12/15/1982 GROWTH STUDY COMMITTEE Minutes

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MINUTES GROWTH STUDY COMMITTEE December 15 Present: Chairman Richard Terry, Selectmen Jean Thomas and Chester Garland, Earle Marsters, Lenore Anderson, Harold Collins, Richardson Jonas, Michelle Stone, with Charles Rowley arriving later. Absent: Michael Makunas, Pauline DeLory, and representative from Board of Assessors Guests: Morris Kirsner and son. Chairman Terry convened the meeting at 7:05. Brian Barber hung his former sketch for a Village Center, and the new one he had just completed, side by side for comparison. Fie explained that the new drawing is to scale, and shows the present C-1 zone. He had made changes to comply with last week' s conclusions by expanding the Commercial Zone, and broadening the bike path into the conservation land. He had changed some of the parking areas, but they still remain behind the buildings. He indicated controls at the access points. He reminded the committee that there had been concern expressed regarding using the internal roads for a cutoff between the highways. lie said this problem could be controled with signs and signals - but it would not be practical to block them off. He showed the areas where townhouses could be expanded, then the density should be decreased as you move outward from the Center. He pointed out that this new sketch/plan incorporates 75 - 80% of the comments made at the last meeting. He stressed that the bike path will never go over the road, but will have to cross the roads in a couple of places. These major crossings will be treated by widening the path at the crossing, with signals to warn both bikers and motorists that they are approaching such a crossing. Sel. Thomas reported that the Transit Authority has a "Sub-bikepath Committee" that could probably give the committee suggestions. Mr. Barber agreed. He sAid a hand- operated light could be installed, but that's a drastic step. It helps to some degree to create an upward grade as bikers approach a crossing. Mr. Marsters asked if the bike path would connect up with other bike paths on the Cape? Mr. Barber responded that it would not - it is just intended for recreation for those in the area. He understands that the Recreation Committee is planning some bike paths. This one would probably be used mostly by adults. It is not intended for transportation. It will probably require some policing to keep other vehicles off the bikepath; this is one of the anticipated costs. Mr. Marsters said he still did not see how people are going to be convinced to build townhouses in a Commercial Zone. Mr. Barber responded that you have to create special conditions - perhaps put residences over commercial shops in some of the buildings. What he has proposed in the sketch will take care of the commercial needs of the town for the next 20 years. Mr. Marsters expressed some doubt in that matter. Sel. Garland asked what he expected to come into Mashpee? He stated that except during the summer, many of the commercial establishments are mostly empty. The result is the many empty buildings that plague a shopping center. Mr. Marsters insisted that he feels what is proposed will only take care of the town's needs for the next five years. He thinks more room should be left to expand the commercial district in the future - and he feels surrounding the Center with townhouses would prevent that. Mr. Barber said what he has proposed allows for 4 to 5 times the amount of commercial establishments that are in the area now, in square footage. lie believes Mrs. Marsters is looking at the land area, which is not relevant. The concept is to cluster commercial development. Also, he asked Mr. Marsters to consider the fact that there is always the possibility for vertical expansion - all buildings go go up a story, if need be.