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Board gives direction to refine native plant garden design at Village Hall, seeks more material and accessibility options
Summary
Trustees reviewed renderings for a native plant garden proposed for the Village Hall frontage, asked staff and Hitchcock Design Group to revise designs to increase planting area, narrow walkways, address ADA access and consider permeable pavers and bollard lighting; staff will return updated renderings and a phase‑2 proposal.
Trustees on May 19 reviewed conceptual renderings for a native plant garden to occupy five parking spaces in front of Village Hall and provided direction to refine the design with an emphasis on increasing planting area, improving accessibility and reducing hardscape.
Staff said the Arts Council helped develop the project and that Hitchcock Design Group produced the current renders. Trustees and members of staff discussed reducing the amount of brick hardscape in favor of planting area, narrowing pathways where possible while maintaining ADA access, and switching some crushed‑rock paths to permeable pavers or flow‑through paving to improve wheelchair access and reduce maintenance. Trustees asked staff to check cost implications for permeable pavers and to include a range of options in the phase‑2 proposal so the Board can compare materials and their upkeep needs.
Other items discussed included relocating plantings to avoid conflict with police cameras, making interpretive placards lower and less visually intrusive, including bollard lights kept as low as practicable for safety, and using one planting circle as a monarch‑friendly habitat to support pollinators. Staff noted the design team and public‑works staff will coordinate to keep costs down and fold this work into related diagonal parking and site engineering being undertaken by Christopher B. Burke Engineering.
Trustees did not take a formal vote on construction but asked staff to refine the renders and return a phase‑2 proposal — including cost opinions and material alternatives — so the Board can consider the item on a future consent agenda. Staff said they will consult the Arts Council, Hitchcock Design Group and adjacent residents as part of that process.
