2017.05.22 Council Agenda Item 07

Summary

Reports from the Long-Range Planning Advisory Committee and the Route 100 Committee on the West Falmouth Neighborhood Sketch Plan prepared by Stantec.

A public comment period will not be included with this item.

ACTION: Council action is not anticipated.

Description

On March 13, 2017 the Town Council approved a resolution providing direction for the next steps of the West Falmouth Neighborhood Sketch project. The resolution requested that the Long-Range Planning Advisory Committee and the Route 100 Committee review the sketch plan prepared by Stantec in relation to the Town's Comprehensive Plan and the Route 100 Committee Vision report and offer input and recommendations to the Council. Both committees have met twice to review and discuss the Stantec plan and their findings are attached to this agenda item.

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 meetings in February as well as on March 13. Click the links to access the agenda materials for each meeting:

On March 13, the Council approved a resolution requesting that:

LPAC 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 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.

Since then, David Chase has filed a Contract Zone application for a portion of the West Falmouth neighborhood study area. The Community Development Committee (CDC) has scheduled a meeting on May 25, 2017 to review this application.

SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS

CDC to review the Contract Zone application filed by David Chase. The CDC could reference the Stantec sketch plan and LPAC and Route 100 Committee review findings, and utilize elements of the plan and/or review findings that it likes to include in a potential contract zone for this area. This would give guidance to the developer for what is expected in this area.
CDC to begin drafting zoning amendments for the general Route 100 area consistent with previous Council work plans and the Route 100 Vision Committee findings. The CDC could reference the Stantec sketch plan and LPAC and Route 100 Committee review findings, and utilize elements of the plan and/or review findings 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.

ATTACHMENTS