Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc Hartford, CT Study Advisory Committee Meeting #2 April 10, 2014; 4-6 PM Route 1 Corridor Plan Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook,

Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT

Study Advisory Committee Meeting #2

April 10, 2014; 4-6 PM

Route 1 Corridor PlanClinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Connecticut


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


INTRODUCTIONS AND BACKGROUND

Fitzgerald & Halliday, IncHartford, CT Study area map


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!


EXISTING TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS


8 interchanges with I-95 over 12 miles

3 commuter rail stations over 12 miles

Route 1 serves a large regional travel shed



I-95 traffic diversion to avoid accident-related congestion


Typical of places where highways double as a Main Street


Typical of places where highways double as a Main Street


Typical of 4-lane highways with high retail activity





Places with good pedestrian accommodation should equate to better safety


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


EXISTING LAND USE, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND MARKET CONDITIONS


Town

Center

Town

Center

Town

CenterMarineResort

Interchange

Commercial

Interchange

Commercial

Interchange

Commercial




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


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


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?


CORRIDOR VISION



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.


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


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


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?


PREFERRED LAND USE SCENARIO


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


“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


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


Draft Route 1 Transect Concept


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!


• Insert Preferred Land Use Scenario Map


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?


FOCUS AREAS


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


FOCUS AREAS


Clinton Town CenterTransit-Oriented Enhancement Plan


Clinton Town CenterTransit-Oriented Enhancement Plan


Westbrook – Marina DistrictMultimodal Enhancement Plan


Old Saybrook – Route 1 Business DistrictComplete Streets Enhancement Plan


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


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)


Next SAC MeetingSeptember 2014

• Report on design charrette• Corridor Plan alternatives discussion• Draft focus area concept plans


Study Advisory Committee Meeting #2

April 10, 2014; 4-6 PM

Route 1 Corridor PlanClinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Documents

Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc Hartford, CT Study Advisory Committee Meeting #2 April 10, 2014; 4-6 PM Route 1 Corridor Plan Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook,