Three Villages & a Farm-Belchertown Beyond Design & Resiliency Team: American Institute of Architects and

The New England Municipal Sustainability Network

Three Villages & a Farm- Belchertown Beyond Design & Resiliency Team

Wayne Feiden, FAICP Director of Planning and Sustainability, Northampton, MA

Leah Bamberger Director of Sustainability, Providence

Michael Cavanaugh, AIA LEED AP Vice president and sustainability leader, CannonDesign, Boston

Jon Ford, PE Professional engineer, Horsley Witten Group, Providence

Ellen Morosoff Pemrick Principal, E.M. Pemrick and Company

Erin Simmons (project staff) Senior Director of Design Assistance, AIA, Washington DC

Dylan Zingg (report layout) Garrison Gamble (graphics coordinator)

Community Voices “Don’t want us become just another bedroom at eat at McDonalds.” “Belchertown has lots of amenities, but they are spread out.” “[We] grew without a lot of forethought.” “We need a hub.” “…Development IF its good development.” “we tend to plan piecemeal”

What we heard

Planning

Implementation • Foley Field

• Jessica’s Boundless Playground

• Route 202 design advancing

• State School planned demolition

• Christopher Heights assisted living

Vision 2013

2015

“piecemeal planning”

Pull it all together

Vision

Cultural Story

Connectivity for whom?

Cultural Connections

• Stone House Museum

• Fair

• “Carriage Capital”

• Town Common

• State School

• Local arts and crafts

• Performing Arts Center

• Studio space

• Galleries

• Athletic fields & playgrounds

• Trails

• Bike Path

• Indoor facilities

• NESFI

• Farmer’s Market

• Community Kitchen

• Farm-to-table / retail

• Agricultural Education Center

Food Recreation

History Arts

Lampson Brook Farm: RESTORE

•Cultivate

•Explore

•Learn

Town Center:

GATHER

•Market

•Sell

•Attract

State School: CREATE

•Be inspired

•Connect

•Play

Distinct, yet interconnected

villages

Food

Lampson Brook Farm

• Provide food for schools, restaurants, assisted living facilities

• Anaerobic Digestion / Compost

State School

• Ag. Education Center

• Light Food Processing

• Community Kitchen

• Food incubator space

• Brewery/ Distillery

Town Center

• NESFI Store

• Farm-to-table restaurants

• B&Bs

Lampson Brook Farm

State School

Town Center

Recreation

Lampson Brook Farm

• Nature trails

• Birding

State School

• Active recreation

• Indoor recreation facility

Town Center

• Passive recreation

• Bike path

Lampson Brook Farm

State School

Town Center

Connecting to Regional Trails

Mass Central Trail

History

Lampson Brook Farm

• Environmental history

• Inception with the State School

State School

• Honor historical significance

• Preserve buildings and tell the site’s story

Town Center

• Restore historic value of the Town Common and surrounding buildings

• Draw in visitors

Lampson Brook Farm

State School

Town Center

A Story Worth Telling

• Part of Belchertown’s history

• Raises awareness for the developmentally-disabled

• Demonstrates the progress made in understanding and supporting these populations

• Personal connections

Opportunity in Ruins

Art

Lampson Brook Farm

• Drawing

• Painting

• Photography

State School

• Artist live/work and studio space

• Shared studio spaces

Town Center

• Galleries

• Music

• Outdoor movies

Lampson Brook Farm

State School

Town Center

System Connectivity & Self-Sufficiency

Lampson Brook Farm:

Production

State School:

Creation

Town Center:

Consumption

Nodes:

• The Common

• Four Corners

• The Farm

• State Street

The Common

Figure Ground Studies

Amherst, MA

Figure Ground Studies

S. Hadley, MA

Figure Ground Studies

W. Springfield, MA

Figure Ground Studies

Belchertown, MA

Defining Edges

Filling in the Gaps

TOWN CENTER Streetscape Principles

TOWN CENTER Streetscape Principles • Buildings close to the street

• Critical mass, density, diversity of uses

• Windows & doors

• On-street parking

• Narrow, slow-speed streets

• Complete streets = balanced for all users

• Green infrastructure

• Street trees

STREET TREES

STREET TREES • Reduced traffic speeds • Safer walking environment • Aesthetics, placemaking, & security • Connection to nature • Rain, sun, heat, & skin protection

• Reduced tailpipe emissions • Emotional & psychological health • Pollutant absorption & lower ozone • Lower urban air temperatures • Improved local economy • Added value & tax base • Longer pavement life

