02/09/1983 GROWTH STUDY COMMITTEE Minutes

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Minutes GROWTH STUDY COMMITTEE Eebr 12 _I98'L.1_2 Present: Chairman Richard Terry, Selectman Jean Thomas, Earle Marsters, Michael Makunas, Robert DeLory, Leonore Anderson. Absent: Harold Collins (out of town) , Selectman Chester A. Garland and Pauline DeLory (attending other meetings for the town) , Michelle Stone (working) and Richardson Jonas. Guests: Brian Barber and William Kastarlak of Interchange. Chairman Terry called the meeting to order at 7:45, and recognized Brian Barber to give an introduction to the evening's subject. Mr. Barber referred to the new, large colored drawings which had been prepared by Interchange. He reviewed the objectives of the Growth Study Committee which were determined two years ago, and spelled out in the "Scope of services for development planning in Mashpee", dated August 11, 1982. To summarize, the-goal is to assure orderly growth, control growth, and to centralize community activities as much as possible to meet Mashpeels needs. The village center concept they have designed is on a small scale, and is pedestrial oriented. It is not a mall, nor a plaza, but it offers a pleasant place which will attract retail estab- lishments and pedestrians. The overall design has been balanced off by taking into consideration environmental concerns. It permits shoreline development (with proper setbacks) and provides for preservation. They have tried to merge all these concerns, while keeping the focus on the central area. Mr. Barber continued that they have considered the existing development constraints, the existing zoning, public landz, and topography., They have also considered the environ- mental constraints, which consist of wetlandso marsh, bogs, shallow swamps, and wooded areas. They have also respected the present property boundaries. He elaborated on the advantages offered by the "Village Center Concept", and pointed out that zoning changes would be needed to implement the design. However, he stressed this is still a concept - nothing is absolute. It offers a mixture of residences, office space, retail space, and a recreational area...recently added. Mr. Barber pointed out that there is a theme to this mixture, with certain key principles that had to be honored: a circulation plan with circumventerial roads, and one by-pass road to relieve the congestion at the rotary. Buildings are in clusters. There are certain required areas: the shopping village, the office park - so located as to relate it to town activities. He pointed out future proposed sites for a new town hall and public library. He also identified a possible hotel/motel site. There will be intense activity around the Village Center. The office area offers accessibility. Overall, the environmental qualities are protected. The commercial zone allows for the development of 1,000,000 square feet of retail estah!-w lishments (which is larger than the South Shore or Burlington Malls) . Although, the-pre-r pared drawings make it appear there are-a larg& numbei- of stores, they are only occupying 12% of the ground coverage, where the current zoning allows 20/6 coverage. Mr. Barber then set forth the incentives that will be offered to encourage builders to comply with the design: the commercial and office zones will permit 25% ground coverage, they will increase the heighth limit from 30 to 35 feet, will encourage buildings to conform to Cape Cod or colonial design, and to be small in size, and clustered. The bottom line is, these "incentive zones" allow higher density of commercial development if the developer follows the Village Center design.