Ipswich, Mass. Mixed-use Development

Mixed Use Development in Ipswich

Presented to the MAPC Annual Meeting

June 1, 2011

Mixed Use Development in Ipswich

Ipswich strongly encourages mixed-use development (commercial and residential), primarily in its central business districts

 Support for mixed use development is reflected in

goals & policies of Town’s long-range planning documents (Ipswich Community Development Plan, Ipswich Town Character Statement, and Ipswich Downtown Development Plan)

Mixed Use Development in Ipswich

Incentive for mixed-use development is provided in Ipswich’s zoning bylaw

In Central Business District & General Business District, buildings which mix commercial (primarily 1st floor) and residential units (primarily upper floors) receive significant density bonus (33% for six residential units; 80% for 10 unit project; 100% for 16 units)

Why Mixed Use?

Residents in commercial centers provide activity after dark and customer base for downtown businesses

Increases economic viability of overall development

Ability to establish residential units creates alternative to office use

Results of policies/incentives

Over past 16 years all new commercial development in downtown Ipswich has been mixed use

42 Market StreetThis building is located in the heart

of the downtown and replaced a vacant Woolworth’s store. It contains a retail paint store on first floor and four apartments on upper floors.

19 Depot SquareThis building contains three commercial

businesses on the first floor and ten apartments on the upper floors, three of which are permanently restricted as affordable housing

17 Hammatt StreetThis building, which was built on the

same foundation as a single-story, fire damaged building, contains two retail stores on the first floor and two residential apartments on the upper floor

108-112 County RoadSlated for completion in August, this

40B development near town center contains 48 permanently restricted affordable apartments and two commercial spaces.

108-112 County Road

108-112 County RoadCommercial units were added at

urging of Planning BoardDeveloper initially skeptical then

came to embrace it