Adapted from Dan Burden

STREET TREES

HEALTH

HAPPINESS

VALUE

University of Arkansas

TOWN CENTER Parking Concepts

TOWN CENTER Parking Concepts

-60

+30

+30

TOWN CENTER

Park Street

Existing

TOWN CENTER

Park Street

Proposed

TOWN CENTER

Main Street

Existing

TOWN CENTER Main Street

Proposed

TOWN CENTER Main Street

Proposed

Four Corners

Four Corners

The Farm

The Farm

The Farm Significant Features to preserve: - Siloes – historical significance/re-use - Main Barn – Educational hub - Open Space / Agriculture - View to Holyoke range and to State School Property

The Farm Significant Features to preserve: - Former Boiler Plant

The Farm Significant Features to preserve: - Former Boiler Plant - Cold Springs Brewery and Restaurant

State Street

State Street

CORRIDOR CONNECTIVITY Vehicular Mobility

New State School Connection

Adds a link to the network to improve

mobility

Courthouse Bus Extension Turn-around at Rt. 21 Future State School stop

Under evaluation

Under evaluation

Future

Farm to State Street

New path connectivity Nature trails

Lampson Brook Improve sense

of arrival ADA loop

around lake

Common to Bridge 5’ concrete sidewalks both sides Add street trees Intersection Improvements Consolidate intersection to eliminate ped. crossing & add crosswalk

Alternative path Explore improvements to existing path cut-through to bypass bridge

Intersection Improvements Tighten intersections & add special crosswalks

Pedestrian Connectivity Fill gaps to extend to Courthouse, Playground & Schools

Bridge Widen sidewalk State Street New buffered shared use path on north side

Courthouse New buffered

shared use path on south side

CORRIDOR CONNECTIVITY Ped/Bike Mobility

Under evaluation

Under evaluation

Future

Main St. On-street lanes Bike parking

CORRIDOR CONNECTIVITY Ped/Bike Mobility

State Street at Stadler/Front

• No traffic signal • Faded Crosswalks • Undefined corners • Sidewalks close to

roadway

State Street at Stadler/Front

• Four-way Traffic signal

• New Crosswalks • Defined, protected

corners • Sidewalks inboard

from roadway • Some buildings

closer to street

GET STARTED Public Space

• Start building momentum – ALTA is coming • Restriping for traffic calming & on-street parking • Temporary parks coordinated with programming & public art

GET STARTED Green

• Neighborhood tree plantings • Green infrastructure demonstration project

• Parking lot retrofits • Municipal building retrofits • Green roof bus stops

• Green improvements + gateways/wayfinding • Pavement to parks

Northampton State Hospital

Traverse City State Hospital

Foxborough State Hospital

Can include:

Agriculture & food systems

Small businesses

Responsible use of resources

Entrepreneurship - "home-grown" businesses

Socially Responsible

Economically Viable

Environmentally Sound

A BALANCED APPROACH TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Market Analysis Overview

Existing retail primarily serves local residents

No “regional draw” Competing shopping venues and

higher traffic counts in nearby communities

Recent/anticipated population

growth not enough to support large retail centers

Retail leakage to nearby communities, workplaces, online

The Town Common

Historic and cultural center

Economic objectives Retain/support existing

businesses Address barriers Provide/enhance cultural

opportunities to restore vitality

Pursue compatible business development and recruitment (long-term)

The Town Common

Cultural opportunities Arts activities & events at Clapp Memorial Library Live music at McCarthy’s Pub Stone House tours & events Performing Arts Center at United Church of Christ Town fair, farmers market Outdoor movie nights Potential amphitheater on the Common?

The Town Common

Compatible business opportunities B&B or small-scale lodging Arts space for kids Old-fashioned general store Specialty foods and farm products Restaurants and cafes Professional services

The Town Common

Co-working space Workspace for individuals

who work from home “A place to work, network,

learn, and socialize” Desks or tables and chairs Meeting space Copiers Wi-Fi access

Four Corners Area

Highway-oriented retail & service businesses

Local/convenience goods and services - e.g., grocery store, pharmacy

Economic objectives Retain/support existing businesses Fill vacancies in existing space

Avoid shifting retail activity

State School Area

Master Plan calls for mix of uses… assisted living, independent living to be developed first

Economic objectives

Continue to meet local needs

Enhance marketability of State School property

Pursue compatible business development and recruitment (long-term)

