazas Seating Areas Outdoor eating areas Wide sidewalks (4 feet wider than required)Create Butler Avenue as a Main Street
Design Requirements All parking behind principal building on Butler Avenue Shared parking permitted All development must contribute to the streetscape Walkways Landscaping and street trees Outdoor sidewalk lighting Benches Bike racks Access management
Architectural Design Review Municipalities Planning Code allows for architectural review of development on major thoroughfares and in areas of unique local interest New buildings should be compatible with existing architectural scale and style Franchise design/architecture is discouraged
Other Policy Actions Zoning Amendments Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Amendments Update of Borough Comprehensive Plan Marketing and Branding Campaign Continued dialogue with University, Business Community, and other Stakeholders
Design Guidelines Integrate into existing ordinances Building Guidelines Provides appropriate architectural examples Site Development Guidelines Site Planning. Building Placement and Orientation Public Spaces and Amenities Relationship to Surrounding Properties Circulation, Parking, and Service Areas Landscaping Design Elements and Accessory Features
Building Guidelines Mansard roof with dormers Molded cornice with dentils Sash windows and shutters Period light fixtures Large display windows on ground floor Foundation anchors the building to site Local architectural styles tastefully incorporated into building facade (Facing Sycamore Street) Federal-style brick chimneys Vertical and horizontal articulation breaks up building facade Window crowns and lintels Sash windows and shutters Pediment Large display windows on ground story Parking island planting (Rear of Building)
Site Development Guidelines Landscape Design Goodnoe’s Corner, Newtown Township Hartsville Professional Village, Warminster Township Hyde Park, Buckingham Township
Study Area
Overall Concept
Town Center
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