2017.03.13 Council Agenda Item 08

Summary

Resolution on the West Falmouth Neighborhood Sketch Plan project process.

A public comment period will be included with this item (5 minutes).

ACTION: Council action is anticipated.

Description

The Town Council received an update on this project at their February 27, 2017 meeting. At that meeting, the Council requested staff draft a resolution that would provide direction for the next steps of the project. The resolution asks for the Long-range Planning Committee and the Route 100 Committee to review the Stantec plan in relation to the Town's Comprehensive Plan and the Route 100 Committee report and offer input and recommendations to the Council no later than April 30, 2017.

History

On November 14, 2016, the Council authorized the expenditure of $8,500 for the preparation of a West Falmouth Neighborhood Sketch Plan in response to a proposal by David Chase for a 40-acre development off Mountain Road and Route 100. The development proposal was discussed by the Community Development Committee (CDC) on October 25, 2016. 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 concluded to move forward concurrently on these three "tracks:"

David Chase will prepare a contract zone application for his proposed development for review by CDC.
Town staff will prepare concept zoning amendments for the Village Mixed Use District for review by CDC.
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.

As part of the West Falmouth Neighborhood Sketch Plan project (Track 3), the study area property owners were invited to two conversations: on January 19, 2017, the draft work to date as prepared by consultant Stantec was shown and feedback was received; and on January 30, 2017, the Community Development Committee (CDC), study area property owners, and others reviewed an updated presentation and had a dialogue.

The Town Council reviewed this project at both their meetings in February. Click the links to access the agenda materials for each meeting:

SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS

CDC to begin drafting zoning amendments (not a contract zone) for the general area which is consistent with previous Council work plans and the Route 100 Vision Committee findings. The CDC could reference the Stantec sketch plan and utilize elements of the plan that it likes into any new ordinance amendment. This would start the anticipated rezoning effort in this area and give guidance to property owners and developers for what might be expected in this area.
LPAC to offer its recommendation on how the sketch plan compares with the Comprehensive Plan and Route 100 vision. LPAC was the author of the Comprehensive plan and could be a logical committee to request a review and recommendation.
Route 100 Committee to offer its recommendation on how the sketch plan compares with the Route 100 vision. The Route 100 Committee was the author of the Route 100 Vision Plan and could be a logical committee to request a review and recommendation.

This meeting will, as originally proposed, conclude the sketch plan effort for which the Town contracted with Stantec .

ATTACHMENTS