“Give people a reason to come”

Recreation as a potential economic driver

Develop/attract a multi-use recreational facility to serve residents and attract visitors

Enhance/promote trail networks

Consider drop-in location or rec center for teens

State School Area

Public Sector

Botetourt Sports Complex, Botetourt County, VA

Recreational “Destinations” Examples

Private Sector

Fore Kicks, Norfolk, MA

Considerations

Needs and interests of local users

Programming & facilities should not compete with existing resources

Potential partnerships - location near schools a plus

Market analysis

Sound business plan

Financial feasibility

Recreational “Destinations”

Compatible business opportunities

Small-scale food processing

Activities for kids

Food and beverage

Lodging options

Some retail (e.g., sporting goods)

State School Area

The Four-Point Approach

ORGANIZE RESEARCH PLAN IMPLEMENT

Regulatory Actions

• Review subdivision and zoning regulations to better support pedestrians and cyclists – See resource: “Commentary on Updating Subdivision

Regulations in Massachusetts” – The Trustees of Reservation

• Review zoning regulations to protect agricultural land – Currently allow residential single-unit dwellings in AG-A zone—

the town’s prime farmland.

• Petition state to transfer Lampson Brook Farm land to the town or other mission-oriented organization

• Participate in MassDOT’s Complete Streets program to get access to funding

• Continue application of Commercial Design Guidelines • Include trails in open space plans to make them eligible for

funding

Subdivision Regulations: Sidewalks

• “Bituminous Cement concrete sidewalks shall be constructed on one both sides of the roadway when contiguous with other town sidewalks or if required by the Planning Board. The Planning Board may require sidewalks to encourage pedestrian activity and provide more security for pedestrians.”

• “Be a minimum of four five feet in width.”

Subdivision Regulations: Sidewalks • Sidewalks should extend across driveways

– E.G. “Where driveway aprons cross cement concrete sidewalks, aprons shall also be constructed with cement concrete to create continuity with sidewalk areas.”

• Create mix use, commercial, and industrial subdivisions sidewalk standards

Residential Yield Street Mixed Use Commercial

and Industrial

Sidewalk (cement concrete only, including where it crosses driveway)

5’ wide on one side. Both sides required if traffic counts > X per day

6’ wide on both sides

Crosswalks Raised to elevation of sidewalk

Raised to elevation of sidewalk

Subdivision Regulations: Street Trees

“Where, in the opinion of the Planning Board, the existing trees to remain are not adequate, provisions for two street trees per lot may be required for each lot. Species, size and planting procedures shall be approved, in writing, by the Planning Board. Street trees shall be planted at an average interval of 50 30 feet on both sides of the street separating individual trees or at an interval required by the Planning Board.”

Subdivision Regulations Existing Proposed

Complete Streets

• Mass DOT Complete Streets Funding Program – To be eligible for up to $50,000 in technical

assistance and up to $400,000 in construction funding, a municipality must meet three primary requirements: • Attendance of a municipal employee at a Complete

Streets training

• Passage of a Complete Streets Policy

• Development of a Complete Streets Prioritization Plan

– Upon completion of these requirements, municipality is eligible for construction funds

First 100 days? • Install State St/Rte 202 wayfinding signs

•Advance Rte 202 design concepts w/Alta Design

•Design State St tactical urbanism w/Alta Design

•Adopt MassDOT complete streets policy

•Adopt walk-friendly subdivision regulations

•Draft walk-friendly zoning site plan standards

•Draft NESFI zoning district for only farming uses

•Request UMass Landscape Arch Town Commons Studio

•Second look at four state school buildings

• File legislation-transfer ownership Lampson Brook Farm

Thanks-residents and staff Douglas Albertson; Stephen Williams; LeeAnn Connolly; Judy Metcalf; Sarah Bankert; Caitlen Marquis; Pat Berry; Bill Terry; Kurt Steven; Judy Gillan

Thanks-WMAIA & UMass graphics support Garrison Gable (Graphics Coordinator); Dylan Zingg (Report Layout); Gabrielle Bernier; Randy Crandon; Michael Szczerepa; Michael Choudhary; Melody Tapia, Daniel Fontaine, Amibca Chadha, Shuo LI, Madison Burke

Three Villages & a Farm-Belchertown Beyond

• Vision • Cultural Story • Connectivity

Presentation and Final Report www.DesignResiliency.org

www.aia.org/liv_sdat