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Growth Study Com,,
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<br /> Morris Kirsner asked why the office district was located in the presently suggested
<br /> area, instead of somewhere else? Mr. Barber said for one reason, it is close to the
<br /> police and fire stations* and proposed library site, and the area where future town
<br /> buildings are likely to be built. This would combirie al.]. se.,rvicea iri one convemient
<br /> location.
<br /> Mr. Kirsner said he feels tlie value of the,, property fIlling in. the office area has been
<br /> diminished, coMpared with that located in the commercial zone. mr. Ma' .
<br /> rs-ters arid Mr
<br /> Barber both stated that office space rental comes as high, or higher, than retail space,
<br /> in mauiiy Cases. her. Kirsner trien asked, wh,y not let office and retail ;pace develop
<br /> wherever they -want within the center? He said by limiting development in designated
<br /> areas to just office, or shopping establishments doesn'tgive the landowners inucb choice.,
<br /> Mr. Barber said the shopping village will be the most desirable retail area for obvious
<br /> reasons, of being able tx) go from one shop to another. Mr., Ben way slad If he wanted to
<br /> rent an office, he would prefer to do so in or nean the shopping village.
<br /> Mr. Barber said that is where you have Ix consider building in incentives. This plan,
<br /> an "fors 35 foot heighths, over the old 30 foot allowance, and increases the percentage
<br /> of grolond cove-rage allowed witld.4 as parcel. Mr. Benway said he still had as problem
<br /> with the latitude that is being� a,ilowed to the primary landowner in the area. el.
<br /> Thomas said he should look at the fart that one of the designated shqpping village
<br /> areas is alreac.ky develqped, vad just consider what is left.
<br /> At this point, Mr. Makunas said he Alt the discussion was getting off the tract. Mr.
<br /> Marsters pointed out' the vulnerabili,:ty to lawsuits if zoning downgrades an landowners
<br /> holdipgs. He cited cases where a landowner bas wun. Mr, Barber said it is possible to
<br /> win such ca&B in court, if the community backs the pl= NI. Marsters-said. it is
<br /> difficult to prove in court that an plan requires certain things in certain places.
<br /> Sel. Tbomas said she thinks the present pl,tan takes care of all needs but entertainment,
<br /> Mr. Barber pointed ow,,it p�.,)ssible restaurant sitea,-,i.
<br /> �Mr. nway sald it seems the plan precludes anyone but New Seabury from putting in a
<br /> hotel. or TivAel. Mt. Balber said that was not the case - that such an. operation was-
<br /> only excluded fran the office and shopping village areas. Nbrrls asked If the plarl
<br /> could be changed to allow as inotel wiiere -the offices are now designated? Mr. Barber
<br /> said yeso it could be changed to allow a. inotel there.
<br /> Bob DeLory questioned the traffic plan, which was explained to him. Se"
<br /> 1. Thomas said
<br /> she still fears as parking problem. per., Barber said the same amount of parking is
<br /> allowed as In the present commercial zone. This should be adequate, considering the
<br /> number of square feet per establishment. He also pointed out that varying the uses
<br /> within an area, varies the peak parking times. He stressed that you can't on for
<br /> the Christmas rush - that would not be practical. Everyplace runs out of parking at
<br /> Wat particular time. Sep.. Thomas pointed out -there would, have -to be seasonal con-
<br /> siderations in, tbis area, however. All agreed. Sel. Garland said that Fields Point
<br /> won't address nor attempt to solve -the present traffic and parTing problems in the
<br /> existing shopping center, although tliey Dave the lan& to do so. Friday nights all
<br /> year rotaid are as problem there, he stated. Mr. Garland reported that in Mystic, all,
<br /> parking is outside the quadrants, wiUi only, pedestrian traffic allowed inside. Mr.
<br /> Makunas said this could be created with the Special Permit process.
<br /> Sel, Garland asked to go back. to the apar-tutent discussion - and called for as definition.
<br /> Mr. Marsters said he would define it as one-floor living, but,the present multi-family
<br /> zoning onpy allows for townhouses. Also, apartments are usually rentel, as opposed to
<br /> -txa%vnhouses whidl,,), *ire owned; Sel. Thomas pointed out tliat apartments could be owned,
<br /> ix)o - but w1A.-ti any ownership you can get into a revolving situation, "which becomes
<br /> "interval owner-ship", u,,wiless, care is taken.
<br /> Chm. Terry said he has bad as concern forr elderly housing all along. Sel. Thomas said
<br /> Q has been an. recognized need for a long time - and this is the time to provide for it.
<br /> Mr. Barber said maybe the committee is changirW, its th.-Lnking on apartments.
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