2016.11.14 Council Agenda Item 05

Following acceptance on May 27, 2015 of the Route 100 Vision Report by the Town Council, Falmouth voters approved funding for the Route 100 project on June 14, 2016.

The Town has since executed a contract with Stantec for the preparation of construction documents. Field and design work for that as well as coordination with MaineDOT and the Town is ongoing. The Route 100 Committee will be consulted for periodic feedback on the work by Town staff, consultant, and MaineDOT over the next 12 months. Bid documents are expected to be completed by Fall 2017. Construction is expected to be complete by Fall 2018.

The 2015 Route 100 Vision Report also included land use recommendations for the Route 100 area. These have not yet acted upon by the Town.

The Town was recently approached by David Chase who has proposed a 40-acre development off Mountain Road and Route 100. Before this project can move forward it requires Council approval of either dimensional amendments to the Village Mixed Use District or a Contract Zone.

The development proposal was discussed by the Community Development Committee (CDC) on October 25, 2016. Opportunities for interconnectivity with other parcels in the neighborhood, coordinated access to Route 100, and other design opportunities were identified. The Route 100 committee's land use recommendations were also discussed. The CDC felt that the proposed project presented a timely opportunity for the Town to explore how development in this area can best meet the vision set for Route 100.  

The direction of the CDC was to move forward concurrently on these three "tracks:"

1. David Chase will prepare a contract zone application for his proposed development for review by CDC. The consultant for the project has since reported that his client is comfortable following the lead by the Town and timeline for the second track below and will not pursue a contract zone application at this time;
2. Town staff will prepare concept zoning amendments for the Village Mixed Use District for review by CDC. This work will be informed, in part, by the recently adopted zoning for the Residential A District and the Village Center 1 District. Staff hopes to be able to have the VMU rezoning process completed by May 2017;
3. Town staff will work with Stantec to develop a West Falmouth neighborhood sketch plan. This sketch plan will explore possibilities for coordinated, phased development of, and best design practices for, the area between Mountain Road, Route 100, Marston Street, and the Maine Turnpike. The process will include opportunities for input from area property owners and developers, general public, CDC, and the Council before it is finalized in February 2017.

Preparation of the sketch plan will cost $8,500. This expense is proposed to be paid from the West Falmouth Crossing Tax Increment Financing District. The Council is asked to approve a supplemental appropriation request and funds transfer for this amount.

The CDC will meet next on November 15 to discuss these efforts. Town staff and the CDC will keep the Council informed of any public meetings and progress made.

Attachments:

• Order
• Chase Development Concept and requested zoning amendments
• Land Use Recommendations from Route 100 Committee
• Proposal by Stantec for West Falmouth Neighborhood Sketch Plan, November 7, 2016