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Consultants lay out pedestrian‑first City Center master plan; council debates rental vs. owner occupancy and design details
Summary
Consultants presented a draft City Center master plan that centers on a north‑south pedestrian 'chicane' mall, mixed‑use blocks and structured parking. Council and the public discussed density, parking, rental vs. owner occupancy (targets discussed between 25%–50% rental) and design materials described as a 'timeless, New England' palette.
City consultants presented a draft City Center master plan during a combined council/planning commission work session Nov. 20, describing a pedestrian‑first spine (a north‑south 'chicane' mall with east‑west vehicle crossings), pocket parks, an amphitheater/terraced plaza and mixed‑use building blocks ranging from single‑story townhomes at the edges to up to five stories in core locations.
The presentation included massing studies, shadow analyses and a block‑by‑block breakdown of proposed uses, parking and potential population. Consultants said the plan accommodates around 1,200,000 square feet of retail and roughly 6,200 housing units in the broader five‑minute drive study area and emphasized design elements intended to preserve east‑side view corridors while allowing increased height to the west.
Council and staff focused much of the Q&A on housing composition and the balance of owner‑occupied versus rental units. Several council members expressed a policy preference for maximizing owner‑occupied housing and suggested thresholds or incentives; conversation ranged from aspirational goals (25% rentals/75% owner) to more flexible targets (50% cap on rentals). Council discussed potential incentives (e.g., allowing extra floor area for higher owner‑occupancy rates) and noted state financing and market factors that affect whether owner‑occupied condominiums or rental apartments are feasible.
Design details generated support for a ‘timeless/New England’ materials palette (lapboard, stone accents, gooseneck lighting) and building stepbacks to soften massing at pedestrian level. Consultants emphasized oversized sidewalks, tree canopy, parking structures and a multi‑use plaza suitable for markets and small performances; they described parking calculations that aimed to keep most residents within 200 linear feet of a parking space.
The work session concluded with consultants asked to refine details and return with a 90% design package for further review and public comment.
