Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Study Advisory Committee Meeting #2
April 10, 2014; 4-6 PM
Route 1 Corridor PlanClinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Today’s Agenda
• Introductions and background• Presentation and discussion:
– Brief Summary of Existing Conditions Report– Corridor Vision– Preferred Land Use Scenario– Focus Areas
• Public Design Charrette: date, format, venue• Next steps and next meeting
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
INTRODUCTIONS AND BACKGROUND
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT Study area map
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Existing Conditions
•Data Collection•Transportation
Network•Traffic Analysis
•Land Use•Environmental
•Previous Planning and Design Efforts
Vision, Goals, and Objectives
Plan RecommendationsImplementation Plan
Phase 1
(Month 1-5)
•Mobile Visioning•Market Analysis
•Preferred Land Use Scenario
•Identify Focus Areas
Phase 2
(Month 1-8)
•Public Design Workshop
•Design Concepts•Analysis/Testing
•Simulation/Renderings•Economic
Development Strategy•Regulatory
Framework
Phase 3
(Month 9-17)
•Priorities•Order of Magnitude
Costs•Regulatory Framework
•Action Plan•Timeline
•Public Meeting
Phase 4
(Month 15-20)
Where are we now?We are here!
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
EXISTING TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
8 interchanges with I-95 over 12 miles
3 commuter rail stations over 12 miles
Route 1 serves a large regional travel shed
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
I-95 traffic diversion to avoid accident-related congestion
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Typical of places where highways double as a Main Street
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Typical of places where highways double as a Main Street
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Typical of 4-lane highways with high retail activity
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Places with good pedestrian accommodation should equate to better safety
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Major Transportation Findings• Pockets of routine peak hour congestion on Route 1• Diversion of traffic from I-95 leads to frequent and
unpredictable congestion• Limited town center connectivity with train stations• Generally unsuitable for bicycle travel, despite being a
designated bicycle route• High accident rates along Route 1 correlate with Town Center
activity, driveway frequency, and highway design (i.e. number of lanes)
• Frequent driveways with little access control increases conflict points and adds ‘friction’ to the travel way
• Lack of pedestrian accommodations and connectivity with key destinations
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
EXISTING LAND USE, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND MARKET CONDITIONS
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Town
Center
Town
Center
Town
CenterMarineResort
Interchange
Commercial
Interchange
Commercial
Interchange
Commercial
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Major Land Use/Environmental Findings
• Well-formed town centers and clusters of activity with dispersed and variable uses sprawled in between
• Limited availability of undeveloped land• Pockets of retail development in need of revitalization• Zoning is fairly traditional (separation of uses)• Current zoning will reinforce low-density sprawl
development patterns and big-box near interchanges• Environmental resources are constraints AND assets
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Key Market Findings
• Increasing demand for multi-family housing• TOD-oriented demand should increase with
emphasis on ‘place making’• Infill and redevelopment has greater potential
than new development (refit and reuse)• Town Centers need to become regional
destinations to achieve their local vision of vibrant activity nodes
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Discussion:Did we see it all?
• Are there any other major transportation issues you would like to point out?
• Are there any other land use/enviromental issues you would like to point out?
• What about the market conditions?
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
CORRIDOR VISION
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
The Corridor from a Regional Perspective
Route 1 will be known regionally as a southern New England coastal recreation and retail destination with small-scale and larger national retail shopping and dining opportunities combined with cohesive Town Centers that reflect a sense of vibrancy and a strong year-round community.
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
The Route 1 transportation network will:• Balance local and regional transportation needs• Provide mobility and safety for all modes of
travel – auto, transit, bicycle, and walking• Provide continuity in the transportation network
– within and between modes• Provide safe and efficient access to properties
along the corridor• Enhance train station areas with better station
access and connections to village centers
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
The land use patterns along Route 1 will:
• Emphasize and enhance Town Centers and other activity nodes and focus development in clusters
• Preserve lands outside development clusters• Discourage continued sprawl• Preserve and enhance environmental and recreational
resources – more open space• Preserve neighborhoods and the unique coastal character
and history of the corridor• Promote higher-density mixed-use growth near train
stations following Transit-Oriented Development principles
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Discussion:How do you like the Corridor Vision?
• Do you agree with this vision – regionally, transportation, and land use?
• What would you add?• Would you delete anything?
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
PREFERRED LAND USE SCENARIO
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Two Future Land Use Scenarios
1. Status-Quo: continue current trends2. Preferred: reflects
– Corridor vision from community– Smart Growth principles– Transect development patterns– Transit-Oriented development
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
“Smart Growth” Principles• Mix land uses• Create a range of housing opportunities• Create walkable neighborhoods• Create a strong sense of place• Preserve open space, farmland natural beauty, and
critical environmental areas• Strengthen and direct development towards
existing communities• Provide a variety of transportation choices
Source: Smartgrowth.org and EPA Office of Sustainable Communities
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Transect Development Patterns•Transitions from rural to more densely developed in sequential pattern•Progressive increase in diversity and mix•Eases transitions from various “places” both with density, type, and transportation focus
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Draft Route 1 Transect Concept
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
What is Transit-Oriented Development?• Higher density (at least 10 units/acre)• Mixed-use• Pedestrian friendly• Reduced parking• Connectivity• High quality design• Transportation choices• No two are alike!
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
• Insert Preferred Land Use Scenario Map
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Discussion:Preferred Land Use Scenario (PLUS)?
• You think the draft PLUS achieves the various goals including– Corridor vision– Smart growth– A stronger transect land use pattern
• What are your thoughts about TOD potential in each Town?
• How would you change the PLUS?
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
FOCUS AREAS
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Focus Areas
1. Clinton Town Center: Transit-Oriented Enhancement Plan
2. Westbrook Marina District: Multimodal Enhancement Plan
3. Old Saybrook Route 1 Business District: Complete Streets Enhancement Plan
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
FOCUS AREAS
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Clinton Town CenterTransit-Oriented Enhancement Plan
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Clinton Town CenterTransit-Oriented Enhancement Plan
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Westbrook – Marina DistrictMultimodal Enhancement Plan
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Old Saybrook – Route 1 Business DistrictComplete Streets Enhancement Plan
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Reminder: The Plan will Include
1. Corridor-wide transportation recommendations2. Corridor-wide land use and zoning
recommendations3. Focus area conceptual plans4. Implementation Plan
– Packaged “Projects” or initiatives– Priorities– OOM Costs/Funding options– Lead responsibility
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Design Charrette
• June 3rd and 4th
• Westbrook Public Library• Working sessions on Tuesday (3rd)• Public Open House Tuesday evening• Interactive stations
• Transportation • Land use and market• Focus areas for each town
• Design production on Wednesday (4th)
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Next SAC MeetingSeptember 2014
• Report on design charrette• Corridor Plan alternatives discussion• Draft focus area concept plans
Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT
Study Advisory Committee Meeting #2
April 10, 2014; 4-6 PM
Route 1 Corridor PlanClinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Connecticut